I am a true fan of the Marlins players but I have several misgivings that seems to get by a lot of other fans.
With all the offensive talent on this team (30+ home runs by the entire infield (A NL record) the manager relies too heavily on long ball and big innings.
Fredi has still not learned the art of little ball and bunting, hit and run etc etc.
Last year I can remember at least 8-11 games where Fredi REFUSED to score a runner from 3rd base with less than 2 out...they eventually got tied and lost in late innings or extra innings because of that fact.
So for me, Fredi will never be a great manager...he will always come close but not get the job done.
Even Tommy Hutton has expressed his dissatisfaction with this approach, while being extremely diplomatic about it (he is of course paid by the Marlins).
He also cannot see the handwriting on the wall when a reliever is brought in and obviously cant find the plate which results in blowing a big lead or a lead late in the game that is very close.
I'd like one time to see Fredi manage based on who's hot NOW and not on some stupid stat book that looks at results over a long period of time. Who cares if the pitcher has struck out so and so 10 straight times...whats important is how the guy is pitching right NOW!
This is not rocket science!
If I can predict that Pinto is going to throw 12 straight balls and walk the bases loaded then what the hell is Fredi looking at?.....Whats on the menu after the game maybe???
How bad does a reliever have to be in a tight game before you yank him????After he loses the lead?? Of course dont yank the guy even if it means blowing the game...as long as you save some other guy for a game you MIGHT win tommorrow.......now that makes a whole lotta sense, RIGHT?
This team will never go anywhere as long as these guys are on the team:
1. Pinto.....a head case with too big an appetite and gut to pitch well. After 5 years he still cant find the plate. Oh, I forgot He's a Lefty! Now I understand!!!
2. Veras....an overthrower who can occasionally get it in the strike zone, but not often enough.......its early but remember that I told you so come August....and see how many games he blows. He's the replacement for the guy that Samson said
would get 40 saves for sure!! LOL
3. Fredi.....a nice guy that still cant figure it out and who rewards screwup relievers with a pat on the ass, waits til the horse has escaped from the barn before changing relievers. Also gets a tremendous pass from Tommy and his sidekick for
whatever reason. He should go back to coaching 3rd base. Bring back Jack M.!
So good luck Marlins fans.....I have the feeling this year will be very frustrating to watch!
YES YES YES. I mirror these sentiments exactly. No one ever seems to acknowledge the fact that Fredi is not doing his job well. Leaving in pitchers too long to "build up confidence" as I think he put it is ridiculous. This isn't kindergarten. A pitcher will be confident if he throws strikes. Fredi needs to get on board...like you said, he needs to learn to rely a little more on small ball; that's how we did it in 2003, of course the HRs didn't hurt either. But that's just it, there needs to be a balance. I am so happy someone else brought this up, I was starting to think I was taking crazy pills!