December 1, 200421 yr MIAMI -- Perfecting the art of pitching takes time. New Marlins pitching coach Mark Wiley points out that many of the great ones endured their share of growing pains before attaining stardom. "It takes a while to pitch in the big leagues," Wiley said. "You understand the league. You understand the hitters. You understand the adjustments you have to make. You settle in, maturity-wise. Very few start off and win 20 games their first year, no matter how good they were. I always tell people to look at Hall of Fame pitchers and look at their first year." The legendary Sandy Koufax had one double-digit victory season, and a losing overall record, through his first six years. More recently, Tom Glavine, who is building Hall of Fame credentials, didn't exactly overwhelm when he broke into the league. He was 33-41 in his first four seasons before running off a string of three straight 20-win years. The 58-year-old Wiley joins a franchise with three promising young starters in Josh Beckett, A.J. Burnett and Dontrelle Willis. The status of the fourth and fifth starters remain unclear, as Carl Pavano and Ismael Valdez are testing the free agent market. Still, if healthy, the trio of Beckett, Burnett and Willis can stack up favorably with any top three starters in the league. Wiley's challenge is bringing out the best in these young arms. "Depending on who we have as our fourth and fifth starters, I think the first three guys we have, obviously, everybody knows they are top caliber guys," Wiley said. "They are probably getting to the point of figuring it all out. Figuring how to be more consistent, and hopefully, I can help them with those sorts of things." Strong starting pitching carried the Marlins to the 2003 World Series championship. In 2004, Pavano's 18-8 record largely helped the team finish 83-79, marking the third winning season in franchise history. The experienced Wiley takes over for Wayne Rosenthal, who accepted the organization's offer to be the Double-A Carolina pitching coach. "He has dealt with a lot of different personalities, a lot of different pitching challenges," Marlins general manager Admin Beinfest said. "That experience has allowed him to build up his knowledge base. Your presence to the pitchers is different: 'Hey, guys, I've done it. You want to listen to me?'" Wiley brings a strong background to the Marlins. He previously worked on the staffs of Mike Hargrove with the Indians and Orioles. Two of his Indians teams reached the World Series -- 1995 and '97. A Boca Raton resident, Wiley already is reviewing tapes on his young pitchers. He has worked with Cullen McRae, the team's video coordinator, on compiling a video library of his pitchers. "Video can be a big tool, but you can also get trapped in it, thinking it's going to fix everything," Wiley said. "Pitching is a lot more than that. But it's also a good tool." A common mistake Wiley detects in hard-throwing young pitchers is their penchant to overthrow when they get into a bind. Instead of settling down and relying on location, they tend to reach back and try to blow fastballs by the batters. "The biggest thing about young pitchers, and I don't think there is any way of getting away from it, is they are a lot more maximum-effort pitchers than veterans are, or the way they will be in the future," Wiley said. The secret is to pitch with smarts, not just brute force. Wiley tells pitchers: "The sooner you can understand that, the sooner you can get closer to where you want to be. I think Pavano is a perfect example of that. Some guys get it sooner. Some guys get it later. I've had guys, who are top guys, I see them getting it now seven years after I had them. I had them as rookies, and now they are finally getting it." The starter that comes to mind is free agent flame-thrower Jaret Wright, who went 15-8 with the Braves in 2004. Wright, a free agent, is similar to Pavano in that regard. Early in both of their careers, they endured injuries. Both went through some tough years before emerging in 2004. Wiley's connection with Wright makes it logical to think the Marlins have an interest in the right-hander, who helped the Braves once again win the National League East. Beckett and Burnett have the capability of being two of the most dominant pitchers in the National League. And the left-handed Willis, although inconsistent, is still learning the game. He turns 22 in January, and already has experienced being an All-Star, winning a World Series, and recently pitching in Japan as part of the MLB-Japan All-Star series. "It's all an individual thing," Wiley said. "These three guys have a chance to be special. Not that they aren't already. But they have a chance to be special for a long, long time." http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/...s_fla&fext=.jsp
December 1, 200421 yr I also would like the idea of bringing in Wright, but the bullpen would still be my main priority, as long as they have veterans filling the rest of SP spots.
December 1, 200421 yr I didn't like Wright heading into this season...I don't know if anyone other than a Braves fan or someone on the organization did either...but according to him he was his healthiest last season in 3 years or so, he was the prize of the Indians rotation as a rookie, I tend to think now that he's probably turned the corner and I'd welcome him here probably more so than most of the options out there. I'd still take whoever is cheapest in the list: Clement, Wright, Perez, Morris, Ortiz, Leiber
December 1, 200421 yr He looked nothing short of awful in the playoffs this year but I still wouldn't mind if he were on our team next year (if we can't re-sign Pavano).
December 1, 200421 yr If we can afford it, by all means. He wasnt all that starting the season, but we can accept good things from him.
December 1, 200421 yr It's been reported Seattle offered Wright 3 years and $15 million. 624539[/snapback] From where? If that's true it's promising...No problem here with the FO giving him 6 a year for 3 years...that would leave us with 7 million or so roughly to upgrade the pen, fill the last starter spot and finalize the bench... Even if the offense doesn't get a major-shakeup I think we still have a team capable of 86 - 87 wins if Encarnacion can come around, Miggy continues to progress, and A-Gon does more of the same.
December 1, 200421 yr If he gets more than 2 mil a year it'll be overpaying. He was good last year for one reason: Mazzone.
December 1, 200421 yr Wiley doesn't deserve to be Wright's pitching coach. Wiley will make him smell horrible and have a 6 ERA.
December 1, 200421 yr It's been reported Seattle offered Wright 3 years and $15 million. 624539[/snapback] From where? If that's true it's promising...No problem here with the FO giving him 6 a year for 3 years...that would leave us with 7 million or so roughly to upgrade the pen, fill the last starter spot and finalize the bench... Even if the offense doesn't get a major-shakeup I think we still have a team capable of 86 - 87 wins if Encarnacion can come around, Miggy continues to progress, and A-Gon does more of the same. 624567[/snapback] I have a problem with him getting 3/$18 from us. I'd rather go after Russ Ortiz for that money, at least he's had more than one good year with a high ERA. Ortiz is exactly what we need, a reliable middle of the rotation starter who can pitch well with moderate run support. He's not expected to be an ace, which is important for us, and him.
December 1, 200421 yr It's been reported Seattle offered Wright 3 years and $15 million. 624539[/snapback] From where? If that's true it's promising...No problem here with the FO giving him 6 a year for 3 years...that would leave us with 7 million or so roughly to upgrade the pen, fill the last starter spot and finalize the bench... Even if the offense doesn't get a major-shakeup I think we still have a team capable of 86 - 87 wins if Encarnacion can come around, Miggy continues to progress, and A-Gon does more of the same. 624567[/snapback] I have a problem with him getting 3/$18 from us. I'd rather go after Russ Ortiz for that money, at least he's had more than one good year with a high ERA. Ortiz is exactly what we need, a reliable middle of the rotation starter who can pitch well with moderate run support. He's not expected to be an ace, which is important for us, and him. 624604[/snapback] I read somewhere he is close to signing with the Nationals
December 1, 200421 yr It's been reported Seattle offered Wright 3 years and $15 million. 624539[/snapback] From where? If that's true it's promising...No problem here with the FO giving him 6 a year for 3 years...that would leave us with 7 million or so roughly to upgrade the pen, fill the last starter spot and finalize the bench... Even if the offense doesn't get a major-shakeup I think we still have a team capable of 86 - 87 wins if Encarnacion can come around, Miggy continues to progress, and A-Gon does more of the same. 624567[/snapback] The Seattle Times sports section about 15 hours ago.... " Mariners offer deal to former Atlanta pitcher Jaret Wright By Bob Finnigan Seattle Times staff reporter In addition to making offers to sluggers Carlos Delgado and Richie Sexson, the Mariners apparently have put their need for pitching on the table in the form of an offer to right-handed pitcher Jaret Wright. Unconfirmed word has the offer at $15 million over three years for Wright, who came back from years of shoulder and elbow miseries to go 15-8 with a 3.28 earned-run average in 32 starts for Atlanta in 2004...."
December 1, 200421 yr It's been reported Seattle offered Wright 3 years and $15 million. 624539[/snapback] From where? If that's true it's promising...No problem here with the FO giving him 6 a year for 3 years...that would leave us with 7 million or so roughly to upgrade the pen, fill the last starter spot and finalize the bench... Even if the offense doesn't get a major-shakeup I think we still have a team capable of 86 - 87 wins if Encarnacion can come around, Miggy continues to progress, and A-Gon does more of the same. 624567[/snapback] I have a problem with him getting 3/$18 from us. I'd rather go after Russ Ortiz for that money, at least he's had more than one good year with a high ERA. Ortiz is exactly what we need, a reliable middle of the rotation starter who can pitch well with moderate run support. He's not expected to be an ace, which is important for us, and him. 624604[/snapback] No qualms there, I probably prefer Ortiz but I would think Ortiz would command more but again it's just good news to know that the Marlins are looking and hopefully whoever Beinfest gets comes at a bargain. I don't see Wright degenerating toward his raw stuff after spending a season with Mazzone...
December 2, 200421 yr I don't like the idea of Wright coming here. I called him a fluke many times last season... But hey, if he can come here and have a season like he did in '04, go for it.
December 2, 200421 yr Wiley had some success before trying to fill Ray Miler's shoes and reputation in Baltimore. Maybe he can get the most out of Wright. Compared to what the Marlins were offering Leiter and Pavano, who don't exactly project to have better seasons, I like it.
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