fishtank

Why dont we just stay with the team as it is now. We have a luxury as it is right now with all this depth. And lets be careful here with spring stats. Ill point to wise words of the sun-sentinel: Ralph Milliard hit a franchise-best .531 in the 1997 Grapefruit League. Two springs later, Brant Brown led the club with a .447 mark. Josh Booty led the team with 18 RBI one spring. Tony Saunders and Rafael Medina were the Marlins' preseason strikeout leaders in 1997 and 1998, respectively. All are examples of why managers and front office types don't get worked up over spring training performances. Conine, Choi, and Lowell have all had bad springs. Should we go with Damion Easly at third and Wil Cordero at first with Nunez in the outfield? Dont rely too much on spring. Plus I think everyone is getting too worked up about the pen. Give Wayne, Perisho, and Phelps a chance. Fox and Benitez will be fine. Your sarcasm is weak an played out. I agree, nobody should be traded as of yet; I just wonder why everyone is so quick to pull the trigger on Nunez and not Choi. I repeat, no trades as of yet, but why Nunez and not Choi?

That is not the point, it is easier for the Marlins to sign a free agent first baseman if whoever they plug in fails to pan out than sign a legitimate free agent outfielder. If Nunez turns out to be the real deal, we will be able to have a solid young outfield at a reduced cost since two of them would be homegrown. If Stokes eventually becomes a dissapointment, the Marlins can always find a first baseman, yet finding a legitimate outfielder will cost them more and will be harder to find. By the way, I know Stokes has had a rough time with the average, but the power is there. Hopefully this year he will straighten things out.

Ok Nunez can blow up all he wants next season, But can nunez come in as a relief picher and hold down a close 1 run game? Bullpen is our weakness, and it doesnt do us any good that our starters pour their life into 7 or 8 innings just to get it thrown away cause we wanted to keep abe nunez instead of dealing for a proven relief pitcher that couldve helped us in that moment. Our offense is better than last years with or without nunez, we need more bullpen help. End of story I don't want a trade just yet but if so then trade Choi. His stock is still valuable and he will probably fit in better in another team where right field isn't as deep because his speed for PPS isn't anything to drool over. With Stokes in the minors and waiting for his chance soon, trade Choi and move Conine and Cordero to first and when their time is up, move up Stokes. You will probably get better value for Choi than Nunez anyways, and Nunez will fit in better for the Marlins in the long run.

I can not agree more with FishTank....Great Post... conio gracia brod-e

Its funny, 2 days ago a post about trading Choi was seen as preposterous, yet now the idea of trading Nunez is seen as the answer. First and foremost, nobody should be traded as of yet, but there is validity in the argument for finding a spot for Nunez somewhere in the lineup. He has rightfully displayed that he should at least have the chance to be playing in the bigs, and many scouts have taken notice this spring. Give both of them an equal shot, and may the best man win. Personally, Nunez's tools fit in better with the team, but only time will tell. Incidentally, after reading an article about trader Jack in S.I. with regards to what factors he takes into consideration when filling out the lineup card, I'm confident we will be seeing a fair amount of Nunez mixed in here and there at the outset of the season.

Trade his ass now for stud reliever while we still can Why are you so quick to trade Nunez and yet the idea of trading Choi is preposterous? You make no sense. The Marlins have Stokes in the minors ready to go. Give both Choi and Nunez a chance, but trading Nunez for bullpen is just as radical a claim as trading Choi for bullpen.

Pierre could have been on the list for toughest out. Oh well.

5 tool player > Choi The only reason I see for giving a Choi a chance over Nunez is that he plays first base. Anything else that he can do, Nunez can do if not better. He should get his chance, but Nunez should get the same chance Choi gets because Conine can easily assume the role of first base and Nunez can complete the outfield for the future. Its either an outfielder for the future who is a 5 tool player or a first baseman who hits well but does not excel defensively over any other first baseman in the league. They both should get their chances.

I totally agree with you that Spring traning isn't the best measuring stick and we will see how these guys do when it counts. I think this is a great problem to have and at least we know if there is an unfortunate injury somewhere down the road, (God forbid) we will be prepared with a much improved bench over last year. I just hope the marlins give Nunez enough ab's to prove that he should be part of the future of this franchise. Incidentally, don't downplay the importance of bullpen. We do have stud starters, but remember that they are for the most part unproven in the regular season and a masterfully pitched game by Penny or Pavano can be flushed down the toilet by one of these bullpen guys.. I also like Oliver alot, he is a ground ball pitcher that will enjoy having the marlins infield behind him this year. If Burnett comes back at around the same time Dontrelle did last year, there is no doubt he will give us a spark ala D-train. I can't wait till April 6!!!!

The fact of the matter is that you are spoiled by Derek Lee's inhuman defensive capabilities. Lets face it, no one will replicate that. Conine would be solid at first, sure. You can pretty much count on that. But how will Nu?ez play day in and day out? Has he ever played 162 games? How about 150? 140? And you are going to put Mike Lowell at first base? Sure, interesting in theory. But have you seen Mike Piazza trying to play first base? And this is coming from a position where he is used to catching the ball almost every play, which is similar to what a first baseman would have to do. Mike would not get to the balls Choi would, plain and simple. Besides, then what of our bench? Our bench is good right now with Nu?ez on it. With him off of it, it becomes increasingly decimated. You would have Lenny Harris, Wil Cordero, Mordy as the super sub, and Redmond. Banks is hurt, he isn't going to play. Giving people days off would be alot harder. And what if Conine retires after this year? You have to figure if this isn't his last year next year is. Why not keep the solid young base and have Nu?ez in a starting role next year or the year after and also have a vastly improved Choi at first base? Cordero isn't going to be here long, so you can't count on him either. The team right now is solid for this year and set for a long time. Why mess with a good thing because you have tunnel vision and can only see into the immediate future of the season that looms 5 days away? Are you really going to jeopardize our future without the team having played one single counting game? As is see it, the same argument can be made for Nunez. I see him as the future, and not Choi who lacks speed and defense which are characteristics the marlins like to have. Choi is a good prospect, but who would you like to give a chance to this year? Choi or Nunez? Nunez is already 27 and aging, I think it is his time to shine, Choi is still young. Let Choi be on your bench and maybe after Conine retires, then it will be his time.

Put Nunez in left and Conine at first. The natural talent seeps off of Nunez, and if it was between Choi and Nunez for me, I'd take Nunez in a heartbeat. I'm not the only one, lots of people screaming that Nunez needs to be a starter today at Jupiter. I know trader Jack was listening.

Cabrera, Pierre and Nunez. That is a young outfield with tremendous upside. I was fortunate enough today to sit in the third row at Jupiter, and believe me, Nunez is the real thing. He has a great eye, and his batspeed is outstanding. By what I've been told, his power comes from the right side, but he launched one to day from the left side and sprayed line drive doubles to the corners. I was hoping Choi would convince me this spring defensively, but he has not. It seems every game his having trouble on the field, and with an infield like ours which prides itself for its defense, Choi does not seem to fit in.

Just came back from Jupiter today, and I saw the phenom that is Abe Nunez in person. The guy is a switch hitting threat with speed and power. He hit another homer today and a couple of doubles. Choi made two errors at first and although he's been swinging the bat well, he is a liability defensively. He missed a hard grounder and failed to scoop a throw from Mordecai. I propose to options: 1) trade Choi for bullpen help and move Conine to first where he can platoo with Cordero and move Nunez to left field. 2)trade choi for bullpen help and move Lowell to fist and Cabrera to third. (Lowell has a bad arm, and would make a good first baseman. Either way, having Cordero and Conine, there is no need for Choi who is a subpar fielder. I like the guy, but there is too much talent in Nunez to just waste him on the bench. Choi has no more experience than Nunez, and if we are going to put faith in someone, better Nunez than Choi.

Ugh, I'm starting to not even care anymore. I'm not optimistic about the stadium anymore, because it's like I'm setting myself up for a huge dissapointment in May. I wouldn't give up hope just yet. The marlins will either strike a deal with the state , or they will have to sell to someone with a checkbook big enough to build a stadium. Loria will not survive till 2006 under the current lease and by then financing a stadium at a new locale will not be possible. For some reason, I have the same feeling I had during the playoffs last year. Down 3-1 against the Cubs with Wood and Prior ready to seal the deal , i should not have had hope , but I did. Either this year or next if it comes to that, building a stadium is the only solution for Loria and Samson; moving does not appear to be an option.

I was wondering where the ultimatum was in his quotes? I did't see any decisive statements which clearly gave the state an ultimatum. This ownership cannot afford to move this team. By 2006, when teams can start moving, they will have lost too much money and by the time they start the construction process in their new location they'll be tooo deep in the red. I truly believe they will either build a stadium (either this year or next with the stae's tax rebate) or sell the team.

Here is Jim King's e-mail: king.james.web@flsenate.gov Let's flood him with e-mails asking for the legislature to hear the Marlins, and If the legislature votes against it then so be it.

Why is there so much negativity as of late? I for one am glad that the team President says there is hope and one thing I have learned about this organization is to expect the unexpected. Realisticly, what can Loria and Samson do if they don't make their 'self imposed' deadlines? They will not survive until 2006 which is when I believe teams can start moving and contracting, so for them its either stick it out and start construction one year later or sell the team to someone who can afford to contribute more towards the construction of a new stadium. Incidentally, what is the rush for this state rebate anyways? As King himself said, its too late for this year, but if they can somehow confirm that this rebate will pass next year, all the marlins really lose is 2 million. I would assume that this is something they could deal with and thus start construction with the funds they already have in place.

Couldn't they start the project by their proposed deadline if they were to confirm that the deal would go through the senate next year. It's only two million dollars right? I'm starting to get pissed about all of these hurdles the Marlins are facing.

A friend of mine, who goes to UM, told me that his professor, who is on the "stadium committee," told the class that the Marlins have agreed in principle to a deal that would put their new stadium on the site of the old Miami Arena.? The deal is pretty much "done" and that only a few technicalities remain. Again, take this as nothing more than a rumor, but I was so excited I just had to let it out.? :thumbup *keeping fingers crossed* Also, I can't really answer the "funding gap" questions I know will come, because all I was told was that "it's been taken care of."? :confused ? Sorry. I am a student at U.M. What is the name of this professor on the "stadium committee"? I want to believe your source, but it is kind of a stretch. I have no reason to lie, lol. My friend's name's are Jon Allen and Nick Sadowsky. I went to high-school with them, and Jon's professor is the one who told the rumor. I'm not presenting it as fact by any means... By no means do I think you are lying. I just wanted to see if you knew the name of the professor to see if I knew him. Your post, although a bit hard to believe, at the very least provides some hope. I know there are skeptics out there who would rather not cling to speculation, but I like to hear any rumors because more often then not where there is smoke , there is also fire. I too am crossing my fingers for a stadium anywhere in South Florida, but I admit stadium in Downtown Miami would be sweeeeeeet!

A friend of mine, who goes to UM, told me that his professor, who is on the "stadium committee," told the class that the Marlins have agreed in principle to a deal that would put their new stadium on the site of the old Miami Arena. The deal is pretty much "done" and that only a few technicalities remain. Again, take this as nothing more than a rumor, but I was so excited I just had to let it out. :thumbup *keeping fingers crossed* Also, I can't really answer the "funding gap" questions I know will come, because all I was told was that "it's been taken care of." :confused Sorry. I am a student at U.M. What is the name of this professor on the "stadium committee"? I want to believe your source, but it is kind of a stretch.

Choi is going to be a pleasant surprise this year for the Marlins. He's got a beautiful left handed swing comparable to one of the most underrated players of all time, Raphael Palmeiro. I for one wished the Marlins would not have fooled around with trying to re-sign Pudge and concentrated more on D-Lee. His hitting wasn't all too timely, but his glove definately was. I can recall about fifteen - twenty short hop balls tossed by Lowell from third which the human vacuum cleaner never failed to scoop. I hope Choi does a respectable job in his place defensively, but I feel his left handed stick will be very valuable in the middle of the lineup.

With the big first week crowds, the abundance of packages sold, and a good start to the season that will keep us in contention cracking the 2,000,000 mark will not be hard. There is no way a team can move away when you draw 2,000,000. The front office has to remember the large average of crowds which the marlins drew in the 90's when there was a team that gave fans optimism.

I think the goal is cracking 2,000,000

These guys pitched great today. Phelps faced 7 batters and got six outs (1 was an error by Sea Bass). Benitez also pitched extremely well. I like the way his splitter and slider are around the lower 80's to contrast with his heater.

I hope there are still good seats left for the Saturday game packages in the upper deck. If there isn't, there is a 20 game sunday plan which should have good seats available.