February 8, 200719 yr Bob Klapisch at ESPN.com writes (and currently on the front page of the MLB section at ESPN) Hanley Ramirez did a quick, visual reconnaissance of the sold-out crowd at the New York baseball writers annual dinner last week, seemingly overwhelmed by its size (1,500 people) and its passion (Jonathan Papelbon was thickly booed after being introduced). Ramirez, about to accept his award as the National League's Rookie of the Year, wasn't sure if he'd be harpooned, too, and for good reason. After all, the Marlins' shortstop was a one-time Red Sox prospect and is currently a Mets rival, But despite being deep in enemy territory, Ramirez won the public relations war by thanking Joe Girardi, his deposed Florida manager who was on the dais, telling Yankees-Mets audience that Girardi, "was always being there for me, never complained about giving me extra time." Girardi always has been immensely popular in New York, and the crowd clearly appreciated the exchange between the former Yankees catcher and his pupil. But as they hugged, the two actually were moving in opposite directions. Girardi is off to the YES Network broadcast booth in 2007, while Ramirez embarks on Year 2 of his promising career, surrounded by what's already the hottest, trendiest infield in the big leagues. Just how good are these guys? Not only do the Marlins boast the NL's premier neophyte, they have a young Albert Pujols in Miguel Cabrera, a runner-up in the Rookie of the Year voting in Dan Uggla (who set a rookie record by a second baseman with 27 homers) and Mike Jacobs, who's already hit 100 home runs in just 569 at-bats. They're young (the average age is 24.75), they're athletic and if even if they're not necessarily going to topple the Mets in 2007, the Marlins' infield should have star power for years to come. Question is, will Florida's ownership be able to afford this much talent for the rest of the decade? The battle lines already have been drawn with Cabrera, albeit in a relatively amicable way. The third baseman is headed for arbitration, having been unable to agree on a long-term contract. Cabrera is asking the Marlins for $7.4 million, a raise of nearly $7 million. The club has countered with a figure of $6.7 million, which itself represents a sweeping endorsement of a player who set a franchise record by batting .339 last year and has driven in more than 110 runs in each of his first three seasons. "[Cabrera]has done a terrific job for us," general manager Admin Beinfest told the Palm Beach Post. "I know Miguel. He's a professional kid. He has taken on a lot of things at a young age and he'll handle [arbitration] well. Then we'll all get on a plane and start spring training." Cabrera caught the world's attention in the 2003 World Series, ducking under an up-and-in fastball from Roger Clemens in Game 4, then blasting a home run to right-center field. All this, at the age of 20. He's advanced so quickly; he came within one game of winning the batting title last year, falling short on the final day to Pittsburgh's Freddy Sanchez. Uggla also experienced a drop-off that cost him, hitting just .221 with five home runs and 10 RBI in September. Had the second baseman stayed hot, it's conceivable that he, not Ramirez, would've captured the Rookie of the Year award. Uggla finished third, but, the Marlins are nevertheless profiting handsomely from their decision to pluck him away from the Diamondbacks in the 2005 Rule 5 draft. As for Ramirez, there's no arguing his accomplishments: He scored 119 runs, drove in 59 runs and slammed 17 home runs, the most by a rookie shortstop since Ernie Banks hit 19 in 1954. Scouts say Ramirez easily should transition from the leadoff spot to the middle of the order where his power can pay meatier dividends. In the meantime, though, the Marlins' only concern is Ramirez's left shoulder, which he injured playing winter ball in his native Dominican Republic. It's the same shoulder he strained during the regular season. The club prohibited Ramirez from further play until spring training. Smart move: Trendy or not, this is an investment worth protecting. And from a piece from Rob Neyer about baseball's best infields... In 2007, we should expect plenty from the Sunshine State's other infield, as the Marlins are loaded. Bob Klapisch says they've got the hottest infield in the majors, and I don't care to disagree with him. Not with a perennial MVP candidate (Miguel Cabrera), last year's Rookie of the Year (Hanley Ramirez), one of last year's top Rookie of the Year candidates (Dan Uggla), and a first baseman (Mike Jacobs) with a .515 career slugging percentage. For our purposes, though, I have a few quibbles. Cabrera is young, but he's not particularly cheap, and in a couple of years, he's going to be making more than $15 million per season. Jacobs is 26, and Uggla's almost 27. Only Ramirez is both truly cheap and truly young.
February 8, 200719 yr 100 homeruns for Mike Jacobs?! Where did they come up with that? He only has 31. Either way...I couldn't agree more with the article. What makes me even more excited is the fact that they're only talking about their offense. With Perry Hill teaching them, we've probably got a couple gold glovers in the making as well.
February 8, 200719 yr 100 homeruns for Mike Jacobs?! Where did they come up with that? He only has 31. Either way...I couldn't agree more with the article. What makes me even more excited is the fact that they're only talking about their offense. With Perry Hill teaching them, we've probably got a couple gold glovers in the making as well. Brain freeze. Probably looked at the 11 homeruns in 100 ABs with Mets, number stuck, next thing you know...so much for fact-checking at ESPN. :whistle
February 8, 200719 yr Id take Texas IF over the Marlins any day of the week. Teixera > Jacobs (not even close) Kinsler < Uggla rangers have been waiting on him for a while but hes just not coming through Young > Hanley Simply said Blalock < Cabs cabs is in his prime and blalock has fallen rangers catching > marlins catching id argue the phillies have a better IF then us too
February 8, 200719 yr Id take Texas IF over the Marlins any day of the week. Teixera > Jacobs (not even close) Kinsler < Uggla rangers have been waiting on him for a while but hes just not coming through Young > Hanley Simply said Blalock < Cabs cabs is in his prime and blalock has fallen rangers catching > marlins catching id argue the phillies have a better IF then us too A catcher isn't an infielder. Also, Miggy isn't in his prime yet. That won't happen for another 5-7 years.
February 8, 200719 yr also just throwing it out there but the Phillies have 3 players in the top 25 according to ESPN.COM. all 3 are If's. Marlins have one...Miggy. Philly and Texas over us, and i hate Philly but we just dont have the best IF. maybe in the next couple years when our kids develop but i dont consider Jacobs a good 1B.
February 8, 200719 yr Either looked at 100 RBI Or the fact that he has exactly 100 HR as a pro counting his 69 minor league HR. Either way, hillarious.
February 8, 200719 yr Id take Texas IF over the Marlins any day of the week. Teixera > Jacobs (not even close) Kinsler < Uggla rangers have been waiting on him for a while but hes just not coming through Young > Hanley Simply said You would take Mike Young over Hanley Ramirez? why? as for Ian Kinsler.... not coming through? He had a pretty good rookie year, look again.
February 9, 200719 yr Id take Texas IF over the Marlins any day of the week. Teixera > Jacobs (not even close) Kinsler < Uggla rangers have been waiting on him for a while but hes just not coming through Young > Hanley Simply said You would take Mike Young over Hanley Ramirez? why? as for Ian Kinsler.... not coming through? He had a pretty good rookie year, look again. Because Michael Young is a better player than Hanley, at this time. The only thing that Hanley has over Young is stolen bases. Young is better RBI and HR man, even though he only hit 14 last season. At this stage, Hanley is younger but I think Young has the better overall game. Could change but for now I think Texas has a better IF than us. Uggla and Kinsler is a tossup at this point.
February 9, 200719 yr Because Michael Young is a better player than Hanley, at this time. The only thing that Hanley has over Young is stolen bases. Young is better RBI and HR man, even though he only hit 14 last season. At this stage, Hanley is younger but I think Young has the better overall game. Could change but for now I think Texas has a better IF than us. Uggla and Kinsler is a tossup at this point. Hanley's rookie season was better than all but one of Young's seasons (05) and was almost exactly the same as Young's 2nd best season. And Young plays in a much better park for hitters. And you have to think he can only improve from here. I'd argue right now, Hanley is the better player. Better defender too.
February 9, 200719 yr Id take Texas IF over the Marlins any day of the week. Teixera > Jacobs (not even close) Kinsler < Uggla rangers have been waiting on him for a while but hes just not coming through Young > Hanley Simply said Blalock < Cabs cabs is in his prime and blalock has fallen rangers catching > marlins catching id argue the phillies have a better IF then us too **********DING DING DING !!! WINNER !************* You officially win worse post of the week! Congratulations!
February 9, 200719 yr Just how good are these guys? Not only do the Marlins boast the NL's premier neophyte, they have a young Albert Pujols in Miguel Cabrera, a runner-up in the Rookie of the Year voting in Dan Uggla (who set a rookie record by a second baseman with 27 homers) and Mike Jacobs, who already has 100 RBIs in just 569 at-bats. that is what was said about Jacobs 100 RBIs in 569ABs and 31 HRs that is what he can do in a full season with 500 plus ABs and people here thinks he sitll is not good what a joke
February 9, 200719 yr I don't know what other teams have to the extent that I know what the Marlins have. But if our infield is considered the best, hottest, or number one in anything I disagree. . . We have a superstar at third base. I hope as a fan that everyone else does well, but realistically beyond that we have a mid-level prospect offensively and defensivly at first. We have a great story at second, who has great heart, but struggles defensively and tailed off on offense. At short we have a top prospect who had a great first season, but he also is a work in progress. His defense will probably be better than last year, but still average. Even our superstar at third is no better than average defensively at his position.
February 9, 200719 yr Miggs errors before and after the break showed huge improvement hanley aint no agon but he is still above average uggla had a very good year with the glove considering everyone was saying he sucked jake aint dlee and never will be but ill take him as long as he can pop 30 jacks which i know he can miggs needs to start swinging for the fences...drop the avg down to .305( rediculous that im even saying that shows how good he is) and hit 50 bombs this year kthx hanley can hit 25 in the future and uggz around 15 to 20
February 9, 200719 yr mid level prospect at first he has 100 RBIs 31 HRs in 569 AB what was miggys Numbers in his first 569 ABs don't forget that in 05 he hit 36 HRs between AA and the bigs he was hurt all year last year. what gives with you people is it because he is not home grown or what
February 9, 200719 yr mid level prospect at first he has 100 RBIs 31 HRs in 569 AB what was miggys Numbers in his first 569 ABs don't forget that in 05 he hit 36 HRs between AA and the bigs he was hurt all year last year. what gives with you people is it because he is not home grown or what hahaha are you seriously going to compare Cabrera with Jacobs? you must be a family member..
February 9, 200719 yr G AB H D HR RBI SO OBP SLG AVG MIGGY 2004 FLA 160 603 101 177 31 1 33 112 309 68 148 5 2 .366 .512 .294 G AB H D HR RBI SO OBP SLG AVG JACOBS Career 166 569 73 154 44 1 31 100 293 55 127 3 0 .334 .515 .271 WHAT DOSE THIS TELL YOU PEOPLE JAKE CAN HIT PROVE ME WRONG NUMMBERS DONT LIE
February 9, 200719 yr Jacobs in no way shape or form comes close to Miggy, not now, not ever. and hes not within the top 10 1B in MLB.
February 9, 200719 yr G AB H D HR RBI SO OBP SLG AVG MIGGY 2004 FLA 160 603 101 177 31 1 33 112 309 68 148 5 2 .366 .512 .294 G AB H D HR RBI SO OBP SLG AVG JACOBS Career 166 569 73 154 44 1 31 100 293 55 127 3 0 .334 .515 .271 WHAT DOSE THIS TELL YOU PEOPLE JAKE CAN HIT PROVE ME WRONG NUMMBERS DONT LIE and what are there ages? it's not even close. Mike is a nice player, but he isnt in the same galaxy with Cabrera, and if we had a better LF, Josh Willingham would arguably take his roster spot anyway
February 9, 200719 yr not to metion the guy cant hit lefties any better then i can. .182 avg? would you really take that? his defense isnt anything to smile over. id agree, Williangham would take this spot over him, granted we had a better OF. Jacobs isnt anything better than what Rico Brogna was to the Phillies in the 90s...except Brogna had a glove as well.
February 9, 200719 yr LIKE I SAID LOOK AT THE NUMBERS CLOSE TO THE BEST NUMBERS IN HIS 569 ABS BETTER THE LAROCHES NUMBERS HE IS JUSTS STARTING HOW DOSES HIS NUMBERS COMPARE TO UGGS NUMBERS LOOK AT THE ABs VARY GOOD
February 9, 200719 yr LaRoche will surpass Jacobs this year. Jacobs might get 25 HRs this year. 24 against righties. Adam Laroche is going to easily approach 30 hrs, with a full season under his belt. Jacobs is a okay player. but not a top 15 1B. bad arguement with the LaRoche stats. okay Jacobs in a CAREER 569 ABS...............30 Homeruns right??? okay ADAM LAROCHE 492(thats LESS than 500)...............32 Homeruns and thats just 1 season compared to Jacobs career who has the better numbers?
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