August 30, 200620 yr By Joe Capozzi Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Wednesday, August 30, 2006 ST. LOUIS ? Don't be surprised if the Marlins trade for a center fielder this week. The front office has held meetings the past few days about beefing up the lineup to make a run for a wild-card berth. One option being pushed by top team officials is to try to trade for a center fielder before Thursday's waiver trading deadline. It is unclear who the team is targeting but center field has been in flux all year. Rookie Reggie Abercrombie didn't turn into the everyday player the team wanted, so it has used backup outfielder Cody Ross and utility man Alfredo Amezaga in center. The Marlins still can make trades after Thursday but they'd like to do something this week because post-season rosters must be set by Sept. 1, which is Friday. Any player acquired after Sept. 1 would not be eligible for the post-season. The Marlins took an eight-game winning streak into Tuesday's game in St. Louis. They are 53-35 (.602) since May 22 - the second-best winning percentage in that period to the Mets' .628 (54-32) - after starting the season 11-31. A win Tuesday would move the Marlins (64-66) within a game of .500 for the first time since they were 1-2 on April 5. They went into Tuesday two games out of the wild-card lead in a congested race behind first-place Cincinnati, San Diego, Philadelphia and San Francisco. "Right now, we're having fun, and we're just going to keep rolling with it as long as it will go," second baseman Dan Uggla said. Sixteen of the Marlins' remaining 32 are on the road. They have 10 games left with Philadelphia and three each with Cincinnati, Arizona, Atlanta and Milwaukee. They play St. Louis three times and the Mets seven.
August 30, 200620 yr Thank you Captain Obvious (Palm Beach Post). To bad that article doesn't eliminate names and target anyone in paticular. What are the chance Baldelli cleared waivers? Tubby
August 30, 200620 yr Juan Pierre please! how about some one with a little more pop in the bat and an arm I wouldnt mind having him back hes batting 20 point over any Cf we have
August 30, 200620 yr Juan Pierre please! how about some one with a little more pop in the bat and an arm I wouldnt mind having him back hes batting 20 point over any Cf we have Jay Payton
August 30, 200620 yr With so many position players banging on the door in Tampa and his history of injury, Baldelli (whose self-negotiated contract makes him a prime piece of trade bait) would seem a natural. But for the Marlins I would think he is too far away (from a standpoint of how waiver trades work) to make it to the Fish. If we're going to go get someone I hope it's a player who can truly contribute, on the field and in the clubhouse. Personally I think the combination of Amezega and Ross has worked extremely well (in that the Fish have won with them) and I like what each one is able to bring to the team. Another consideration might be to try and get Austin Kearns from Washington to play rightfield and sit Hermida. or use him in some ballparks in CF. I'm still sold on the kid but I think he's just been chewed up alive by this season and perhaps some extended time on the bench or a more or less platoon role might be in order. Just a thought.
August 30, 200620 yr Who could we get? If we are seriously look they better get going because they only have today and tomorrow.
August 30, 200620 yr I'll say this again... I want a young CF with some pop, speed and a good arm. Because those pass through waivers just about everyday... Right now, all we can hope for is a servicable upgrade. Juan Pierre probably won't happen, but we're not gonna get much better than him.
August 30, 200620 yr Just don't compromise the future and I'm cool with it. agree also someone who doesnt screw up the chemistry
August 30, 200620 yr List of all centerfeilders, Link Im thinking Gary Mathews, or Monroe or Thames, with the debt they have.
August 30, 200620 yr "This would explain, in part, why Alfonso Soriano and Carlos Lee have been on the trading block. Both the Nationals and Rangers have been hot to try and get something for these two players before free agency forces both clubs to possibly walk away without anything for these two top players that were not dealt at the trading deadline. Stay tuned." Maybe we can still grab Soriano? I know he's not a centerfielder but we could still put Hermida in center and Soriano in right. The lack of defense would be made uop with the offense. Or maybe Soriano would move to cf.
August 30, 200620 yr "This would explain, in part, why Alfonso Soriano and Carlos Lee have been on the trading block. Both the Nationals and Rangers have been hot to try and get something for these two players before free agency forces both clubs to possibly walk away without anything for these two top players that were not dealt at the trading deadline. Stay tuned." Maybe we can still grab Soriano? I know he's not a centerfielder but we could still put Hermida in center and Soriano in right. The lack of defense would be made uop with the offense. Or maybe Soriano would move to cf. that would be something. How much would it cost to have soriano for a month?
August 30, 200620 yr Juan Pierre please! how about some one with a little more pop in the bat and an arm I wouldnt mind having him back hes batting 20 point over any Cf we have Jay Payton How about making our favorite player happy (Willis) and improving our club at the same time. Bring P-Nut back! Before the Phils get him!
August 30, 200620 yr I am thinking if we do get a CF it is probably going to come from a team who is not in the race. Maybe we can get a guy from the Brewers... Gabe Gross, Brady Clark, Corey Hart. They are all batting atleast .270. I am just looking for a decent CF. *ducks* Clark: http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/6583 Gross http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/7077 Hart: http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/7336
August 30, 200620 yr Man, had we gotten Soriano at the deadline...we would easily be the favorites right now.
August 30, 200620 yr Does anyone know about this guy? Brent Clevlen http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/7827
August 30, 200620 yr I want JP! I want JP! Aside from any onfield shortcomings JP may or may not have, there's a PR problem in bringing back a player you just traded as part of a firesale and then letting him go as soon as the season is over (because of his free agency and estimated new contract $$$). Just looks bad.
August 30, 200620 yr I cant see 90% of the players that have been mentioned passing through waivers to us. What is the chances of Soriano passing through waivers to us in the middle of the WC teams? Someone would block us, braves, houston, etc.
August 30, 200620 yr I want JP! I want JP! Aside from any onfield shortcomings JP may or may not have, there's a PR problem in bringing back a player you just traded as part of a firesale and then letting him go as soon as the season is over (because of his free agency and estimated new contract $$$). Just looks bad. If he were to come back I think it would come with the idea that he's a 'hired gun'. If it were to help the team this year, I don't really care what it does for the team next year. I'm greedy and want to win this year. Obviously this offseason they will go out and get a quality centerfielder and therefore bring a better product which in the long run will get more fans in the seat than Juan Pierre. Not to mention he could probably be had for a Pinto or another pitcher along those lines especially since there is no longer any draft compensation. I do think that they need to go out and get somebody in the next two days. Jay Payton wouldn't be a bad option...
August 30, 200620 yr Does anyone know about this guy? Brent Clevlen http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/7827 just got sent back down to AA. found this in an article from 2003, back when he was in Single-A. "Outfielder Brent Clevlen got stronger every month, and by season's end was performing very well; he's got power, a little speed, and takes an occasional walk." i wouldn't mind getting him, but i think it'd be in our best to get more of a veteran.
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.