Marlins Offer Reyes $90 Million Contract – Report

Contract would lock down Reyes for 6 years, but Hanley Ramirez is not happy about possibly moving to third base for Reyes

The Marlins have showed they were indeed serious about landing a big-name free agent this winter before moving into their new stadium next season.

Citing an anonymous source, Fox Sports reported Monday night that the Marlins have offered Reyes a 6-year deal worth $90 million. If Reyes signs with Miami, it would represent the biggest contract in team history, bigger than the $70 million contract signed by Hanley Ramirez in 2008.

Another source told Fox Sports that Reyes is "intrigued" by playing for the Marlins for a number of reasons. Besides playing for manager Ozzie Guillen, a former shortstop, Reyes is reportedly happy to play for a team that rarely experiences cold or inclement weather at home games.

But, as always with the Marlins, there is a catch. If the Marlins acquire Reyes, they will have to either trade current shortstop Hanley Ramirez or move him to a different position. And Ramirez is not too happy about that prospect.

The Miami Herald reported Monday night that Ramirez seems adamant about remaining the team's shortstop. Herald sportswriter Clark Spencer tweeted is "not at all pleased at prospect of changing positions" should the team land Reyes.

"I'm the shortstop," Ramirez said to the Herald. "I've always been a shortstop."

It is possible that the team could trade Ramirez if Reyes signs, but Ramirez' trade value is at an all-time low after posting the worst numbers of his career in 2011. Besides, the team would not be making much of an improvement if it signed Reyes and unloaded Reyes immediately thereafter.

"We'll jump off that bridge when we get to it," Marlins president David Samson told the Herald, in what has to be the greatest Freudian slip in team history.

It is certainly possible that Reyes will not accept Miami's offer. This is only the first of what will likely be multiple offers made to Reyes, and the Marlins may have to sweeten the deal should other teams throw more money at Reyes.

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