Marlins General Manager Larry Beinfest said he spoke Wednesday with the agent for closer Todd Jones and that there was a chance the closer would return to Florida in 2006.
Jones, who is on vacation in Hawaii, said last week that he planned to consider offers from other teams, a process that can begin Friday, before he decides on an offer.
Beinfest said rebuilding the bullpen is one of his main priorities this off-season. But he did not indicate he would offer Jones the two-year deal the right-hander is seeking.
Jones signed a one-year, $1.1 million contract in December as a set-up man for Guillermo Mota. But Mota hurt his elbow in May and Jones went on to post a 2.10 ERA and notch 40 saves.
Now, the Marlins will have to determine if 2005 was a fluke or if Jones, 37, is worth a two-year commitment.
"He's an interesting free agent because of his recent history and then the 40 saves. We'll see,'' Beinfest said.
Todd Jones Still Could Return To Florida




