Posted on Mon, Feb. 20, 2006

MARLINS NOTEBOOKWillis will get the start on Opening Day

BY CLARK SPENCERcspencer@MiamiHerald.com

 

Most managers typically wait a few weeks before announcing their Opening Day starter. Not that there was any great suspense surrounding his decision, but Joe Girardi didn't wait a day -- and he went with the obvious.

 

Dontrelle Willis will get the honor when the Marlins open the season April 3 in Houston.

 

Girardi allowed slip the announcement when he was discussing the uncertainties surrounding roster spots. Though he didn't mention Willis by name, it was clear to whom Girardi was referring.

 

Willis went 22-10 last season and was the runner-up in Cy Young Award voting.

 

''There are no guarantees,'' Girardi said. ``When I think about guarantees, it's the Opening Day starter and your third baseman [Miguel Cabrera].''

 

Willis said he has not started a season opener since 2001 when he was with the Boise (Idaho) Hawks of the Northwest League, the Chicago Cubs' short-season team. Willis, who was 19 at the time, said he started (and won) the season opener against the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes and the home opener against the same Oregon team.

 

He said it was big news in the local paper, The Idaho Statesman, which displayed his photograph on the front page of the sports section. He said he saved the article.

 

 

TOUGH CHOICE

 

Miguel Olivo is the Dominican Republic's best catcher and, with the World Baseball Classic looming, would figure to be his country's choice to make the final roster cut.

 

But Olivo, who is new to the Marlins and a contender to win the starting catching job, said he is torn emotionally on what to do: play for his country in the WBC or turn down the invitation, if one comes, in order to spend more time with the Marlins.

 

''It's going to be tough because I'm the No. 1 catcher in the Dominican,'' Olivo said. ``But I want to spend time with the team here, with these young pitchers.''

 

Olivo said if he is asked to play for the Dominican, which figures to be one of the tournament's top teams, there is an 85 to 95 percent chance he will stick in spring training with the Marlins.

 

Girardi said if Olivo wants to play for his country, he should.

 

''I would want to play for my country if I could,'' said Girardi, who turned down an invitation to manage Italy's team. ``I would never tell a player not to play, that you're lessening your chance of making this club. It's not going to lessen your chance. All it is is it's going to take us a little longer to get to know them.''

 

Because the Dominican team is expected to play deep into the tournament, Olivo could be away from the Marlins for as long as 18 days in March.

 

''He's fighting for an everyday spot, but it's not like he's not going to be playing with good competition, so I don't worry about that,'' Girardi said.

 

FOCUS ON PITCHING

 

Girardi said he will start to concentrate on pitchers today when they take part in their first formal workouts.

 

''Been looking forward to this day since October,'' said Girardi, a first-time manager who was hired by the Marlins in October.

 

``Once [today] starts, for me it's for real.''

 

On Sunday, though, Girardi and new bench coach Gary Tuck paid special attention to Josh Willingham, who is competing with Olivo for the starting catcher's job.

 

The Marlins want Willingham's bat in the lineup, but aren't sure where to place him on the field.

Willingham is a work in progress defensively.

 

''We believe he's going to be in the lineup somewhere, we're just not quite sure,'' Girardi said. ``He's going to get a lot of attention, and it all depends on how he progresses [as a catcher] over the next six weeks.''

 

Willingham, who could shift to left field if the Marlins decide he's not cut out to catch, said he has been working on his defense.

 

''My goal is to make the team,'' Willingham said. ``That's my first and foremost goal. But I think, this year, I kind of have to play my way out of a spot. They know I have the potential to produce offensively.''

 

In 219 at-bats with Triple A Albuquerque (N.M.) last season, Willingham hit .324 with 19 home runs.

 

''Obviously they would like me behind the plate,'' he said. ``But, if for some reason, that doesn't work out, I can play left or be a utility guy.''

 

source -- http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sport...ll/13914915.htm

Girardi has a knack for the art of saying nothing

I think Willy is destined for LF, thank God.

Save all the drama and put him in LF.

Dontrelle is the opening day starter? Holy crap.

 

*shocked*

Im hoping he is the catcher

Im hoping he is the catcher

 

With so many young pitchers, i'd much rather have a proven major league catcher in Olivo behind the play to guide them.

Im hoping he is the catcher

 

With so many young pitchers, i'd much rather have a proven major league catcher in Olivo behind the play to guide them.

but Willingham has caught alot of these pitchers before

Our line-up is better with Olivo © and Willingham (LF) in it than Willingham © and Aguila (LF)... both defensively and offensively, IMO. I hope Olivo wins the job, that way Willy can just concentrate on hitting.

I'm hoping for Willingham, Aguila and Cepicky personally.

I'm not sure if Olivo's defense at catcher and power is as helpful to this club as Reed's D in center and speed might be. I tend to view the disparity between the best and worse catchers pretty insignificant when you consider their chances and potential negative impact on plays. Of course that doesn't include any adjustments as to who they handle the pitcher. It takes a giant leap to assume Olivo is better at that.