fauowls44

he's not exactly a chin kind of guy. he only pitched 47.2 innings in 65 outings last season....that's almost the opposite of the first 8 seasons of his career, in which he averaged close to an inning and a third per outing. a good signing nonetheless, but it doesn't necessarily address the problems that will arise from having low-stamina guys like leiter and valdez in the rotation. 675563[/snapback] I like this signing as well. It should be interesting to see how this shakes out in the spring. By my count, to fit everyone who signed a Major League deal in to the bullpen, they'll have to go with a 12 man staff (Mota, Spooney, Alfonseca, Reidling, Jones, Mecir, Perisho). That wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing, considering, like you said, Leiter and Valdez are 5-6 inning guys. I suppose they could also afford to carry 12 pitchers with a bench of Easly, Conine/Carney, Treanor/DiFelice, Willingham, W. Delgado. Those are all guys, with the exception of the backup catcher, that can play multiple positions.

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/10797973.htm

Rotoworld says that the Cubs would make a trade with the D-Rays for an OF after trading Sosa...possibly Aubrey Huff. I agree that this deal makes little sense for the O's except for one thing....They've lost out on every other option this offseason and had to do something in their minds. Sosa is still a major draw and they'll sell a lot of tickets at Camden (and Fort Lauderdale Stadium). Not that that matters much when they have to face the Red Sox and Yankees 38 times.

If Boog really is getting a radio show on 790, I think I actually prefer that to him being on TV. The guy is a great radio host and it will give this market a baseball voice daily on the airwaves.

He's going to ESPN and ESPN 790. Link I would have liked him to stay and so TV for the Marlins, but this is a pretty good job. I've always said he deserves his own radio show.

This is great news! I hope they work out a contract soon. Boog and Tommy Hutton will be a really good team. There aren't two broadcasters that know more about the Marlins than these two. Boog also has a real good knowledge about the game in general and should make the Marlin broadcasts very interesting. I have thought for a long time that he should get his own radio show again, but I guess he's too baseball oriented for QAM. That's unfortunate because he's 100x better than Mandich or Howard David, both of whom are pretty much unlistenable in my opinion.

I am also a Dolphins fan, but is anyone else a little annoyed by the lack of outrage about this plan. I know it's Wayne's money and he can do with it what he wants, but the entire plan seems to make very little sense. He is doming a stadium for no reason. The place will host 10 games a year(hopefully 12 with playoffs) once the Marlins leave. This won't help attract Super Bowls or National championship games because they have already been attracted here. They won't not come if there is no roof. I guess what is sitting badly with me is the fact that because of his personal dislike for baseball, Wayne is forcing South Florida to decide between losing a baseball team or building a new stadium. He has in his power the ability to work out a partnership that could benefit all parties, but refuses to even discuss doing so. Michael Mayo's column in today's Sun-Sentinel sums it up best. Check it out: link

http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/...s_fla&fext=.jsp

Just heard the Marlins signed Valdes and Reidling to one-year deals. No link yet.

Very tough loss. I'd rather us loose to the Bobcats than Seattle. Because Seattle is test. And the Heat failed it. Nice comeback though. I'm going to rewatch the game and cry. 647370[/snapback] You never want to lose to the Bobcats. Yes, they lost the game, but they had every chance to win that game at the end. That's really all you can ask for, especially against a tough team like Seattle. Most nights, they win. Last night, they came up a basket short....that's the nature of basketball. So if you want to say they failed a test because they lost, I guess I can see your point, but that's being a little harsh....especially when you take into consideration that the team hadn't lost in a month prior. If I had to pick one game of the three to lose on the homestand, it would have been this one. The other two are conference games (and losing to the Knicks always sucks). Now instead of focusing on continuing the streak, they can just concentrate on kicking the Knicks @ss. Go Heat!

Fu** the heat!! 645273[/snapback] jealous are we? 645275[/snapback] hell no, they beat the pistons and yall cream your damn pants! 645281[/snapback] Last time I checked the Pistons were defending champs, so beating them, especially in Detroit, is a pretty big deal. Also, 13 in a row (1 game of which was a W against your Magic) is pretty impressive, don't you think? :lol

Timing has been the big reason that the Marlins have signed few big name free agent pitchers. In the early years, 93-95, they had no need to sign big names really. And if they wanted to, they would have had a hard time convincing pitchers to come to an expansion team. Before the 95 season, I believe that they went after Ken Hill pretty hard and may have had him signed. However, because of the strike, I dont think that he was ruled eligible for free agency. After 1995, they did sign Al Leiter and Kevin Brown. After 96, they lured Alex Fernandez. Then, after the 97 WS and the firesale, the focus was on building by young pitchers. That is where we have been ever since. Anyway, I think Perez would be a great addition. Pay him what it takes as long as it is in reason.

Reidling reluctantly accepts Florida Marlins? offer - Hamilton Journal News I don't know what that is all about I didn't bother to register to read the article... just find it odd that someone might be talking out of two sides of his mouth. :blink: Is you are intrested just google up Marlins under the news tab and it should be the fourth thing down. 642041[/snapback] I read the article, and the headline is misleading. All Reidling says is that he'll miss the Reds because they are the only team he's pitched for in the Majors, but he looks forward to pitching at home.

The farm system is looking might weak there. I know the Florida State league is a pitching-dominated league, but Hermida's numbers aren't anything that suggest future MLB star. Plus, he's not exactly young for high A ball, either. Right now, he's looking like a future mediocre MLB OF - consistently putting up numbers like Conine had last year. Stokes might be decent, but I don't see him being anything spectacular at this moment unless he does a little better at AAA. Willingham being on that list is a joke. Dominating AA at 26 years old? Give me a break. 641392[/snapback] I think that most baseball people will disagree with your assessment of Hermida. But I do agree with you that the farm system isn't as strong as past years, but it is getting stronger. Much of the talent is at the low levels. Not to mention 5 picks in the 1st 2 rounds of the draft this year, and good draft last year. The farm system will be fine.

I don't think either Stokes or Kensing is a "joke". Kensing was put in an awful position late in the season. He was nowhere near ready to pitch at that level, but he showed a good arm and he'll be back in Florida one day. I would definately rate him ahead of Hutchinson as far as prospects go. Stokes, while he does strike out a lot, is worthy of being a top 5 prospect. He made the big jump from A ball to AA last year and still produced. This year will be very important for him and his future with the Marlins. By the season's end he should be playing in AAA and get a September call-up.

It is strange that they signed another righty, but still a solid addition. It's pretty clear that they are uncomfortable with another season of minor league callups. Reidling had a bad year last year, but has performed well in the past. The Marlins have liked him for a while, so to get him without trading a player is a good thing. What I think is a major positive in this offseason is the experience added in the pen. With Mota, Alfonseca, Spooney, Jones, and Reidling coming out of the pen, I think we are in better shape than last season overall. There is a need for a lefty specialist, though.

Link

Beane has to know something is up. He isnt retarted. 638416[/snapback] exactly. This is Billy Beane we're talking about, he wouldn't trade someone of Mulder's (former) caliber that was signed to what he was for the next two years if something wasn't up 638418[/snapback] Is anyone else a little annoyed with the double standard people have for Billy Beane? Because the guy has a book written about him, people blindly go along and consider every move the guy makes a stroke of genius. If any other GM in baseball trades 3 of his 5 starting pitchers for young prospects, it's called a fire sale and they are slammed locally and nationally. Beane does it and they call it retooling...but then say he'll still be competitive next year. All i'm saying is that people should be calling this what it is, salary dumping. Nobody can actually believe that the A's can be legitimately competitive with a rotation that includes 3 rookies next year. I think this has a little to do with Beane's ego also. A lot of the A's success has been attributed to the Big 3, and I think he wants to prove that he and his theories can win without them. This is besides the fact that the A's haven't won anything under the "Moneyball" era.

Delgado, Bentz, and DeFelice...always good to see competition. 637625[/snapback] Yeah... always good to see washed-out veterans making the headlines on your team's free-agent signings... God, this is the closest I have ever been to death by free agency boredom... :sleeping 637802[/snapback] Yeah it will be some hella good competition. I am sure all three will give Duca, Alex and Antonio a run for their jobs. 637806[/snapback] Wow, some people are impatient. These are all depth signings. I hardly think anyone was suggesting these were big moves for this team. All 3 could conceivably make the team out of spring training, but I doubt it. Bentz seems to have the best shot.

yeh me too.. as soon as i heard he was heading to ATL, i said it is over. and ARI is gonna have a big year and who knows with the mets and phillies. also the dodgers. i dont think we got enough talent for this year..where gonna have to call in for a miracle. 637396[/snapback] Wow, the season is 4 months away and you are conceding in December? Other NL East teams are making moves, but every team still has question marks. I would wait to see how the off season plays out before getting all bent out of shape.

Read the Sun Sentinel today. The Marlins have told Puerto Rico they are not interested.

Beinfest on 790am this morning said pretty much what's being discussed here, that the parties are working through a modified offer and there's no reason to believe he won't be here. 637204[/snapback] What else was said? I missed the interview. Thanks!

Alfonseca deal gets backed up BY KEVIN BAXTER kbaxter@herald.com The Marlins have withdrawn the two-year, $4.75 million contract they offered free agent Antonio Alfonseca after three doctors found ''a significant herniation'' to a disk in the pitcher's lower back. The problem was discovered during a routine physical required of all players before new contracts can be approved. Alfonseca underwent season-ending surgery in 2001 to repair a herniated disk in the same area, and the pitcher's agent said Thursday that another operation might be required to fix this problem. ''It's the same disk,'' Juan Iglesias said. ``It's not causing him any pain, but it could at any moment. No doctor could tell me if it will be tomorrow or it will be in a year.'' As a result, the Marlins, who declined comment, pulled back the money they guaranteed Alfonseca last week and countered with a one-year deal that gives the pitcher a chance to earn much of the money he forfeited in 2005 through incentives. The two sides are expected to negotiate today. ''If he pitches, he could get $2 million,'' said Iglesias, who praised Marlins general manager Admin Beinfest for his flexibility in trying to work out a deal. ``He's going to make it if he's healthy.'' The 6-5 right-hander, who pitched at 250 pounds last season, also will try to shed 25 pounds and perform stretches to help the sore back. Iglesias said Alfonseca had no problems with his back last season as an Atlanta Brave, posting career bests for games (79), wins (six) and ERA (2.57). He did complain of a tired arm, but an MRI revealed no problems, and doctors prescribed rest, blaming the fatigue on his high workload. PUERTO RICO PITCH The Puerto Rican promoter who staged 44 Montreal Expos' ''home'' games in San Juan the past two seasons says he met with Major League Baseball officials in New York this week about inviting three teams, including the Marlins, to each play a home series on the island in 2005. Antonio Mu?oz said his plan would bring nine to 12 games to Hiram Bithorn Stadium and though Munoz and Enrique '' Quique'' Cruz, president of Mu?oz's MB Sports, said the Marlins were among the teams they hoped to recruit, the team said Thursday it hasn't been approached about moving any games out of Pro Player Stadium and wouldn't be interested if it was. ''I can assure you we will play all 81 of our home games at home,'' said P.J. Loyello, the Marlins' vice president of communications. Matt Gould, a spokesman for Major League Baseball, said the talks with Mu?oz were part of commissioner Bud Selig's ongoing efforts to take baseball outside the 48 contiguous United States. But, he added, no serious discussions as to when and where those games would be played. DEADLINE ARRIVING The Marlins face midnight contract deadlines both Sunday and Monday that could go a long way toward determining the makeup of next year's team. By the end of Sunday, free agent pitcher Ismael Valdez must tell the team if he will accept its offer of salary arbitration or become a free agent, and general manager Admin Beinfest has until the end of the day Monday to offer contracts to the rest of the Marlins' unsigned players. Included in that second group are pitchers Matt Perisho, Guillermo Mota, Josh Beckett and A.J. Burnett along with catcher Paul Lo Duca. All five are eligible for arbitration, which means they would also become free agents if the Marlins don't tender them an offer before Tuesday. 637150[/snapback] Sounds like Alfonseca will be signed, but to a lesser deal. Sounds good to me.

At the Marlins season ticket holder event last night, Beinfest talked about our 2005 starting lineup and said it's pretty much set and the starting 1-8 will be identical to 2004, except for the possibility of getting Delucci and platooning him and also using him for late game double switches or PH's. So don't expect any big offensive changes at all. 635706[/snapback] I wouldn't put much stock in what Beinfest says in public right now. What is he supposed to say? "We are shopping Encarnacion because we think he sucks"? Of course he'll say the guys on the roster now are what they will start the year with.

What was said about the stadium, Vegas, trades, etc.? Thanks!