Joe Nelson non-tendered

by craig on Dec 13, 2008 9:50 AM EST in News and Rumors

Joe Nelson was the only Marlins arbitration-eligible player to be non-tendered.

...the Marlins announced that they didn't tender a contract to reliever Joe Nelson, who now becomes a free agent.

Florida did extend tenders to a number of its core players, including Josh Johnson, Ricky Nolasco, Dan Uggla, Jorge Cantu, Jeremy Hermida, Cody Ross and Alfredo Amezaga.

Reliever Logan Kensing and third baseman Dallas McPherson also were tendered.

Nelson appeared in 59 games for Florida this past season, and he was 3-1 with a 2.00 ERA in 54 innings. The right-hander was a reliable option in the late innings.

Don't ask me to justify this -- I can't. It wasn't like Nelson was asking for that much (~$800,000) after an excellent season pitching out of the pen. There may be many reasons why the two couldn't come to terms, but at first glance: it makes the Marlins look like one really cheap team who couldn't care less about the product on the field.

As it stands right now, the 2008 bullpen members who have been either traded or let go are:

Kevin Gregg, Joe Nelson, Doug Waechter, Arthur Rhodes and Justin Miller.

So much for that crap about the Marlins being able to afford all of the arbitration-eligible players.

Nelson will catch on with another team and may even get more money than he was asking for in arbitration.

Good luck Joe!

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I could live with non-tendering him...

…if that seemed to be the plan from the outset because of faith in the mostly unproven arms now, and writing off Nelson as an injury risk who had a lucky BABIP and won’t replicate the Ks. I’d dislike it, but could eventually swallow it. But the whole offering 650k and unwilling to budge 150k part is what really ticks me off. If it’s as cut and dry as that, the ownership deserves all the scorn they get.

by dgriot on Dec 13, 2008 11:10 AM EST reply actions

Joe Nelson was the best Marlin pitcher last year

suprised he doesn’t get a million yet

The Rays Party

by therayspartyleader on Dec 13, 2008 11:32 AM EST reply actions

Who's Next?

Rhodes and Nelson had the best ERAs out of the bullpen (and on the team) last year, luckily Volstad (third best) is a starter and Lindstrom (fourth best) is the closer of the future, otherwise…..pack your bags!

2 Time Defending Post-Season Ichthyomancy Champion

by hurricane on Dec 13, 2008 12:43 PM EST reply actions

Confused

I heard Mike Hill on the radio today and it sounded like there’s still a decent shot that Nelson could come back. My biggest issue is that now we look like the Mets of last year. Our bullpen was shaky last year and now its downright scary (in a bad way). I think we need Waechter, Nelson and Rhodes. Our pitching is too young to not have a strong bullpen. I think they are going to find a couple vets after the new year like they did last year.

Also, I think it is ridiculous to have Cantu at third base at this point. He lost several games for us there. I know Gaby should get a shot at 1st, but Cantu at third is just not a good idea.

by GMFB on Dec 13, 2008 1:11 PM EST reply actions

"I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse"

Man listen this is the way it is for this team. The fish farm is teeming with pitching man. If U don’t wanna play for what we offering then hit the road jack! Go somewhere like Wes Helms did and use some other suckers money. This type of mangement makes these guys work for there money. That extra whatever need to be saved when we hit the big time some we can pay all those superstars we keep raising. Look at MLB and see that they all played in FLA and thats why they got that burn to play. Even Abercombie did good for the Astros. This dude can easily be replaced

by TXBoy on Dec 17, 2008 11:49 AM EST reply actions