With the pitching problems resolving (or, at least, evolving), I re-focus again on our starting position players. Each of the 8 is poised for a good year. Maybe not "break-out" but at least solid.

 

My three concerns.

 

First, Encarnacion. He is over-due to produce to his capacity. He COULD be our MVP. But, we have lived so long with his "could." Still, I would not trade him. I'll take the crap-shoot that this is his year.

 

Second, Conine. One of the best defensive 1B in MLB and a smart, veteran hitter with pop potental. But, a great athlete who works to maintain himself, I fear he is prone to injury (particularly shoulder which will affect his hitting.)

 

Third, LoDuca. Scrappy, gutsy, but I fear his endurance capacity.

I'd feel better if we still had Redmond to back-up but we don't.

Can Treanor or Willingham contribute starting 30 or 40 games?

 

Spring Training is going to be critical and exciting. Dillon, Willingham, Aguila have to step-up. And don't forget Sutton and Reid.

I agree with you on Encarnacion. We've been talking about his potential for a couple of years now, but he's a solid player. Last season was not the real Enc because of the injury, which he gutted out. A lot of people don't like his attitude, but that's just how he is. Doesn't mean he doesn't respect the game. He's very much like Livan Hernandez in that aspect. They seem almost lazy, but they're heart is there... Enc is a great RF and how can we forget that he drove in close to 100 runs in 2003.

 

Conine is one of my favorite players of all time... Defensively, I also agree that he is one of the best at 1b. I'm not worried about his shoulder. He injured it at a good time, really. He'll have plenty of time for it to heal, coming into Spring Training healthy.

 

As for LoDuca, from speaking to former Dodger fans, I hear the key to him is giving him enough rest. Any catcher needs rest every now and then. It's a grueling position. If McKeon can realize this, he'll be fine. He can also play OF and 1b, so that might be an option. For example, give him a Sunday off, then start him in the OF on Monday to rest his legs a little more...

Chin, until Enc is healthy and shows he can be productive I don't see how the Fish can trade him without eating most of his contract, and where does that get you? (nothing like answering a question with a question - lol)

 

Conine? Who knows, it's a wait and see thing but you have to believe his conditioning will pay off and the he'll be ready for April. Easley's production increased when he played regularly and I suspect he'll be toting his first baseman's mitt around this spring so that may limit Sutton's chances (although I like Admin alot).

 

As for Treanor and Willingham, the former is a stopgap, the latter may have a future with the parent club but unless all the reports are wrong, he hasn't shown he has the tools to catch in the bigs, at least yet. In another year he may, and I suspect that's what the Fish are counting on but for 2005 he's not the guy.

 

Treanor, what can you say? Comments during the season indicate the players like him but his production is the big question mark. With all those years in the minors he's proven he can catch day in, day out if called upon. If the Marlins were interested in Todd Pratt that signals to me they will continue to look to upgrade their backup catcher.

 

Kelly Stinnett was set free but I don't know the condition of his reconstructed elbow, he might be one guy the Fish inquire about. He's also a good guy to pinch hit. Zaun was offered arb so he's out, at least for now. Santiago is embroiled in the Balco thing. Then you have a bunch of guys who don't help your offense any more than Treanor out there like Fordyce. It's a crapshoot at best.

Regarding...

Enc: With his shoulder back in place and hopefully 100%, I think we can expect something decent out of him in 2005. Short of getting a big lefty bat to replace him, dont trade him.

 

Conine: It seems he only injures himself off the ball field.

 

Lo Duca: His best part of the season is always the first half, so we're taken care of until July. If he gets rest, then he'll be allright. Besides, no one else out there that we can get that's better and Lo Duca is 10x better an option than what we had to start 2004 with.

I seriously doubt that Encarnacion could ever be our team's MVP. I would take everyone else on the starting lineup, except Alex Gonzalez, ahead of him.

With the pitching problems resolving (or, at least, evolving), I re-focus again on our starting position players. Each of the 8 is poised for a good year. Maybe not "break-out" but at least solid.

 

My three concerns.

 

First, Encarnacion. He is over-due to produce to his capacity. He COULD be our MVP. But, we have lived so long with his "could." Still, I would not trade him. I'll take the crap-shoot that this is his year.

 

Second, Conine. One of the best defensive 1B in MLB and a smart, veteran hitter with pop potental. But, a great athlete who works to maintain himself, I fear he is prone to injury (particularly shoulder which will affect his hitting.)

 

Third, LoDuca. Scrappy, gutsy, but I fear his endurance capacity.

I'd feel better if we still had Redmond to back-up but we don't.

Can Treanor or Willingham contribute starting 30 or 40 games?

 

Spring Training is going to be critical and exciting. Dillon, Willingham, Aguila have to step-up. And don't forget Sutton and Reid.

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1) Enc: I agree 100%, he is overdue....hopefully this year is the one.

2) Conine: Those were some pretty freak injuries, but they are being fixed and I don't fear him not playing

3) Go back to my theory of Lo Duca and travel in the NL West. Going from LA (near sea level) to places like Arizona and Colorado (very high above sea level) will wear on anyone. Catching is difficult and tiring. Other player may not show it, but look at all the NL West catchers who have had long tenures....that's right....there are none!

I have been a HUGE Encarnacion supporter over the past few seasons, but he cannot and will not put up big numbers expecially in this park. He swings at the worst pitches, rarely walks and what is usually his strong point, defense, he really wasnt all that special at last year

 

If you throw 3 sliders low and away to Enc, he is swinging at atleast 2 of them. He just doesnt have the bat control necessary to get ahead in the count and get "his" pitch. I really hope he gets moved before the start of the year, I have lost all faith in him...sadly

 

 

As for Willingham, I pray we use him like Brandon Inge this year and get him atleast 350 or so at bats at all different positions

I have been a HUGE Encarnacion supporter over the past few seasons, but he cannot and will not put up big numbers expecially in this park. He swings at the worst pitches, rarely walks and what is usually his strong point, defense, he really wasnt all that special at last year

 

If you throw 3 sliders low and away to Enc, he is swinging at atleast 2 of them. He just doesnt have the bat control necessary to get ahead in the count and get "his" pitch. I really hope he gets moved before the start of the year, I have lost all faith in him...sadly

 

 

As for Willingham, I pray we use him like Brandon Inge this year and get him atleast 350 or so at bats at all different positions

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You're right about Enc, he is just another in the long line of "toolsy" OFers that are to the point of mediocrity in the sense that they tease you with occasional flashes of talent, but end up a disappointment.

I seriously doubt that Encarnacion could ever be our team's MVP. I would take everyone else on the starting lineup, except Alex Gonzalez, ahead of him.

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I have been a HUGE Encarnacion supporter over the past few seasons, but he cannot and will not put up big numbers expecially in this park. He swings at the worst pitches, rarely walks and what is usually his strong point, defense, he really wasnt all that special at last year

 

If you throw 3 sliders low and away to Enc, he is swinging at atleast 2 of them. He just doesnt have the bat control necessary to get ahead in the count and get "his" pitch. I really hope he gets moved before the start of the year, I have lost all faith in him...sadly

 

 

As for Willingham, I pray we use him like Brandon Inge this year and get him atleast 350 or so at bats at all different positions

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I agree with that. I think Willy will see plenty of time at 1st base next year. Conine was injured pretty much all last season, hopefully having a guy who can hit like Willingham can and play 1st base will help keep niner healthy while giving Willy plenty of at-bats.