uberschnell

And even with how great Hanley is, the Marlins are going NO WHERE. Stuck in the bottom of the NL East. We'll see you Mariners fan you.

I heard his slider is the best it's ever been too. I hope this is right because if he can throw that in any count and for strikes it's going to be exciting!

This will be positive for Lindy and for the Marlins. ? Well if he learns from the best he can bring that knowledge and use it to help him close games for the Marlins. Preparation has a lot to do with closing. I'm sure Joe Nathan prepares before he goes into games. Hopefully Matty can get a few ideas. That's all I'm saying. My mistake, didn't mean to put that one. You should know better than anybody that I support this kid. Why did you roll your eyes when you said it?

So why the hell did you use the eye roll? My mistake. This is what I meant :thumbup to put.

This will be positive for Lindy and for the Marlins. ? Well if he learns from the best he can bring that knowledge and use it to help him close games for the Marlins. Preparation has a lot to do with closing. I'm sure Joe Nathan prepares before he goes into games. Hopefully Matty can get a few ideas. That's all I'm saying.

Well there goes all the questions as to whether Lindstrom was going to make the team. On the Florida Marlins website and in an article it says that, "Arrangements already have been made for him to travel to Toronto for the start of first-round games. The United States opens with Canada on March 7." After having read the article it sounds like, IMO, that Lindstrom knows his role and is just trying to learn from the best in the game. This will be positive for Lindy and for the Marlins. :thumbup

Everybody-don't worry about Hanley putting on all that weight. As soon as the season starts and as soon as he is playing on those hot Florida days he will be down to his average weight. He will be leaner and stronger and even if he sheds some pounds (and he will by sweating) he will be faster. Nobody should worry that he put those pounds on, unless of course he is on the juice. I'm not worried.

Pinto had a solid, solid first half year in 2008. Mark Wiley used him way too much, therefore in my opinion gave him a case of dead arm. Although the defense should improve I still don't think that the offense is going to be that good. Hanley, Uggla, and Cantu IMO will be good, their track records say so. However the younger, inexperienced hitters have yet to establish themselves and there are quite a few of them in the proposed lineup. Hermida can slump and it's usually hard for him to come out of it (i.e 2008), Baker shows promise and has shown incredible potential, Maybin has no track record of hitting big league pitching except for the month he was up last year (I hope the way he hit during that time is how he will hit this year). Gaby and McPherson have little track records of hitting big league pitching. If everyone hits to their potential then we will be good and yes it will be exciting. I just believe pitching is going to keep us in the hunt, both from the starters and bullpen. Cantu does not have a proven track record. A couple of good seasons, a couple of poor seasons, and a couple of injury-plagued seasons. I stand corrected. I've only followed Cantu since he has been with the Marlins and from what I saw he was good. I only see him improving year to year, so, I am guessing that's what his track record will say-that better? Just clearing things up. I certainly hope he continues to improve, and he's approaching of the age of the typical player's prime. FWIW, I appreciate that you can do a bit of research and admit something (however insignificant) where you were mistaken.........all too uncommon on these boards, and in life for that matter. You couldn't have said it any better. I don't have any problems with admitting that I'm wrong and I don't have any problems with people filling me in on things that I don't know too much about. I've noticed that on these blogs and in life that people find it difficult to admit that they are wrong, or if someone tries to tell them something that it's hard to accept. Thanks for clearing things up!

I'm more worried about our line-up than our pen... Not in order... C-BAKER WE HAVENT SEEN WHAT HE CAN DO IN ONE FULL SEASON SO HE GETS A ? 1B-SANCHEZ GUY HAS ONLY HAD A CUP OF COFFEE IN THE BIGS AND IF HE FAILS WE GO TO HELMS AND WE SAW WHAT HAPPENS TO HIM WHEN HE BECOMES A STARTER SO THIS POS. ALSO GETS A ? 2B-UGGLA WERE PRETTY GOOD HERE,WE KNOW WHAT WERE GONNA GET,HIGH HR'S AND RBI'S LOW AVE. HE GETS A B CAUSE THAT ALL WE NEED HIM TO DO...AND PLAY SOME D... SS-HANLEY NO NEED TO GO FURTHER...HE'S THE MAN 3B-CANTU WE HAVE TO HOPE HE DOESNT PULL A TAMPA BAY ON US...CAN HE DO IT 2 YEARS IN A ROW,WE'LL SEE HE GETS A ? LF-ROSS ANOTHER GUY I'M NOT SOLD ON,I THINK HE'S BETTER OFF THE BENCH HE GETS A ? CF-MAYBIN RIPPED IN HIS CUP OF COFFEE BUT LETS SEE WHAT HE DOES ONCE PITCHERS MAKE ADJUSTMENTS. HE GETS A ? ALSO RF-HERMIDA THIS GUY HAS TO COME THRU,ITS NOW OR NEVER FOR THIS KID AS A FLORIDA MARLIN,IF HE BUSTS,WERE IN TROUBLE CUZ WE HAVE NOBODY ELSE TO BACK HIM UP. IMO WE SHOULD,DONT TELL ME BONIFACIO CAUSE HE'S NOT THE ANSWER. THIS POS. ALSO GETS A BIG ? THAT LINE-UP IS KEEPING ME UP AT NIGHT FOR THE WRONG REASONS.... Man, I can't read any of that. Makes sense to me. Paragraphs of capped text makes my eyes go :wacko . I got you. :knockout

Pinto had a solid, solid first half year in 2008. Mark Wiley used him way too much, therefore in my opinion gave him a case of dead arm. Although the defense should improve I still don't think that the offense is going to be that good. Hanley, Uggla, and Cantu IMO will be good, their track records say so. However the younger, inexperienced hitters have yet to establish themselves and there are quite a few of them in the proposed lineup. Hermida can slump and it's usually hard for him to come out of it (i.e 2008), Baker shows promise and has shown incredible potential, Maybin has no track record of hitting big league pitching except for the month he was up last year (I hope the way he hit during that time is how he will hit this year). Gaby and McPherson have little track records of hitting big league pitching. If everyone hits to their potential then we will be good and yes it will be exciting. I just believe pitching is going to keep us in the hunt, both from the starters and bullpen. Cantu does not have a proven track record. A couple of good seasons, a couple of poor seasons, and a couple of injury-plagued seasons. I stand corrected. I've only followed Cantu since he has been with the Marlins and from what I saw he was good. I only see him improving year to year, so, I am guessing that's what his track record will say-that better?

I'm more worried about our line-up than our pen... Not in order... C-BAKER WE HAVENT SEEN WHAT HE CAN DO IN ONE FULL SEASON SO HE GETS A ? 1B-SANCHEZ GUY HAS ONLY HAD A CUP OF COFFEE IN THE BIGS AND IF HE FAILS WE GO TO HELMS AND WE SAW WHAT HAPPENS TO HIM WHEN HE BECOMES A STARTER SO THIS POS. ALSO GETS A ? 2B-UGGLA WERE PRETTY GOOD HERE,WE KNOW WHAT WERE GONNA GET,HIGH HR'S AND RBI'S LOW AVE. HE GETS A B CAUSE THAT ALL WE NEED HIM TO DO...AND PLAY SOME D... SS-HANLEY NO NEED TO GO FURTHER...HE'S THE MAN 3B-CANTU WE HAVE TO HOPE HE DOESNT PULL A TAMPA BAY ON US...CAN HE DO IT 2 YEARS IN A ROW,WE'LL SEE HE GETS A ? LF-ROSS ANOTHER GUY I'M NOT SOLD ON,I THINK HE'S BETTER OFF THE BENCH HE GETS A ? CF-MAYBIN RIPPED IN HIS CUP OF COFFEE BUT LETS SEE WHAT HE DOES ONCE PITCHERS MAKE ADJUSTMENTS. HE GETS A ? ALSO RF-HERMIDA THIS GUY HAS TO COME THRU,ITS NOW OR NEVER FOR THIS KID AS A FLORIDA MARLIN,IF HE BUSTS,WERE IN TROUBLE CUZ WE HAVE NOBODY ELSE TO BACK HIM UP. IMO WE SHOULD,DONT TELL ME BONIFACIO CAUSE HE'S NOT THE ANSWER. THIS POS. ALSO GETS A BIG ? THAT LINE-UP IS KEEPING ME UP AT NIGHT FOR THE WRONG REASONS.... Man, I can't read any of that. Makes sense to me.

Pinto had a solid, solid first half year in 2008. Mark Wiley used him way too much, therefore in my opinion gave him a case of dead arm. Although the defense should improve I still don't think that the offense is going to be that good. Hanley, Uggla, and Cantu IMO will be good, their track records say so. However the younger, inexperienced hitters have yet to establish themselves and there are quite a few of them in the proposed lineup. Hermida can slump and it's usually hard for him to come out of it (i.e 2008), Baker shows promise and has shown incredible potential, Maybin has no track record of hitting big league pitching except for the month he was up last year (I hope the way he hit during that time is how he will hit this year). Gaby and McPherson have little track records of hitting big league pitching. If everyone hits to their potential then we will be good and yes it will be exciting. I just believe pitching is going to keep us in the hunt, both from the starters and bullpen.

I agree with wildcard. I have my doubts about the offense, especially seeing what some of the young hitters (maybin, baker, Sanchez, or McPherson) will do with 500-600 AB's. I am pulling for each one of them but 162 games is a long time to be consistent, especially if it's your first full year. I am also concerned with the closer position because who will take that role if it doesn't pan out for Lindstrom? I'm not saying it's not going to because I think he is the best canidate, but what if? From the games I've seen and knowing who is coming back to pitch in the bullpen I am optomistic that they will get the job done. Many of Choices First would be Tucker as he is suppose to be our closer of the future Next if either Ceda/Nunez or if he's healthy and pitching decent even Tank Tucker definitley has the make-up to be the closer, but, he has to make the team first. His numbers in his short stint in the big leagues are not that impressive. Do I think he can be better? Absolutely. When is the question. I know nothing about Ceda or Nunez so O.K I'll take your word on them. Have they talked about Tank closing before? Tank has been in Triple A the last 2 years because of getting rocked. Believe me I'm not hating on any of these guys. I hope they are just as good or better than the best reliever the marlins have this year. If they are then Erik won't have to worry about our bullpen situation. I hope we don't have to worry either!

Good for Uggla. I hope he has even better numbers ths year than before!!

I agree with wildcard. I have my doubts about the offense, especially seeing what some of the young hitters (maybin, baker, Sanchez, or McPherson) will do with 500-600 AB's. I am pulling for each one of them but 162 games is a long time to be consistent, especially if it's your first full year. I am also concerned with the closer position because who will take that role if it doesn't pan out for Lindstrom? I'm not saying it's not going to because I think he is the best canidate, but what if? From the games I've seen and knowing who is coming back to pitch in the bullpen I am optomistic that they will get the job done.

I just hope all this talk about how hard Lindstrom throws finally results in K's this year. I hope so too!! Although, the strikeouts will only come if the off-speed is thrown for strikes and he trusts it enough in any count. There has to be something to counteract the heat! IMO :thumbup

wow, great article. His story just made me a big fan of him. 09' Lindstrom = 08' Brad Lidge Get it done Matty! That would be something else huh! Lidge's performance last year was outstanding, I hope that he could follow in his footsteps. His slider and split change are needing to thrown for strikes this year!

Good article but you'd think his college coach would have had something more positive and uplifting to say. His college coach sounds like he can be a big D-bag.

Trading Uggla isn't going to happen. Not this season. Not unless the stadium deals fails or some other catastrophe. This franchise is all about contending this year and next in order to sell-out the stadium and at least 20,000 season tickets plus all those boxes. Lou's guarantees aside, this team is not going to get blown up over money, it wasn't this year and it won't next, and they'll spend what they need to spend to entice guys buying skyboxes to plunk down the big bucks - it's just another investment for the Marlins. If the team gets blown up and I agree with at least half the names on Lou's list, it will be over talent and not $$. Let's break it down to come to an accord. Let's assume everyone does great in 2009 (this is like, Cantu/Hermida both over .800 OPS, the starters getting to 170+ innings, all the relievers under 4 eras, etc). Here is a realistic salary estimation for 2010. I take it you just trust me on the arbitration comparables on these. C John Baker $420,000 1B G. Sanchez $410,000 2B Dan Uggla $9,000,000 3B Jorge Cantu $5,500,000 SS Hanley Ramirez $7,000,000 LF Jeremy Hermida $5,000,000 CF Cameron Maybin $410,000 RF Cody Ross $5,000,000 B Dallas McPherson $1,500,000 B Wes Helms $950,000 B Alfredo Amezaga $2,000,000 B Emilio Bonifacio $410,000 B Mike Rabelo $420,000 SP Josh Johnson $3,750,000 SP Ricky Nolasco $4,500,000 SP Chris Volstad $410,000 SP Andrew Miller $1,750,000 SP Anibal Sanchez $2,000,000 RP Matt Lindstrom $2,500,000 RP Leo Nunez $1,250,000 RP Scott Proctor $3,000,000 RP Logan Kensing $1,000,000 RP Reynel Pinto $1,000,000 RP Cruz/Badenhop $410,000 RP Meyer/Kroenke $410,000 $60,000,000 Yea, literally. The team's general cost shoots up that much from the $33-34ish range we are in 2009, to keeping together the exact 25 man roster in 2010. So let's do the first round of cuts. We're keeping Hanley, Helms (our two contracts), all the club controlled players, let's keep the starting rotation, and let's add Tucker, Ceda, Morrison, Raynor, Coghlan, and Cousins, which I personally think is really really reasonable compared to their player development. John Baker $420,000 G. Sanchez $410,000 Hanley Ramirez $7,000,000 Logan Morrison $400,000 Cameron Maybin $410,000 Scott Cousins $400,000 John Raynor $400,000 Wes Helms $950,000 Chris Coghlan $400,000 Emilio Bonifacio $410,000 Mike Rabelo $420,000 Josh Johnson $3,750,000 Ricky Nolasco $4,500,000 Chris Volstad $410,000 Andrew Miller $1,750,000 Anibal Sanchez $2,000,000 Tucker $410,000 Ceda $410,000 Cruz/Badenhop $410,000 Meyer/Kroenke $410,000 $25,670,000 < - Missing 1 middle infielder (bench/starter depending on what you think of Coghlan), Starting 3B, and 3 RP. Not so bad. Currently on this roster is 5 OF (Maybin, Cousins, Raynor, Morrison, Bonifacio), so we don't need any outfielders added. Goodbye Cody and Hermida. We are three deep at 1B (Gaby, Logan, Helms), so nothing there. We have 3B depth with Helms, Coghlan, and Bonifacio, so we're going to need to keep Cantu or Dallas here easily. SP wise we're great, and West is in AAA as the '6th' starter, and we have a very green bullpen. Knowing the Marlins, we're going to keep at least two of the RP from Lindstrom, Nunez, Kensing, Pinto, and Tank (not shown above, but should be in line for a Kensing contract for 2010 as he will be arb eligible). I'm going to add in Lindstrom and Nunez, who arguably should be the best two going forward. We'll then add in say Thompson (the name isn't what really matters here for the CC guys, it's the price), as the 2nd left in the pen. John Baker $420,000 G. Sanchez $410,000 Hanley Ramirez $7,000,000 Logan Morrison $400,000 Cameron Maybin $410,000 Scott Cousins $400,000 John Raynor $400,000 Wes Helms $950,000 Chris Coghlan $400,000 Emilio Bonifacio $410,000 Mike Rabelo $420,000 Josh Johnson $3,750,000 Ricky Nolasco $4,500,000 Chris Volstad $410,000 Andrew Miller $1,750,000 Anibal Sanchez $2,000,000 Matt Lindstrom $2,500,000 Leo Nunez $1,250,000 Tucker $410,000 Ceda $410,000 Cruz/Badenhop $410,000 Meyer/Kroenke $410,000 Thompson $400,000 $29,820,000 < - Starting 3B and another middle infielder Currently not on payroll is this, which add up to $33 million and change. Dan Uggla $9,000,000 Jorge Cantu $5,500,000 Jeremy Hermida $5,000,000 Cody Ross $5,000,000 Dallas McPherson $1,500,000 Alfredo Amezaga $2,000,000 Scott Proctor $3,000,000 (he will be a FA, this is a bit unfair I know, but still) Logan Kensing $1,000,000 Reynel Pinto $1,000,000 Taylor Tankeresly $750,000 So I mean, who fits the starting 3B, or another middle infielder, mold here? Dan Uggla $9,000,000 Jorge Cantu $5,500,000 Dallas McPherson $1,500,000 Alfredo Amezaga $2,000,000 So the question is, where do you have payroll going? It it's sub $35 million, there is no way we can afford Uggla unless we get rid of a SP, and Lindstrom, and then we'll have absolutely nothing at 3B (unless you play Uggla at 3B, and Coghlan at 2B, or vice versa, but that's another story and obviously brings up not fielding the best possible lineup debate). If it's just around $35, we could keep Cantu another year, and then just go and find another middle infielder to help Bonifacio as the do everything guy. If it's $40, we can probably sneak Uggla and McPherson on the roster, and start 2010 like this: C - Baker (Rabelo) - (we're going to assume Rabelo is replaced by a CC option. This is just for price here) 1B - G. Sanchez (Morrison, Helms) 2B - Uggla (Coghlan, Bonifacio) SS - Hanley (Bonifacio) 3B - McPherson (Coghlan, Helms) LF - Morrison (Raynor, Cousins) CF - Maybin (Cousins, Raynor) RF - Cousins (Raynor, Bonifacio) B - Rabelo, Helms, Coghlan, Bonifacio, Raynor SP - Johnson, Nolasco, Volstad, A. Miller, Anibal RP - Lindstrom, Nunez, Tucker, Ceda, Cruz, Thompson, Kroenke $40,320,000 < rough estimate AAA - West, Vanden Hurk, Trahern, Leroux, Winters, G. Taylor, Wood AA - Dominguez, Stanton Trades to replenish system - Hermida, Ross, Cantu, Amezaga, Kensing, Pinto, and Tank --- Personally, I suspect they keep payroll at the $35 level and will get such a good offer for Uggla they will go for it, make Coghlan the 2B, keep McPherson at 3B in 2010, and get a cheap 2nd middle infielder. That team is more in line with 2009 payroll constraints. I really don't think they push payroll up until the stadium, and in terms of contending, Uggla wouldn't make or break the team. It would still come down to the starting pitching. Of course this is in general hypothetical terms and some players could tank which effects their arbitration and our willingness to keep them, or severe regression in the minor leagues, but this serves as a footnote to all these longterm contract posts of how fast this team goes up in price. We can't afford this team past this year, and we're going to have to cut huge corners and hope for our minor leaguers to turn into legitimate options to remain in a relative contending state. As I've said before, I'm very optimistic on most of our minor league hitters coming up (and relievers) so I don't think this will be that huge of a problem. Even longer, 2011 - Start thinking $6+ million for Nolasco, Johnson, $4+ for Anibal, Volstad, Hanley jumps to $11,000,000, and just like that your SS and starting 5 (Volstad still CC), is approaching $32 million (minimum) just by themselves. That's 6/25 on the 25 man roster at our 2009 salary level. We can't afford to dish out longterm deals to Uggla, or other guys, right now, when we have this looming surge down the road. We need payroll flexibility right now to figure out who we want to keep. This is my point. We're in great shape, we just have to wait and see. I'm tired of all this Uggla whining. Nicely done. It all makes sense to me.

Hanley has proven that he is the man. Maybin is good, however, I'd like to see him through a full season of facing major league pitching. He did an incredible job towards the end of last year showing his potential at being really good. I hope he becomes what everyone believes he can become. I'm interested to see how well he plays through a whole season. Believe me I am pulling for this young cat to have an incredible year. I love watching him play defense. It will be fun to watch. :thumbup

I'm with RAB, invite him back and let's see what he does in Spring Training.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20...sp&c_id=mlb Spring Training comes early for MarlinsGroup of pitchers getting a head start on throwing, conditioningBy Joe Frisaro / MLB.com MIAMI -- Maybe this time period can be called "Winter Training," because already more than two dozen Marlins pitchers are on the field at the team's Spring Training headquarters in Jupiter, Fla. Spring Training for the Marlins gets under way on Feb. 14 at the Roger Dean Stadium complex. But in the dead of winter, a number of Marlins pitchers already are in South Florida getting in some early work. Before noon ET on Friday, for instance, 25 pitchers were on the back fields, stretching, throwing and conditioning. "You get here two weeks before Spring Training starts, and that's pretty good," Marlins pitching coach Mark Wiley said. "You get here three or four weeks before Spring Training starts, and that's really good." A Palm Beach County resident, Wiley is making the short drive to Jupiter daily to oversee the light drills. Minor League pitching coordinator Wayne Rosenthal and strength and conditioning director Paul Fournier also are attending. The group getting work in now includes projected starters, Josh Johnson, Ricky Nolasco, Chris Volstad and Anibal Sanchez. Relievers Logan Kensing, Jose Ceda (acquired from the Cubs for Kevin Gregg), Dan Meyer and Taylor Tankersley also are on hand. A number of Minor Leaguers and some pitchers going through rehab programs are throwing. As is reliever Henry Owens, who faces a 50-game suspension for violating the league's substance policy. "When you come in early and you get into better shape before Spring Training even starts, you're ahead of the game," Wiley said. "Your pitches come quicker. Everything you do is better quality, because you're farther along." The flip side of getting in early is the risk of players breaking down faster from working too hard too soon. So the team is guarding against the young arms tiring late in the season. As Wiley points out, it's his job, along with manager Fredi Gonzalez, to keep a watchful eye on them so they don't over-condition. Expected in town early next week is lefty Andrew Miller, who projects to be in the rotation. Miller was in Jupiter recently, and he threw under Wiley's supervision. The 23-year-old Miller was bothered by right patella tendinitis last year, which knocked him out of the rotation after he returned from the disabled list in the second half. Miller continues to get treatment on the knee, but he has been throwing, and he is expected to be ready to compete for a rotation spot when Spring Training begins. Until he returns to Jupiter, Miller is continuing his throwing program at his home in Gainesville, Fla. He is expected to drive to Jupiter, along with right-handed prospect Brett Sinkbeil, a first-round Draft pick in 2006. "We've got a lot of guys here this week, and early next week, we should have almost a full boatload," Wiley said. In his second season as Marlins pitching coach, Wiley is more familiar with the hurlers this year. At the start of 2008, many were new to him. While he was Florida's pitching coach in '05, he was a special assistant for the Rockies in 2006-07. "Having the continuity of being back here and knowing some of their strengths and weaknesses, and knowing what they need to work on is particularly important, especially early in Spring Training," Wiley said. "If they get here early, we can get them into shape. You can work on some pitch development stuff, delivery issues, and stuff that I know they need to work on. When Spring Training starts, and guys are trying to make the team, it's a little more difficult trying to work on particular things." Wow That is impressive and great to hear I was impressed when I read this as well. I'm sure those who are there are trying to win a spot on the roster-good for them starting early. I'm looking forward to this year with all of the young talent we have.

I still fail to see how sending an average reliever like Matt Lindstrom is "better for the team" than sending...oh, I don't know...a great reliever like Jonathan Papelbon, perhaps? As for the little rants on me...get a f***ing clue. I'm not anti-Matt Lindstrom, I just so happen to have a different opinion on this. I highly f***ing doubt that the U.S. selected Lindstrom over a guy like Papelbon b/c Lindy has gotten Pujols to go 0-4 with 3 K's (not to mention, 4 AB's is not a good sample size, either). I don't want Lindstrom to fail, I do think Lindstrom will have an ok year next year as our closer...but if I said I thought he deserved a spot on this team, I'd be lying to you. And again, that's not a knock on Lindstrom; it's just the fact that the United States is loaded with good pitching. Any other country, and I, most likely, wouldn't be saying the same thing. Why do you assume my responses are directed towards you? Just becasue you are the biggest critic and antagonist on this forum doesn't mean your opinion is superior to everone else's. You can highly doubt, but you don't highly know that that's what happened with Papelbon. I agree with you that Papelbon is better, who wouldn't? Do you know for a fact that they asked Papelbon? whether he declined or not? (I'm just asking-I honestly don't know) All we know for a fact is that Lindstrom was invited-that's all we have to go on. The Pujols scenerio was just an example, are you really that naive? I was just trying to make a point as to why Lindstrom might be selected, not trying to say he is better than anybody. You are missing the point of the previous posts. The point is that you aren't inviting the players to the WBC, professional minds are. They aren't putting together an all-star team, they are trying to win. For some reasons that neither you or I know, there are some players who are not playing or who had declined invitation. You are speculating and asking why he was selected. Others are saying, yes, Matt Lindstrom isn't one of the best closers in the game, but we are happy for him because of his selection (what an honor for him). You and I can agree or disagree, but when it comes down to it what we think doesn't matter. All we can do is support since he was chosen to play for our country.

It's nice to see all the support from Marlins fans who believe in one of their players. :thumbup Yes it is. But for me it's not just that he is a Marlin. I would say the same thing about any player that was asked to compete for this team, regardless of the orginazation they played for, if someone went on a message board and said they didn't deserve the opportunity. Compare lists of guys that weren't asked that have better numbers and were able, willing, and allowed by their home team to play. I keep hearing, "That is easy to do." Yet still nothing. Show us the scouting reports on the lineups of the other teams playing. Both the "stars" and the guys most of us have never seen or even heard of. Combine that with the guys we have and see what history, if any, there is. If no history, show us the scouting reports that tell what their weaknesses are and how the guys we opted for can or can not take advantage of those weaknesses over other guys from the first couple lists. Fill us in on the game plans this coaching staff is putting together for each team they are scheduled to play through the first two rounds at least. Show us. Won't happen. Not because those lists don't exist, but because they aren't public knowledge. Our coaching staff has those lists and are using them right now. No one can possibly think they are just sitting around on their rumps thinking that just because we are Team USA that we will win this thing, so no planning and brainstorming is needed. Not after the last WBC. So like I said before, anyone that says a certain player dosen't deserve the shot or that he won't make the team is throwing an unwarranted, self-rightous, judgemental rant and should be taken no other way. And anyone that says "That isn't the way I would do it", is probably showing why he isn't doing it. They should send their resumes in for the next WBC. And I am 99.99% sure they will instead be right back here telling us all how someone dosen't deserve the shot at competeing for his home country because "He isn't the player I would pick." I agree with you 100%, by the way that was very well written. I'm fairly new to this forum and for the most part I have enjoyed posting my opinion. I am with you about supporting any player getting the opportunity to play for his country. Perhaps the U.S will play the Dominican Republic and Albert Pujols will come up to bat with the U.S. team needing an out. I know for a fact that Pujols is 0-4 with 3 strikeouts and a pop out to first in his career against Lindstrom. No disregard to Pujols because he is arguably the best hitter in the game, but for those who are infatuated with stats this could be the single reason that he makes the team? Matchups, situations, ability, and wanting to win the whole thing is perhaps the motivation behind the coaches selecting certain players to play for our team. I wish our team well and any player who got the call a lot of success-even if it means not playing all that much. You have to admit just sitting with some of the best players in the U.S would be awesome schooling. Rubbing shoulders and being around players that have had success in their careers (due to the fact that they prepare each day to win) will help a player like Lindstrom considering this will be his first year to be the closer in MLB. If he's there, he can only learn things that will help him be a better baseball player. That' alone is exciting for our club!

I'm not worried, however, I wouldn't be oppposed to one more big bat in the lineup. Who that will be considering our payroll and cheap FO I'm not sure? I'm just excited for everything to start rolling so we can stop speculating and see what's really up. Go Marlins!