Marlins trade Floyd, Dempster

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Posted 7:14AM on Friday, July 12, 2002

MIAMI - Cliff Floyd walked into the Florida Marlins' clubhouse in the morning and reported for work. Several people turned their heads, wondering why he was there. ``I was supposed to be gone by now,'' Floyd said. Hours later, he was. Florida sent the power-hitting outfielder and $1.5 million to Montreal on Thursday, and shipped right-hander Ryan Dempster to Cincinnati. Floyd was the team's highest-paid position player; Dempster its second highest-paid pitcher. ``It seems like it's always something for us to deal with down here,'' catcher Mike Redmond said. ``We can't control who they trade or who they keep. We just have to play the best we can with what we have.'' This was the second time the Marlins traded high-priced talent this season. The team dealt pitchers Antonio Alfonseca and Matt Clement - making a combined $6 million in 2002 - to the Chicago Cubs on March 27 for Julian Tavarez and his $3 million price tag. Even after trimming millions from their payroll since spring training, Marlins president David Samson said the team will lose $20 million this season. ``This is not a fire sale,'' Samson said Thursday. ``This is us making moves and trying to keep ourselves good now and in the future.'' Florida's players were hardly surprised. ``When you come out as ownership and say money is a big factor, then obviously something's got to go,'' outfielder Eric Owens said. ``It's not going to go away by keeping the same lineup.'' General manager Larry Beinfest said more deals are indeed possible, especially if Florida fails to significantly improve before the July 31 trade deadline. Several players have been mentioned in other potential deals, including All-Star second baseman Luis Castillo. ``We're certainly going to evaluate our position in the standings and keep talking to people in the marketplace,'' Beinfest said. ``That doesn't mean people are on the block.'' The Marlins open their second-half schedule Friday against the Cubs and trail NL East leader Atlanta by 11 1/2 games. Not counting the three division leaders, Florida is behind four teams in the race for the NL wild card. ``This is a good team, but in a sense I think it needs a shakeup,'' Owens said. ``Do I think Cliff Floyd needs to be gone? No. Do I think Ryan Dempster needs to be? No. But this team has too much talent to be sitting where we're sitting.'' In exchange for Floyd, the Marlins got pitchers Graeme Lloyd and Carl Pavano, infielder Mike Mordecai and a minor leaguer from the Expos. Combined, Lloyd, Pavano and Mordecai make $1.7 million less this season than Floyd's $6.5 million. For Dempster, the Marlins received outfielder Juan Encarnacion, who is making $1.55 million this season - $900,000 less than Dempster. Encarnacion's contract ends after this season, meaning there's no guarantee he will be with the Marlins for more than a few months. ``We saw we had a surplus in pitching and there are very few teams in this game that can say that,'' Beinfest said. ``We see ourselves not just competitive for the remainder of this season, but looking forward to the future. We're ready to move ahead.'' Many Florida players said good-bye to Floyd and Dempster on Sunday after the last game before the All-Star break, figuring neither would be around when the team resumed play Friday. They were right.