Kapanen024
12-02-2003, 11:44 PM
After winning the World Series, what's in store for the Florida Marlins?? We shall see...
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylc=X3oDMTBpcDBuM2RlBF9TAzk1ODYxNzc3BHNlYwN0 aA--?slug=ap-marlins-rodriguez&prov=ap&type=lgns
Marlins make offer to Rodriguez, sign Lowell
By TIM REYNOLDS, AP Sports Writer
December 2, 2003
MIAMI (AP) -- With Mike Lowell and Luis Castillo re-signed, the Florida Marlins turned their attention to Ivan Rodriguez.
Lowell agreed Tuesday to a $32 million, four-year contract with the Marlins, who also confirmed their $16 million, three-year deal with Castillo.
Pushing ahead with the team's offseason business, general manager Larry Beinfest said Florida had made a multiyear offer to Rodriguez, the 10-time All-Star catcher who was a key to the Marlins' World Series title.
Florida has until Sunday to sign Rodriguez, whose previous contract prohibits the Marlins from offering salary arbitration.
``Pudge was a very important part of our ballclub last year,'' Marlins manager Jack McKeon said. ``What manager in the game wouldn't want to have Pudge back?''
He hit .297 with 16 homers and 85 RBIs during the regular season. He piled on three more homers and 17 RBIs in the postseason and was selected MVP of the NL championship series victory over the Chicago Cubs.
Beinfest said Florida made Rodriguez ``a good-faith offer on a multiyear commitment within our abilities'' but wouldn't discuss specifics. The Marlins say they cannot afford a significant increase over last year's $54 million payroll.
Rodriguez's agent, Scott Boras, did not return a telephone call seeking comment.
``There's sufficient time left hopefully to get a deal done,'' Beinfest said. ``I cannot tell you what Pudge's or Mr. Boras' intentions are from this point.''
Lowell, who would have been eligible for free agency after next season, led the Marlins with 32 homers and 105 RBIs this year. The third baseman missed virtually all of September with a broken hand.
If the Marlins don't get financing in place for a new ballpark, Lowell's contract would convert to a one-year deal with a player option for 2005 that, if exercised, would guarantee him $14 million over the two seasons.
Castillo, who had filed for free agency, agreed to return Monday night, spurning an offer from the New York Mets. The second baseman hit a team-high .314 with six homers, 21 steals and 39 RBIs last season, part of a speedy 1-2 punch with Juan Pierre at the top of the lineup.
``It's a tremendous lift that these two guys will be returning,'' McKeon said. ``When you look back at last year, our keys were pitching and defense. So I think it was very important to keep these guys.''
Castillo gets a $2 million signing bonus, $4 million in 2004, $4.5 million in 2005 and $5 million in 2006, and the Marlins have a $5.75 million option for 2007 with a $500,000 buyout. If the option is exercised, the deal would be worth $21.25 million over four years.
``Mike's here and third base is not an issue, as is second base,'' Beinfest said. ``We brought back two All-Star players. They're here for multiple years and we think they're a big part of this ballclub's future.''
The only regular position player guaranteed not to return is first baseman Derrek Lee, traded to the Chicago Cubs last week for first baseman Hee Seop Choi and a player to be named.
``We have big parts of this team under contract,'' Beinfest said. ``We expect to be back and be competitive in '04 ... and that we have allocated the money in the right places to be competitive.''
Beinfest said strengthening the bullpen is a priority, but said closer Ugueth Urbina is not likely to return.
Chad Fox, who worked 25 1-3 innings last season in a setup role after Florida signed him in the second half, has been offered a deal.
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylc=X3oDMTBpcDBuM2RlBF9TAzk1ODYxNzc3BHNlYwN0 aA--?slug=ap-marlins-rodriguez&prov=ap&type=lgns
Marlins make offer to Rodriguez, sign Lowell
By TIM REYNOLDS, AP Sports Writer
December 2, 2003
MIAMI (AP) -- With Mike Lowell and Luis Castillo re-signed, the Florida Marlins turned their attention to Ivan Rodriguez.
Lowell agreed Tuesday to a $32 million, four-year contract with the Marlins, who also confirmed their $16 million, three-year deal with Castillo.
Pushing ahead with the team's offseason business, general manager Larry Beinfest said Florida had made a multiyear offer to Rodriguez, the 10-time All-Star catcher who was a key to the Marlins' World Series title.
Florida has until Sunday to sign Rodriguez, whose previous contract prohibits the Marlins from offering salary arbitration.
``Pudge was a very important part of our ballclub last year,'' Marlins manager Jack McKeon said. ``What manager in the game wouldn't want to have Pudge back?''
He hit .297 with 16 homers and 85 RBIs during the regular season. He piled on three more homers and 17 RBIs in the postseason and was selected MVP of the NL championship series victory over the Chicago Cubs.
Beinfest said Florida made Rodriguez ``a good-faith offer on a multiyear commitment within our abilities'' but wouldn't discuss specifics. The Marlins say they cannot afford a significant increase over last year's $54 million payroll.
Rodriguez's agent, Scott Boras, did not return a telephone call seeking comment.
``There's sufficient time left hopefully to get a deal done,'' Beinfest said. ``I cannot tell you what Pudge's or Mr. Boras' intentions are from this point.''
Lowell, who would have been eligible for free agency after next season, led the Marlins with 32 homers and 105 RBIs this year. The third baseman missed virtually all of September with a broken hand.
If the Marlins don't get financing in place for a new ballpark, Lowell's contract would convert to a one-year deal with a player option for 2005 that, if exercised, would guarantee him $14 million over the two seasons.
Castillo, who had filed for free agency, agreed to return Monday night, spurning an offer from the New York Mets. The second baseman hit a team-high .314 with six homers, 21 steals and 39 RBIs last season, part of a speedy 1-2 punch with Juan Pierre at the top of the lineup.
``It's a tremendous lift that these two guys will be returning,'' McKeon said. ``When you look back at last year, our keys were pitching and defense. So I think it was very important to keep these guys.''
Castillo gets a $2 million signing bonus, $4 million in 2004, $4.5 million in 2005 and $5 million in 2006, and the Marlins have a $5.75 million option for 2007 with a $500,000 buyout. If the option is exercised, the deal would be worth $21.25 million over four years.
``Mike's here and third base is not an issue, as is second base,'' Beinfest said. ``We brought back two All-Star players. They're here for multiple years and we think they're a big part of this ballclub's future.''
The only regular position player guaranteed not to return is first baseman Derrek Lee, traded to the Chicago Cubs last week for first baseman Hee Seop Choi and a player to be named.
``We have big parts of this team under contract,'' Beinfest said. ``We expect to be back and be competitive in '04 ... and that we have allocated the money in the right places to be competitive.''
Beinfest said strengthening the bullpen is a priority, but said closer Ugueth Urbina is not likely to return.
Chad Fox, who worked 25 1-3 innings last season in a setup role after Florida signed him in the second half, has been offered a deal.