cornfield

Stanton was the best and most productive hitter for the Marlins in spring training ... thus the reference to the best hitter on the Marlins right now. If you figure "right now" should mean last year or the year before, okeydoke.

hensley is the fifth starter, my butt. how about third or fourth? Who in the world would parade volstad or vandenhurk out there right now over hensley?

Stanton may be the best Marlins hitter right now, I think this is a mistake. I hope the teams hangs in there until he returns. I have no faith in Maybin.

I've got a bad feeling about the Cantu, Uggla and Ross production early this season. I would feel better if the Marlins had moved Uggla, allowing Coghlan to move to second base and Stanton to start the season in the Florida outfield. The Marlins could hide Stanton in the seven spot in the order to start the season and see how he does over the first month. I think he can match the Uggla offensive production right now and he can only get better. It's also a rather glaring stat that Bonafacio hasn't even attempted a stolen base this spring. What good is speed?

Hayden Penn's thrashing today is a blessing. Goodbye.

"It's the nature of the game that talent goes unrealized all the time, with so many promising players always bursting on the scene. Were it not for Scott Mitchell, Hensley might be pitching in the Northern League or elsewhere for $500 a night, trying to piece together what happened to his career if he wasn't out of baseball completely. Don't get me wrong, it's still on him to prove he belongs at the MLB level, he hasn't made that case yet and ultimately may not, but this one anecdote illustrates how fickle the difference between success and failure really can be. " Funny how different we all can think. I'f figure someone who was playing baseball for $500 a night would be one of the luckiest people on Earth.

I'm fine with Hensley in the rotation to start the season. I'm fine with Pinto being nowhere near the Marlins bullpen ever.

I simply don't believe Penn can be in the conversation as a potential starter for the Marlins. Just stop that!

You are forgetting that Penn is awful. One outing in which he managed to have nine hitters smack the ball into outs does not qualify him as an effective major league pitcher. He's never shown a thing. I had really high hopes for Sanchez coming into this season, I hope he gets everything figured out and starts 30 games.

My thoughts: Johnson, Nolasco and pray for rain. I see you all have Pinto in the Marlins bullpen. That is JUST NOT RIGHT. I don't care who is in the bullpen as long as Pinto is not one of them.

How does the Marlins front office take credit for landing Hanley when they made their best effort not to get him? At least Danks has proven to be a good starter.

If you were going to wait for Hanley to dominate at Double A, he might still be there. Ramirez first major league season was hugely better than his last minor league season. I think for Stanton its the same. He might as well learn from this point forward at the maljor league level because let's face it, his worst will be better than Maybin's best. Ross in center and Stanton in right from day one.

Wow! I was being sarcastic. Jacobs is terrible. And Blalock gives you the same garbage numbers at this point in his career. Let Morrison play for goodness sakes!

Would love this signing and really don't how it wouldn't happen, unless there comes a third team with better possibilities than us. Why not just resign Mike Jacobs? He and Blalock have put up eerily identical numbers in recent years. Forget it.

Annibal Sanchez pitches 190 innings of solid baseball and wins 17 games.

My analysis: The Marlins get one cheap year out of Johnson. If he excells, he will be traded for sure after this season. If he is mediocre, the Marlins will be stuck with a bad contract. If he is injured, the Marlins will be stuck with an awful contract.

My analysis: The Marlins get one cheap year out of Johnson. If he excells, he will be traded for sure after this season. If he is mediocre, the Marlins will be stuck with a bad contract. If he is injured, the Marlins will be stuck with an awful contract.

I'm just too curious to know the thinking behind all the slinging for the fences on this topic. Happ had a better ERA last season, pitches on the total cheap ... saving the Marlins millions next season ... and would come to the Marlins in the company of additional talent. Happ is also a reliable lefty, which the Marlins could certainly use. What makes JJ an ace and why the Happ smear? ERA, ratio ... it's all basically the same.

I think the consensus here is that I am stupid. I believe Johnson is far more valuable than Halladay as trade bait because he makes a lot less money and is younger. Perhaps I don't like Johnson's future as much as many others here, but I'd deal him while his value is highest.

I'm a cheap fan and I'd send Johnson to Philly if they want to send back Happ and a couple strong players from their farm. With so many position players entrenched, the Phills should be willing to part with some good talent. I don't mind facing JJ a few times a year and I feel very good about the solid, cheap lefty, Happ.

The Marlins could certainly use some power from the left side of the plate ... they have none. Are there any other teams competely devoid of leftside power?

I would trade JJ to Texas for two excellent pitching prospects and outfielder Nelson Cruz (minimum wage). Cruz would replace Coghlan in left while the latter moves to second base. His bat would replace Uggla's power and he has speed on the bases. Stanton would then replace Ross after this season when Ross gets too spendy. Texas reportedly has some good young pitching. (I know that this is a Nick Johnson thread but that's too boring).

I would trade Johnson right now, while his value is highest. He should bring back about three good pitching prospects and maybe even a position player.

Id love a Uggla for Vazquez trade without the money but its just not worth it with all of the money he is owed, but he truly is a great underrated pitcher that would make our rotation great and more consistent. Vazquez is about as reliable as they come. I cannot think of a better way to spend $10 million to improve the team. Cuddyer of the Twins will make that much for goodness sakes.

Id love a Uggla for Vazquez trade without the money but its just not worth it with all of the money he is owed, but he truly is a great underrated pitcher that would make our rotation great and more consistent.