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MFFL · 07-13-2003, 10:23 AM

Even the Florida papers say that they overpaid
===

Posted on Sat, Jul. 12, 2003

Marlins upgrade with Urbina
AL saves leader comes at cost of three prospects
By CLARK SPENCER
cspencer@herald.com

MONTREAL - The Marlins aren't playing for next year or the one after that. They're playing for the present, underscoring those intentions Friday by trading three top minor-league prospects to the Texas Rangers for American League saves leader Ugueth Urbina.

''We wanted to bring in a guy who could really help us right now, a high-impact guy,'' said Marlins general manager Larry Beinfest, who had been working the phones for more than a week in search of a quality reliever.

Beinfest said Urbina, 29, will be used in a set-up role for closer Braden Looper. Urbina, a hard-throwing right-hander, converted 26 of 30 save chances for Texas this season and has 200 saves in nine major-league seasons.

''Urbina we did identify as one of the key guys that could really help us,'' Beinfest said. ``He's a winner and very intense, and he'll take the ball any day at any time.''

Said manager Jack McKeon: ``No question it's big. Makes us a [heck] of a lot stronger. I think this shows the fans and players [management is] in this thing, they believe in this club. It shows people we're not tearing this club apart.''

But the bullpen upgrade didn't come cheap. The Marlins gave up first baseman Adrián González, outfielder Will Smith and left-handed pitcher Ryan Snare.

González was the Marlins' first-round pick in the 2000 draft and was ranked by Baseball America as the third-best prospect in the organization. Smith was ranked by the publication as the organization's ninth-best prospect, while Snare was No. 11.

''We gave up some quality,'' Beinfest said. ``But we want to win now. In Adrián, we thought we were dealing in an area of strength.''

The Marlins have high hopes for prospect Jason Stokes, another first baseman in their farm system.

Said McKeon: ``If you want something, you've got to overpay, and evidently we overpaid. But if it proves to be a plus . . .

'The [Marlins players] couldn't believe it when they heard it. It's a case where they're saying, `Hey, this is a good sign. Management wants to help us.' ''

McKeon said third-base coach Ozzie Guillén talked to Urbina -- a fellow Venezuelan -- on the phone Friday and that the veteran reliever was agreeable about his new set-up role.

''He said he'd do anything to help us,'' McKeon said.

Major-league sources said the Rangers -- who sent an undisclosed amount of cash to Florida in the deal -- will pick up all but $600,000 of the approximately $2 million left on Urbina's contract this season, after which he can become a free agent. He is expected to join the Marlins today.

The Marlins bullpen ranks 13th in the National League in ERA and is without Tim Spooneybarger, who is on the disabled list with a sprained right elbow.

''With Ugie coming on board, it's going to be tough against the back end of our bullpen now,'' Beinfest said. ``We didn't want to strengthen it. We wanted to fortify it.''

Urbina throws his fastball in the 93 to 94 mph range and has a solid changeup to go with a breaking ball.

To make room for Urbina, the Marlins outrighted right-handed reliever Allen Levrault.

07-13-2003, 10:23 AM	#9
MFFL Guru Join Date: May 2001 Location: Arlington, TX Posts: 13,181	Rangers trade Urbina Even the Florida papers say that they overpaid === Posted on Sat, Jul. 12, 2003 Marlins upgrade with Urbina AL saves leader comes at cost of three prospects By CLARK SPENCER cspencer@herald.com MONTREAL - The Marlins aren't playing for next year or the one after that. They're playing for the present, underscoring those intentions Friday by trading three top minor-league prospects to the Texas Rangers for American League saves leader Ugueth Urbina. ''We wanted to bring in a guy who could really help us right now, a high-impact guy,'' said Marlins general manager Larry Beinfest, who had been working the phones for more than a week in search of a quality reliever. Beinfest said Urbina, 29, will be used in a set-up role for closer Braden Looper. Urbina, a hard-throwing right-hander, converted 26 of 30 save chances for Texas this season and has 200 saves in nine major-league seasons. ''Urbina we did identify as one of the key guys that could really help us,'' Beinfest said. ``He's a winner and very intense, and he'll take the ball any day at any time.'' Said manager Jack McKeon: ``No question it's big. Makes us a [heck] of a lot stronger. I think this shows the fans and players [management is] in this thing, they believe in this club. It shows people we're not tearing this club apart.'' But the bullpen upgrade didn't come cheap. The Marlins gave up first baseman Adrián González, outfielder Will Smith and left-handed pitcher Ryan Snare. González was the Marlins' first-round pick in the 2000 draft and was ranked by Baseball America as the third-best prospect in the organization. Smith was ranked by the publication as the organization's ninth-best prospect, while Snare was No. 11. ''We gave up some quality,'' Beinfest said. ``But we want to win now. In Adrián, we thought we were dealing in an area of strength.'' The Marlins have high hopes for prospect Jason Stokes, another first baseman in their farm system. Said McKeon: ``If you want something, you've got to overpay, and evidently we overpaid. But if it proves to be a plus . . . 'The [Marlins players] couldn't believe it when they heard it. It's a case where they're saying, `Hey, this is a good sign. Management wants to help us.' '' McKeon said third-base coach Ozzie Guillén talked to Urbina -- a fellow Venezuelan -- on the phone Friday and that the veteran reliever was agreeable about his new set-up role. ''He said he'd do anything to help us,'' McKeon said. Major-league sources said the Rangers -- who sent an undisclosed amount of cash to Florida in the deal -- will pick up all but $600,000 of the approximately $2 million left on Urbina's contract this season, after which he can become a free agent. He is expected to join the Marlins today. The Marlins bullpen ranks 13th in the National League in ERA and is without Tim Spooneybarger, who is on the disabled list with a sprained right elbow. ''With Ugie coming on board, it's going to be tough against the back end of our bullpen now,'' Beinfest said. ``We didn't want to strengthen it. We wanted to fortify it.'' Urbina throws his fastball in the 93 to 94 mph range and has a solid changeup to go with a breaking ball. To make room for Urbina, the Marlins outrighted right-handed reliever Allen Levrault.