Marlins Sign Calero, Standridge

      The Marlins have signed right-handed relievers Kiko Calero and Jason Standridge to minor-league contracts and extended non-roster invitations to the two pitchers.

      Calero, 34, is an intriguing acquisition, having amassed significant playing time with St. Louis and Oakland from 2003-07. The St. Thomas University product has made 246 major league appearances over his career. He appeared in just five games last season for Oakland before the A's released him in June.

     Standridge is a former first-round pick by Tampa Bay and has 60 career big-league appearances on his resume. He spent last season in Japan. 

Payroll Edging Up, But Marlins Will Trail Pack (Again)

               The Marlins budgeted three more millionaires for the 2009 season on Tuesday when they reached contract agreements with Ricky Nolasco ($2.4 million), Cody Ross ($2.225 million) and Alfredo Amezaga ($1.3 million).

              Jorge Cantu ($3.5 million) and Jeremy Hermida ($2.25 million) reached agreements Monday. 

              Assuming an independent arbitor awards Dan Uggla anywhere from $5 million to $6 million when the All-Star second baseman has his salary arbitration hearing in February, the Marlins will likely open the season with a payroll in the $33 million range.

               That's an increase from their 2008 roster figure of $22 million, but should keep them positioned at the bottom of the major league totem pole for the third time in four years.               

Ross, Nolasco, Amezaga Sign; Uggla Headed to Arbitration Hearing

                The Marlins avoided salary arbitration with Cody Ross, Ricky Nolasco and Alfredo Amezaga by agreeing to contracts with those three players, but could not reach agreement with All-Star second baseman Dan Uggla before Tuesday's noon deadline.

                As a result, Uggla and the Marlins will head to an arbitration hearing in February to decide his 2009 salary.

                The Marlins worked out 1-year deals with Nolasco ($2.4 million plus incentives) and Ross ($2.225 million). They also agreed to deals on Monday with third baseman Jorge Cantu ($3.5 million) and outfielder Jeremy Hermida ($2.25 million).

                

Marlins Non-Roster Invitees

           The Marlins have extended spring training invitations to 24 non-roster players. They are:

           Pitchers: Jose Ceda, Willie Collazo*, John Koronka*, Henry Owens, Brian Sanches*, Brett Sinkbeil, Aaron Thompson, Sean West, Michael Wood*.

           Catchers: Brad Davis, Miguel Fermin, Kyle Skipworth.

           Infielders: Chris Coghlan, Matt Dominguez, Andy Gonzalez*, John Lindsey, Manny Mayorson, Logan Morrison.

           Outfielders: Scott Cousins, Alejandro de Aza, Jay Gibbons*, John Raynor, Michael Ryan*, Michael Stanton.

* Signed to minor-league contracts

                                                                                        

Marlins Sign Jay Gibbons to Minor League Contract

        The Marlins have signed former Baltimore Orioles outfielder Jay Gibbons to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.

        The 31-year-old Gibbons, who was involved in baseball's steroids scandal, has not played in the majors since August, 2007, and was released by the Orioles last March even though he was still owed $12 million for the two remaining years of his contract.

       "I'm excited and appreciative for the opportunity," Gibbons told the  Baltimore Sun newspaper on Monday.

      Gibbons spent seven seasons with the Orioles, ones in which he was often injured. He had his best year in 2003 when he hit .277 with 23 home runs and 100 RBI. http://www.baseball-reference.com/g/gibboja01.shtml

      But after being named in the Mitchell Report in December, 2007, and then cut by the Orioles, he ended up playing with the independent Long Island Ducks before signing a minor-league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers and playing with their Double A and Triple A outfits.

Marlins Interest in Pedro Martinez? Not for Now

            The baseball rumor mill is abuzz this morning with an ESPNdeportes.com report that the Marlins might be doing business with Pedro Martinez. But multiple sources tell us nothing is afoot on that front, that either the Marlins aren't interested in the 37-year-old pitcher or they don't feel they can afford him.

            While the word is Martinez would like to pitch for the Marlins ( one source told me recently it would be his "first choice") the Marlins have had no recent discussions with Martinez and his camp, and none are planned.

             Martinez, a free agent, wasn't exactly Pedro-like the past three seasons with the New York Mets in which injuries limited him to 48 total starts, a 17-15 record and 4.74 ERA.

            

            

       

Marlins, Kensing Agree to Deal

        The Marlins crossed one more name off their list of arbitration-eligible players, agreeing to terms with Logan Kensing on a one-year deal for $660,000.

        The right-handed reliever went 3-1 with a 4.23 ERA in 48 relief appearances for the Marlins last season. He also appeared in 13 games for Triple A Albuquerque, going 1-0 with a 6.39 ERA for the Isotopes.

       The agreement with Kensing leaves the Marlins with seven players still eligible for salary arbitration.