Will Treanor be ready by the time the seasons starts though? I figured that is one of the reasons we picked up Baker, to be the back up at the start.

 

But I have done a 180 on Gathright. We dont need him.

Treanor is the least of our problems at catcher, and for the record it was his left shoulder that surgery was performed on, not his throwing arm. From what's been reported he'll be fine for spring training.

 

What the Fish need is a veteran catcher who can help Girardi handle the kids and keep baserunners honest.

You know.. I'm not trying to blow sunshine up anybody's arse here.. but I'm genuinely excited about this team.. Sure, they're gonna lose a lot. But I think we got very exciting players and I think they're gonna bust their arses out there.

 

I was watching some Mike Jacobs highlights the other day, and this guy has a sweet swing. Looking at numbers he's put up in the past, I see this guy being an All-Star for years to come.... We get to see a full season for Jeremy Hermida. A full year at 3b for Miggy... If Hanley ends up starting, I think he's gonna show us something special... Josh Willingham is getting the shot everyone was hoping for...

 

I know there are a lot of unsettled positions (CF, 2b, LF mainly), but I'm really pumped for this season....

I highly doubt we will see any veterns added. I am suprised Harris was offerd a MiLB/ST deal and that Moehler was resigned.

 

The team IMO will be built from within with additions of other young prospects/players not yet at arbitration.

I highly doubt we will see any veterns added. I am suprised Harris was offerd a MiLB/ST deal and that Moehler was resigned.

 

The team IMO will be built from within with additions of other young prospects/players not yet at arbitration.

 

 

Nah, I really think that Beinfest will mix some cheap veterans in there. I don't know about Choi, cause I think the team is pretty much expecting Jacobs to be their every day 1st baseman.. But someone like Rich Aurilia is realistic...

I dont really see the need for Aurilia, I honestly think at this point Uggla is a better option.

 

Let him and HanRam grow together in the middle infield, also if we were going to try for Aurilia we probably would have tried to keep Easley.

With the Dodgers apparently having signed or about to sign Sanders, Lofton and Garciaparra, and Dioner Navarro penciled in as their starting catcher (Alomar as the backup) two players who the Marlins might be interested in may be non-tendered - Hee Seop Choi and Jason Phillips.

 

In a perfect world I'm not sure I'd mention either one but the one thing I remember about Choi was how hard he hit the ball (when he hit the ball). I maintain no Marlin, including Carlos Delgado, ever hit homeruns harder than Hee Seop Choi.

 

And rather than handing over 1B to Jacobs no questions asked (I have no idea what Stokes situation is) there might be some value in bringing back Choi to compete for the job.

 

While Phillips isn't going to be anyone's first choice as your everyday catcher, he does call a good game and would allow Willingham to play everyday in left and still be mentored on catching by picking up a game or two a week. Furthermore, both Choi and Phillips would be available at near the ML minimum.

 

I can hear the naysayers now but I thought they were both worth a mention.

 

 

Choi certainly did launch some frickin' bombs when he connected. His defense to his left was lack luster, but what the hell.

What the Fish need is a veteran catcher who can help Girardi handle the kids and keep baserunners honest.

 

 

We had one. He now plays for the Metropolitans. :banghead

What the Fish need is a veteran catcher who can help Girardi handle the kids and keep baserunners honest.

 

 

We had one. He now plays for the Metropolitans. :banghead

 

Ramon? :mischief :mischief :mischief

Maybe he meant the team that formerly played at Metropolitan Stadium, the Twins.

What the Fish need is a veteran catcher who can help Girardi handle the kids and keep baserunners honest.

 

 

Nah, seriously, what's the point?

 

Might as well find out if Willingham can catch, and sooner is always better than later.

 

Dan Kolb was non-tendered. We probably need a closer, and at least one veteran in the 'pen, I don't think we can throw Bowyer/Resop to the 9th inning wolves.

 

Discuss.

I'd like to see 1-2 cheap bullpen arms added.

 

If Kolb is willing to come aboard at a bargain rate, even with his inability to strike anyone out, I'm fine with it, even though I'd rather see the Fish go after some different arms if possible

Nah, seriously, what's the point?

 

Might as well find out if Willingham can catch, and sooner is always better than later.

 

Dan Kolb was non-tendered. We probably need a closer, and at least one veteran in the 'pen, I don't think we can throw Bowyer/Resop to the 9th inning wolves.

 

Discuss.

 

 

I agree with you on Willingham. I definitely think he can hit at the big league level. With Girardi's help, he may become a decent defensive catcher as well.... I just don't know how much time Joe can really devote to him. He's the manager, not a defensive coach...

 

As for Dan Kolb, why not? We need some veteran presence out there. And after the crappy season he had last season, he should come pretty cheap. However, if Mazzone couldn't fix him, I wonder how he'd fare down here?

The bench manager, a catching instructor, has been put in charge of watching after Willingham.

 

 

Re: 03's original point. With these young pitchers (and Jacobs at 1B), we're going to be run on anyway.

The bench manager, a catching instructor, has been put in charge of watching after Willingham.

 

Re: 03's original point. With these young pitchers (and Jacobs at 1B), we're going to be run on anyway.

 

 

I don't think you have to cede base stealing just because you have a rookie first baseman and kids on the mound. Good traits need to be taught from the beginning and having a catcher (regardless of who it is) who can help keep runners from advancing from first to second is going to assist in the development of young pitchers and position players.

 

If I had one criticism of Mark Wiley it was he seemed totally unconcerned with working with his staff on holding runners at first. Hopefully that will change next season, but part of the equation is having a guy behind the plate who can catch and throw.

 

Like many here, I'm enamored with Willingham's offensive potential. I am concerned though that his bat may suffer the more he catches. Getting banged up every game takes its toll on a catcher in a way that can't be compared to any other position player. For me, I was quite pleased when it seemed he'd get a chance in left field because this team is going to need to score runs and he is a guy I think many of us were counting on to contribute offensively in '06. It's hard to hit day in, day out when your hands are banged up, your knees hurt, your ribs are sore and you're coming off the slight concussion you received when some guy came barreling into home a week ago.

 

So maybe some of you don't see the value in a Jason Phillips, you're certainly entitled to your point of view. But recognize at least that catcher is the one position where experience and defensive ability does matter, especially when it comes to making baserunners think twice before attempting a steal on a rookie pitcher.

 

Double plays are a pitcher's best friend but it's difficult to turn when the lead runner is already at 2B.

But Phillips doesn't bring that much more offesne to the table than Treanor, and he allowed 78 stolen bases last year while cathing only 19.

 

We'd get run on just as much with Phillips.