http://www.sportsline.com/columns/weblogs/entry/9275331

 

How bad are the Marlins going to be this season? Well, that is yet to be determined, but we do know that the players that perform will do so with a blue-collar attitude. Among some of the cars that were parked in the players' lot Thursday at the Marlins' spring training complex were a Kia, a Hyundai, two Buicks, two Impalas, a Jetta, a Cavalier and a Taurus. Something tells me these players are hungry and will perform better than expected, but still fall well short of escaping fifth in the NL East.

 

"It's almost like you've got a bunch of minor league All-Stars together," said 1B Mike Jacobs.

 

Four rookies could end up on the opening day roster. This team will likely have a nice group of sleepers that get picked up in-season.

 

There is no truth to the rumor that Miguel Cabrera drives a Kia, by the way.

 

Fantasy tip: Eric Reed has a very real shot at starting for Florida in center field. Baseball America notes that scouts believe he is faster than Juan Pierre and a better defender. He stole 40 bags in the minors last year and the Marlins will have to produce runs any way they can -- especially by moving runners over. Think about him in the middle rounds of your NL-only league.

We should acquire Gathright.

Not if we have to give up anything more than Mitre to get him.

 

I personally like Cody Haerther, once again...probably a cheaper option and better in the long run.

We should acquire Gathright.

 

 

 

why? because he has proven how marvelous he is at the major league level?

Four rookies could end up on the opening day roster.

i like how it only says four rookies on the roster not 4 rookies in the starting lineup

Not if we have to give up anything more than Mitre to get him.

 

I personally like Cody Haerther, once again...probably a cheaper option and better in the long run.

 

 

Don't see St. Louis trading him with Edmonds contract up plus his age. And the fact they have marginal corner OF players in Encarnacion and Bigbie. He could be their best outfielder, starting next year. Although I do agree, clearly the better player.

 

Gathright is avaliable. I could live with moving Olsen if they got another player back, or if TB would just settle for our 2nd tier advanced SP prospects in Johnson or Nolasco. Mitre ain't getting you crap.

We should acquire Gathright.

 

 

 

why? because he has proven how marvelous he is at the major league level?

 

No, because he is a .380+ OBP contact hitter that steals bases at a rate greater than 75%. Also because we have a giant ass-ton of pitchers and the Devil Rays don't.

We should acquire Gathright.

 

 

 

why? because he has proven how marvelous he is at the major league level?

 

No, because he is a .380+ OBP contact hitter that steals bases at a rate greater than 75%. Also because we have a giant ass-ton of pitchers and the Devil Rays don't.

 

he is?

 

 

since when?

In the minors against sub-par pitchers and defenses that allow him to rack up high OBPs solely from high batting averages.

In the minors against sub-par pitchers and defenses that allow him to rack up high OBPs solely from high batting averages.

 

 

But he's walked once every 10 AB. His minor league OBP is 75 points higher then his minor league batting average. Clearly not 'solely' batting average.

 

He walks, he hits for average, he is marvelous in SB, and he has emerging power (extra base hit progression very encouraging). There is no reason he can't put forth .290/.340/.400, 55/20 SB or better seasons on average. Defense slightly below average, sure. I think he is a plus ballplayer over all.

 

I can understand wanting to keep Olsen. I cannot understand why everyone bashes Joey, yet sticks up for Uggla.

I agree with your last sentence. The thing with Gathright for me is his ability to play center. If he can do so at an above-average level, I want him as a complimentary piece now and the future. Although not at the expense of Olson, Petit or Sanchez. If not, then, he doesn't represent an improvement over the power-speed combo of Aguila or speed and excellent defense of Reed.

In the minors against sub-par pitchers and defenses that allow him to rack up high OBPs solely from high batting averages.

 

 

But he's walked once every 10 AB. His minor league OBP is 75 points higher then his minor league batting average. Clearly not 'solely' batting average.

 

He walks, he hits for average, he is marvelous in SB, and he has emerging power (extra base hit progression very encouraging). There is no reason he can't put forth .290/.340/.400, 55/20 SB or better seasons on average. Defense slightly below average, sure. I think he is a plus ballplayer over all.

 

I can understand wanting to keep Olsen. I cannot understand why everyone bashes Joey, yet sticks up for Uggla.

 

I don't dislike him but I don't love him either. I don't think he is worth anything close to what Tampa Bay is demanding in return because of alot of factors.

 

A)He is gonna turn 25 years of age on April 27

B)Less power than Juan Pierre...which is virtually no power

C)Juan Pierre arm

D)He runs bad routes in CF

E)His make-up

 

 

This is what Baseball America had to say about about Joey Gathright

 

Q: Andy from Charlottesville, VA asks:

How do you envision Tampa's outfield logjam in the future? Assuming that Delmon is in right and the status quo in left and center remain (Crawford in left, Baldelli in center), are both Gathright and Dukes set to be traded? It would be a waste to put either at DH. Personally, I hoped that Baldelli would've been traded, but his value went down the tubes after his injured season.

 

A: Bill Ballew: These situations have a way of working out. You mentioned Baldelli's injury, and that's always the X factor. To me, Gathright could be the odd-man out, because I really don't like what I see at times regarding his fire in the belly, or lack thereof.

 

Q: Andy from Charlottesville, VA asks:

I have heard that Joey Gathright exerts minimal effort in improving his game and is very lackadaisical on the field. What were scouts' impressions on him and do some think he can get better at what he does and become a PierrePodsednik like player? He certainly has all the tools to do so.

 

A: Bill Ballew: You're right, he has the tools, but you're also right in the overall assessment of his makeup. He could be a clone of Pierre andor Podsendnik, but I know Pierre has gotten as far as he has strictly with his tremendous work ethic. I don't know if that's the case with Gathright

I don't dislike him but I don't love him either. I don't think he is worth anything close to what Tampa Bay is demanding in return because of alot of factors.

 

A)He is gonna turn 25 years of age on April 27

B)Less power than Juan Pierre...which is virtually no power

C)Juan Pierre arm

D)He runs bad routes in CF

E)His make-up

 

This is what Baseball America had to say about about Joey Gathright

 

Q: Andy from Charlottesville, VA asks:

How do you envision Tampa's outfield logjam in the future? Assuming that Delmon is in right and the status quo in left and center remain (Crawford in left, Baldelli in center), are both Gathright and Dukes set to be traded? It would be a waste to put either at DH. Personally, I hoped that Baldelli would've been traded, but his value went down the tubes after his injured season.

 

A: Bill Ballew: These situations have a way of working out. You mentioned Baldelli's injury, and that's always the X factor. To me, Gathright could be the odd-man out, because I really don't like what I see at times regarding his fire in the belly, or lack thereof.

 

Q: Andy from Charlottesville, VA asks:

I have heard that Joey Gathright exerts minimal effort in improving his game and is very lackadaisical on the field. What were scouts' impressions on him and do some think he can get better at what he does and become a PierrePodsednik like player? He certainly has all the tools to do so.

 

A: Bill Ballew: You're right, he has the tools, but you're also right in the overall assessment of his makeup. He could be a clone of Pierre andor Podsendnik, but I know Pierre has gotten as far as he has strictly with his tremendous work ethic. I don't know if that's the case with Gathright

 

 

Hey, fair enough. I've never said he is going to be a superstar. I'm pretty sure all of my projections are in the .700-.750 OPS range with crazy SB and slightly below average league D. But he's just a perfect fit in a huge position of need in the field and batting order for the Marlins. If he knocks a .335-.340 OBP as part of a .700+ OPS, with his SB potential, he's an above average player that is cheap, a massive upgrade in the short term, and could grow into an excellent 1-2 with Hanley. I think he's a good guy to take a risk on. I think we all agree "the big 3 " SP prospects might be over-paying (and whose to say they pan out/don't blow out arms - bone spurs with Olsen), but I think it's safe to say Beinfest is waiting for the price to lower, or for some other package to develop. It would be done already if they thought he was worth it. I'm ok with that, even if I'd like to see Gathright roaming CF.

he is?

 

Yes

 

since when?

 

Since he's been playing pro ball.

he is?

 

Yes

 

since when?

 

Since he's been playing pro ball.

 

 

 

i guess that .310 MLB OBP must be just me misreading things.

i guess that .310 MLB OBP must be just me misreading things.

 

 

It is. He has 1700 or so Pro plate appearances and you are focusing on the last 270 or so.

ya the last 270 just happen to be against the best competition out there.

 

 

so wake me when gathright does something worth noting in the majors.

ya the last 270 just happen to be against the best competition out there.

 

 

so wake me when gathright does something worth noting in the majors.

 

 

Wow tough crowd. No love for 24 year olds.

and somehow an article about eric reed ended up turning into yet another gathright discussion