Oct/080
Team Report
We all know the Marlins head into the long off season with a record number of arbitration eligible players set to make more money. While there are 15 arby players, not all of them will return with the Fish next year. With a little help from Yahoo Sports, I will break down our off season outlook…
Free Agents: OF Luis Gonzalez, C Paul LoDuca, LHP Arthur Rhodes, LHP Mark Hendrickson.
The only one from this group that I expect to return is Arthur Rhodes. Rhodes is still effective even as he gets older. Problem is he can’t give you more than a few batters a game. Rhodes was a huge asset down the stretch last year when Renyel Pinto started struggling. A one year offer seems fair for Rhodes who deserves a Kevin Gregg 2008 type salary, considering he was much more effective than Gregg.
Arbitration-eligible: 2B Dan Uggla, RHP Kevin Gregg, LHP Scott Olsen, RHP Ricky Nolasco, 1B Mike Jacobs, LF Josh Willingham, 3B Jorge Cantu, RF Jeremy Hermida, CF Cody Ross, INF Alfredo Amezaga, RHP Josh Johnson, C Matt Treanor, RHP Joe Nelson, RHP Logan Kensing, 3B Dallas McPherson.
We already know the story on most of these guys. I do expect the majority of these guys to be back and battling in Spring Training for starting jobs. Kevin Gregg, Mike Jacobs and Scott Olsen are 80-90% gone and guys like Dan Uggla would be traded only if the Marlins are blown away by an offer. That being said Hermida should get another shot in Spring Training to prove he is worth sticking around. Cantu should be back as well. I also expect McPherson to get a legitimate shot out of Spring Training for third base.
Oct/083
Luis Gonzalez To Ride Off Into the Grand Canyon?
We have all read the reports that Larry Beinfest has the permission of ownership to retain any of his arbitration eligible players back for the 2009 season. We can expect most of the core to be retained but guys like Kevin Gregg and Luis Gonzalez are still up in the air. Gonzo came over to the Fish last year as an open book. Use him as you wish and keep him around the young guys as a mentor. He did a decent job with the Fish hitting .261 with 26 doubles, 8 home runs and 47 RBI in 341 at bats. It appears Gonzo will probably not be back with the squad and is looking to ride off into the Arizona sunset. The AZ Central reports…
Luis Gonzalez has one final wish.
He wants a spot on Arizona’s bench next season. He wants to finish his career as a member of the Diamondbacks. He’ll carry the lineup card to home plate, if necessary.
“I’m open to accepting whatever role necessary if the opportunity arises,” said Gonzalez, 41.
What a great guy. This is a guy who left the D-Backs with a sore relationship with GM Josh Byrnes and has since had a change of heart. He came to the Fish with the same attitude as he will head to the D-Backs. Quite frankly, I think the D-Backs owe it to him.
I think the commenters on AZ Central agree.
Jan/080
Report: Luis Gonzalez to Sign with Marlins?
So we couldn’t put any money towards signing Miguel Cabrera but we have no problem paying guys like Luis Gonzalez and Kevin Gregg. What a novel idea. This should get fans out to the park this season. Ken Rosenthal is reporting Luis Gonzalez has decided to leave AZ and help the young Marlins. From FoxSports…
Free-agent outfielder Luis Gonzalez has reached a preliminary agreement on a one-year contract with the Marlins, according to a major-league source.
The deal, which is likely to include a guaranteed salary of approximately $2 million and incentives worth up to $1 million, is contingent on Gonzalez passing a physical.
Wonderful.
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