October 31, 200520 yr Since we have the starting rotation set, who is in line for bullpen work? If Jones does not resign with the Marlins who closes? Looper? Please you have to be kidding
October 31, 200520 yr That's tough because last year they picked up a bunch of good free agent relievers and the bullpen turned out to be pretty crappy... I read that Tankersly was moved to the bullpen, so I'm thinking he might be in the plans.
October 31, 200520 yr As far as I know, Mota still wants to be the closer... We might not have any other alternative.
October 31, 200520 yr Messenger/Resop Kensing/Moehler Tankersly Villone Alfonseca/Bump Mota(SU) Resop/Messenger(CL) ??? Probably not but it's not out of the realm of possibility
October 31, 200520 yr Follow the Nationals' and earlier Reds' approach. Young fresh talented versatile arms. Don't make the mistake of last year of investing too much money and roster spots into guys who were good 2-3 years ago. Or of two-and-half years ago (and nearly last year) of giving up the farm for acquiring an unreliable guy to pitch solely with the lead in the ninth. Kensing and Johnson moving the bullpen should help. Bump, Villone and Mota in prominent roles. Exercise Alfonseca's option. Not sold on the others. Messenger is Ben Howard and Billy Koch. Resop is still learning. Maybe pick up another guy, but not a guy whose made his name as a former closer or can no longer go 2 innings.
October 31, 200520 yr rferry Johnson is not a bullpen arm. IMO He would be wasted there and should be one of the top options for the startingg rotation next season.
October 31, 200520 yr I'm really not sure about Kensing...I think we might've ruined him. Last I saw he was getting hit hard in the Arizona Fall League after sitting out most of the second half of the '05 regular season. He might have gotten pounded too much too early to recover.
October 31, 200520 yr rferry Johnson is not a bullpen arm. IMO He would be wasted there and should be one of the top options for the startingg rotation next season. Hah. He's still a pitcher. He's not in the position to ask when to pitch. The club obviously isn't too high on him if they passed him over for Kensing, Bazardo, Olsen, Castillo and Vargas as potential starters and Messenger and Resop in the bullpen. I think he'll be in the mix for a starting shot next year, but will not win out over the highly-touted Vargas and Olsen.
October 31, 200520 yr The starting rotation is set for next year, one week after the World Series ended?
October 31, 200520 yr rferry Johnson is not a bullpen arm. IMO He would be wasted there and should be one of the top options for the startingg rotation next season. Hah. He's still a pitcher. He's not in the position to ask when to pitch. The club obviously isn't too high on him if they passed him over for Kensing, Bazardo, Olsen, Castillo and Vargas as potential starters and Messenger and Resop in the bullpen. I think he'll be in the mix for a starting shot next year, but will not win out over the highly-touted Vargas and Olsen. I agree...all 3 will be in the rotation. And Kensing beat out Olsen and Vargas in the playoff stretch in 2004, at that time it was agreed upon that he had the best mentality for the job.
October 31, 200520 yr rferry Johnson is not a bullpen arm. IMO He would be wasted there and should be one of the top options for the startingg rotation next season. Hah. He's still a pitcher. He's not in the position to ask when to pitch. The club obviously isn't too high on him if they passed him over for Kensing, Bazardo, Olsen, Castillo and Vargas as potential starters and Messenger and Resop in the bullpen. I think he'll be in the mix for a starting shot next year, but will not win out over the highly-touted Vargas and Olsen. I agree...all 3 will be in the rotation. And Kensing beat out Olsen and Vargas in the playoff stretch in 2004, at that time it was agreed upon that he had the best mentality for the job. It had more to do with him being on the 40 man roster and the other two not being there (if I remember right, Olsen wasn't on it, and I know Vargas wasn't). Well, that, and Vargas being 3 months out of college. Hutchinson was going to be called up instead, but had shoulder problems.
October 31, 200520 yr Kensing wasn't on the 40-man roster at the time. Hutchinson was. When Hutch got hurt and could not make it. They called up Kensing instead of Olsen because of the former's college education, observed mentality and sinking fastball. Spike, I don't think the team willingly has three rookies in the rotation next year.
October 31, 200520 yr For those saying Tank could be in the Marlins bullpen next year is completely wrong. There is no chance unless he learns how to pitch. He got compltely dominated at the low single A level.(Although as a starter) And he didn't fare much better in the AFL.(he did have a few good outings tho) He still has a year or two left in the minors before he can be even considered for a bullpen spot. And I'm with Rferry here, there is almost no way I can see this team going into the year with 3 rookies in the rotation. Some veteran will be picked up(At least I hope) But anyways Bump, Alfonseca, Mota, Villone are probably all locks. Bring me Resop/Messenger, and another FA pickup(or Jones back at a cheap price).
October 31, 200520 yr The starting rotation is set for next year, one week after the World Series ended? Willis - lock Beckett - lock Vargas - lock Olsen - mabye? Johnson - mabye?
October 31, 200520 yr Since we have the starting rotation set, who is in line for bullpen work? If Jones does not resign with the Marlins who closes? Looper? Please you have to be kidding Just how is it that the starting rotation is set? Best I can tell only 3 of the 5 spots might be considered "set"....Willis, Beckett and Vargas.
October 31, 200520 yr Those who have Tank in the pen and Resop as closer are asking for a losing season.
October 31, 200520 yr Author I don't think anyone is saying that Resop is going to be this year's closer or are they? Set up guy would be best for him right now since he has so little experience pitching at the professional level.....give him two years and he will be ready to close...he has the mentality but needs to work on that slider and have confidence when he throws it and the change up....his two seam fastball is really his out pitch but he rarely threw it last season in AA....reason being...he could get outs with a 4 seam and a breaking pitch...not so in the bigs.....just my take on this subject
November 1, 200520 yr Why? He was 2/2 for this season, and has a better career hold plus save percentage than some of our recent closers.
November 1, 200520 yr I think Mota can do a good job closing. Over the course of an entire season, I think he can get 40+ saves and have an ERA under 3.
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