After reading this article (below), it would seem Rick Kranitz may end up returning to the Marlins if Girardi ends up managing the Nats. If Girardi is hired by the Cubs, he will be gone. This is good news. I was almost sure that Kranitz would follow Girardi wherever he went. It would be great to see at least Kranitz return next season as the Marlins pitching coach. He did an excellent job during his first year in the bigs. I'm still not going to allow myself to get too hopeful. All indications still are that Joe will get the job in Chicago.

 

Kranitz could be nice throw-in deal

 

October 6, 2006

 

BY CHRIS DE LUCA Staff Reporter

 

If Joe Girardi becomes the next manager of the Cubs, there could be an attractive bonus. Respected pitching coach Rick Kranitz, who spent the previous 22 years with the Cubs before joining Girardi's Florida Marlins staff last season, might tag along.

 

Pulling Kranitz in the opposite direction are the Marlins and their new manager, Fredi Gonzalez. Some Marlins insiders say the team would be crushed if Kranitz, who worked wonders with a young pitching staff, didn't return.

 

''I'm still talking to the Marlins about possibly returning,'' Kranitz said Thursday night from his Phoenix-area home. ''I talked to Fredi Gonzalez about me coming back for next season.''

 

Kranitz, 48, was operating under a one-year contract and has delayed giving Gonzalez a firm answer for a good reason.

 

''Well, I'm very interested to see what happens with Joe,'' Kranitz said. ''We worked very well together, and it showed with the record. I am going to weigh my options.''

 

Girardi has been contacted by two teams -- the Cubs and Washington Nationals -- and is expected to get one of those jobs. The Nationals job, however, might not be attractive enough to lure Kranitz from the young Marlins pitchers he bonded with this season.

 

The Cubs would be a different story.

 

''I spent 22 years, a big chunk of my life, with the Cubs,'' Kranitz said. ''I have some fond memories. I grew up in the Dallas Green era and worked all the way up to Jim Hendry. I'm very fond of that place.''

 

Kranitz, the pitching coach for Class AAA Iowa in 2004 and '05, is familiar with most of the pitchers in the Cubs' organization. He has been credited for helping left-hander Rich Hill have a breakout stint (6-1, 3.60 ERA in 11 outings) in 2005 at Iowa.

 

In Florida, Kranitz helped the Marlins become the first team in major-league history to have four rookie pitchers -- Anibal Sanchez, Scott Olsen, Josh Johnson and Ricky Nolasco -- with 10 or more victories.

 

''Our club played so well,'' Kranitz said. ''It was the feel-good story of the year.''

 

Source -- http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cu...T-cub06.article

So that means we pray that Girardi signs with the Nats so that we get Kranitz!

I hope Girardi signs with the Nats so we can win more games against them.

I hope Girardi signs with the Nats so we can win more games against them.

 

:thumbup

 

 

 

Yeah because baseball managers play such a big part in the outcome of the games.

 

:whistle

I hope Girardi signs with the Nats so we can win more games against them.

 

:thumbup

 

 

 

Yeah because baseball managers play such a big part in the outcome of the games.

 

:whistle

You've made this comment twice and I have responded twice.

 

 

 

 

 

I have short term and selective memory like many Marlins fans.

 

 

I hope Girardi signs with the Nats so we can win more games against them.

 

:thumbup

 

 

 

Yeah because baseball managers play such a big part in the outcome of the games.

 

:whistle

Maybe baseball managers can't win a game, but they can certainly lose one. Here's hoping he signs a LONG-TERM deal with the Nats.

I hope Girardi signs with the Nats so we can win more games against them.

 

 

Yeah, because the guy who knows more about the strengths and weaknesses of every single Marlin than almost anyone around will probably will be clueless when he faces us. Good idea. :thumbup

I hope Girardi signs with the Nats so we can win more games against them.

Yeah, because the guy who knows more about the strengths and weaknesses of every single Marlin probably will be clueless when he faces us. Good idea. :thumbup Yup. He knows Hanley's a horrible bunter, Herges can't pitch with runners on, Amezaga can't hit lefties, Borowski blows a few saves in a row, and that Abercrombie couldn't catch a ball if welfare depended on it.

 

Oh, wait.

I hope Girardi signs with the Nats so we can win more games against them.

Yeah, because the guy who knows more about the strengths and weaknesses of every single Marlin probably will be clueless when he faces us. Good idea. :thumbup Yup. He knows Hanley's a horrible bunter, Herges can't pitch with runners on, Amezaga can't hit lefties, and Borowski blows a few saves in a row.

 

Oh, wait.

 

Get over that damn bunt call for Hanley. It is extremely petty to continually bring up that call. Our bullpen was pretty much a crapshoot and Herges actually pitched better than most of the clowns we used. Same goes for Borowski. I do agree Joe's insistence on starting Amezaga vs LHP was mystifying.

Why should I stop bringing it up? Is it against some sort of rule or something?

 

Maybe the pro-Girardi camp can just stop being so damn sensitive and ignore quips instead of having to respond like a quasi-intellectual. Oh my, the bad man made a comment. It obviously wasn't meant for any of you anyways, since only people that didn't like Girardi would find it funny (see: el penguino).

 

So, so lame.

Why should I stop bringing it up? Is it against some sort of rule or something?

 

Maybe the pro-Girardi camp can just stop being so damn sensitive and ignore quips instead of having to respond like a quasi-intellectual. Oh my, the bad man made a comment. It obviously wasn't meant for any of you anyways, since only people that didn't like Girardi would find it funny (see: el penguino).

 

So, so lame.

 

 

Nice response. Immediately after asking why you shouldn't bring up a single bunt call endlessly and there being some rule against it you insult me for responding to your message. If you can't handle dealing with a response before almost immediately getting into insulting those who don't agree with you as being "so damn sensitive", "quasi-intellectual" and "lame" maybe it is you that is too damn sensitive.

Maybe it's because the comment wasn't meant for you, so you shouldn't get so uptight about it.

 

Know why Hanley's bunt situation isn't against the rules to mention? Because it was a poor strategical decision. That day, Hanley already had a homer and was in the middle of his hot streak. There was a man on second with no outs. Pure statistics tell you that it is easier to score a runner from second with no outs than it is to score a man from third with one out. When you have a very hot hitter, you take the three chances instead of blowing your load on the first opportunity. Furthermore, when said player has failed in the futile attempt the first two strikes, you simply don't call for a bunt on the third strike. You don't do it.

 

Know why Herges' poor pitching won't stop coming up? Because Girardi kept putting him in. He had 71.0 IP this season, easily #1 among full time relievers. Why did he get these chances? Got me! The bullpen was pretty horrible, I'll give you that. But among full time relievers (pitchers over 20 IP in the pen), only one player had a higher WHIP than Herges' 1.72. That player? Chris Resop, who was entrusted with no major situations (and spent most of the season in the minors) until the very end of the season. Bullpen flameouts and castoffs Todd Wellemeyer, Randy Messenger, and Serio Mitre all had lower WHIPs. Want to hear some more? Matt stranded just 57.4% of the runners he inherited. That's disgustingly terrible. Opponents hit .321/.385/.447 against him. That's a great line for a three hitter, much less what everyone in the NL is hitting against the person who's getting the most innings in your pen! I'll stop (even though there's plenty more) because I don't want to make poor Matt cry.

 

Know why Borowski's horrendousness in the late part of the season won't stop coming up? Because it played a huge role in costing this team the playoffs. Joe Borowski's ERA in September was 6.39. He blew three saves out of eight (an outstanding 62.5 save percentage!) while surrendering 15 H and 11 R in 12.2 IP. That's closer material right? RIGHT?!? Hitters decided to light JoeBo up to a tune of .283 in the season's most important month. Not quite Herges level, but enough to be a terrible closer for the timespan. And oh, what was happening during the time? The Marlins were playing the most important games of the year.

 

Good riddance to bad rubbish. And stop getting all uptight about situations which other people might see as terribly played by the man on the bench. People are entitled to their opinion, so just as I'm telling you not to shut up you better not even dream to tell me what to bring up and what not to bring up.

I hope Girardi signs with the Nats so we can win more games against them.

 

:thumbup

 

 

 

Yeah because baseball managers play such a big part in the outcome of the games.

 

:whistle

Maybe baseball managers can't win a game, but they can certainly lose one. Here's hoping he signs a LONG-TERM deal with the Nats.

 

 

 

 

Please tell me you dont believe what you just said.

 

I hope Girardi signs with the Nats so we can win more games against them.

Yeah, because the guy who knows more about the strengths and weaknesses of every single Marlin probably will be clueless when he faces us. Good idea. :thumbup Yup. He knows Hanley's a horrible bunter, Herges can't pitch with runners on, Amezaga can't hit lefties, Borowski blows a few saves in a row, and that Abercrombie couldn't catch a ball if welfare depended on it.

 

Oh, wait.

 

 

 

 

:lol

 

 

The Hanley Bunt Incident. The only Girardi "screw up" that you have cited in your post that has ANY merit is the Amezega against lefties BS that Joe decided to go down with the ship with. Yes, Girardi screwed that up bigtime. No argument there.

 

 

 

I dont want to hear about Herges (the whole bullpen sucked Juanky, get over it).

 

I dont want to hear about Reggie (any big leaguer is SUPPOSSED to make those catches). BTW, Reggie will never play in a big league game again.

 

And the Hanley Bunt Incident is so incredibly lame and old. Get mad at Hanley for not being able to bunt. Scott f****NG Olsen can lay down a bunt.

Hey, you don't like the joke, you don't have to make an argument out of it. Especially if no one contradicting the stance of the quip is going to give me anything other than "get over it," "i dont want to hear about ________," or "it is extremely petty."

 

Come on people. Form arguments. Rational ones.

 

You can DO it!

Maybe it's because the comment wasn't meant for you, so you shouldn't get so uptight about it.

 

Know why Hanley's bunt situation isn't against the rules to mention? Because it was a poor strategical decision. That day, Hanley already had a homer and was in the middle of his hot streak. There was a man on second with no outs. Pure statistics tell you that it is easier to score a runner from second with no outs than it is to score a man from third with one out. When you have a very hot hitter, you take the three chances instead of blowing your load on the first opportunity. Furthermore, when said player has failed in the futile attempt the first two strikes, you simply don't call for a bunt on the third strike. You don't do it.

 

Know why Herges' poor pitching won't stop coming up? Because Girardi kept putting him in. He had 71.0 IP this season, easily #1 among full time relievers. Why did he get these chances? Got me! The bullpen was pretty horrible, I'll give you that. But among full time relievers (pitchers over 20 IP in the pen), only one player had a higher WHIP than Herges' 1.72. That player? Chris Resop, who was entrusted with no major situations (and spent most of the season in the minors) until the very end of the season. Bullpen flameouts and castoffs Todd Wellemeyer, Randy Messenger, and Serio Mitre all had lower WHIPs. Want to hear some more? Matt stranded just 57.4% of the runners he inherited. That's disgustingly terrible. Opponents hit .321/.385/.447 against him. That's a great line for a three hitter, much less what everyone in the NL is hitting against the person who's getting the most innings in your pen! I'll stop (even though there's plenty more) because I don't want to make poor Matt cry.

 

Know why Borowski's horrendousness in the late part of the season won't stop coming up? Because it played a huge role in costing this team the playoffs. Joe Borowski's ERA in September was 6.39. He blew three saves out of eight (an outstanding 62.5 save percentage!) while surrendering 15 H and 11 R in 12.2 IP. That's closer material right? RIGHT?!? Hitters decided to light JoeBo up to a tune of .283 in the season's most important month. Not quite Herges level, but enough to be a terrible closer for the timespan. And oh, what was happening during the time? The Marlins were playing the most important games of the year.

 

Good riddance to bad rubbish. And stop getting all uptight about situations which other people might see as terribly played by the man on the bench. People are entitled to their opinion, so just as I'm telling you not to shut up you better not even dream to tell me what to bring up and what not to bring up.

 

 

I did not get uptight after reading your comments. When I feel like commenting on a post I will do so, that is all. The reason I wrote the Hanley bunt comment was petty is that I see way too many people playing up this one call when they damn Girardi. If we are going to keep rehashing discussions on the good or bad points of Giradi's time at the helm, I'd rather discuss overall strategy. The discussions on particular calls from games has been done to death (and still ongoing even though he is no longer the manager). But feel free to beat that dead horse all you'd like.

 

Herges was never a favorite of mine, but you have to consider his performance in the context of the season overall. During the first couple of months, our bullpen was terrible, Herges included. Girardi was searching for someone, anyone who could provide reliable relief out of the pen. It was about that time that Herges finally started to pick up his game. For a three month period, from June through August, Herges provided decent relief. Nothing spectacular, but he was one of few relievers (the others being Tank and JoBo) who finally stepped up their games. Nobody else could deliver with any consistency (besides Logan, who had a good June as well then went back to his old form in July and then was injured in August). Not coincidentally, when JoBo, Tank and Herges started delivering during that three month period the Marlins played their best baseball. All three regressed in September and we were back to where we were in April and May.

 

 

 

Our needs are obvious. I just hope Loria will spend the necessary money and/or make the neccessary trades to address these needs.

Maybe it's because the comment wasn't meant for you, so you shouldn't get so uptight about it.

 

Know why Hanley's bunt situation isn't against the rules to mention? Because it was a poor strategical decision. That day, Hanley already had a homer and was in the middle of his hot streak. There was a man on second with no outs. Pure statistics tell you that it is easier to score a runner from second with no outs than it is to score a man from third with one out. When you have a very hot hitter, you take the three chances instead of blowing your load on the first opportunity. Furthermore, when said player has failed in the futile attempt the first two strikes, you simply don't call for a bunt on the third strike. You don't do it.

 

Know why Herges' poor pitching won't stop coming up? Because Girardi kept putting him in. He had 71.0 IP this season, easily #1 among full time relievers. Why did he get these chances? Got me! The bullpen was pretty horrible, I'll give you that. But among full time relievers (pitchers over 20 IP in the pen), only one player had a higher WHIP than Herges' 1.72. That player? Chris Resop, who was entrusted with no major situations (and spent most of the season in the minors) until the very end of the season. Bullpen flameouts and castoffs Todd Wellemeyer, Randy Messenger, and Serio Mitre all had lower WHIPs. Want to hear some more? Matt stranded just 57.4% of the runners he inherited. That's disgustingly terrible. Opponents hit .321/.385/.447 against him. That's a great line for a three hitter, much less what everyone in the NL is hitting against the person who's getting the most innings in your pen! I'll stop (even though there's plenty more) because I don't want to make poor Matt cry.

 

Know why Borowski's horrendousness in the late part of the season won't stop coming up? Because it played a huge role in costing this team the playoffs. Joe Borowski's ERA in September was 6.39. He blew three saves out of eight (an outstanding 62.5 save percentage!) while surrendering 15 H and 11 R in 12.2 IP. That's closer material right? RIGHT?!? Hitters decided to light JoeBo up to a tune of .283 in the season's most important month. Not quite Herges level, but enough to be a terrible closer for the timespan. And oh, what was happening during the time? The Marlins were playing the most important games of the year.

 

Good riddance to bad rubbish. And stop getting all uptight about situations which other people might see as terribly played by the man on the bench. People are entitled to their opinion, so just as I'm telling you not to shut up you better not even dream to tell me what to bring up and what not to bring up.

 

 

Joe isn't the answer at closer for us. No argement there. But those blown saves in September have as much to do with sloppy D behind him. Bad plays that SHOULD have been called errors and weren't. From every one. Want to get rid of everyone because they had a bad September?

The real reason this team didn't make the play offs is simple. It was a team problem. Not one or two guys. It was a team that was too young and inexperienced to handle the long season coupled with the intense pressure of a WC chase. They fell apart as a team in the crucial month because that is what a bunch of rookies do. It's not really a bad thig. It's a learning experience. Be happy we had a great season and expect a better one coming up.

I hope the Nationals sign Giradi too