Taker for Encarnacion? Marlins after Sanchez?

[MarlinatPenn]

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/basebal...-sports-marlins

 

Yankees manager Torre credits Marlins

 

By Mike Berardino

Staff writer

Posted March 16 2005

 

TAMPA -- Upon seeing the Marlins across the same field for the first time since the 2003 World Series, Yankees manager Joe Torre did not run for cover.

 

Nor did he find the whole exercise, an 11-5 win over the Marlins, difficult to bear. In part, that's because of his friendship with Marlins manager Jack McKeon.

 

"I like Jack," Torre said. "I like my man, Jack."

 

The two managers visited on the field during Yankees batting practice. McKeon also chatted with Yankees special assistant Reggie Jackson about the latter's recent car wreck that saw his SUV flip several times.

 

"It's not going to be painful," Torre said before Tuesday's game. "[The Marlins] certainly were worthy of doing what they did. They came from behind and took it away and played better than we did. ... It's not an open wound anymore."

 

Told the Marlins hadn't brought World Series MVP Josh Beckett on this trip, Torre smiled.

 

"That's all right, too," he said.

 

ENCARNACION TRADE?

 

The Marlins spent much of the winter offering outfielder Juan Encarnacion around without much success, but they might have a potential match.

 

According to two National League sources, the Pittsburgh Pirates have expressed interest in Encarnacion, who could fill a need for an additional right-handed power hitter in their lineup. The Marlins would probably have to pay about half the $4.45 million Encarnacion is due this year, and no deal would be made until Jeff Conine proves he can return from two offseason surgeries on his throwing shoulder.

 

Conine is hoping to make his spring debut this weekend. Encarnacion is 9 for 30 (.300) with no home runs and six RBI this spring.

 

LO DUCA'S WIFE ILL

 

Marlins catcher Paul Lo Duca left the team Tuesday to return to Jupiter after his wife, Sonia, fell ill.

 

"He was a little concerned but he didn't think it was serious," McKeon said.

 

VALDEZ DEBUTS

 

Right-hander Ismael Valdez made his Grapefruit League debut Tuesday, allowing two runs on five hits (all singles) over three innings in a 2-2 tie against the Twins.

 

Valdez threw 52 pitches, including 36 strikes.

 

"Even though I didn't feel great physically and wasn't up to my level yet, I was able to mix my pitches and throw strikes," Valdez said. "I had good command with my fastball, my changeup, my slider. It was not my best, but I'll take the result."

 

Valdez, the Marlins' fifth starter, missed the better part of two weeks with a viral infection. Though he doesn't have to be regular-season ready until April 9, Valdez believes he'll be at full strength by Opening Day.

 

SANCHEZ AVAILABLE

 

Juan Iglesias, outfielder Alex Sanchez's Coral Gables-based agent, has initiated contact with the Marlins about his client. Tuesday, the Tigers released Sanchez, a Cuba native and Miami resident. "The type of player he is, he would fit perfectly with that team," said Iglesias, adding that Sanchez would sign somewhere by week's end.

 

Staff Writer Juan C. Rodriguez contributed to this story. Mike Berardino can be reached at [email protected].

 

I'd hate to see him go. I think he's gonna have a good year after fixing his shoulder and getting in shape like he is. We better get damn good back in return.

[Iowa]

Interesting..

 

 

Maybe Pitt can part with Mike Gonzalez? ok maybe not but i can dream

[The Swede]

I know Sanchez doesn't walk much and isn't the greatest defender, but I think he would be a great fit here. We need another centerfielder and is insurance in case Pierre wants too much next here. He has proven that he can hit, and he fits in with our offensive concept. I think he would be a great addition. Not to cause an uproar, but maybe we can trade Pierre for a pitcher.

[Guest Fritz]

Pitt better give up Bay and Perez for Enc. We can't just lose such a dominant RH power bat without significant compensation.

[Ramp]

maybe Pierre could take Sanchez under wing

[PhishPhan]

Pitt better give up Bay and Perez for Enc. We can't just lose such a dominant RH power bat without significant compensation.

711761[/snapback]

 

I think they would need to throw in their Burnett too.

[Flying_Mollusk]

Pitt better give up Bay and Perez for Enc. We can't just lose such a dominant RH power bat without significant compensation.

711761[/snapback]

Sarcasm meter is off the charts. :lol

 

Seriously marlinatpenn, we arent gonna get much back for Enc based on the outside chance that he will have a breakout year when there is absolutely no evidence that he is capable of having one.

 

That said, I think we shouldnt trade him. I mean whats the point? We would pay half the contract anyway and we arent even assured of Conine's health. I mean who else is out there? Sanchez is much much worse than Enc.

 

One player to consider is Ray Lankford who has put up decent numbers in limited activity..at least to split time with Conine.

[Accord]

Pitt better give up Bay and Perez for Enc. We can't just lose such a dominant RH power bat without significant compensation.

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haha yeah, I had a :blink: look on my face when I read that they needed another "power hitter" :lol .

[Iowa]

They have some decent bullpen arms there... Torres, Gonzalez, Meadows, Grabow.. I'm guessing Gonzalez is untouchable and Torres is near untouchable.. though he is, what, 33 years old?

 

Maybe they'd deal Mesa since Gonzalez is the closer of the future, and give him the closer job now?

 

I know we have an ass ton of bullpen arms and I am not a big fan of Joe Table... but a backup plan of Mesa in case Mota fails wouldn't be all that bad... Meadows would be nice too.. also could be an emergency starter.

 

But I know nothing of the Pirates.. out of all those pitchers, I figure Mesa would be the most expendable... though all could be untouchable for all I know.

 

But if we could replace Enc with Sanchez and a decent bullpen arm, I'm all for it.

[Stag5]

Juan E. for Tike Redman is my guess.

 

It's a salary dump and in return we get a decent young player. Redman and Aguila as reserves and pushing Conine in LF would be fine.

[fauowls44]

I know Sanchez doesn't walk much and isn't the greatest defender, but I think he would be a great fit here. We need another centerfielder and is insurance in case Pierre wants too much next here. He has proven that he can hit, and he fits in with our offensive concept. I think he would be a great addition. Not to cause an uproar, but maybe we can trade Pierre for a pitcher.

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Just to clear something up....JP isn't a free agent next year, he'll be fifth-year arbirtation eligible. The Marlins still control his rights and should he get too big a raise in arby, they would be able to trade him and not lose him for nothing. He's a guy the Marlins would probably like to lock up to a long term deal should the resources (stadium) be in place.

 

That said, Alex Sanchez doesn't walk or play very good defense, but I think he'd come relatively cheap and would be a low risk, somewhat high reward pickup. If he would sign a minor league deal, I would definetly give him a shot.

[PBMarlin]

We are better off keeping Encarnacion if we would have to pay 1/2 his salary anyway. I agree we need to see how Conine does before making a trade.

[Marlins2003]

Maybe I'm wearing rose-colored glasses but it's inconceivable to me that JP and the Fish won't come to some agreement on 2006 and beyond without much trouble at all.

 

Also, Tike is batting an even .500 right now and is working his butt off to make a team that seems to care less if he stays or goes. I'd love to see him in a Marlins uni although he would block Hermida's eventual ascent to the bigs but would be the heir apparent if Pierre was to go elsewhere.

[Fugetaboutit]

trust me, we want nothing to do with Alex Sanchez...he never walks, gets caught stealing half the time, has a crap OBP and he is horrible in the field...id be suprised if ANYBODY gave him a starting job...

[Flag Man]

This theoretical fantasy jockeying of potential Marlins OutFielders motivates me just a bit.

 

First, doubt I'd be in favor of trading Enc if it means eating 4 million of his salary.

I would table such trading thoughts 'til mid-season. Then review.

 

Also, I hear suggestions that if we trade Enc we would put Conine in Left and Cabrera in Right.

 

Cabrera is uniquely incompetent in RF. "Uniquely" because he is an excellent athlete. But, his breeding as a 3B seems so pervasive that he can read hits to the left side, but not to the right side.

 

Conine, who has succeeded in LF, has good experience as a 1B. Thus, methinks he would pick up the ball in RF faster than Cabrera.

 

If we lose Enc, then Cabs in Left, Niner in Right.

[Marlins2003]

Good post Chin, but if Enc is traded (since it's not our call) getting a kid like Tike in return would be a h*lluva move.

 

I'm with you on Cabrera in right 100%.

 

He's said so himself. He's a guy who needs to stay on the left side of the field.

[QuickGold]

After reading about Sanchez, I don't think he's a good fit. Dolphin Stadium is large and if he isn't defensively sound, then I don't want any part of him.

[legacyofCangelosi]

Trading enc and paying 2 mill of his contract isnt a bad idea if conine can play. You guys fail to realize that conine cannot and will not be elft to rot on the bench if hes healthy. He's still very good with the bat, and on a team with a potent lineup like ours, he is an asset batting 7th. Hes a veteran guy that knows how to get the job done. He does things that dont show up on the stats, like hitting to the right side of the infield to move a runner over, or getting that sac fly to score a run. I like seeing niner up there, so does mckeon. He doesnt need to 'share' time with anyone in the OF. When he does need a rest we cna starta reserve. Conine doesnt need a platoon, i dont understand why ever year hes played with us since 97 ppl always want to platoon him. Hes proven that he can still play. Enc is as good as gone. I doubt will get tike in return. Look for a crappy minor leaguer if anything. I also say no on sanchez

[TSwift25]

Maybe I'm wearing rose-colored glasses but it's inconceivable to me that JP and the Fish won't come to some agreement on 2006 and beyond without much trouble at all.

 

Also, Tike is batting an even .500 right now and is working his butt off to make a team that seems to care less if he stays or goes. I'd love to see him in a Marlins uni although he would block Hermida's eventual ascent to the bigs but would be the heir apparent if Pierre was to go elsewhere.

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No, you're right, I don't think Pierre will want to leave, the Marlins just need to make him an offer. His parents come to just about every game and sit in my section, his dad says he loves it here and doesn't want his son to play anywhere else...so that has to count for something.

 

As for trading Encarnacion, I'm opposed to it if we have to pay any salary; Encarnacion is versatile enough that having him around for the rest of this year as an insurance policy/defensive replacement/pinch-runner is simply too valuable to a team with a chronically weak bench. Now, if a team is willing to take his entire salary, that's a whole new ball-game, but until then, keep him...

[Malman]

Gotta trust Beinfest on this...only he really knows the financial and budgetary concerns over the next year or so. Perhaps saving half of Enc contract will help secure some pitching help down the road.

 

I'm not a big fan of Sanchez, however I definately like Tike.

 

:batman

[rferry]

If the idea is to replace Encarnacion with Sanchez this year and trade/lose Pierre in a year or two, eh I don't know. Sanchez sucks defensively and on the basepaths. Still that .300 batting average would look nice batting 7th in the lineup (Castillo to leadoff, LoDuca or Hermida to 2).

I think Encarnacion and Conine adds more to the Marlins than Alex Sanchez. The Marlins don't need another speedy slap-hitter. And are already too concerned with outfield defense as it is to bring in Sanchez. But Sanchez might be a valuable lefty bat off the bench.

 

 

Any chance the Marlins can get Rob Mackowiak? Now, that'd be sweet! The Marlins should have gotten that guy last July.

[rferry]

Conine doesnt need a platoon

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He doesn't need to platoon, but... he's just average with bat and plays positions where it is easily to slot in your so-called platoon players. It might be beneficial for the Marlins to slot in a lefty batter (not Lenny Harris) on a few select days that the opposition is throwing a righthander. There's really not much difference between his lefty/righty splits (.008/.037.030 the past three years, .030/.043/.069 for his career).

[Flag Man]

Any chance the Marlins can get Rob Mackowiak? Now, that'd be sweet! The Marlins should have gotten that guy last July.

711880[/snapback]

Doubt Mackowiak is available. He's too valuable. Productive wherever he plays.

And that's many positions.

I "discovered" him through Fantasy Baseball last year and he's on several of my teams this year. Can't believe he'd be available. He hits, hits HR's, steals bases, good defense and is clutch!

And he's far from the premiere salary range. You're right, we should have made an effort last mid-season.

 

Do you remember him getting homeruns (plus) in both ends of a double-header last season on the day his son was born? That was fun.

[TSwift25]

Any chance the Marlins can get Rob Mackowiak? Now, that'd be sweet! The Marlins should have gotten that guy last July.

711880[/snapback]

Doubt Mackowiak is available. He's too valuable. Productive wherever he plays.

And that's many positions.

I "discovered" him through Fantasy Baseball last year and he's on several of my teams this year. Can't believe he'd be available. He hits, hits HR's, steals bases, good defense and is clutch!

And he's far from the premiere salary range. You're right, we should have made an effort last mid-season.

 

Do you remember him getting homeruns (plus) in both ends of a double-header last season on the day his son was born? That was fun.

711893[/snapback]

 

Yeah, but the call on the HR was atrocious... :confused

[legacyofCangelosi]

Conine doesnt need a platoon

711840[/snapback]

He doesn't need to platoon, but... he's just average with bat and plays positions where it is easily to slot in your so-called platoon players. It might be beneficial for the Marlins to slot in a lefty batter (not Lenny Harris) on a few select days that the opposition is throwing a righthander. There's really not much difference between his lefty/righty splits (.008/.037.030 the past three years, .030/.043/.069 for his career).

711886[/snapback]

 

In his career theres a 30 point difference in BA. 30 percentage points is a lot