2007 Florida Marlins

Any Marlins fans out there? Let's take a look at the team's setup for 2007.

 

Admin Beinfest's contract obligations:

 

C - Miguel Olivo - $0.7MM

C - Matt Treanor - $0.38MM

1B - Mike Jacobs - $0.38MM

2B - Dan Uggla - $0.38MM

SS - Hanley Ramirez - $0.38MM

3B - Miguel Cabrera - $6MM

IF - Alfredo Amezaga - $0.38MM

LF - Josh Willingham - $0.38MM

CF -

RF - Jeremy Hermida - $0.38MM

OF - Joe Borchard - $0.38MM

OF - Cody Ross - $0.38MM

 

SP - Dontrelle Willis - $7MM

SP - Josh Johnson - $0.38MM

SP - Scott Olsen - $0.38MM

SP - Anibal Sanchez - $0.38MM

SP - Ricky Nolasco - $0.38MM

 

RP - Taylor Tankersley - $0.38MM

RP - Sergio Mitre - $0.38MM

RP - Logan Kensing - $0.38MM

RP - Yusmeiro Petit - $0.38MM

RP - Renyel Pinto - $0.38MM

RP - Randy Messenger - $0.38MM

RP - Jason Vargas - $0.38MM

 

I see the payroll landing in the $21MM range once Willis and Cabrera get their raises. The figures I have above are estimates; if Cabrera got $6MM I believe that would be a record for a first-year arbitration player. If anyone deserves more than Jeter/Gagne received, it's Miggy.

 

Among position players, the team is almost entirely locked in. Around the infield, the only position Beinfest might consider upgrading is first base. But Jacobs's .798 OPS wasn't that far below league average for the position, and he could improve entering his age 26 season.

 

It's well known that the Fish are searching for a reliable center fielder for 2007. Back in October, Joe Capozzi wrote a list of possible targets: Chris Duffy, Willy Taveras, Matt Kemp, Rocco Baldelli, and Elijah Dukes. Florida has a surplus of young starters to send the other way.

 

Should Houston sign Gary Matthews Jr., the Taveras to Florida rumors will intensify. Taveras will be 25 next year and he plays solid defense. He wouldn't be bad at the bottom of the lineup. Juan Pierre wouldn't mind returning, but that doesn't make a whole lot of sense for the Marlins. One guy who could work is Reggie Willits of the Angels. He'll be 26 next season and posted a .448 OBP in Triple A this year.

 

While Hermida disappointed in right field, he is only 22 and he skipped Triple A. Plus, he dealt with hip flexor and ankle problems for much of the season. He'll be a walk machine with good power before long.

 

As for the rotation, Dontrelle and the Kids somehow came up with the third best ERA in the National League (4.22). I expect various health issues and some decent regression for Sanchez, but there's nothing to tinker with this offseason. One of Mitre, Petit, Pinto, and Vargas should be able to step up if needed as all are starters by trade.

 

Willis, as the face of the team and veteran leader, should not be traded. There's no rush to do so. The Marlins only have two players making more than a million bucks; their cost per win is astronomically low. No one is picking Beinfest's pocket with some kind of Brian Bannister and Alex Ochoa package or something.

 

Right now the 'pen looks like a slew of kids with Mitre as the elder statesman. Time for another veteran reclamation project! Danny Graves? Dustin Hermanson? Dan Kolb? Shawn Chacon? Cliff Politte? Mike DeJean? Hideki Irabu? John Rocker? OK, the last two were jokes, but all these guys have closing experience. Always fun to see who the Marlins resurrect. Maybe Ugueth Urbina will get out on parole or something.

 

Bottom line, the Marlins are awesome. It is just cool to see so many young guys on one team doing surprisingly well. While players like Uggla and Sanchez could take a step back in '07, there's no telling how things will play out. Just a ton of uncertainty with this group. One thing's for sure - everyone will take this club seriously in 2007

 

Show these people there are Marlin fans out there and respond in the comments.

Great article on the fish! Can't wait for next year, although I'll be unable to watch any games... Anybody know how to get games in Bulgaria?

MLB.tv & All Access - about $80 and $120 respectively for the entire season, need at least a 512kps internet connection, but thats how I watch everything.

I think DTrain will get closer to $6 mil and Miggy closer to $5 mil, but I seem to be in the minority on that. We will see.

I also think Hermida should be the one talked more about in trade rumors rather than Jake. Either trade wouldn't bother me all that much but I do believe Jake is a work in progress defensively and will continue to improve. However, I would like to know if Jeremy is doing some type of off season conditioning program this year. This guy just can not stay healthy for any length of time. Since his call up in '05 he has spent more time in the trainers room than on the ball field. I would hope that he was red faced enough in his performance in '06 (and in '05) to realize that and want to do something about it. Maybe the press he was getting last off season went to his head and this last past year brought that head back to a size that will fit through doors again.

Good article, the figures look just about right.

A little research and a cursory knowledge of the team would have helped make this a better piece.

 

The numbers don't include a CFer, a pay increase for Olivo which is more or less a lock because of arbitration, and a closer.

 

As presented with only 23 roster spots filled, the total is $21.3 million.

 

Additionally the roster is made up in part of players who won't be part of the team in 2007 but will be paid such as Kensing (while Martinez is left off). And the author ignored past obligations due this season (Delgado, Leiter, etc.).

 

But giving him the benefit of the doubt that his piece was focused on onfield payroll, if the FO can field a competitive team in 2007 for $25 million it would be quite an accomplishment.

I think we will be in good shape next year. If we can get Taveres at CF, and improved play from Hermida we will be in good shape. The closer situation will also be up in the air.

no thanks on taveras, I would rather take lofton for a year there. I would rather take half a dozen others.

I think we will be in good shape next year. If we can get Taveres at CF, and improved play from Hermida we will be in good shape. The closer situation will also be up in the air.

:banghead

No thanks on Taveras.

 

 

Seriously, the ideal type of player for the Marlins CF is DAVE ROBERTS. The only doubts I have are his age and health.

 

Taveras, Pierre, and Crawford are not good players for the lead off role. Roberts is.

 

I'd still take him.

The CF'er doesn't have to bat leadoff. We already have a guy that has a pretty good OBP. Granted Hanley may eventually bat closer to third in the future because he he seems to have good power.

To give credit where credit is due, Reggie Willits who I don't believe anyone has mentioned here before, seems to have the credentials we would be looking for in a mid-youngish CFer. Quality defender, hits for average, speed.

 

Good find/match by the author. Better than many options suggested here. :thumbup

I like Willits as answer to our CF situation, he would be a good 6th or 7th hitter in the lineup

a guy with no power, good speed, and good on base ability? He'd absolutely leadoff and I like it too

I want Taveras..get 'er done

I want Taveras..get 'er done

Why? He's a worse offensive version of Juan Pierre but plays better defense.

Because our defense has a lot more problems than our offense, and going from Reggie & Amezaga last year there really won't be much offensive production lost.

I want Taveras..get 'er done

Why? He's a worse offensive version of Juan Pierre but plays better defense.

 

You make it sound like Juan Pierre was a horrible hitter for this organization. He had a career year here in 2003 if I'm not mistaken. Dolphins Stadium is built for speed and contact, not power, and that's exactly what Taveres presents. I'll take him anyday over most of our options.

I want Taveras..get 'er done

Why? He's a worse offensive version of Juan Pierre but plays better defense.

 

You make it sound like Juan Pierre was a horrible hitter for this organization. He had a career year here in 2003 if I'm not mistaken. Dolphins Stadium is built for speed and contact, not power, and that's exactly what Taveres presents. I'll take him anyday over most of our options.

You're mistaken. His career year with the Rockies was in 2001 and in 2004 with the Fish. His career years were around league average for the position...

No thanks on Taveras.

 

 

Seriously, the ideal type of player for the Marlins CF is DAVE ROBERTS. The only doubts I have are his age and health.

 

Taveras, Pierre, and Crawford are not good players for the lead off role. Roberts is.

 

I'd still take him.

The CF'er doesn't have to bat leadoff. We already have a guy that has a pretty good OBP. Granted Hanley may eventually bat closer to third in the future because he he seems to have good power.

Fredi Gonzalez and I think he would be more valuable out of the leadoff role. If the Marlins are going to get a CF without good OBP he better have damn good power.

It's about the team, and the team would be better with: 1) two potential #3 hitters, one batted third and the other leadoff or 2) expanding the search for a centerfielder thus acquiring the best player in the best trade

You are looking at this the wrong way. It shouldn't be about cutting losses or taking the lesser of two evils. It should be making this team playoff caliber. The defense Taveras provides isn't nearly enough for that and will actually hurt the offense in the long run.

It's not the lesser of two evils. It's an obvious defensive upgrade over everyone we had in 06. And compared to batting Reggie or Amezaga in the 7th or 8th spot, replacing either of those with Taveras isn't an offensive downgrade.

So you wouldn't have a problem with a Crawford or Taveras hitting leadoff on a daily basis? I'd be willing to keep Ramirez in the leadoff spot and hit Crawford third or so, but I really don't think it would be worth the price since a player that can get on base consistently would do just fine.

No, I have a problem with focusing on attaining a leadoff hitter because apparently someone deemed Ramirez a potential 3-hole hitter. Babe Ruth was ideal for the middle of the order, but if you gave me 3 or more of him, I'd probably bat him 1st and 2nd as well as 3rd or 4th.

 

Don't let someone's prognostication of what Ramirez resembles limit the focus for a player who will make up our best eight position players. If a great 3-hole hitter or cleanup hitter or 2nd or 5th place hitter is available for the right price, you acquire him regardless of what Ramirez or Uggla or anyone else can do. You can find a role for them. The focus should be on getting the best 8 out there before anything else.

I'd prefer something like this:

 

Crawford

Ramirez

Cabrera

Uggla

 

I like having two guys at the top with a lot of speed, it worked out well for us in 2003. Then you have your power in Cabs and Uggla. I like Cabs at the third spot in any lineup of ours, because I believe that the best hitter should hit third.

I'd prefer something like this:

 

Crawford

Ramirez

Cabrera

Uggla

Keep Hanley in the leadoff spot and you're spot on. :thumbup

I'd prefer something like this:

 

Crawford

Ramirez

Cabrera

Uggla

Keep Hanley in the leadoff spot and you're spot on. :thumbup

ya, I'd be cool with that. Crawford could hit first or second..I think he's hit both with the D-Rays.

Don't let someone's prognostication of what Ramirez resembles limit the focus for a player who will make up our best eight position players. If a great 3-hole hitter or cleanup hitter or 2nd or 5th place hitter is available for the right price, you acquire him regardless of what Ramirez or Uggla or anyone else can do. You can find a role for them. The focus should be on getting the best 8 out there before anything else.

Price is the key. The team is unlikely to spend big on a FA signing, so it has to be a trade. And for the trade to make sense, there's only so much we should be willing to give up. We have 3 or 4 more starting pitchers than fit in our rotation. Besides them and similar prospects, there's not much else I think we should be too willing to move besides bench players and maybe Jacobs (I'd prefer to keep him myself).

You are looking at this the wrong way. It shouldn't be about cutting losses or taking the lesser of two evils. It should be making this team playoff caliber. The defense Taveras provides isn't nearly enough for that and will actually hurt the offense in the long run.

It's not the lesser of two evils. It's an obvious defensive upgrade over everyone we had in 06. And compared to batting Reggie or Amezaga in the 7th or 8th spot, replacing either of those with Taveras isn't an offensive downgrade.

You already said that.

 

 

The point is that while it won't be an offensive DOWNGRADE, it won't be enough to improve the offense to make the Marlins an NL East threat. And I think the Marlins would benefit more from a a Cody Ross-TYPE player that will provide power at the bottom of the order instead of the soft hitting Taveras (there is nothing wrong with contact hitters but his OBP is 30 points lower than where it should be).

 

So basically you want to move prospects (and it will take more than the Jason Vargases of the organization, I assure you) just to marginally improve the CF defense while keeping offense on the same tier. Good plan. :thumbup

You already said that

 

And you're entitled to your opinion. But I don't think the offense is in as desperate need of an upgrade as the defense. And it's not as though you can't play Cody with Taveras (or another full-time CF) anyway. Assuming Helms will not be back, they can send Hammer to 1B vs LHP and put Cody in LF. And you still don't sacrifice defense.