With Josh Beckett's injury-plagued season, what kind of numbers would he have posted if he were not on the disabled list so much? Also, what can we expect from Beckett in 2005?

-- Angelica M., Cape Coral, Fla.

 

Coming off a World Series MVP in 2003, this past season held so much promise for Beckett. Based on ability alone, Beckett could have equaled the 18 wins that Pavano posted.

 

The team was expecting 15 to 20 victories from Beckett, and received nine. Staying healthy is so pivotal. Some pitchers take time to figure things out, including the steps needed to stay on the field. Pavano overcame injuries early on in his career and figured out how to remain durable, logging more than 200 innings in back-to-back years. Compiling the innings gives pitchers a better chance to win, because they are in the game longer for their teams to score runs.

 

There are two types of blister creams Beckett is using. Maybe this finally controls the problem. Once healthy, Beckett is skilled enough to figure out how to win. At times, he gets in trouble with pitch selection (throwing his changeup to batters who can't catch up to his fastball), but he will figure those things out once he is on the mound long enough.

 

Have you heard what the Marlins want from power hitter Joe Dillon? Do you think he would be good trade bait?

-- Carl N., Midland, Texas

 

For those not familiar with Joe Dillon, he's the Marlins organization's version of the movie "The Rookie." The minor league sensation originally came in through the Royals organization, experienced back problems, hung it up and went into college coaching while undergoing back surgery.

 

At 28, he signed a minor league deal with the Marlins and produced incredible numbers. At Triple-A Albuquerque, he finished with a .325 average with 30 homers and 86 RBIs. Before that, he played in 28 games with Double-A Carolina, posting a .344 average with seven homers and 27 RBIs. But does he have a Major League career?

 

Those numbers are intriguing, but he has skeptics. He's best suited for second base or third base. The Marlins wanted to see how he would respond in left field, but that didn't go well. As for trade bait, I'm not sure he would command much, because the league tends to look at 28-year-olds who haven't made it yet as not going to make it. He may be a situational backup, although those numbers certainly were impressive.

 

Are the Marlins required contractually to follow some sort of a workout regime in the offseason, or is this something that is done on a voluntary basis?

-- Karen O., Queens, N.Y.

 

Contractually, the players aren't required to follow an offseason program. Some players have contracts preventing them from playing such sports as basketball during the winter. We saw the problem that presented for Aaron Boone last year.

 

However, the players are given a personalized workout book by Paul Fournier, the team's strength and conditioning director. Many follow it or have their own personal training program. Year-round conditioning is essential these days. On the last day of the season, the players were given their recommended workout program by Fournier.

 

Don't you feel that with the success of the Marlins -- two World Series titles in 11 years -- and what seems to be the perennial success of the Twins, the relative success of the Pirates last year, as well as the Wild Card races in both leagues, that the small market/large market controversy is a moot point? Are we heading back into the era of how good your minor league organization is, as opposed to how much money you spend?

-- Alan K., Melbourne, Fla.

 

A lot to chew on here. As for small market vs. large market, there remains a disparity. The Yankees and Red Sox are tops in payroll and they are again in the ALCS. The Marlins don't like the label "small market" because the Miami/South Florida area is rather large. So "low revenue" is more of what is being dealt with down here.

 

Indeed, the Marlins proved last year that payroll alone doesn't win titles. Still, there remains a great disparity, and the Marlins in '04, with pretty much the same payroll as '03, lacked the depth to get back to the postseason. So it is considerably tougher on teams that have less margin for error.

 

In my opinion, restoring competitive balance is the biggest challenge for Major League Baseball. Yes, it is great that the teams with less, like the Marlins of a year ago, and the Twins of this year can contend. These teams just have to be craftier and thriftier with their dollars. The Marlins can't just add an Alex Rodriguez like the Yankees did. The Marlins last year just couldn't add Vladimir Guerrero. They were able to swing the Ivan Rodriguez one-year signing in '03 because other teams wrote Pudge off.

 

Regarding building through the minor leagues, that is essential for all organizations. The Yankees likely would have landed Randy Johnson if their farm system had the players the Diamondbacks wanted. The Marlins were able to use their farm system to help win it all in '03.

 

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

On Josh Beckett: I hope Frisaro is right. Had Beckett not been injured he probably would have done better than Pavano, IMO. I think that if he can stay healthy for the 2005 Season, that he will quickly step up as our clubs ace, followed by AJ and maybe Pavs.

 

On Joe Dillon: Definitely a good player. In the likely event that Lowell leaves, we could try experimenting with him at 3rd base and see how things go (prepares to get bashed)

 

On The Stadium: I know we aren't going to get the deal through November 1. I doubt we are even getting the deal sometime in this life time. No company or anyone wants to invest in Miami because they know it is a corrupt city. The plan is supposedly 371 million? I wouldn't be surprised if the costs reach 600+ million :thumbdown

IF Beckett is healthy he'll win more then 15 games easy (if the offense can score more then 2 runs obcourse)... half his starts this year were like rehab starts...as long as he stays off the DL..he'll win 15-20 games next year

beckett will own in 05

 

If beckett is healthy we know what he can do. He can lead our team along with AJ Burnett. We just need to pick up another pitcher and an outfielder with pop.

Beckett has to win at least 15-18 games...if he does not have a good year IMO its time to part ways with him and get quality player out of him while he's still worth something...

Joe Dillon is a AAAA player

I do not think it will be a smart move to sell Beckett and Lowell and then not get Pavano and Benitez.

A Lot of the fans will think the team is selling out and quit following them and that is bad for things like a orange bowl stadium :confused :confused :thumbdown

Good article

Joe Dillon is a AAAA player

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We once thought same about Kevin Millar.

Beckett=Bust

I laugh at these fools that call Beckett a bust. He is like 24 years old and he already has WS MVP. Again, I don't know how anyone can call a 24 year old a bust! lol! He is battling blister problems, something Al Leiter had when he was younger, and still has a career ERA under 4.

 

I don't know how anyone with half a brain can call Beckett a bust when he is oozing with talent but he just has to stay healthy.

 

not smart

I laugh at these fools that call Beckett a bust. He is like 24 years old and he already has WS MVP. Again, I don't know how anyone can call a 24 year old a bust! lol! He is battling blister problems, something Al Leiter had when he was younger, and still has a career ERA under 4.

 

I don't know how anyone with half a brain can call Beckett a bust when he is oozing with talent but he just has to stay healthy.

 

not smart

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whatever :confused

Beckett promised to make the All-Star game and win two Cy Young Awards by now.

i dont think Beckett is a bust but he has to get his a** on the horse...yes he has had his injuries,but he is also a crybaby that doesnt want to work hard to fullfill his potential...we need a pitching coach that is going to bust his balls and make him work...if he doesnt fine have your s***ty year and then trade his a** for baseball's...