August 26, 200323 yr c/o baseballprospectus.com * Star Performer: The biggest news from the Marlins this past winter was the signing of Ivan Rodriguez to a one-year, $10 million contract. We have not written much about Pudge in this space--he started slowly and was overtaken by some pretty big stories on his own team: major injuries, controversies regarding pitcher usage, a managerial change, great performances by some teammates, and the Dontrelle Willis phenomenon. On the other hand, Rodriguez is a future Hall of Famer who is leading a surprise team to playoff contention, so it's about time he got some love. Take a look at his monthly splits: BA OBP SLG April .300 .417 .444 May .169 .250 .308 June .367 .426 .633 July .376 .439 .612 August .323 .389 .462 Total .313 .391 .510 Other than a brutal six weeks (May 1 through mid-June), Rodriguez has hit as well as at any time in his career. Although he hit for more power in his later Arlington campaigns, Rodriguez has compensated in Miami by already drawing a career high 49 walks (his previous best was 38), leading to his highest ever on-base percentage. His .311 EqA would also be a new best for a full season. Rodriguez has received a lot of criticism over the years for his inability to handle a pitching staff, specifically that he called too many fastballs in order to help him control the running game. Given the way the Marlins' pitchers have performed, it would be difficult to make the argument that Pudge has been a detriment. His pitchers and coaches have raved about him. Having battled injuries the past few years, Rodriguez has already caught 107 games (and hit in seven others), his highest total behind the plate since 1999. Where Rodriguez will be catching next year is anyone's guess. He spent most of this past off-season looking for a big long-term contract, finally settling for one year and vowing to go through the process again. He is a heck of a player, but he will be a 32-year old catcher with an awful lot of games behind him at year's end. Despite a season to be proud of, expect clubs to again be reluctant to give him a long-term deal. On the other hand, he just needs to convince one team, so we'll see. * Pennant Race: Although the Marlins are getting a bit of a bump every time Willis takes the mound, the fans of South Florida are otherwise uninterested in the Wild Card race. During their recent seven-game home stand with Los Angeles and San Diego, they drew 12,000 (and change) in four of the seven games. The three exceptions included Willis' two starts (20,000 and 26,000) and a Brad Penny start that somehow coaxed 18,000 through the turnstiles. Nonetheless, here they sit one-half game behind the Phillies and the Wild Card spot. The coming fortnight is their best remaining opportunity to put together a sustained hot streak, with a series at Pittsburgh, a homestand with the Expos and Pirates, and a road trip to San Juan and Flushing Meadow on the horizon. Sixteen games that they need to make some hay with, since the Braves and Phillies (two series each) follow. Although most analysts assume that the Phillies are the better team and are bound to rise up and claim what is rightfully theirs, the Marlins have a deep and talented pitching staff and a lineup with no real holes. It should surprise no one, at this point, if they are playing in October.
August 26, 200323 yr You think in the near future Pudge will switch positions to maybe 1B just like Mike Piazza?
August 26, 200323 yr You think in the near future Pudge will switch positions to maybe 1B just like Mike Piazza? Ivan Rodriguez = WAY too too short to be a starting 1B. Pudge would play 3B if he were to switch positions.
August 26, 200323 yr more like 2B imo.... and Ivan is WAY too _______? forgot a word there Pudge woudnt make a good second baseman... his body type and the 11 + years of catching in the majors would probably show in the way he turns double plays... I'd rather see him in LF or 3rd.
August 26, 200323 yr Pudge woudnt make a good second baseman... his body type and the 11 + years of catching in the majors would probably show in the way he turns double plays... I'd rather see him in LF or 3rd. I know it's been talked about before that he would play second once his catching days were over.
August 27, 200323 yr I know it's been talked about before that he would play second once his catching days were over. Maybe, if his catching days were over when he was still in his early-to-mid '20s like Craig Biggio. At 32, forget about it. He's either playing 1B or LF.
August 27, 200323 yr i agree with c/r. People just say "Castro to 1B" or "Pudge to 2B"...but there is more to both positions than just range, and fielding grounders. I don't know how Pudge would do at turning DPs, or being on the receiving end of pickoff attempts, and stolen base attempts.
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