cornfield

Jesus Cristo. Pedro has been washed up for a number of years now. Just stop the nonsense. I'm still on board with sending Cantu to the Giants for a real arm ... Jonathan Sanchez .. the added lefty starter the Marlins need. Third base would be McPherson's job to lose.

Forgot to mention a pet peeve. The nickname that the Florida announcers use ... The Fish ... I really dislike that. The only expression I can even think of that goes with fish is "smells like fish." The Marlin is the most regal, athletic, powerful fish in the sea. I don't like to see it demeaned. Instead of those goofy boat races that they run on the scoreboard, how about real footage of anglers battling striped or blue marlin in which the Marlin always wins and breaks the line or gets off the hook, leaving the frustrated fisherman weary-armed and whipped.

I couldn't post a reply to the slogan poll, so here's my suggestion. I want to go on record as LOVING the management strategy of the Marlins owner and administration ... it's exactly the way I would operate a club. There is nothing sweeter than beating up on teams with a middle inning relief pitcher that makes half as much as the entire Marlins roster. The only thing I would change is the ticket prices. I'd make them more in line with the payroll and charge a flat $20 bucks a ticket ... and then let fans sit wherever they want ... first come, first serve. The Marlins are an exciting young team to watch. While I like my proposed slogan for this year, especially if it applied to ticket prices as well, I can see where management might balk. I would work around the subject of "Young Guns" for the Marlins because the pitching staff is certainly among the youngest in all of baseball and the offense is explosive. I might also lift the qualifications of the team dancers to 40 triple D and label them the South Beach Guns, while losing the Manatees forever. Finally, I'd have to say that the Marlins advertising campaigns the last couple of years have been the worst I've ever seen. Personally, I'd find a few lovely octogenerians on which to center my campaign. I'd feature early bird specials on tickets and concessions ... everything purchased up until an hour before game time. I'd help put bus owners/drivers in business to deliver retirees from the Gold Coast to games on a big time basis ... with a stop at the Hard Rock for an hour or two after each game. I'd also have each Marlin player adopt a local Little League and attend games frequently, in uniform, and equipped with signed photos and complimentary Marlin tickets to be distributed by drawing during each Little League game. Management, are you listening?

Ryan Zimmerman is the cornerstone of the Nationals franchise. He is line for big money and is just 24 years old. Jorge Cantu is just two years older ... and he's every bit as productive as a hitter. 2008 stats: Average OBP SLG OPS Zimmerman .283 .333 .442 .774 Cantu .277 .327 .481 .808

I can't believe how much the Marlin fans in this forum undervalue Cantu. How many third basemen in all of baseball outperformed Cantu last year? I think immediately of ARod and David Wright and then slow down in a hurry. Didn't Cantu perform at least as well as high paid "stars" like Aramis Ramirez, Troy Glaus, and Adrian Beltre? Cantu would be an upgrade at third for at least two thirds of the teams in both leagues, comes at a remarkably low salary, and is at a prime age. Cantu should have huge trade value.

Sanchez of two years ago was much better than Johnson of last year. You really should take a look at the numbers Sanchez posted. I expect him back at full strength. I like him better than Johnson because he has proven he can be better.

I would not trade Annibal Sanchez. Two years ago he was simply outstanding. His last two starts of last season were excellent. If he returns to his form of a couple years back, with a return to sound health, he is the number one man in the Marlins rotation. If the Marlins can get Jonathan Sanchez for Cantu, I would look at trading Josh Johnson before moving Annibal. I'm not as sold on Johnson as the organization seems to be. If moving Johnson would yield an outstanding catcher, I would do it.

Apparently, the Twins feel they can do without Delmon Young, although I believe he may be the best of their outfield quartet. Still just 23 years old, he looks like a major prospect to me and his salary is just $1.4. Just as BJ Upton took awhile to come around, so may be the case with Young, who hit the ball well in September. The biggest wrap against him I've read is that he swings at the first pitch 47% of the time. Interestingly, having watched almost every Marlins game last season, that's the biggest wrap I have against Marlin hitters. How many times have we watched hitters absorb a tube steak fastball on the first pitch for called strike one and then start hacking at low and away sliders on the second pitch? It's ugly. The first pitch is often the best pitch hitters see. What's the percentage of first pitch fastball strikes in a game? I have to think that it is around 50%. Therefore, swinging at 47% of first pitches would seem warranted to me. Anyway, it makes for interesting chat. I think in a couple years Delmon Young could be an All Star in the right situation. The right situation could be right field in Florida.

I thought Cody Ross looked fantastic defensively in right. Brett Carroll seems like he is capable of being a fourth outfielder. However, I am not sure that Maybin will prove ready to be the regular centerfielder based on just his September performance. He wasn't so hot in the minors.

uggla has the forearms alright ... but Cody just looks like Popeye.

I love Cody Ross in right. He's outstanding defensively and I think he can improve at the plate as a regular next season. .280 30 homeruns and 90 rbi from the seven spot in the batting order would be easy to take. He can do it.

Why don't any of you see Cantu at second base? His offensive production is better than Uggla and his fielding numbers at that position while at Tampa Bay were comparable.

I'd sign Garret Anderson to fill the Louis Gonzales role with this year's team. Especially if he would sign for the same money that Gonzales did.

I believe Sanchez is penciled in at first base for next season. As the MVP of the Carolina League, I think he has little more to prove at the minor league level. He's a good glove and has a great on base percentage. He may even be the Marlins number three hitter in the lineup on opening day. If a trade of Uggla can net a starting pitcher of the caliber of Cain, I would take a long look at Cantu at second base. Under that kind of scenario, third base would certainly be MacPherson's job to lose.

Shoppach is the first catcher I would go after, based on the Marlins needs. I don't even understand the admiration for Saltalamacchia, unless it's just because he's a local boy. Not only are his catching skills of a caliber that have him being considered as a first baseman, he hasn't shown that he can hit a lick at the major league level. In three tries (seasons) at the major league level, his power has diminished and his strikeouts have risen. Shoppach is not only good but realistically obtainable.

I'm a Popeye fan all the way. Love his defense, whether in right or center. I think he offers some pop to the seven spot in the batting order. Willingham is q question mark health wise but is a solid performer when he can take the field everyday. The Marlins would not suffer unduly to have the two of them in the outfield.

a resounding no to that idea. I'd rather start Tucker. Penny has an amazing ability to not strike out batters.

The Marlin team that I envision this coming season features Brian Roberts leading off and playing second base, Nate McLouth in left or center and batting second, Ramirez third. Roberts and McLouth are speedy baserunners, excellent fielders, and high on base percentage guys that will score runs! Presuming Uggla is traded elsewhere for pitching help, the players that net Roberts (6.5 mill) and McLouth ($425,000) are Jacobs, Hermida, Willingham, Olson and some minor leaguers. Roberts is 31 and McLouth is 27. This would be the fleetest top three hitters in all of baseball.

Cantu has played more at second base in his major league career than anywhere else. His fielding percentage there is better than he has achieved at third base. If Uggla is viewed as a top tier offensive second baseman, well, Cantu is even better. Trade Uggla.