[Larry]

Sean West has been optioned to AAA while Jose Ceda has been optioned to AA.

[Marlins2003]

Neither comes as a surprise. The only surprise really, is that more names haven't been announced since the end of yesterday's game. I would of thought this was a clean out the pantry kind of day, maybe it's just beginning.

[TrustN61]

Too bad West couldn't get it together in ST. If he can develop some consistency, he'll be back up. Ceda was a no brainer.

[fanofthefish]

I was hoping that West would put it together, hopefully he does well in NOLA and we'll see him back soon, Ceda just needs to pitch more and prove he's healthy, I hope both are in the Bigs by seasons end.

[geemoney]

Marlins2003, on March 15, 2010 - 09:51 AM, said:

Neither comes as a surprise. The only surprise really, is that more names haven't been announced since the end of yesterday's game. I would of thought this was a clean out the pantry kind of day, maybe it's just beginning.

I'm a bit surprised they sent West down already. I don't know if this is a "message" type of thing or what, but I figured they'd give him at least one or two more starts before deciding. Maybe the way Vanden Hurk and Penn (and to a lesser extent, Hensley) have pitched thus far made the Marlins feel safe enough with other options at this point.

[Schnellders]

Ok so now West is out of the picture for the rotation here is another suggestion as to how it plays out:

Obviously Johnson and Nolasco are in. Anibal is 99% certain to make it in my opinion. I also think RVH is in after some reasonable Spring outings. That leaves Volstad, Miller and Penn. Or does it?

I know we don't need a 5th starter much to start with but perhaps Badenhop could slot into that role, with Penn (providing he continues to pitch well) assuming the long reliever role, while the struggling Miller and Volstad work on things in AAA for a bit.

[gizmo]

Yeah I don't know about Volstad. I think he could use the time down in AAA to get his stuff together. I'm actually starting to think that Hensley could sneak in there.

[Erick]

I actually think Hensley has a better shot, at this point, than Volstad and Miller.

[Nny]

The problem with anyone making the roster not already on the 40 man is moves that would have to correspond with the 40 man roster.

We're at 40 right now. Christhian Martinez is the only "duh" one to be DFA'd. If JJ2 doesn't make the team, he's gone, but his spot on the 40 man is taken by whoever we get to be the left handed bench bat. Jai is a possibility with Petersen/Cousins/Stanton/ect breathing down his neck, but at that point we'd only have one outfielder on the 40 man roster in the minors (Cousins). Speaking of which, we have no IFer on the 40 man in the minors. So if Bonifacio gets injured, someone will have to be DFA'd for Luna/Richar/co.

Our 40 man roster is extremely pitcher heavy right now. I'd say any pitcher not on it has very slim chance of making team outside of the battle for the last bullpen spot between MacDougal/Veras/co

[Ashraf]

It's crazy how bad Volstad has become.

Right now, rotation should be Johnson and Nolasco, while Vanden Hurk, Penn, Hensley, and Sanchez fight it out for the last 3 spots.

[MarlinsLou]

Nny, on March 15, 2010 - 03:28 PM, said:

The problem with anyone making the roster not already on the 40 man is moves that would have to correspond with the 40 man roster.

We're at 40 right now. Christhian Martinez is the only "duh" one to be DFA'd. If JJ2 doesn't make the team, he's gone, but his spot on the 40 man is taken by whoever we get to be the left handed bench bat. Jai is a possibility with Petersen/Cousins/Stanton/ect breathing down his neck, but at that point we'd only have one outfielder on the 40 man roster in the minors (Cousins). Speaking of which, we have no IFer on the 40 man in the minors. So if Bonifacio gets injured, someone will have to be DFA'd for Luna/Richar/co.

Our 40 man roster is extremely pitcher heavy right now. I'd say any pitcher not on it has very slim chance of making team outside of the battle for the last bullpen spot between MacDougal/Veras/co

I think you could easily DFA Buente, Harvey, C, Martinez, Sinkbiel (he's first), Jai, and maybe even guys like Leroux, Tankeresley, and Hunter. Those first couple were clear protects for the Rule5 draft, but at this point with rosters set, you might be able to sneak them through waivers and not have another team put them on their 40 man. Plus like you say, JJ2 and Penn are two potential drops real quick even if there are immediate replacements with them.

Also, another reason why Morrison, Petersen, or Stanton aren't making this team until the pitchers work themselves out.

I'm not really worried here. Those last couple pitchers don't really effect our bottom line for some roster posturing. I like Harvey and Leroux, and the lefties with Tank and Hunter just because you never get rid of lefties, but Sink, C. Martinez, and Buente are fringe RP as is. It's nice to have them to see if something happens, but if we have to clear space, so be it.

[Erick]

MarlinsLou, on March 15, 2010 - 04:31 PM, said:

Nny, on March 15, 2010 - 03:28 PM, said:

The problem with anyone making the roster not already on the 40 man is moves that would have to correspond with the 40 man roster.

We're at 40 right now. Christhian Martinez is the only "duh" one to be DFA'd. If JJ2 doesn't make the team, he's gone, but his spot on the 40 man is taken by whoever we get to be the left handed bench bat. Jai is a possibility with Petersen/Cousins/Stanton/ect breathing down his neck, but at that point we'd only have one outfielder on the 40 man roster in the minors (Cousins). Speaking of which, we have no IFer on the 40 man in the minors. So if Bonifacio gets injured, someone will have to be DFA'd for Luna/Richar/co.

Our 40 man roster is extremely pitcher heavy right now. I'd say any pitcher not on it has very slim chance of making team outside of the battle for the last bullpen spot between MacDougal/Veras/co

I think you could easily DFA Buente, Harvey, C, Martinez, Sinkbiel (he's first), Jai, and maybe even guys like Leroux, Tankeresley, and Hunter. Those first couple were clear protects for the Rule5 draft, but at this point with rosters set, you might be able to sneak them through waivers and not have another team put them on their 40 man. Plus like you say, JJ2 and Penn are two potential drops real quick even if there are immediate replacements with them.

Also, another reason why Morrison, Petersen, or Stanton aren't making this team until the pitchers work themselves out.

I'm not really worried here. Those last couple pitchers don't really effect our bottom line for some roster posturing. I like Harvey and Leroux, and the lefties with Tank and Hunter just because you never get rid of lefties, but Sink, C. Martinez, and Buente are fringe RP as is. It's nice to have them to see if something happens, but if we have to clear space, so be it.

I wouldn't consider DFA'ing Tank an option yet.

[canada-marlin24]

if hensley keep doing what hes doing i do not mind......however i think if Penn holds his own we could see him given the spot over Hensley since we can send hensley down. Hope VandenHurk keeps it up i expect good things from him. Ceda also needs to get it going.

[Nny]

MarlinsLou, on March 15, 2010 - 04:31 PM, said:

Nny, on March 15, 2010 - 03:28 PM, said:

The problem with anyone making the roster not already on the 40 man is moves that would have to correspond with the 40 man roster.

We're at 40 right now. Christhian Martinez is the only "duh" one to be DFA'd. If JJ2 doesn't make the team, he's gone, but his spot on the 40 man is taken by whoever we get to be the left handed bench bat. Jai is a possibility with Petersen/Cousins/Stanton/ect breathing down his neck, but at that point we'd only have one outfielder on the 40 man roster in the minors (Cousins). Speaking of which, we have no IFer on the 40 man in the minors. So if Bonifacio gets injured, someone will have to be DFA'd for Luna/Richar/co.

Our 40 man roster is extremely pitcher heavy right now. I'd say any pitcher not on it has very slim chance of making team outside of the battle for the last bullpen spot between MacDougal/Veras/co

I think you could easily DFA Buente, Harvey, C, Martinez, Sinkbiel (he's first), Jai, and maybe even guys like Leroux, Tankeresley, and Hunter. Those first couple were clear protects for the Rule5 draft, but at this point with rosters set, you might be able to sneak them through waivers and not have another team put them on their 40 man. Plus like you say, JJ2 and Penn are two potential drops real quick even if there are immediate replacements with them.

Also, another reason why Morrison, Petersen, or Stanton aren't making this team until the pitchers work themselves out.

I'm not really worried here. Those last couple pitchers don't really effect our bottom line for some roster posturing. I like Harvey and Leroux, and the lefties with Tank and Hunter just because you never get rid of lefties, but Sink, C. Martinez, and Buente are fringe RP as is. It's nice to have them to see if something happens, but if we have to clear space, so be it.

I agree that Buente, Harvey, and Sink are far from being make or break arms. But at the same time, depth is depth, and if Sink ever finds the strike zone again he gets GBs at such a massive rate.

Hensley's safe bet is probably on what, a 5 ERA with no upside? Even if Volstad, Anibal, Penn, whoever struggle, we're talking about them struggling to the tune of a 5 ERA but with upside. The reason to put them in the minors is if you think they still need to learn in minors, and that they have yet to reach the point of needing to take lumps in the majors to learn. And I think the only one that you can really make that argument for is Miller. I mean, certainly all of them do have some points that need to be worked on (Anibal at this point needs work, and not eating service time = gold. RVH could maximize his sinker to stop giving up so many HRs, so on and so forth). But I think for the most part, we're talking about needing on the job training. So at worst they're what Hensley would give us, but they have the upside to actually stick. So I don't think it'd be worth giving up the depth of those RPs just to let Hensley pitch in the majors (Outside of a major rash of injuries).

[h2r09]

Erick, on March 15, 2010 - 03:11 PM, said:

I actually think Hensley has a better shot, at this point, than Volstad and Miller.

Please dont tell me im the only one who finds it hilarious that every time i brought up his name as he was a beast last year that you (or maybe it was someone else, my bad if it was) mocked me and called me stupid.

VOlstad should start the year off in the minors.

I think and opening day rotation of
JJ
Nolasco
Sanchez
Vandenhurk
Hensley

might be in the cards if chris and miller dont get their act together.

[Hotcorner]

ugh with West not making the roster, Miller still not impressing, and Volstad doing who knows what, I'm starting to feel worse about the rotation than last year. Anibal, Hensley, and Hurk? Yeesh.

[popeyethesailor]

Hotcorner, on March 15, 2010 - 06:04 PM, said:

ugh with West not making the roster, Miller still not impressing, and Volstad doing who knows what, I'm starting to feel worse about the rotation than last year. Anibal, Hensley, and Hurk? Yeesh.

What Volstad seems to be doing is experimenting, working on a new pitch, working with different grips which is what most of the first half of spring training should be for in additin to building up arm strength. He'll be fine

[floridafly]

Hotcorner, on March 15, 2010 - 06:04 PM, said:

ugh with West not making the roster, Miller still not impressing, and Volstad doing who knows what, I'm starting to feel worse about the rotation than last year. Anibal, Hensley, and Hurk? Yeesh.

If they are pitching good, then why be worried? I think they can hold down the 3-5 spots just as well as any other combination for the time being. I honestly am not rooting for anyone to make the rotation, I just want the best possible trio in those spots. I don't care whether its the (semi) big names or Hensley and Penn as long as they have proven that they should be given a chance in the starting rotation come April.

[LordMagnus]

Why is West sent down before Miller? West at least had a decent showing at the MLB level last season. I guess money talks.

[prinmemito]

Hotcorner, on March 15, 2010 - 06:04 PM, said:

ugh with West not making the roster, Miller still not impressing, and Volstad doing who knows what, I'm starting to feel worse about the rotation than last year. Anibal, Hensley, and Hurk? Yeesh.

I think Anibal can be a very solid #3 if he stays healthy and I think that Hurk was pretty good for us last year. He just didn't get many starts and the opportunity to get rolling. I think Hurk is capable of being a very good #4.

If we get a repeat performance out of JJ, Nolasco back to 2008 form, Anibal to put up an ERA of about 4-4.25 and stay healthy all year, and Hurk to stay under a 4.50 ERA, we can afford to have a fifth starter with an ERA in the 5's. I think a rotation like that, a bullpen like the one we had last year, and offensive numbers similar to what we had last year puts us in the playoffs.

[canada-marlin24]

Nny, on March 15, 2010 - 03:28 PM, said:

The problem with anyone making the roster not already on the 40 man is moves that would have to correspond with the 40 man roster.

We're at 40 right now. Christhian Martinez is the only "duh" one to be DFA'd. If JJ2 doesn't make the team, he's gone, but his spot on the 40 man is taken by whoever we get to be the left handed bench bat. Jai is a possibility with Petersen/Cousins/Stanton/ect breathing down his neck, but at that point we'd only have one outfielder on the 40 man roster in the minors (Cousins). Speaking of which, we have no IFer on the 40 man in the minors. So if Bonifacio gets injured, someone will have to be DFA'd for Luna/Richar/co.

Our 40 man roster is extremely pitcher heavy right now. I'd say any pitcher not on it has very slim chance of making team outside of the battle for the last bullpen spot between MacDougal/Veras/co

why would christian martinez be designated....he actually has a good shot of making it if he keeps doing what hes doing.....dont let his era from last year fool you he had a few rough outings but showed excellent composure in very tight situations.

[Marlin Nation]

I never thought the Marlins were very high on West, he got a shot last year due to injury and ineffectiveness of other pitchers, I wasn't surprised when they sent him down after he struggled. It's disheartening to see Volstad struggle though, I was hoping he would round out the rotation. I'm pinning my hopes on RVH to make the rotation and have a decent season as a 4th starter. Andrew Miller is not making the team.

[MarlinsLou]

Marlin Nation, on March 15, 2010 - 09:49 PM, said:

I never thought the Marlins were very high on West, he got a shot last year due to injury and ineffectiveness of other pitchers, I wasn't surprised when they sent him down after he struggled..

The Marlins are very high on West. Just because West isn't really MLB ready yet and was forced into use last year, doesn't mean he is not a big part of the future staff. Remember, he missed a year from an arm injury. He's two years healthy now. AAA is the right decision.

[cornfield]

I simply don't believe Penn can be in the conversation as a potential starter for the Marlins. Just stop that!

[el penguino]

Vanden Hurk is going to step it up this year. Wait and see.