AP Source: Ramirez close to long-term deal with Marlins

5/10/2008 6:13 PM

By STEVEN WINE
AP Sports Writer

MIAMI (AP) -With a new ballpark finally on the horizon, the Florida Marlins are beginning to loosen their purse strings.

Star shortstop Hanley Ramirez has agreed to the framework of a $70 million, six-year contract to remain with the Marlins, a person familiar with the negotiations said Saturday.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press because the deal hadn't been completed. It's expected to be announced next weekend when the team returns home from a seven-game trip.

In February, the Marlins reached an agreement to build a long-sought, retractable-roof stadium near downtown, which is expected to substantially increase revenue for a franchise with a history of poor attendance and tight budgets.

Florida's 2008 payroll of $22 million is by far the smallest in the major leagues.

``As we get closer to the stadium, those things will change,'' owner Jeffrey Loria said in March.

Now it's likely Ramirez will still be with the Marlins when they move into the new ballpark in 2011. His deal would be the most lucrative in franchise history, topping the $61 million, six-year contract Gary Sheffield signed in 1997.

``When that happens, I think it's a good message to send for the organization, for the team, for the community,'' manager Fredi Gonzalez said before Saturday's game at Washington. ``But nothing is set right now. It's all rumors.''

When reporters approached Ramirez before the game, he smiled, laughed and waved.

``No comment, no comment,'' he said.

Marlins officials also declined to comment. Ramirez's agent, Andy Mota, didn't return calls seeking comment.

Ramirez's contract would average $11.7 million a year. The Marlins' best-paid player this season is closer Kevin Gregg at $2.5 million.

The 24-year-old Ramirez, who will make $439,000 in 2008, would be eligible for arbitration after this season. He was the NL Rookie of the Year in 2006 and had a breakout season in 2007, when he hit .332 with 29 home runs, 81 RBIs and 51 stolen bases.

He's off to a fine start again this year for first-place Florida, hitting .336 with eight homers, 21 RBIs and 13 stolen bases going into Saturday night's game at Washington.

``He's going to be a superstar in this league for a lot of years,'' Nationals manager Manny Acta said after Ramirez scored twice and drove in a run Friday at Washington. ``He can hit a home run. He can bunt and steal second and third and score on anything. He'll take a walk. He'll hit over .320, almost guaranteed. He can do everything he wants in the game.''

Several other Marlins will become eligible for arbitration and substantial raises after this season, including second baseman Dan Uggla, left fielder Josh Willingham, first baseman Mike Jacobs and left-hander Scott Olsen.

``With the new stadium, we kind of figured they're going to make an effort to lock a few guys up,'' Uggla said. ``They're starting with Hanley, and everybody's happy for Hanley. He's set for the rest of his life. Who knows what they're going to do now?

``I think it's a great move. He's going to be one of the best players in the game for a long time. He's a winner. It's really smart on their part.''

The Marlins traditionally have been reluctant to sign players to lengthy contracts. Last December they traded Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis rather than lock them up with long-term deals.

Making such a commitment to Ramirez could give the Marlins a much-needed attendance boost, Willingham said.

``Fans want to be familiar with their players,'' Willingham said. ``Somebody like him, to know he's going to be around to watch for that many years, will maybe get some more people in the stands.''

Ramirez came to Florida in a payroll-paring trade that sent Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell to Boston in November 2005. Red Sox manager Terry Francona said he was glad to hear about Ramirez's contract.

``Good for him. That's great news,'' Francona said.

Francona said it was apparent early in Ramirez's first spring training with the Red Sox that he would become a star. Francona said he remembers coaches telling him from the outset, ``This kid is some kind of special.''

AP Sports Writer Jon Krawczynski in Minneapolis and AP freelance writer Rich Dubroff in Washington contributed to this report.