August 31, 200422 yr FloridaMarlins.com MIAMI -- Still in striking distance of winning the Wild Card, the Marlins are focused on doing everything possible in the final month to reach the postseason. That means they are committed to their current roster down the stretch and not looking at many September callup options. Aside from adding depth to relief pitching and a third catcher, the team doesn't plan on bringing many players up after the 25-man postseason roster is finalized on Aug. 31. Come September, reliever Ben Howard and catcher Matt Treanor are likely to be brought up from Triple-A Albuquerque. And sometime in September, veteran Wil Cordero will join the squad. There may not be more than three add-ons to help the defending World Series champions make their final push in an effort to repeat. "There are two schools of thought," Marlins general manager Admin Beinfest said. "If you're not in it, you might bring up players you think might have a future. You take a look. Or if you're in it, you want to be careful bringing up guys and having them not have an opportunity, and just sit around. "Where we are right now, I'd probably say there are going to be limited callups. We didn't have a bunch last year. We had a few pitchers because of injuries in September to help us. I'd guess at this point, they would be familiar names that people would know." Howard, Treanor and Cordero all spent time with the Marlins this season. Cordero opened the season as a platoon first baseman along with Hee Seop Choi. But on May 19, he was placed on the disabled list with inflammation to both knees. Surgeries to both knees were performed, and he recently started baseball activities and playing for Class A Jupiter in the Florida State League. "Cordero is doing great," Beinfest said. "He's got to play himself in shape. His knees are feeling good, and I'd expect that he'd be back here. At this point, for sure, after the rosters expand. But it's going to be up to him. We've kind of always had him on the radar. If not sooner, then for sure in September." There are also fringe callup options, like left-handed reliever Franklyn Gracesqui, infielder/outfielder Joe Dillon and catcher/outfielder Josh Willingham. Gracesqui, in Triple-A, and Willingham, in Double-A, spent time with the Marlins before being sent down. Dillon, an intriguing prospect who can play infield and outfield, has been a standout in Albuquerque, although he has slumped after a torrid start. "If you bring up a young player who has limited Major League experience or no Major League experience, you just don't want to not play them," Beinfest said. "Unless it's in an area you think there is a need. But just to bring a gratuitous callup, generally, we do not do that." Possible Marlins callups include: Ben Howard, Reliever 3-0, 3.78 ERA (Triple-A Albuquerque) Acquired at the tail end of Spring Training for reliever Blaine Neal, Howard spent time with the Marlins, appearing in 24 games and posting a 1-1 record with a 5.28 ERA. The organization feels Howard has a bright future in a setup role. He's spent much of the season in Triple-A Albuquerque. He has a 95 mph fastball and a hard slider. Matt Treanor, Catcher .257, 7 HRs, 37 RBIs (Triple-A Albuquerque) An 11-year minor leaguer, Treanor showed grit and hustle after being brought up for the first time ever in June. He replaced injured Ramon Castro at the time and was Mike Redmond's backup. Treanor was sent down after Paul Lo Duca was obtained. In the final weeks, carrying a third catcher gives depth as that position tends to wear down. Wil Cordero, First baseman/outfielder .500, 2 HRs, 5 RBIs, (Class-A Jupiter) Rebounding from surgeries to both knees, Cordero is expected to provide an experienced bat off the bench. A first baseman/left fielder, Cordero opened the season in a platoon situation with Hee Seop Choi at first base. But bothered by ailing knees in the spring, Cordero played in just 22 games and was hitting a disappointing .213 with one home run and six RBIs. The team was hopeful Cordero could return in August, but he didn't begin baseball activities until late in the month. He's still trying to get back into playing shape, refining his timing at Class-A Jupiter.
August 31, 200422 yr Scott Sanders better be up here :plain. I am tired of seeing Sanders get the short end of the stick. It's Sanders time!
August 31, 200422 yr Scott Sanders better be up here :plain. I am tired of seeing Sanders get the short end of the stick. It's Sanders time! 534009[/snapback] He's starting tonight for Albuquerque. And so far New Orleans has scored six runs in 5 innings. :plain
August 31, 200422 yr Sanders is 3-8 with an 8 something ERA. Oh and the Topes are down 6-2 right now in the 6th, looks like that ERA ain't going down.
August 31, 200422 yr call up Borland dammit. 533974[/snapback] Seriously...whats the deal there? Borland is more help than Howard.
August 31, 200422 yr Yeah, Borland should return. Gracesqui also since we only have 1 lefty out there. I see he's "on the bubble".
August 31, 200422 yr Sanders is 3-8 with an 8 something ERA. Oh and the Topes are down 6-2 right now in the 6th, looks like that ERA ain't going down. 534017[/snapback] Sanders doesnt deserve this BS :plain
August 31, 200422 yr borland sux too 534279[/snapback] what an educated comment. if you're going to call anyone up from AAA he should be the guy because he has a 2.29 ERA down there which is BY FAR the lowest on the staff.
August 31, 200422 yr borland sux too 534279[/snapback] what an educated comment. if you're going to call anyone up from AAA he should be the guy because he has a 2.29 ERA down there which is BY FAR the lowest on the staff. 534287[/snapback] well its kind of like Bump, if they struggled at point in their career that means they suck forever
August 31, 200422 yr [uqote]"If you bring up a young player who has limited Major League experience or no Major League experience, you just don't want to not play them," Uhhh... the season is over for Albuquerque and Carolina. The difference between calling up Willingham and others or not is having them sit on their bums playing PS2s and adding much needed pop to the bench.
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