Marlins make moves, plan others

 

By BARRY JACKSON

 

Checking out what's percolating in center field, the bullpen and elsewhere with Marlins spring training five weeks away:

 

? General manager Admin Beinfest believes free agent pickup Alex Sanchez has a realistic chance to win the starting spot in center field: ``He's had a lot of success in the big leagues. We like his speed. He can bunt. He can do a lot of things that put pressure on people.''

 

Sanchez, 30, is a career .296 hitter with 122 steals in five seasons, but hit .251 in 203 at-bats in Double A and Triple A for the Reds before being released in June. He played well in Venezuela this winter.

 

The Marlins remain receptive to acquiring a young center fielder, but trade talks haven't materialized. Florida wasn't interested when Colorado discussed Cory Sullivan, and Willy Tavares wasn't offered. It's more likely the Marlins will wait to see how Sanchez fares in the spring (nobody obviously can count on Reggie Abercrombie or Eric Reed winning the job).

 

? Giants closer Armando Benitez, 34, has been the Marlins' No. 1 bullpen target, and a trade remains possible. The Giants appear willing to cover all but $1 million to $2 million of his $7.6 million salary.

 

But the Giants want a Marlins starter or top reliever ( Taylor Tankersley), and the Marlins won't do that. The Marlins might be willing to give up Yusmeiro Petit or Sergio Mitre. Benitez, who saved a Marlins-record 47 games in 2004, comes off knee surgery but will be ready for spring training, his agent said.

 

If a trade doesn't happen, the Marlins have spoken of trying Ricky Nolasco as a closer. In that scenario, Mitre and Petit would be among those competing for the No. 5 rotation spot. ''Our preference would be to have someone who has [closed] before,'' Beinfest said.

 

Beinfest is encouraged about his ''under-the-radar deals'' for three relievers -- former Angel Kevin Gregg (``We think he will fit into the seventh and eighth innings''), former Mets prospect Henry Owens (a seventh-inning option) and Matt Lindstrom (clocked at 100 mph in Double A). On Friday, Florida signed longtime setup man Felix Rodriguez, 34, who allowed 25 runs in 29 innings for Washington last year.

 

Antonio Alfonseca on Saturday accepted a one-year contract worth up to $1.1 million with Philadelphia instead of a $380,000 offer (plus incentives) from the Marlins, agent Juan Iglesias said.

 

The Marlins await the return of setup man Logan Kensing and potential closer Carlos Martinez from elbow surgeries. ''Before the All-Star break is realistic for Martinez,'' Beinfest said. ``Logan, after the All-Star break.''

 

Travis Bowyer's shoulder surgery could sideline him for most or all of 2007.

 

? With Wes Helms off to Philadelphia, Florida will give first baseman Mike Jacobs a chance to play full-time (Jacobs hit .182 in 88 at-bats vs. lefties last year, .281 vs. right-handers). ''We think he can play everyday,'' Beinfest said.

 

Jacobs has said the Marlins could help him hit lefties if they did something simple: find a left-hander to throw batting practice. Keep in mind, right-handed-hitting Aaron Boone, who will play some first base for the first time as a pro, has hit just .246 off lefties in his career (.270 vs. right-handers).

Jake's got a point and if I recall some of his biggest hits were off lefties during the year, just overall his average wasn't that great.

Not saying Jackson doesn't have it right, but no other news source - news.Google, Roto, ESPN, SI, Fox Sports, the Phillies MLB website - has reported as of 9:00am this morning Antonio Alfonseca signing anywhere, nevermind Philadelphia.

 

And based on Borowski's incentive-laded 2006 contract the two as described by BJ don't seem that much different. I'm not sure what to think about this. I would think Florida would be the better choice for AA for a number of reasons - Philly fans, the weather and his body, familiarity - but if the story is true the offers most have been structured significantly differently.

 

Usually Jackson is reasonably on the mark but this column reads more like messageboard chatter and a quick run through Rotoworld than anything new and ground-breaking. It will be interesting to see whether the AA thing proves true or not.

 

(edit) Jacobs does have a point there. No doubt several Marlins could take avantage of having a lefthanded BP guy. There's any number of semi-pro guys around Miami who would be glad to do it for peanuts. It's probably more getting the front office to think outside the box and get behind the idea than anything else.

Barry Jackson wouldnt know a scoop in an ice cream shop.

Well that was a waste of column space in the newspaper...Where is the insight? I guess Beinfest is keeping everything under very tight wraps. The only thing that was discussed was that Beinfest does not see a need to review the CF position til ST. The job is Sanchez's for him to win. Did the inability to pickup Josh Hamilton in the rule V draft really limit his options? We would have seen Alex Sanchez, Brett Carroll, Erck Reed and Josh Hamilton fighting for the job :confused

What continues to be interesting (at least to me) as the day goes on is a) no one else is confirming or even reporting Alfonseca's Philly agreement (which one would think would have to include a physical all things considered) and b) his agent who is quoted by Jackson has neither confirmed or denied it.

 

I am curious what to make of it. And I am curious if the Marlins in fact have an offer on the table...

General manager Admin Beinfest believes free agent pickup Alex Sanchez has a realistic chance to win the starting spot in center field: ``He's had a lot of success in the big leagues. We like his speed. He can bunt. He can do a lot of things that put pressure on people.''

 

Worst idea ever. Slugging Percentage and Defense > "Pressure." This off season is a failure if Alex Sanchez is anything more then the 25th man on the roster, and even then, he's probably a bad pick compared to the random dingers Borchard and Ross smack.

 

Giants closer Armando Benitez, 34, has been the Marlins' No. 1 bullpen target, and a trade remains possible. The Giants appear willing to cover all but $1 million to $2 million of his $7.6 million salary.

 

But the Giants want a Marlins starter or top reliever ( Taylor Tankersley), and the Marlins won't do that. The Marlins might be willing to give up Yusmeiro Petit or Sergio Mitre. Benitez, who saved a Marlins-record 47 games in 2004, comes off knee surgery but will be ready for spring training, his agent said.

 

If a trade doesn't happen, the Marlins have spoken of trying Ricky Nolasco as a closer. In that scenario, Mitre and Petit would be among those competing for the No. 5 rotation spot. ''Our preference would be to have someone who has [closed] before,'' Beinfest said.

 

Good news on SF covering salary, but they're out of their mind if they think they would get one of the rotation rookies, Tank, Pinto, etc. Further, Nolasco at closer and Mitre/Petit in the 5 is a far better idea then nothing in the bullpen and Nolasco as the 5th SP.

Jacobs has said the Marlins could help him hit lefties if they did something simple: find a left-hander to throw batting practice. Keep in mind, right-handed-hitting Aaron Boone, who will play some first base for the first time as a pro, has hit just .246 off lefties in his career (.270 vs. right-handers).

First of all, that's kind of shocking if the Marlins don't have a left handed coach throwing BP before games against left hand starters. Secondly, great research. Boone hit .280/.369/.421 (.789) vs LHP last year, three year trend .253/.351/.431 (.782). Very consistent. RHP last year .638, three year trend .643 OPS. That's also very consistent. But yea, let's cite career batting averages instead of a more recent sample size. Awesome. I have no problem if Jacobs wants to cement himself as an everyday player and learn to just smack singles to LF versus southpaws, but seriously. Boone isn't the problem. How do these people have jobs? Continually amazes me.

I'll take Beinfest over MarlinsLou any day.

I'll take Beinfest over MarlinsLou any day.

So we're taking shots at me because I think Alex Sanchez is an absolutely terrible idea for CF (I don't know how anyone can argue otherwise, but feel free. I'd be interested), and our general manager just hinted he basically expects him to win the CF job. Nice.

 

Flat out, maybe the problem is Loria's wallet so it's hard to criticize the marlins with their unique financial situation compared to the rest of baseball, but Beinfest is having an absolutely terrible offseason if the remedy for CF is Alex Sanchez, and hoping an assortment of prospects/journeymen minor league and fringe players is the answer to the bullpen. I can't remember the last year we had a good bullpen. 1997?

I'll take Beinfest over MarlinsLou any day.

So we're taking shots at me because I think Alex Sanchez is an absolutely terrible idea for CF (I don't know how anyone can argue otherwise, but feel free. I'd be interested), and our general manager just hinted he basically expects him to win the CF job. Nice.

 

Flat out, maybe the problem is Loria's wallet so it's hard to criticize the marlins with their unique financial situation compared to the rest of baseball, but Beinfest is having an absolutely terrible offseason if the remedy for CF is Alex Sanchez, and hoping an assortment of prospects/journeymen minor league and fringe players is the answer to the bullpen. I can't remember the last year we had a good bullpen. 1997?

 

 

 

Im not exatly on the MarlinsLou pep rally squad but I agree here.

 

This has been an awful offseason for Loria/Beinfest thusfar. The worst part is, if they would add a few good parts here and there (CF & Bullpen) this could be a wild card contending team.

 

 

Sad to think that Alex Sanchez and Aaron Boone are the prized signings of the offseason.

Alex Sanchez-OF- Marlins Jan. 14 - 1:06 pm et

 

 

Marlins GM Admin Beinfest believes the newly acquired Alex Sanchez has a realistic chance to win the starting spot in center field this spring.

 

"He's had a lot of success in the big leagues," Beinfest said. "We like his speed. He can bunt. He can do a lot of things that put pressure on people." Yes, he can put an awful lot of pressure on his own team's pitching staff with some of the worst center field play you'll ever see from a guy who has plenty of range. Considering that the Marlins only had one spot at which they really needed an upgrade, Beinfest's winter will have to be considered a failure if Sanchez does in fact win a starting job.

Source: Miami Herald

I also think it's a massive failure for Beinfest if we don't acquire a young CF with potential.

I never payed much attention to Sanchez, is he worse than Reggie? Judging by how you all keep putting him down, I guess he might be

Alex Sanchez has two shortcomings, neither of which have anything to do with Reggie's biggest problem...hitting a baseball. If the entire game was about puttting the ball in play Sanchez would certainly better be held in higher regard.

 

Unfortunately there's more to the game, namely defense and demeanor. Sanchez has had lapses of judgement or concentration in the field and he's had issues with teammates from time to time. How much of both are now behind him no one here knows, we'll have to wait and see what happens in spring training. His time in SF, Skully could probably elaborate.

I haven't seen Sanchez play very much, but I think it is possible that his defense is borderline Reggie bad (if not worse).

and I believe he has a weak arm as well

I'd rather play Borchard.

 

They say he is one of the worst fast defenders you'll ever see

I'll take Beinfest over MarlinsLou any day.

 

 

I'll take Beinfest over MarlinsLou any day.

So we're taking shots at me because I think Alex Sanchez is an absolutely terrible idea for CF (I don't know how anyone can argue otherwise, but feel free. I'd be interested), and our general manager just hinted he basically expects him to win the CF job. Nice.

 

Flat out, maybe the problem is Loria's wallet so it's hard to criticize the marlins with their unique financial situation compared to the rest of baseball, but Beinfest is having an absolutely terrible offseason if the remedy for CF is Alex Sanchez, and hoping an assortment of prospects/journeymen minor league and fringe players is the answer to the bullpen. I can't remember the last year we had a good bullpen. 1997?

 

 

 

Im not exatly on the MarlinsLou pep rally squad but I agree here.

 

This has been an awful offseason for Loria/Beinfest thusfar. The worst part is, if they would add a few good parts here and there (CF & Bullpen) this could be a wild card contending team.

 

 

Sad to think that Alex Sanchez and Aaron Boone are the prized signings of the offseason.

 

 

My theory about Beinfest. I think is a little unsure about this team. This was a sub-500 team with alot of rookies. Even if only 1/3 of them have sophomore slumps we could be in trouble. Add to that a new manager and an improved division and this could be a tough season. He may not want to pull the trigger on high risk deals as a quick fix to our CF and Bullpen deficiencies if this is STILL going to be a building year. On the other hand, this is a very young team loaded with potential. There are a few more good arms on the farm a couple of years away from the bigs and a few more coming back from injury in 2007. In a few months the stadium deal should be done (we hope) and maybe Loria will loosen his belt a little. Hopefully next year the free agent hysteria will have calmed down and the Marlins, who may be legitimate contenders for the division, can go after higher quality players to plug the gaps.

Looks like Barry got it right after all...

 

Phils agree with Madson, Alfonseca

Right-handed relievers get one-year deals from Philadelphia

 

By Ken Mandel / MLB.com

 

 

PHILADELPHIA -- Ryan Madson avoided arbitration on Sunday by agreeing to a one-year, $1.1 million deal with the Phillies, leaving the club with four arbitration-eligible players.

 

Madson wasn't the only reliever to agree to a contract, as veteran reliever Antonio Alfonseca also accepted a one-year deal that could be worth up to $1.1 million, according to The Miami Herald. The newspaper cited Alfonseca's agent, Juan Iglesias, who said his client selected the Phillies over the Marlins.

 

Alfonseca was limited to 52 games over the past two seasons with the Rangers and Marlins. He was shut down in 2006 because of a sore right elbow. He compiled a 2.57 ERA in 79 games with Atlanta in 2004, his last full season.

 

Madson, 26, went 11-9 with two saves and a 5.69 ERA in 50 games, including 17 starts, in 2006. He finished second on the team in wins, third in innings pitched (134 1/3) and fourth in strikeouts (99), establishing career highs in all of those categories. As a reliever, Madson went 3-4 with a 4.50 ERA.

 

After shuttling between the bullpen and rotation last season, the right-hander is expected to exclusively be used as a reliever in 2007, and should serve in a late-inning role.

 

Originally selected by the Phillies in the ninth round of the 1998 First-Year Player Draft, Madson has spent his entire career with the Phillies, going 26-17 with three saves and a 4.35 ERA in 181 games.

 

The remaining four arbitration-eligible players are Geoff Geary, Brett Myers, Aaron Rowand and Chase Utley. Of that group, the team is considering a long-term deal with Utley that would essentially buy out his three arbitration years -- thus eliminating the yearly filing -- and perhaps delay his filing for free agency by a year or two.

I do agree with you that Beinfest isn't letting last year's unexpected success rush his plans for the rebuilding schedule. Nonetheless, as a fan, I want to see a pro-active front office that successfully improves the team's weaknesses.

General manager Admin Beinfest believes free agent pickup Alex Sanchez has a realistic chance to win the starting spot in center field: ``He's had a lot of success in the big leagues. We like his speed. He can bunt. He can do a lot of things that put pressure on people.''

 

Sanchez, 30, is a career .296 hitter with 122 steals in five seasons, but hit .251 in 203 at-bats in Double A and Triple A for the Reds before being released in June. He played well in Venezuela this winter.

 

The Marlins remain receptive to acquiring a young center fielder, but trade talks haven't materialized. Florida wasn't interested when Colorado discussed Cory Sullivan, and Willy Tavares wasn't offered. It's more likely the Marlins will wait to see how Sanchez fares in the spring (nobody obviously can count on Reggie Abercrombie or Eric Reed winning the job).

 

Why Beinfest would not even talk to Colorado about Sullivan is confusing to me. He isn't the greatest CF around but he would be better than any other option we have for a regular starter vs RHP, has a good glove and arm, good speed, is relatively young, not arby eligible yet, would be cheap to acquire and he would be a good player off the bench once we get more of a permanent solution in CF.

 

All I can say is he better have something in the works because if CF ends up being Sanchez's to lose it will be a disaster. I never really believed that was the case, thinking he was brought on more as some kind of deranged insurance policy and to somehow strengthen the Marlins trading position, but with Beinfest talking like he did to Jackson about Sanchez I am having my doubts.

I haven't seen Sanchez play very much, but I think it is possible that his defense is borderline Reggie bad (if not worse).

and I believe he has a weak arm as well

 

 

unless the steroids he got busted for helped his arm strength 200 fold, his arm is weaker than Juan Pierre's.

What are you all bitching about? Beinfest is doing the best he can with what he has. He signed a centerfielder with a career batting average of .296 to a minor-league contract and you're complaining? Not to mention he's made some damn good pick-ups for the bullpen from the minor-league contract bin that have all had good success before and could easily do it again. PLUS, Gregg, Owens, and Lindstrom are all talented and I think will have success.

 

I really don't understand what you guys are complaining about. I'm happy with what Beinfest has been able to do while barely spending a dollar. If you're gonna bitch, bitch at Loria.

What are you all bitching about? Beinfest is doing the best he can with what he has. He signed a centerfielder with a career batting average of .296 to a minor-league contract and you're complaining? Not to mention he's made some damn good pick-ups for the bullpen from the minor-league contract bin that have all had good success before and could easily do it again. PLUS, Gregg, Owens, and Lindstrom are all talented and I think will have success.

 

I really don't understand what you guys are complaining about. I'm happy with what Beinfest has been able to do while barely spending a dollar. If you're gonna bitch, bitch at Loria.

 

Ya I guess there is only so much you can do when you are told that your free agent budget is this:

 

 

 

$0.00

I haven't seen Sanchez play very much, but I think it is possible that his defense is borderline Reggie bad (if not worse).

and I believe he has a weak arm as well

 

 

unless the steroids he got busted for helped his arm strength 200 fold, his arm is weaker than Juan Pierre's.

 

I really don't believe the comment about his arm being weaker than Juan Pierre's is true. I believe his problem is bad routes, losing balls in sky, etc., and while he may not have a cannon, it's acceptable.

 

If I'm wrong, feel free to correct me.

 

 

What are you all bitching about? Beinfest is doing the best he can with what he has. He signed a centerfielder with a career batting average of .296 to a minor-league contract and you're complaining? Not to mention he's made some damn good pick-ups for the bullpen from the minor-league contract bin that have all had good success before and could easily do it again. PLUS, Gregg, Owens, and Lindstrom are all talented and I think will have success.

 

I really don't understand what you guys are complaining about. I'm happy with what Beinfest has been able to do while barely spending a dollar. If you're gonna bitch, bitch at Loria.

 

Wild, absolutely. We're complaining because Beinfest signed the guy to a minor league contract...sheesh.

 

What do people expect Beinfest to say? "Yeah we signed him but psst he doesn't have a snowball's chance in hell of making the team, he's the insurance policy for the insurance policy..."

What do people expect Beinfest to say? "Yeah we signed him but psst he doesn't have a snowball's chance in hell of making the team, he's the insurance policy for the insurance policy..."

I typed a bunch of stuff blowing up Alex Sanchez, Marlins situation etc, but it's all been said or should be fairly obvious to anyone who follows the franchise. I can't say I have much faith in the Marlins to acquire something decent, but I really hope you're right.

And it just dawned on me...the Philly website's source for the Alfonseca signing is the Miami Herald.

 

Again, not saying it isn't true but I missed that in the first reading :mischief2