Sources I spoke with shot down a rumor that spread quickly Monday indicating that the Marlins were close to signing veteran closer Jose Valverde to a 1-year deal, with one terming it "utterly false." Valverde is represented by agent Scott Boras, who rarely does business with the Marlins.
"Not true," said one source who has spoken to the Marlins' front office. "This is a typical ploy by Scott Boras to attempt to create a market that doesn't exist for his players, trying to drum up attention when no market exists."
While there has been contact between the Marlins and Boras about Valverde, one source I spoke with said there have been "no discussions" internally about the 34-year-old reliever and there is "nothing close to imminent."
The Marlins are already within $2 million of their projected $40 million payroll cap that's been budgeted for next season, and Boras is thought to be demanding anywhere from $4 million to $7 million for the pitcher. So if the price drops significantly, absolutely, the Marlins would listen. But, for now, that isn't anywhere close to happening and the consensus belief within the organization is that Boras is putting out word that the Marlins are in on Valverde to drive up interest elsewhere in his client.
