February 2, 200521 yr Who is Youks may I ask? 674762[/snapback] Youkilis is a guy who has got on base at an unbelievable rate in the minors. Gained notoriety from the book Moneyball, because of Billy Beane and Paul Depodesta's obsession with him, and their efforts to try and aquire him.
February 2, 200521 yr If you have a guy that?s going to be a very good hitter, Id be opposed to trading him just because we don?t have a spot for him. I say trade Enc and let Conine and Willingham split time in right. If he has a good year, then see what happens. Who knows what ends up happening with Pierre after this year. Who knows who ends up going down with injury. Who knows how Lo Duca ends up producing. Who knows if Hermida ends up coming up. btw, this is a great luxury to have. 674747[/snapback] Well said. We know we will not lose too much if we get rid of Enc. However, I would hate to send Willingham off only to see him become ROY for another franchise. We may need him soon, or, just a thought, we may be a better team if we started playing him this year.
February 2, 200521 yr The problem is how long can we keep willingham waiting. The man is getting older. We'll see in ST if he deserves a spot, but aside from that I dotn want to have that kind of talent on the bench. I would keep him one more year so he can compete for an OF spot next year, but i defintely would not have him on the bench. If someone gets injured we can bring him up
February 2, 200521 yr The problem is how long can we keep willingham waiting. The man is getting older. We'll see in ST if he deserves a spot, but aside from that I dotn want to have that kind of talent on the bench. I would keep him one more year so he can compete for an OF spot next year, but i defintely would not have him on the bench. If someone gets injured we can bring him up 675078[/snapback] First of all no one is is "keep[ing] Willingham waiting". Until he (or any other prospect/minor leaguenonroster player, because my comments are not directed at Willy specifically) comes into spring training and shows that he without a doubt belongs in the bigs, all this is conjecture. No one is holding him back, no one is keeping him out of the bigs. So far it's been his play that has kept him in the minors. Eventually he will either play himself into a big league gig with the Fish or he won't, or he'll be traded.
February 2, 200521 yr The problem is how long can we keep willingham waiting. The man is getting older. We'll see in ST if he deserves a spot, but aside from that I dotn want to have that kind of talent on the bench. I would keep him one more year so he can compete for an OF spot next year, but i defintely would not have him on the bench. If someone gets injured we can bring him up 675078[/snapback] First of all no one is is "keep[ing] Willingham waiting". Until he (or any other prospect/minor leaguenonroster player, because my comments are not directed at Willy specifically) comes into spring training and shows that he without a doubt belongs in the bigs, all this is conjecture. No one is holding him back, no one is keeping him out of the bigs. So far it's been his play that has kept him in the minors. Eventually he will either play himself into a big league gig with the Fish or he won't, or he'll be traded. 675208[/snapback] The problem is that itll be ahrder for him to wina starting job on the marlins than on many other teams. Even if he has a stellar spring i doubt he will earn the start in the OF, considering we have a 7 million dollar platoon out there. So the marlins by circumstance are keeping him out of the majors. Aside from that he wotn get our starting catcher job either. At best he can play on the bench and not many at bats
February 2, 200521 yr Author and of course the team isnt purposely holding him back but he is now blocked at every position he could possibly play Unless he has a torrid ST(imo, if he hits .350 with a .450 obp and 8 homers, he still is on the bench) he will probably not get his chance unfortunate because his bat is ready
February 3, 200521 yr What positions has Willingham played besides catcher in the past two-three years? I'm curious if someone knows. Does he have a "natural" position ?
February 3, 200521 yr Author What positions has Willingham played besides catcher in the past two-three years? I'm curious if someone knows. Does he have a "natural" position ? 675801[/snapback] 1B alot last year towards the end of the year with Stokes on the DL also OF I dont think he has played 3B in quite a while though(just no reason for it) edit: he played 1 game at 3B last year
February 3, 200521 yr Is he a converted outfielder? Corner or centerfielder? 675816[/snapback] I would think corner outfielder
February 3, 200521 yr Is he a converted outfielder? Corner or centerfielder? 675816[/snapback] I believe when he was drafted he was a 3rd baseman. I believe he played his first professional year at 3rd and then they converted him to a catcher.
February 3, 200521 yr Author Is he a converted outfielder? Corner or centerfielder? 675816[/snapback] I believe when he was drafted he was a 3rd baseman. I believe he played his first professional year at 3rd and then they converted him to a catcher. 675832[/snapback] Once they realized that Lowell and then Cabrera would be manning 3rd, they looked elsewhere lol
February 3, 200521 yr Author for those of you who dont know about Josh Willingham, here is this blurb from baseballamerica.com Background: With Jason Stokes and Miguel Cabrera blocking him at the corner-infield spots, Willingham tried catching in instructional league in 2002. He has made enough strides to handle a surprising jump from Double-A to the majors last July. He led the minor leagues in on-base percentage. Strengths: Willingham has made himself into perhaps the best pure hitter in the system. He has a short swing, power to all fields and a willingness to work counts and take walks. The tools-first Marlins don't have enough of those players. He's instinctive and has great work ethic. He has solid-average arm strength and works hard at calling a game. Weaknesses: Because he didn't try catching until he was 23, Willingham might run out of time to make the full transition. He could wind up like Craig Wilson, bouncing from first to the outfield and slugging all the way. Staying healthy has been a concern as persistent knee problems undercut his 2003 season and have knocked his speed to below average. The Future: With Paul Lo Duca eligible for free agency after 2005, Willingham could be a low-cost replacement if he continues to develop defensively. In the interim, he could make the big club in a utility role. obviously, it's a little dated
February 3, 200521 yr If Willingham's best asset is his bat, for me, I continue to think he's better off continuing in the minors for at least part of the season than riding the pine getting an at bat here or there. Once Lenny gets his nine hits things may change on the bench, but knowing Jack, until he does, he'll be Jack's first guy off the bench. That might be unfair, and I might be 100% wrong that Jack will go to Lenny first, but in my mind, the Fish ought to stick Willy in right field in the minors, do everything they can to accelerate his learning curve and see if he's ready for a mid-season callup. If his bat is as good as some think he'll play himself into an everyday job quickly.
February 3, 200521 yr If Willingham's best asset is his bat, for me, I continue to think he's better off continuing in the minors for at least part of the season than riding the pine getting an at bat here or there. Once Lenny gets his nine hits things may change on the bench, but knowing Jack, until he does, he'll be Jack's first guy off the bench. That might be unfair, and I might be 100% wrong that Jack will go to Lenny first, but in my mind, the Fish ought to stick Willy in right field in the minors, do everything they can to accelerate his learning curve and see if he's ready for a mid-season callup. If his bat is as good as some think he'll play himself into an everyday job quickly. 676226[/snapback] I agree, I think we should start him off in the minors, probably AAA. Let him tear it up in Albuquerque, and try him in as many positions as possible, then call him up around July to be a Utility type player/first guy off the bench, or deal him for a starting pitcher.
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