Sashimi

Isn't Barrett pretty weak defensively and not very good at handling pitchers? Yes. He has the same problems catching the ball that Olivio does, doesn't have an arm and has a terrible reputation for working with pitchers. Piniella wanted him gone (it was more than just the fight with Big Z) and got his way, even though Barrett was Hendry's 'guy.' If you are looking to upgrade the catcher position defensively, Barrett is definitely not your man. And his offensive performance last year was also some cause for concern.

Last I checked, LaRoche and Kemp can't pitch. :thumbup Billingsley is a beast And Kershaw, though perhaps not MLB-ready, ain't too shabby either. Obviously there is a fair bit of risk involved with trading Cabs because you are trading for projected talent that may or may not pan out, but there is also risk in not trading and losing him for nothing (or even waiting and giving other teams more leverage as the window to trade him shrinks, as happened with Soriano and the Nats). You have a chance to fill several holes on the team that has plenty of needs. It really comes down to trusting your scouts and talent evaluators. If they hit on their assessments of the other team's talent, it could turn out to help the Marlins overall. If not, well... It's sad that you cannot hang on to a special talent like Miggy but, unfortunately, given the Marlins situation, it's a risk they almost have to take. Bill Beane recently said that small-market teams have to either 'go for it' or be in 'full rebuilding mode,' there's no in-between for them. After last season, the FO clearly doesn't feel they are in a position to 'go for it.'

I've favored the "goods" that the Dodgers can offer, too. But I am starting to warm to a Wood-Kendrick-Adenhardt (and maybe a catcher?) package. Am I crazy? I would say that is a package centered around Wood more than Kendrick. I guess there is perhaps a little concern with Adenhardt, given his prior TJ surgery but that has almost become a rite of passage for pitchers nowadays.

I rather see this need being filled via trade. In one of the two packages involving Willis and Cabrera. I rather have a top prospect filling the void, than Torrealba I hate trading Cabrera, but if you are going to do it. time to get a future catcher (future = cheap years, without arbitration) rather than a one year stop gap. I wholeheartedly agree with this. I do not understand the fascination with Torreablba, especially for the price, other than he's the best FA available--which isn't saying much. I'm always a little suspicious when a catcher's strongest attribute is supposed to be how he "calls a game." I think it is difficult to truly say how much of a staff's performance is actually due to the catcher and how much is due to other factors, such as the quality of the pitchers, the pitching coach, luck, etc. His home/road splits are a little troubling and, just based on his stats, it doesn't appear that his arm is anything to write home about. And if the emphasis is on a catcher who can actually catch the ball, you do not want Barrett either. That was one of the reasons (along with his "handling of the pitching staff") the Cubs tired of him, despite his hitting prowess (which was not in evidence last year). That being said, I favor the trade scenarios involving the Dodgers, even though they do not involve a catcher (while those with Angels do--either Mathis or Conger). He's not the best free agent available. Ah, forgot about Lo Duca, right? Anyone else?

I rather see this need being filled via trade. In one of the two packages involving Willis and Cabrera. I rather have a top prospect filling the void, than Torrealba I hate trading Cabrera, but if you are going to do it. time to get a future catcher (future = cheap years, without arbitration) rather than a one year stop gap. I wholeheartedly agree with this. I do not understand the fascination with Torreablba, especially for the price, other than he's supposedly the best FA catcher available--which isn't saying much. I'm always a little suspicious when a catcher's strongest attribute is supposed to be how he "calls a game." I think it is difficult to truly say how much of a staff's performance is actually due to the catcher and how much is due to other factors, such as the quality of the pitchers, the pitching coach, luck, etc. His home/road splits are a little troubling and, just based on his stats, it doesn't appear that his arm is anything to write home about. And if the emphasis is on a catcher who can actually catch the ball, you do not want Barrett either. That was one of the reasons (along with his "handling of the pitching staff") the Cubs tired of him, despite his hitting prowess (which was not in evidence last year). That being said, I favor the trade scenarios involving the Dodgers, even though they do not involve a catcher (while those with Angels do--either Mathis or Conger).

I don't know if I was imagining this, but didn't Beinfest indicate yesterday while in the booth with Rich and Tommy that Anibal could be ready by the beginning of next season, or at least that he would be available next season? Even if I wasn't imagining it, it could be that he was just being overly optimistic.

Fredi has been really behind the curve when it comes to choosing his 8th inning guys. He stuck with Benitez too long in that role when it was clear he wasn't effective and then when he finally makes the switch it's to Miller, who has clearly lost the effectiveness he had earlier in the season (it could also be that the pressure of the 8th inning role doesn't suit him). Right now Gardner has been the most consistent performer out of the 'pen. Lindstrom would also be a better choice, IMO--or a Lindy/Tank combo, since Tank has been strong lately as well. But right now it is pretty plain that Miller is experience his regression to his true ability level after a great run earlier in this season. If you had posted this PRIOR to the 3-run HR I would have thought, "he may have a point". But you didnt. Actually, I was not aware of the 3-run HR while I wrote that, since I am following on Gameday. But this point is not dependent on that one HR. It's not some startling insight...it's been fairly evident for some time now.

Fredi has been really behind the curve when it comes to choosing his 8th inning guys. He stuck with Benitez too long in that role when it was clear he wasn't effective and then when he finally makes the switch it's to Miller, who has clearly lost the effectiveness he had earlier in the season (it could also be that the pressure of the 8th inning role doesn't suit him). Right now Gardner has been the most consistent performer out of the 'pen. Lindstrom would also be a better choice, IMO--or a Lindy/Tank combo, since Tank has been strong lately as well. But right now it is pretty plain that Miller is experience his regression to his true ability level after a great run earlier in this season--the absolute worst time to have him assume the 8th inning role.

Just a terrible call. BS.

Shocking because he got tasered? Actually, yeah. Kinda reaching there. Shocking that he is the worst pitcher in the league? Reach problem fixed. See, it actually works on so many levels!

Gregg has had a great run for most of this season. He deserves a lot of credit for stepping up and taking over the closer's role when everyone else they had tried had either failed miserably or got injured. It's a shame to see him fading pretty badly here at the end and ruin what had been a pretty good ERA. I believe Gregg is also one of the many guys on the staff who is way over his career-high IP mark for a season, so it may be that he has nothing left in the tank, or it could just be regression to his true performance level. Whatever the reason, he will have more questions dogging him going into next season compared to some of the other closers mentioned in this thread, whose stats aren't that far off from Gregg's, mainly because Gregg doesn't have the pedigree of a Rivera, a Wagner, or even a Papelbon. And I don't believe Gregg was necessarily ever projected as closer material. Despite a very nice season, he still has some more to do in order to prove he really belongs in this role permanently. He'll no doubt have first shot at the closer's role, but I'm sure the FO will have plenty of competition--whether it's good competition is another matter.

I've said it before but if he gets the guarenteed closer spot next year I'll be very pissed Gregg will not have the closer spot handed to him next year.

With Gregg, it seems like it's a little bit of tired arm and a little bit of regression to the mean for him. Whatever the case, he is just not pitching well at all lately.

Willis=Real Bad

Willis vs. Moyer Not off to a good start :-(

Seriously, Olivo, what happened to you while you were riding the pine pony?? He got some splinters in his ass :-)

Good Lord, this is where RVH starts to fall apart! The bottomline is he should not pitching at his point in the season...but we don't have many starting options.

Why are they pitching to him?

C'mon Danny...what's going on with you?

Cody Ross just keeps hitting!

I want Olivo NOW :kiss . :blink:

Is Wood really that much better defensively at 1st than Jake that Jake needs to be replaced nearly every game?

I know batting average isn't everything, especially when you have some pop in your bat, but Uggla's sagging average is concerning me a little. I would hate to see it dip under .240 this year.

Given the way the rest of our starting staff has been pitching, this is a damn solid start by Kim. Gotta love his K-rate (and he actually hasn't given up 5 walks, for a change).

Damn, Jake...worst possible outcome.