DogFish

PA Fan, That is what is wrong with ballplayers today in general. They do not respect simple rules.

AJ is not the scapegoat for this teams misfortunes. I am not read anything in the media to suggest anything like this. Unfortunately though, he is putting himself in this situation.

I really think he could be on to something..maybe Jack's act is wearing thin upon them......this team didnt seem to play with the fun they usually had... Winning is fun, Fun is winning! Jack has not changed from day one....Throw strikes and make them beat you....He is still in the game if not walking two lead off batters. It is funny that Dontrelle and Beckett understand this...! The only thing wearing thin is AJ's ability to accept that he is not on either one of their levels Yet

The irony is that McKeon probably deals better with the younger players than the veterans. His Cincy team was young (except for Larkin) and the 03 team was relatively young. I would state that the "generation of players making more than $4million" to, if so, then I would agree.

Part of this is education. He says it in the same article mentioning that AJ will probably come in an apologize tomorrow. But it still makes the point that AJ needs to look in the mirror. No one is perfect. Give it you all and everything will be fine with McKeon.

I want Pena.

ATLANTA -- The first clue was third base coach Jeff Cox's voice rising to a never-before-heard level in the clubhouse, culminating an out-of-sight, postgame encounter with A.J. Burnett. The next was a crashing sound in the shower after Burnett entered from sun sentinel web

Sounds like Cox had it for AJ due to his lack of hustle in 3rd inning...reported in Post

it is a little tougher than you think. A manager has to manage the game, manage the EGOs, manage the FO and deal with the day to day issues in/around the clubhouse. Insiders suggested early that this team had issues in spring training.

Need to go younger than this crowd. There is not much that differentiate these guys styles with McKeon. GarNYdi, Pena, Ozzie (coming home)

Not Jack' style One last "F*** you" on McKeon's part (from some of us as well) towards AJ

Managers usually do not change styles. In 2003, McKeon' style was for the players to go out and have fun. No pressure to perform but if not show desire/heart, McKeon would get on the players. I remember when he went out to Dontrelle in LA and basically said to throw ball over the plate. He really worked the pitchers (Penny, Beckett and Willis) quite hard about work ethic. Did not hear much from anyone else that year other than Pudge who was more or less the on-field manager. In 2004, different team (no out-spoken leadership). Lowell stated last year that McKeon just puts your name on the lineup card and expects you to play hard. Like in 2003, he didnt pamper anyone. In 2005, again a different team. Lots of guys started off strugling and when benched complained (Pierre, Leiter, Lowell?). Management meeting and decision made to leave lineup alone. No one really knows if McKeon would prefer Hermida over Enc or Cabrera over Lowell or Aguia over Pierre but....well lets just wait until the off season to figure this out. No one on this forum really knows and as the radio personality indicated, there is a lot of blame to go around and no one really knows what goes on in the clubhouse.

From the AP ATLANTA -- Frustrated by the longest losing streak of his career and Florida's near-elimination from the NL playoff race, A.J. Burnett indicated Sunday he will not re-sign with the Marlins after the season. "I've got one more start here, and that's all that matters," Burnett said of his apparent plans for free agency. Burnett complained about a lack of positive reinforcement -- seemingly from manager Jack McKeon and the Marlins' coaching staff. "It's depressing around here," he said. "There's nothing positive around here. There's nothing positive on the staff now. "You give up one home run, and it's a funeral. ... A positive pat on the back is better than anything. I haven't seen a pat on the back since April." Asked who he was targeting with his criticism, Burnett said, "I'm not naming names." Unable to hold a 3-0 lead Sunday, Burnett fell to 12-12 with his sixth straight loss. Despite his skid, Burnett has a 3.44 ERA and ranks among the NL leaders with 198 strikeouts -- including eight Sunday -- and four complete games. As one of the top power pitchers in the game, Burnett would rank among the most attractive free agents this winter. McKeon said Burnett was speaking out of frustration Sunday. "Everybody gets frustrated at times," McKeon said. "I think sometimes you've got to look in the mirror. He's just frustrated. We certainly don't play. None of the coaches pitch or hit." Added McKeon: "This is a tough job playing in the big leagues. You're on a stage, everybody's on a stage. Everybody has to be held accountable." Burnett was asked if something happened during Sunday's loss -- which dropped Florida five games behind Houston with six to play -- to spark his strong words. "Not today, the season," Burnett said. "It's a waste. ... Kids are out there busting their butts, and there's still nothing but negativity." McKeon said he couldn't explain Burnett's losing streak. "He was still throwing 98 miles per hour," McKeon said. "This guy can pitch a no-hitter any day. But you can't walk leadoff batters." Burnett also ranks among the NL leaders with 79 walks, including four Sunday. He walked Chipper Jones to open the fourth inning and pinch-hitter Kelly Johnson to open the seventh, when the Braves took the lead. Both runners scored.

The kids might actually do better :confused that's what Im saying "Been saying" Get it right

McKeon and the FO's refusal to bring up and play the youngsters hurt too. I wouldn't put that on Beinfest. He gave McKeon the players. It's Jack who refused to develop them. It really looked like Beinfest and McKeon had a disconnect. It is not the job of a manager to DEVELOP Players at the major league level especially with the expectations this team had prior to the season beginning. You do not go out and sign Delgado with developing players in mind. The goal for this season was to make the playoffs. Additionally, we had a lot of excess baggage who complained during the season about changes in lineup, not playing, etc. If Beinfest really wanted the kids to play, rid yourself of the baggage (Conine, Enc, Pierre, Lowell, Treanor, Aguila, Easley and so forth), then allow the kids to play. Like with any manager, it is more difficult to manage experienced veterans who usually start and are on the bench. Dont discount that if you sit the 4 above, that would mean about >$16million sitting on the bench.

someone needs to replace Enc. he just is not getting any job done well these last few weeks.

I expect 2 non-veterans in the OF. Dogfish, I can't believe that I am actually interested in your thoughts, but here goes. What makes you think that they won't have someone with experience out there opposite Hermida? What are your thoughts? What guy do you think that they will go with? By the way, I was entertained by your footer change. I remember that it used to say "Patience is a sign of maturity" and now it says "I'm losing patience with this team." It did not gain us anything this year with Conine, Enc or Pierre. The manager kept putting these guys out there with only mediocre results (team wise). In general, I think the Marlins will go with the youth movement (like the Indians did), keeping Cabrera, Willis, Beckett as mainstays. Hermida might be there but if anything, I do expect an experienced CF to replace Pierre surrounded by two less experienced guys. In the IF, Cabrera, Andino, Castillo and a 1B. LoDuca will be the catcher. As for the footer, disappointed as is everyone else but I was just reminded two weeks ago about a comment made by individuals in spring training stating that this "team" is not that good. I had high hopes like everyone else but only recently realized that these individuals predicted this from the beginning. Just could not rationalize with them.

Lenny will be back.

1. Off year for Lowell 2. Defense underachieved 3. Consistently inconsistent middle relief, in part caused by misuse by 4. Jack McKeon and Pierre sucked at the plate and in the field. Guy cant even throw ball to second base in the air

I expect 2 non-veterans in the OF.

no question. Pudge, DLee Jones and Benetiz have their strengths but are different pitchers. The latter came into his own in Miami

If Alfonseca had a better inning we wouldn't even be debating this. Honestly it didn't look like McKeon gave Jones sufficient time to warm up. I've noticed he does that a lot with the bullpen. It looked all the time Jones had was LoDuca's visit to the mound to talk to Alfonseca. If you had watched Jones prepare all season you would notice he started warming up in the 8th inning and by the time he came in he usually was sitting down ready to go. Lets see. Normally a phone call or tip of the hat to say you are ready from the pen. If not, the typical stall like LoDucas visit. Stretching for another excuse. So the reasoning for the second hit, walk, third hit is what. How about he just got beat last night throwing an 0-2 pitch down the middle of the plate.

It irritates me to no end that Jack too often gives away outs. More often than not this team ends up with nothing as a result. With a guy on 2nd why not let Pierre, or Conine in earlier situations, swing away and work to advance the runner with a ball to the right side? He's giving up the possibility of a hit and shortens the inning. Jack does it in the early innings, middle innings, late innings. It's like he has an obsession with it. It's one area I hope changes with a new manager. Opposite of what Positive Hype says! If either bunt in early innings, I would bet it is on the players. I do not see McKeon giving Conine a bunt with runner in scoring position with no one out. I do see it though with Pierre who has struggled this year even making contact.

My interpretation of what Rferry has said all year long is that Jones has been put into situations whereby small mistakes can be made without consequences (ie, give up a run,hit or BB but no damage) while the majority of our other relievers have not been put into the same situation. The statistics for the other relievers (with pressure like Jones had last night) is not good thus supporting what rFerry has said. Not that I agree with ferry but Jones has been good in the role he has been used in. Put him in another role and the data may not be as favorable...vice versa for some of the other guys as well.

I will bet that they will not reload but go the youth route like the Indians did. Gone will be Enc, Mecir, Jones, Mota, AJ, Gonzo, Conine, Pierre, and even Delgado/Castillo possibly. Willis, LoDuca and Cabrera are only sure bets.