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JUPITER — The day after the Marlins' season ended last October, pitcher Burke Badenhop reported to jury duty at the Palm Beach County courthouse. He wasn't picked to serve, but he did talk just a little baseball with the judge.
"The judge said, 'What do they call you on TV? The Hopper? That's right,' ' he recalled Sunday.
Badenhop's day in court, where he said he "served the great County of Palm Beach,' marked the start of a busy off-season: He got married, helped a friend write a book about financial planning and started co-writing a movie screenplay with his agent. ("It's a comedy,' he said, "so if the Farrelly brothers are out there listening, we'd love to have a shot.')
He hopes his upcoming baseball season with the Marlins is much busier.
Badenhop has turned out to be the biggest contributor of the six players the Marlins got in the trade that sent Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis to the Detroit Tigers in December 2007.
Although his ability to pitch multiple innings has made him a valuable reliever, he knows he might not necessarily be a lock to win a job this spring.
In an effort to rebuild a bullpen that led the National League with 25 blown saves last year, the Marlins acquired four new relief pitchers - left-handers Randy Choate and Mike Dunn and right-handers Edward Mujica and Ryan Webb.
"You don't really trade for those guys and then send them down,' said Badenhop, who went 2-5 with a 3.99 in 53 games in 2010. "In years past, the bullpen was kind of wide open. I think we have a better idea (this year).'
Leo Nunez is the closer for now, with Clay Hensley setting up. That leaves one bullpen spot open, with Badenhop and Brian Sanches as the top candidates.
Unless one of them is traded before April, Badenhop might appear to have an edge because the Marlins gave him a $750,000 contract in his first year of arbitration.
Sanches, who's eligible for arbitration next winter, was a valuable contributor for the Marlins, too, last year. He posted career highs in appearances (61) and innings (63 2/3) and a career low ERA (2.26).
"In this game you never want to get comfortable. In my career I've always had something to prove,' said Sanches.
"The judge said, 'What do they call you on TV? The Hopper? That's right,' ' he recalled Sunday.
Badenhop's day in court, where he said he "served the great County of Palm Beach,' marked the start of a busy off-season: He got married, helped a friend write a book about financial planning and started co-writing a movie screenplay with his agent. ("It's a comedy,' he said, "so if the Farrelly brothers are out there listening, we'd love to have a shot.')
He hopes his upcoming baseball season with the Marlins is much busier.
Badenhop has turned out to be the biggest contributor of the six players the Marlins got in the trade that sent Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis to the Detroit Tigers in December 2007.
Although his ability to pitch multiple innings has made him a valuable reliever, he knows he might not necessarily be a lock to win a job this spring.
In an effort to rebuild a bullpen that led the National League with 25 blown saves last year, the Marlins acquired four new relief pitchers - left-handers Randy Choate and Mike Dunn and right-handers Edward Mujica and Ryan Webb.
"You don't really trade for those guys and then send them down,' said Badenhop, who went 2-5 with a 3.99 in 53 games in 2010. "In years past, the bullpen was kind of wide open. I think we have a better idea (this year).'
Leo Nunez is the closer for now, with Clay Hensley setting up. That leaves one bullpen spot open, with Badenhop and Brian Sanches as the top candidates.
Unless one of them is traded before April, Badenhop might appear to have an edge because the Marlins gave him a $750,000 contract in his first year of arbitration.
Sanches, who's eligible for arbitration next winter, was a valuable contributor for the Marlins, too, last year. He posted career highs in appearances (61) and innings (63 2/3) and a career low ERA (2.26).
"In this game you never want to get comfortable. In my career I've always had something to prove,' said Sanches.
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