cornfield

Let's give credit where it's due. Certainly not to manager Gonzales. If I pause to think back over the entire season, the only inspired move I can recall was putting Coghlan out in left field and letting him play every day. Of course, the more inspired move would have been to trade Dan Uggla for a pitcher and put Coghlan at second. Other than that, Gonzales was a dud. And I don't even know the extent to which he can be lauded for playing Coghlan.

Of course he should be canned. 1) I'm not sure how the pitching staff could have been handled more poorly this season, which includes the total inability to keep opposing baserunners from running wild; 2) I was amazed at the consistent failure to move runners up (what a poor bunting team!); I was disappointed about the failure of the team to utilize speed on the bases ... Hanley should have attempted to steal much more often, and Bonifacio and Maybin ... if they aren't running almost every time they get on base, what is the point of even playing them? With the Marlins, it wasn't "Speed Kills", it was "Speed Bores."

I'm with Hammerhead. Coghlan is the story for the Marlins. He is going to be gamer for the team for years and years. I was disappointed for Annibal. I thought his first two pitches of the game were strikes ... but were called balls. I thought that put him off his game immediately and none of the first three Brave hitters even swung at a pitch after that.

Let's all be realistic. Pinto and Nunez are still in the Marlin bullpen and Gonzales will not hesitate to use them.

You hate people? I love you, man. And I'd love Hanley more if he started hitting when the Marlins need it most.

I don't care about anything other than what Hanely does for the Marlins this week and next week when he needs to start coming up big. He hasn't hit worth crap lately.

I've been looking for signs that Maybin may be coming into his own as a ballplayer. Haven't seen any. I have officially given up on Maybin as a future Marlin mainstay. Unfortunately he doesn't even have trade value. Miller and Maybin turned out to be an undesirable return for Cabrera.

On the Marlins broadcast last night, Tennessee was reported as a 6-5 winner over Jacksonville in the Southern League Championship opener. Turns out it was just a minor typo and the Suns were the winners by that score in ten innings! The Marlins have a team in a league championship hunt afterall.

Based on the many (darn near all) home games I have watched this season, the fans were invisible. On the bright side, where else can you attend a game at which the average is one foul ball per fan?

See you, JJ! The signing that you are hoping for just isn't going to happen.

I believe the Marlins will trade JJohnson in the offseason. I believe I would do the same. His overall numbers are good this year, but he hasn't shown the ability to go deep into games and I just don't trust in his future all that much. I'd trade him for a couple really good prospects. I'd also bring up Stanton and Morrison for cameo appearances after they capture the Southern League crown.

If it's destiny then it's out of your control. Thank you, Jammer. I've always cringed at that expression.

I see Hermida, Uggla, Cantu, N Johnson, Paulino, as likely goners among the regulars. I think the Marlins may be able to use a starting pitcher or two as trade bait to acquire some cheap young players. Not that the Marlins have starting pitching depth, but they have some starters they may not wish to move forward with and that could be deemed as having potential by other teams. A good player to target as an Uggla replacement would be the Rockies Ian Stewart, who is still at the minimum, and has some power. He can play 2nd, 3rd, or outfield, I believe. The Rockies seem to have a bit of glut in the infield, but still may not be willing to deal him. I hope Cody Ross stays with the team ... love his defense. Coghlan will be a fixture for years ... in the outfield, at second, or at third. Unfortunately, it does not appear that Morrison, Stanton and Dominguez are anywhere near ready. I would bring up Nick Ungs to fill out the rotation for the Marlins stretch run. He just pitched seven shutout innings of winning baseball to lead Jacksonville to a first game playoff victory. He doesn't walk people.

I'd especially like Willingham back if Washington would keep Olson and take back Bonifacio!

Always liked Willingham. Wish his bat had been cracking for the Marlins this past month. He's been going crazy ... Last night a classic 4 hit, 6 rbi game with double dongage.

Looks like it has to be a catcher. Gload to man first base against rhp.

Looking at Maybin's NO stats ... no speed on the bases (as reflected by steals) and no power (as reflected by homeruns). To be honest, I thought he would show a lot more in AAA. I don't know if he will ever be a Marlins regular.

I sure wish Volstad had a curveball.

I'm wishing that Ungs was starting the Marlins game tonight. I'd feel there was a chance of winning the game tonight. With Volstad going, I'm feeling there is absolutely no chance. He'll be knocked out by the fourth inning.

Bad example ... Fulcino. It was like bp for the Marlin hitters when he was throwing last night. I don't care how old Ungs may or may not be, if he doesn't walk people and can throw strikes without delivering them down mainstreet, I want him in the rotation. "Ungs" and Uggla on the same team .... awesome.

Ungs is red hot off the mound in Jacksonville. Can't think of a reason to put West out there again. West never pitched like Ungs is pitching in Double A. Neither did Volstad for that matter.

I go Hanley leadoff, Coghlan second, Uggla third, Cantu, fourth. Hanley has a high on base percentage, is the best baserunner, and merits the most at bats, which is what the leadoff guy gets. Coghlan is showing patience and hits lefthanded. He also runs very well. Uggla hits third because he needs to see fastballs. With Hanley and/or Coghlan on base and Cantu on deck, he would see fastballs. I would probably hit Johnson in the five hole, followed by Ross, Baker and the other outfielder. I would never bring Pinto out of the bullpen.

I agree with most of the thoughts of the original poster. 1) Hitting G. Sanchez in that situation was a mistake. It was a good spot for Helms, esp. when you consider who was pitching for the Astros. Yes, you can think ahead to the late innings to use Helms. But if you are really thinking ahead, you have to consider that Helms would have to face a set up man or closer for Houston that throws faster than his bat. Helms has been good this year, against normal 92 mph stuff. The 96-98 stuff, he just waves at. 2) Putting Pinto in a game is NEVER a good idea. I don't care what his ERA is or was, I feel that the Marlins are putting any game in jeopardy by including Pinto in it. How many of you whispered "Uh oh" to yourself when Pinto came into the game? How many just hollered "Aw ****!" 3) I don't care if Hanley is the best hitter in the world. Down a run with a runner on second and no one out, you move him over. That's especially true with Cantu, Baker, Uggla and Cody all hitting. 4) A hit and run with Bonifacio at the plate? You just can't do that. All that said, the game ball goes to Bourn. Fantastic. And we shouldn't discount the fact that Carlos Lee caught two balls against the fence that were hit just as well and far as the two that Coghlan missed. I really like Coghlan, but lack of familiarity with that left field fence really hurt last night.

Sanchez gave up a single hit last night. And just a single hit in his previous start. Looks awful good to me. Ayala is almost perfect at New Orleans. 7 innings, 1 hit, 1 walk, and 7 K's. Two inning save last night.

The gentleman was spot on and we should have trouble acknowledging that. The next six games should tell us a lot. It's a time to be juggling the rotation and looking for something ... anything. I wish Sanchez was starting a game this week on the road trip. I'd also give Martinez and Ungs a go.