Orestes Destrade

I guess the fish don't have much confidence in Leo if they're looking for an 8th inning guy. Or they feel like he's being over used right now. Looking at our roster on opening day it was clear our bullpen is weak. They had an amazing run early on to enable us to start 11-1. We have been lucky Kiko and Meyer are having career years. Besides, Nunez and Lindstrom (who seems to be overrated) our bullpen is full of below average journeyman. If we can acquire a 7th inning guy that would be great b/c Kiko won't keep this up all season.

If Cantu wasn't playing injured I think we'd see Gaby called up to play 1B. As we see Cantu is being DH'd every opportunity they have.

I posted this right after his walk-off. He has been the hottest hitter since, so w/e works . Another thing to consider as I see the #1 thing to dog Herms about is him being the #11th drafted player of 2002. The MLB Draft is not a science like the NFL or NBA Draft. Many 1st and 2nd round players from MLB Drafts will never make the big leagues. I'm sure many GMs would consider a 1st RD draft pick to be a moderate success if they become a 10+ year MLB player. If they become an above average MLB player that is surely considered a success. We have definitely had success drafting SP but, haven't with hitting. The only superstar hitter we have ever drafted in 17 years is A. Gonzalez and he is a semi-superstar to be accurate. As we are witnessing this season with his plate discipline he is becoming a pretty good hitter. I envision his peak years being something in between a Kotsay/J.D. Drew. So, a borderline all-star and there is nothing wrong with that.

A future #2 hitter, if you ask me. The Marlins have tried him at #2 repeatedly and it hasn't work. It would make sense with his solid OBP. Having a Lefty up 2nd helps the chances of advancing the runner at first base. Though, he is probably too slow to be a #2. I really don't remember him being repeatedly tried at #2. I know he started there his rookie season and he was always thought to be a natural two hitter, but as far as I can remember his PT there has been sparse. Either way I think both he and Baker would be much better served in the two hole, and Baker was a much better hitter for us in that spot than he has been buried in the lineup. Baker & Herm fit the mold of a #2 hitter but, I feel are too slow on the bases. Especially with Hanley in the 3 hole, Fredi would like some speed on base in front of him.

Hermida's future is with another team. That will probably happen sooner than later but, this question is directed toward him as a hitter. I would think hardcore marlins fans would have the best perspective.

A future #2 hitter, if you ask me. The Marlins have tried him at #2 repeatedly and it hasn't work. It would make sense with his solid OBP. Having a Lefty up 2nd helps the chances of advancing the runner at first base. Though, he is probably too slow to be a #2.

Yeah they were great starts and could easily have been both wins instead of both losses. This was his first game after 27 starts with over 4 earned runs. The kid is awesome. Wow, that is an impressive stat. Volstad should develop into a #2/#3 SP.

I'm as down as anyone else with Hermida but, I have a feeling that walk-off last night is gonna jump start his season. He knows he's had a disappointing career so far based on his expectations as a prospect. He has the tools (at least as a hitter) to be productive. He has made strides this season with his plate discipline. He will never be a 35 HR guy. He likely will never bat over .305 but, he could become a Mark Kotsay type hitter with a little more pop. I'd still like to see BC take some starts away from Herm vs Lefties. I'm gonna predict this season will be his most productive yet, despite his slow start. AVG -G -AB -R -2B 3B HR RBI BB -K SB OBP SLG OPS .282-153-526-68-23--3---20---72--78-123--9--.377-.449-.826

Coghlan lf, Bonifacio 3b, Ramirez ss, Cantu 1b, Hermida rf, Uggla 2b, Baker c, Ross cf, Johnson rhp OMG Boni is back :banghead If we are gonna put Baker in the bottom of the order I prefer him in the 8th hole. He has a better eye if they choose to pitch around the 8th hitter.

While I don't disagree that, if only for the defensive implications, that he deserves more PT, but don't get excited just yet for his bat, even Bonifacio can have a good day or good week. I'd be all about him in RF with Hermida in LF and Coghlan at 3B though. I think the Marlins established they are not comfortable starting Coghlan at 3B (defensive liability). It would have made sense when Chris was called up he would see the majority of his time at 3B, but they inserted him into LF. really, so Coghlan isn't a defensive liability in LF? A natural infielder with an arm that can barely reach the cutoff man isn't a liability? No, I agree he often takes a bad route to the ball in LF, but for whatever reason the Marlins felt he would be less of a liability in LF.

While I don't disagree that, if only for the defensive implications, that he deserves more PT, but don't get excited just yet for his bat, even Bonifacio can have a good day or good week. I'd be all about him in RF with Hermida in LF and Coghlan at 3B though. I think the Marlins established they are not comfortable starting Coghlan at 3B (defensive liability). It would have made sense when Chris was called up he would see the majority of his time at 3B, but they inserted him into LF.

I think we will see BC in a straight platoon w/ Herms. He has proven to be better defensively. Herms better step up his SLG% and continue to walk at a high rate or will give away more ABs to BC.

If the front office were a country, there'd have been a coup by now... Niiice.

I've heard that the other 4 NL East teams will give Loria 100K each if Bonifacio gets 600+ PAs. J/K Honestly, it's bizarre that he continues to start. His OPS is sickening. It's not like he is a veteran and they feel he will turn this season around. He will probably never be an everyday player and it's foolish to waste ABs on him possibly thinking he will develop. I feel a big reason he won the 3B job out of spring training is for his defense. He does show + range/hands but, he makes too many throwing errors. It's more than overdue that Helms starts 4-5 games/week. I feel Helms overall defense ability is par to Bonifacios. We pay Wes a lot, (almost 1 mil/year) use him. I would say send Emilio down but, we could use his versatility as long as Amezaga is hurt. It sucks that Gaby had a slow spring training. If not, he starts at 1B and Jorge is at 3B. Obviously the best thing about that is Emilio would have less than 75 PAs.

In the short term its obviously great. The management has/is definitely putting all efforts for a playoff run this year. Which is great we have not experienced this since 97'. After this trade we have lost 2 of our top 5 prospects by losing Bautista and A. Gonzalez. If we plan on keeping guys like U. Urbina AND J. Conine for the next 2-3 years it will be worthed. We will have a playoff contending team for those years. But what I do expect is a half firesale. It's ineviatable that it will be impossible for them to pay next years salery. Louie will be making more. D-Lee too. So if the Marlins lose 4, 5 starters including guys like Uguie and K-9. That will mean they traded top prospects for 1/3 of a season. Plus, w/o a playoff contending team and good prospects were start from zero. So if we can keep a solid team together for a few years the trade do make some sense. :mischief2

yeah happy to see gerald williams get called up. Seems like he was doing pretty well in the minors. He hit for the cycle one game had another where he went deep twice. Can be a good pitch-hitter steal some bases and OF defensive replacement.

does really suck that MLB.tv pretty much considers all of FLA in marlins region. I do get quite a few games on FSN. But, up here in Gainesville it's pretty much Braves country. Chipper Jones does some car dealership commercials in town.

Glavine does not look that good so far. He is not keeping the ball low. Willis has looked pretty good. Had to put some bones on this game at -155. Maybe they will do the reverse and bring in RED in the 7th. Probably not, Glavine will surely be out by then.

Not starting RED, bad move. Pudge has been hot lately, though. Would go with the suggestion of starting RED, mainly because he does not start often enough even with Pudge on the team. Gotta start him vs. Glavine. If he is 0-2, then pinch-hit Pudge in like the 7th if were down in the game.

Wow, Palmetto Panthers have made it on this forum. Cool Class of 97'

is he really that slow, I think he has be given 2 steal signs this season. I think he has been safe at least one of those times

With a young top tier pitcher like AJ the only way I see the Marlins bringing him back next year is if they are in contention. If not in contention and they believe he is 100% may see a September callup and get some innings out of the bullpen.

With these 3 young studs : AJ , JB, BP. All the media hype that this is maybe the best young staff. They have yet to go out for one season and all perform. Pretty much building a team around our SP. Having below average hitting. We have yet to get at least 25 starts from all 3 of them is one season. It's sad to say that it will probably never happen. :unsure :

thanks for the info. ramp. So lets bring up Willis and see what this prospect can do.

Cubs are very high on Wood and Prior, pretty much untouchable. Prior, is going to be the next Mike Hampton at the plate, which is very valuable in the NL. They are also high on Clement, who I'm sure we gave away for almost nothing. Zambrano is a young stud too. I think he is much more tradeable than those other guys and may have the same upside. I'm suprised they would get rid of Juan Cruz. They were so high on him. There plan on him was to work him out of the bullpen and get some spot starts. To not put too much pressure on him. He is now not playing an important role for the team, I think just long relief. If they are willing to let him go so soon I'm scared they know he is not as good as once expected.