July 26, 200322 yr Notes: Marlins close to crunch time Nine-game homestand vs. contenders is crucial By Joe Frisaro MIAMI -- With two months remaining in the season, it is premature to say the Marlins are in a "do-or-die" situation. But certainly the next nine games, all at home against playoff contenders, are pivotal if the Marlins expect to be taken seriously come late August and September. The Marlins face wild card leaders Philadelphia for three games, followed by three games with Arizona and then Houston. Manager Jack McKeon, no stranger to tight playoff races, is cautious to not overemphasize the homestand. "This is the time to say hot and not cool off," McKeon said. "It's how you play at the end." For a number of Marlins players, being in contention is a new experience. Florida returns home after splitting two games with the Braves in Atlanta, winning a dramatic 5-4 12-inning affair on Wednesday followed by a 5-2 loss Thursday afternoon. Pulling out the 12 inning game was significant because the Marlins blew a 4-0 lead in the eighth when the Braves added a run in the eighth off Mark Redman and three runs in the ninth against Braden Looper. McKeon said the team had a good feeling in the dugout, even after letting the lead slip away. The Marlins won on Mike Mordecai's two-out, solo home run in the 12th. Mordecai entered the game as a pinch-runner for Mike Lowell in the 10th. "I was trying to get somebody in there to get some power," joked McKeon, who removed Lowell's 28 homers for a utility infielder who had not homered since the 2001 season. Weighing into McKeon's decision to lift Lowell was the fact the All-Star third baseman is still bothered by a strained left groin. The way the Marlins rebounded from adversity has McKeon confident the his team will show resiliency the second half. "This is a big homestand," McKeon says. "We have three powerful teams coming in. We'll see some quality pitching against us. But we'll be throwing some quality pitching against them." Trade possibilities: When the Marlins needed relief help, they went out and obtained Ugueth Urbina. With the team in striking distance of the Wild Card, another productive bat in the lineup could make their playoff chances more viable. McKeon maintains that if the Marlins continue to show improvement in the standings, the front office will pull the trigger on another trade. "I'm confident they will do it," McKeon said. "I definitely think this management team will do everything possible, if they can." The question the organization is dealing with is, who would make a significant upgrade? The mostly likely position to fill is left field, where rookie Miguel Cabrera is going through expected growing pains. The 20-year-old Cabrera is batting .232 with five home runs and 17 RBIs. The consensus is Cabrera has the makeup to become a big star in the Major Leagues. But is he the answer now? Cabrera belted a home run off Atlanta's Russ Ortiz in Thursday's 5-2 loss. And he is hitting .316 (5-for-16 with a home run, double, triple and three RBIs) over his last five games. Actually, Cabrera has done pretty well with runners in scoring position, batting .292 (7-for-24 with one homer and nine RBIs). Part of what the front office is considering is, if they make a move for an outfielder, will that player be a significant upgrade over Cabrera? If so, Cabrera would have to play somewhere, so he would likely go back to the minor leagues. If not, the Marlins will stay the course.
July 26, 200322 yr Author Trader J is "confident" we'll pull the trigger on a trade for a bat. He was also "confident" we'd keep Lowell. And he said he was "confident" we'd go after another big name reliever. I like to hear Jack say he's "confident".
July 26, 200322 yr LOL it will be a pleasent surprise if that Conine trade does happen July 31 and it just make so much sense since he will come cheap.
July 26, 200322 yr Author Its already july 26 so that deadline is really close.... Somene earlier pointed out that our next off day is directly on the deadline, July 31st... :shifty
July 26, 200322 yr If Trader Jack picks up another consistant Arm in the pen and and Guillen i'll believe we are set
July 26, 200322 yr Yes, time is running short, we need to make a deal soon. :shifty I think there is a deal in process that we dont know about... im not positive but i think Beinfest in the FO have been negotiating and are working something out
July 26, 200322 yr If Trader Jack picks up another consistant Arm in the pen and and Guillen i'll believe we are set Yes, we still need a halfway decent reliever...TO REPLACE ALMANZA. Of course, having left-field help like Guillen or the more likely White would be nice.
July 26, 200322 yr Well 560 am Radio had a Interview had a interview with Beinfest yesterday and when asked about Brian Giles and Rondell White he said the would consider bringing these guys in since it could put the team over the top...
July 26, 200322 yr Well 560 am Radio had a Interview had a interview with Beinfest yesterday and when asked about Brian Giles and Rondell White he said the would consider bringing these guys in since it could put the team over the top... :mischief2 :mischief2 :mischief2 Interesting indeed...
July 26, 200322 yr marlins almost done with a deal that would send White to the fish and Castro and some pitchers to SD
July 26, 200322 yr marlins almost done with a deal that would send White to the fish and Castro and some pitchers to SD Where did you hear/see this?
July 26, 200322 yr I heard the marlins were closing in on a deal that would give us white,i heard it yesterday at 11:00 on telemundo the spanish news raul striker said that the marlins were closing in on the deal so lets just sit back and see.
July 26, 200322 yr Which one Im guessing he saw it on the herald im gonna go buy the newspaper now brb in 2 minutes. :thumbup
July 26, 200322 yr LOL it will be a pleasent surprise if that Conine trade does happen July 31 and it just make so much sense since he will come cheap. Why do keep suggesting a move that downgrades the club?
July 26, 200322 yr i got the newspaper it says that beinfest is looking for a proven hitter also it says he is hesutant and wants to make the trade before the trading deadline so it sounds pretty good lets see what happens.
July 27, 200322 yr :shifty I think there is a deal in process that we dont know about... im not positive but i think Beinfest in the FO have been negotiating and are working something out yeah if i remember correctly i was hearing the most talk about us getting Benitez for our bullpen. I rarely heard about Urbina and we ended up getting him. I think the FO will surprise us if they do make a move.
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