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01/23/2003 Archived Entry: "Today's MLB News: Marlins Sign Rodriguez"
Today's MLB News by Eric Gartman
Marlins Sign Rodriguez-The Florida Marlins signed former Texas Rangers catcher Ivan Rodriguez to a one-year deal. The one-year deal is worth $10 million, with $7 million deferred. The Marlins will pay Rodriguez $3 million this season, plus $3 million in 2004 and $2 million in 2005 and 2006.
Pudge Rodriguez, who had been seeking a lucrative multi-year deal all offseason, finally settled on his only suitor, the lowly Florida Marlins. Given his poor health over the past few years, no team was willing to meet his price of around 13-15 million a year for several years. Instead, Pudge settled for a one-year deal at a lower price than he wanted, but at a higher price than the only other team to make him an offer, the Orioles, were willing to pay. The Orioles were offering a multi-year deal with incentives that could earn Rodriguez up to 13 million annually, but with a guaranteed base of only 7 million. This was not enough for I-Rod. So Pudge instead went for a one-year deal to prove that he is still worth a big contract next year. As for the Marlins, they should not expect to keep him if he posts good numbers this year. The fact that the money is being paid out over three years shows how cash-strapped they are, in part because of money still owed to Charles Johnson, among others. But for the one-year they have him, he could make an impact.
