Florida Marlins: $ame old $ong and dance

November 14, 10:39 AMMLB ExaminerTony DeMarco

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Considering they can only be bit players in the free-agent market that cranks up today, the Florida Marlins got an early start to their roster retooling by being the game's most-active traders to date.

It's time to play catch up and see what they've been up to -- although you've seen it all before. We're talking about dealing away proven veterans on the verge of hefty, arbitration-induced pay raises for younger (and of course, cheaper) talent. That's just the way it is for The Fish, and proposed new stadium near the old Orange Bowl or not, that isn't going to change.

After all, this is a franchise so penurious that it gets a grievance filed against it regarding meal money. So it's little wonder we've seen closer Kevin Gregg, key starting pitcher Scott Olsen, first baseman Mike Jacobs and outfielder Josh Willingham head elsewhere already this offseason.

An estimated $35 million payroll just didn't have room for them, especially when star Hanley Ramirez (left) will see his salary rise to $5.5 million in the first year of a long-term deal. Those four were among an astounding total of 15 players from the 2008 Fish roster who are arbitiration-eligible.

The foursome will pull in an estimated $13 million combined in 2009, and that's why they will be doing so elsewhere -- as will departing free agents Luis Gonzalez, Paul LoDuca, Arthur Rhodes and Mark Hendrickson.

Gregg, who blew a major-league-high nine save opportunities, likely would have lost the closer role to hard-throwing Matt Lindstrom, so he was somewhat expendable. And the return could be huge, especially in 2010 and beyond, as right-handed reliever Jose Ceda throws in the mid-90s and could be another Carlos Marmol-type who emerges as a late-inning force.

Olson has averaged 10 wins over the last three seasons, and topped the 200-inning mark for the first time in 2008 -- numbers that would have sent his $405,000 salary in 2008 to the $2-3-million range in 2009. So despite all his potential, he and Willingham, a platoon outfielder who pounds left-handed pitching, went to Washington for promising second baseman Emilio Bonifacio and a couple of prospects.

Getting Bonifacio will improve the team's speed, defense and athleticism -- all needed -- but does it signal the departure of All Star second baseman and 30-homer slugger Dan Uggla (right)? Again, the main reason why would be Uggla's expected huge salary increase, as if kept, he easily could slide to third base. 

The loss of Jacobs removes another 30-homer bat from the lineup, although he is a more of a platoon player, as he struggles against left-handed pitching. The return was only right-hander Leo Nunez, who will be nothing more than another middle-relief option for manager Fredi Gonzalez.  

So with those holes to fill, plus others behind the plate and in the bullpen, there remains much to be done for general manager Larry Beinfest -- and little financial wiggle room within to work.

It's a precarious situation that makes him one of the game's most-underrated general managers, but keeps the Fish from truly challenging the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies in a tough National League East.

 Marlins 2008 statistics