Lock

We have Petit, Sanchez, Johnson, Vargas and Olsen," Spring Training will be interesting with that collection of young arms. I know most here like their own in Johnson, Olsen, and Vargas, but Sanchez and Petit will be competitve in the search to fill the rotation.

Should the Marlins really trade LoDuca? He's making some change, but he's a great "clubhouse guy" and with a young team you're going to need that veteran leadership. It seems like the pitching staff is going to be young, and a guy like LoDuca could really help the kids along. Then you throw in that Molina, Hernandez, Toby Hall and Estrada are all available, you see it's not the best year to deal a cather. Even though Louie's the better player, I see LoDuca being more "valuable".

Anibal Sanchez and Hanley are great prospects, but as alluded to, the other MR prospects could pay off. There's a growing trend of stockpiling young MR's, mainly due to the importance of pens today. Teams are tired of being stuck hoping some random journeyman reliever bails them out of a tough spot. it looks like the Jesus and Garcia are two good pickups. Jesus Delgado: A right-handed pitcher whom the Sox signed as an undrafted free agent out of Venezuela in 2001, Delgado continued an impressive comeback from Tommy John surgery by going 7-5 with a 3.50 ERA and two saves in 33 relief appearances for Single-A Greenville. In 72 innings, Delgado struck out 69, allowed 57 hits and walked 39. He was one of six Sox prospects selected to play in the Arizona Fall League, where he posted no record and a 4.08 ERA in 10 relief appearances. Delgado, 21, missed all of the 2002 and 2003 seasons recovering from elbow ligament replacement surgery and is 8-12 with a 4.55 ERA in five seasons as a professional. Harvey Garcia: A right-handed pitcher whom the Sox signed as a free agent following his release by the Marlins in 2002, Garcia showed considerable promise after shifting to the bullpen at Single-A Greenville in 2005. Garcia was 3-5 with six saves and a miniscule 2.01 ERA in 32 relief appearances and was named to the South Atlantic League midseason All-Star team. He struck out 54 batters in 44 2/3 innings and allowed 49 hits and 18 walks. Garcia, 21, was signed by the Marlins as an undrafted free agent in 2001 but released in June 2002. He is 14-20 with six saves and a 3.30 ERA in five seasons as a professional.

I didn't see this posted. If it was, then feel free to delete Mods. Juan Pierre To Cubs Complete 670 The Score in Chicago and RotoWorld are reporting that the Cubs have finalized their deal for center fielder Juan Pierre. Left-handed starter Renyel Pinto and two other unknown prospects will head to the Marlins in the deal. The trade was originally reported by Bruce Levine on ESPN Radio 1000 on November 14th. After speaking with Bruce, MLBTradeRumors.com was able to narrow the possible prospects down to a list of five pitchers. The Cubs hope Pierre can bounce back after posting his lowest OBP since his rookie season. Pierre's game is reliant upon his ability to get on base. He's a subpar defender; Pierre posted the worst range factor in Major League Baseball in 2005 among regular center fielders. The Marlins continue to stack up promising young pitchers as their fire sale continues. Pinto struggled mightily in six Triple A starts, but did an admirable job in 129 Double A innings this year. The stint in Triple A Iowa was his second failed attempt at that level. Pinto continues to be plagued by his high walk rate, but hasn't yet gotten a fair shake in Iowa. Baseball America ranked the 23 year-old righthander 6th among Cubs prospects entering the 2005 season. He has a good changeup, lively fastball, and deceptive delivery.

Not sure how you can compare Ramirez to Patterson. Corey has 4 years on him and time in the majors, Hanley has not That was just my opinion, becasue I remmber hearing the same things about Patterson when he was in AA which is in Daytona beach (where I live) that I hear about HanRam.

Shoppach is the poster boy for a "moneyball" player. Would youg guys be intersted in Johnny Estrada. He' set to make about 1.5-2 million in arbitration, but with McCann and Salty Dog a year away the braves will be shopping him.

As a Die-hard New Orleans Saints fan I feel your guys' pain. The uncertainty is disturbing to say the least.

Hey Fish fans. I've been a Braves fan since I was '86, but I moved to S. Florida about 9 years ago and spent 5 years there before moving to C. Florida (Daytona beach). Therefore I've always followed the Marlins to some degree. I'll admit I didn't like the 97 team, because of how it was constructed, but I've been impressed with the rebuilding that has gone since. The Marlins of 2003 were one of the more exciting teams to watch and I really found myself pulling for them as if they were my own team. My father's a huge fan, and recently signed up here to learn more of the rebuilding that is going on. For those fans a little upset about the rebuilding and playing a roster full of rookies. This past year watching the Braves was the most exciting since 91, when we went worse to first. The kids bring an enthusiasm that is highly contagious. I love watching a team rebuild, and I have a few questions for the die-hard fans that follow the team much closer than I do. I know ther will be other "pieces" involved after Loduca and Pierre are traded.There are a lot of unknowns, but there are some certainties. We'll start with the position players C- Do you guys feel comfortable with Treanor as the starting Catcher. I know there are other players on the roster like Jacobs that could catch, but would be better off in other positions. 1B- Do you guys want Conine back?I hear Conine is close to signing, and would be great insurance at 1B if Jacobs doesn't cut it, or maybe even a platoon situation with the lefty Jacobs and righty Conine. Conine would be a great signing, due to his ability to play the OF and 1B and a veteran clubhouse prescence. 2B- Do you think Castilla will/should be traded? I really think the Castillo rumors are just rumors. I see him staying put and taking over the leadoff spot, after Pierre departs. If he does get traded, how's the Wilson kid's chances of making taking his spot? 3B- Is it ime to lock up Cabrera to a 5-6 year deal, avoid those arbitration years and get him at a discount those first few FA years? Cabrera is a beast. You guys lucked out with this kid. SS- I wanted Hanley Ramirez, when I found out the braves were most likely going to lose Furcal. He's a good prospect, but will require some patience. He kind of reminds me of a SS version of Cory Patterson. He has all the tolls, but hasn't learned quite how to use them. Good trade IMO. How the's other kid (Andino I belive)? Could he still make the roster as a back-up at SS and 2B? OF- Hermida is going to win ROY. I think he and Francoeur will be linked together like Jeter/A-rod were for so many years, when they were both playing SS. I haven't heard E. Reed's name mentioned. Is he a candidate to take over in CF when Pierre gets traded? Is Willingham able to take over in LF, if you have a proven CF coupled with Hermida. I doubt you guys want 3 rookies in the OF. What other position players are candiated to promote from within? SP-rotation D-Train- Is it time to lock him up longterm also and avoid thoe abitration years and get a few FA years at a dicsount? Olsen- Is he for real and ready to step in? Vargas and Petit- These 2 seem like similar pitchers and with the two other lefties in Olsen and D-train, does this make one of the extendable in another trade? Johnson- I don't know much about the Johnson kid you guys are talking about. What's his projection? Bullpen- Is Mota cheap option at closer. I heard he set to make only 1.5-2 million in arbitration. Cna he handle it, when he's healthy. I know he was injury plagued last year. Villone- I know he dissapointed, but he's still a good SP/RP tweener IMO, even though he's set to make 2 million. Will he be traded to make room for another lefty that doesn' make the rotation? Or do you guys want to keep a veteran like that in the pen? Thanks for any info you can provide. Lock