February 5, 200521 yr It's safe to assume there are 22 spots accounted for on the roster. Cabrera, Castilla, Conine, Delgado, Easley, Encarnacion, Gonzalez, LoDuca, Lowell, Beckett, Burnett, Leiter, Valdes, Willis, Alfonseca, Jones, Mecir, Mota, Perisho, Reidling and Spooneybarger all having won jobs because their exceptional abilities and/or contract status. Leaving just three spots available. For a little Hot Stove fun... If you had the chance to fill out the roster before spring training, who would you pick to join the big league club? Feel free to state your reasons. Or include a player (maybe a 13th pitcher?) not listed. Below is a listing of potential candidates taken from the 40-man roster and non-roster invitees. Lefthanded and switch-hitters noted in parentheses. Catchers Mike DiFelice Matt Treanor Josh Willingham - also corner infield and outfield Infielders 1B Admin Barnes (LH) IF Wilson Delgado (SH) 2B/3B Joe Dillon - also corner outfield 1B Jason Stokes IF Derek Wathan (SH) - also outfield IF Josh Wilson Outfielders/Firstbasemen OF Chris Aguila COF Mike Colangelo LF Lenny Harris (LH) - also corner infield OF Jeremy Hermida (LH) OF Mark Little COF Matt Padgett (LH) OF Eric Reed (LH)
February 5, 200521 yr J-Willy (better than matt, imo. Is dying for a chance) Wilson Delgado (best utility man there, very serviceable) Pedro Astacio (very good, needed 6th starter)
February 5, 200521 yr Astacio already signed with the Rangers. i would go with Joe Dillon wilson delgado Damian Moss
February 5, 200521 yr Author Aguila - Athletic outfielder who can hit Willingham - his bat and versatility overshadow his supposed defensive liabilities Wathan - Good hitter (maybe PCL inflated) who can play 7 positions, switch-hit and run.
February 5, 200521 yr aguila-promising willingham-WILLING to show us what he can do delgado- best choice
February 5, 200521 yr taking it out Spoonybarger and letting him get back to norm in AAA adding Nate Bump instead of Spoony the other 3 spots Wilson Delgado Mike DeFelice Justin Wayne
February 5, 200521 yr taking it out Spoonybarger and letting him get back to norm in AAA adding Nate Bump instead of Spoony the other 3 spots Wilson Delgado Mike DeFelice Justin Wayne 677853[/snapback] Lenny Harris Mike DiFelice Chris Aguila
February 5, 200521 yr Di Felice Wilson Delgado Agulia 677831[/snapback] Those are the 3 that I'd pick... Although, I know this isn't very popular here, but I'd love to see Lenny back for one more year. I know he's basically a waste of a roster spot, but he came through pretty big towards the end last year and he's a great veteran presence to have.
February 5, 200521 yr Di Felice Wilson Delgado Agulia 677831[/snapback] Those are the 3 that I'd pick... Although, I know this isn't very popular here, but I'd love to see Lenny back for one more year. I know he's basically a waste of a roster spot, but he came through pretty big towards the end last year and he's a great veteran presence to have. 677858[/snapback] Four words: Eric Gagne, Blown Save. Lenny will be on the roster.
February 5, 200521 yr oh yeah ... forgot about Lenny Lenny is a shoe in ... Jack likes him way too much
February 5, 200521 yr What I want: Josh Wilson Willingham I'd like Joe Dillon to get a shot too What will happen: Lenny Wilson Delgado Mike DeFelice
February 5, 200521 yr Hammer-Will get a better shot at other positions besides catcher too Dillon-It is time for him Aguila-Need a back up in the OF I would like somehow to get Josh Wilson on the team too, but he may need some AAA seasoning. If not him Wathan.
February 5, 200521 yr Spooney isn't a shoe-in until the status of his health/arm is certain so that potentially frees up another roster spot. I also believe having gone out and put together a veteran team to make run at the post season, you aren't going to see three rookies on the bench regardless of how deserving they are (based on their spring training performances). Knowing Jack, and I'm not saying it's fair, he'll go with guys with major league experience first and let the "kids" do their thing in AA and AAA.
February 6, 200521 yr CA LoDuca & Defelice 1B Carlos Delgado 2B Luis Castillo SS Alex Gonzalez 3B Mike Lowell 1/2 Damion Easley MI Wilson Delgado LF Jeff Conine CF Juan Pierre RF Miguel Cabrera OF Juan Encarncion OF Chris Aguila PH Lenny Harris SP Josh Beckett SP AJ Burnett SP Dontrelle Willis SP Al Leiter SP Ismael Valdez RP Guillermo Mota RP Antonio Alfonseca RP Todd Jones RP Jim Mecir RP John Reidling RP Matt Perisho
February 6, 200521 yr Spooney isn't a shoe-in until the status of his health/arm is certain so that potentially frees up another roster spot. I also believe having gone out and put together a veteran team to make run at the post season, you aren't going to see three rookies on the bench regardless of how deserving they are (based on their spring training performances). Knowing Jack, and I'm not saying it's fair, he'll go with guys with major league experience first and let the "kids" do their thing in AA and AAA. 678167[/snapback] I'd have to agree with you. Only "kid" I see making the team is Aguila. Other than that it's whoever has a better spring of DiFelice/Treanor (Willy's going to stay in the minors and play), and Harris'll be there too. Cabrera/Conine/Easley's ability to cover any of the infield positions in the case of injury to a starter makes Wilson Delgado the odd-man out of deserving bench candidates victimized by an extensive bullpen roster with guaranteed contracts.
February 6, 200521 yr I wouldnt call up willingham until he's ready to contribute because if youre a financially strapped team like the Marlins you wanna keep him as long as you can before he hits free agency
February 6, 200521 yr The extra outfielders now become less important. With Enc/Conine you have your 4th outfielder, and even Easley if he has to. So Aguila would pretty much round out the outfield. That's one. Gotta have a 2nd catcher. Willingham would be great, but you'd be tempted to have him pinch hit a lot, & then you've lost your backup catcher. With either Treanor or DiFelice you're not concerned with offense, just calling a decent game. DiFelice has more experience, but I didn't see anything wrong with Treanor & so I don't see why he shouldn't get a shot. 3rd you get a bat. They don't need more defense. I agree with TSwift, Easley/Niner/Cabs takes care of the infield in a pinch, so I'd grab either Dillon or Willingham.
February 6, 200521 yr Willingham is gonna be 26 this month. Get him on the damn field already! His bat is MAJOR LEAGUE READY!
February 6, 200521 yr Lenny the Pimp...he's a lock - only lefty bat on the bench. Wilson Delgado Mike DeFelice
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