Accord Posted February 3, 2005 Share Posted February 3, 2005 With the addition of Carlos Delgado, how does the defensive lineup look? Will Jeff Conine be moved to left, with Miguel Cabrera switching to right field? -- Chuck T., Oakland Park, Fla. This is the most asked question I've received since the Delgado signing. What will happen with Conine? Manager Jack McKeon says things like this sort themselves out. Spring Training will decide. Trading Conine or Juan Encarnacion doesn't look to be an option. Both are in the final years of their respective contracts. They are coming off shoulder surgeries, and their salaries are restrictive in terms of trade options. My guess is Encarnacion will be the starter in right field on Opening Day. Conine, who has had two surgeries to his right shoulder this offseason, will likely sub out with Encarnacion and play some first if Delgado is taking a day off. What do I base this on? Cabrera, actually. Cabrera wasn't overly thrilled playing right field. Since he is such an important player, bouncing him from position to position could be detrimental in the long run. If Cabrera is in right field, Encarnacion likely would be a defensive replacement if the team has a lead after seven innings. I can't imagine the team would want Cabrera out of the lineup after the seventh inning on a regular basis. Also, Encarnacion wouldn't enjoy that two-inning relief role. Encarnacion, if healthy, is solid defensively. He drove in 94 runs in 2003, and he can steal 20 bases. Conine is on a rehabilitation schedule designed to get him ready for Opening Day on April 5. So how much he plays in spring games remains to be seen. Unexpected things happen through the course of the year, and you can't predict injuries. For now, it is likely either Conine or Encarnacion will come off the bench. http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/...s_fla&fext=.jsp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rferry Posted February 3, 2005 Share Posted February 3, 2005 Is Cabrera thrilled with the prospect of playing leftfield? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarlinsChik305 Posted February 3, 2005 Share Posted February 3, 2005 hed rather be in the infield, ill tell you that. yeah, i got that article too. quite interesting. most likely the position will be alternated between enc and conine. id rather have conine as a starter though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaGreatOne Posted February 3, 2005 Share Posted February 3, 2005 I love Conine and I think hes a better hitter than Carny but right now I'm leaning towards starting Carny just because Cabs defense is horrible in rightfield. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skully Posted February 3, 2005 Share Posted February 3, 2005 Manny Ramirez isn't the best defensive LF, but it somehow worked out for the Sox. If you have enough balance, which I believe we do now, you can get away with having a player out of position... Personally, I'd rather have a defense of Cabrera in LF and Encarnacion in RF, but if it means leaving Conine on the bench, I'd say no... Between Encarnacion and Conine, Enc needs to be demoted to the bench. No way do I want to see Niner as a 4th outfielder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJBurnett34 Posted February 4, 2005 Share Posted February 4, 2005 Well Conine is old already and They want to try Encarnacion in the outfield after surgery. Conine would bloster our Bench even more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WildMarlinMan2003 Posted February 4, 2005 Share Posted February 4, 2005 I'll take a Conine/Encarnacion platoon. Whoever plays better should get the more PT. Either guy would bolster our bench. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teal Shadow Posted February 4, 2005 Share Posted February 4, 2005 Encarnacion will start in RF this season, unless he's traded. Conine will be a defensive replacement late in games and a replacement for Cabs/Delgado/ and Lowell?(could be) to give those guys a day off to keep them fresh. Will Conine take groundballs at 3B? well with Lowell wearing out late in the season, it would be a smart move. Just a thought Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NY Marlin fan 64 Posted February 4, 2005 Share Posted February 4, 2005 Encarnacion will start in RF this season, unless he's traded. Conine will be a defensive replacement late in games and a replacement for Cabs/Delgado/ and Lowell?(could be) to give those guys a day off to keep them fresh. Will Conine take groundballs at 3B? well with Lowell wearing out late in the season, it would be a smart move. Just a thought 676745[/snapback] Not bad Idea it will increase lowels numers and keep everyone fresh :hail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramp Posted February 4, 2005 Share Posted February 4, 2005 Encarnacion will start in RF this season, unless he's traded. Conine will be a defensive replacement late in games and a replacement for Cabs/Delgado/ and Lowell?(could be) to give those guys a day off to keep them fresh. Will Conine take groundballs at 3B? well with Lowell wearing out late in the season, it would be a smart move. Just a thought 676745[/snapback] let Willy play 3b! :plain just ship him off already :lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Marino Forever 13 Posted February 5, 2005 Share Posted February 5, 2005 niner wil be playin in left, cabrera in right, and encarnacion will be on the bench. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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