2nd best play Amezaga has ever made...

Wow, thanks for posting that! :w00t They definitely should show that during a game broadcast.

Of course a bucket of sh*t will be heaped on me for commenting on the obvious, but that said, a case could be made with a somewhat zone challenged third baseman the team might be better off with Amezaga at shortstop and Hanley in the outfield or at another infield position.

 

The above is not meant to insult or belittle or in any way find fault with Hanley although no doubt I'll be quickly accused of that, but it's clear and it has been for some time who is the better defensive shortstop. How many times (and the answer is far too many) have we all seen balls find their way between Cabrera and Ramirez, or Ramirez and Uggla that in years past were, if not certain outs, were at least reachable and a play attempted? (For those who take everything literally, it's a rhetorical question)

 

If you don't like first batter walks you can't like groundball singles that should have been outs either.

 

No one is going to throw Hanley under the bus and force him out of his infield position at least during the season, he is simply too important to the team to do so. But come the off-season there has to at least be an honest appraisal of all our players and how going forward each one can contribute the most to winning and a very competitive and hopefully playoff-bound 2008 team.

 

I personally think (and of course having an opinion here leaves one open for scorn) Hanley has physically outgrown the position and his future is either in the outfield or lesser so at third base, and in that scenario Cabrera moving to first the team begins to take on a completely different look next spring. or even thinking further out of the box Cabrera to first, Amezaga to third and Hanley at short, or vice versa.

 

In fact it might be the easier route to subsequent all-star games for Ramirez were he a very good defensive outfielder who hits .320 than a defensively mediocre shortstop who hits .320. He's a better defensive infielder than Soriano ever was and I have no doubt were it to come to pass, he would be a better defensive outfielder as well. As much as people today want to think of the ASG as all offense, defense clearly plays a role in the selection process or Ramirez would have already been chosen.

 

Someone either in this thread or elsewhere suggested Amezaga leading off and Hanley hitting second, ala Pierre and Castillo, and at least theoretically, it's not the worst idea in the world. It would be an interesting experiment if nothing else if we saw it at some point this season (assuming Hanley stays at SS and Amezaga is in CF).

 

I guess it's okay to share comments Admin Beinfest made to me this winter (some of you heard this when it happened) that a) Amezaga was the most often asked about player in off-season trade talks, that b) people (most fans) had no idea how good an infielder he was and c) he was a savior last season for his willingness to go play CF when asked.

 

No doubt some will accuse me of this or that and so be it. I've said before (unless Josh Willingham and/or Hermida really steps it up in the second half) next year's outfield will be completely different than any combination we're fielding today. Next April anyone who wants to can resurrect this post and see if I was right or not but I don't think either Willingham or Hermida will be starting on opening day absent an injury.

 

If I'm wrong it might be a good thing because it will mean everyone will have matured into much more capable and well-rounded players, so as a fan I win by losing. But I do think the Soriano comparison is one worth considering for Ramirez. Whether it's left, center or right I think his future and his future superstardom is tied to a move to the outfield.

 

And in doing do it may make room for this little overachiever who made one of, if not the Marlins' play of the year so far in 2007.

 

By now, with the exception of one or two here, I think most people would agree the guy has proven himself and his value to this team. I think it's going to be interesing to see how it all plays itself out.

Of course a bucket of sh*t will be heaped on me for commenting on the obvious, but that said, a case could be made with a somewhat zone challenged third baseman the team might be better off with Amezaga at shortstop and Hanley in the outfield or at another infield position.

 

The above is not meant to insult or belittle or in any way find fault with Hanley although no doubt I'll be quickly accused of that, but it's clear and it has been for some time who is the better defensive shortstop. How many times (and the answer is far too many) have we all seen balls find their way between Cabrera and Ramirez, or Ramirez and Uggla that in years past were, if not certain outs, were at least reachable and a play attempted? (For those who take everything literally, it's a rhetorical question)

 

If you don't like first batter walks you can't like groundball singles that should have been outs either.

 

No one is going to throw Hanley under the bus and force him out of his infield position at least during the season, he is simply too important to the team to do so. But come the off-season there has to at least be an honest appraisal of all our players and how going forward each one can contribute the most to winning and a very competitive and hopefully playoff-bound 2008 team.

 

I personally think (and of course having an opinion here leaves one open for scorn) Hanley has physically outgrown the position and his future is either in the outfield or lesser so at third base, and in that scenario Cabrera moving to first the team begins to take on a completely different look next spring. or even thinking further out of the box Cabrera to first, Amezaga to third and Hanley at short, or vice versa.

 

In fact it might be the easier route to subsequent all-star games for Ramirez were he a very good defensive outfielder who hits .320 than a defensively mediocre shortstop who hits .320. He's a better defensive infielder than Soriano ever was and I have no doubt were it to come to pass, he would be a better defensive outfielder as well. As much as people today want to think of the ASG as all offense, defense clearly plays a role in the selection process or Ramirez would have already been chosen.

 

Someone either in this thread or elsewhere suggested Amezaga leading off and Hanley hitting second, ala Pierre and Castillo, and at least theoretically, it's not the worst idea in the world. It would be an interesting experiment if nothing else if we saw it at some point this season (assuming Hanley stays at SS and Amezaga is in CF).

 

I guess it's okay to share comments Admin Beinfest made to me this winter (some of you heard this when it happened) that a) Amezaga was the most often asked about player in off-season trade talks, that b) people (most fans) had no idea how good an infielder he was and c) he was a savior last season for his willingness to go play CF when asked.

 

No doubt some will accuse me of this or that and so be it. I've said before (unless Josh Willingham and/or Hermida really steps it up in the second half) next year's outfield will be completely different than any combination we're fielding today. Next April anyone who wants to can resurrect this post and see if I was right or not but I don't think either Willingham or Hermida will be starting on opening day absent an injury.

 

If I'm wrong it might be a good thing because it will mean everyone will have matured into much more capable and well-rounded players, so as a fan I win by losing. But I do think the Soriano comparison is one worth considering for Ramirez. Whether it's left, center or right I think his future and his future superstardom is tied to a move to the outfield.

 

And in doing do it may make room for this little overachiever who made one of, if not the Marlins' play of the year so far in 2007.

 

By now, with the exception of one or two here, I think most people would agree the guy has proven himself and his value to this team. I think it's going to be interesing to see how it all plays itself out.

 

I agree with mostly everything, but I don't think Josh or Hermida is in danger of losing their job anytime soon. Hermida has shown flashes of being extremely good, and Josh has been a solid hitter for a while now.

No doubt some will accuse me of this or that and so be it. I've said before (unless Josh Willingham and/or Hermida really steps it up in the second half) next year's outfield will be completely different than any combination we're fielding today. Next April anyone who wants to can resurrect this post and see if I was right or not but I don't think either Willingham or Hermida will be starting on opening day absent an injury.

Well Hammer won't be in LF, so you're right there. He'll be at 1st.

 

Barring injury, you really couldn't be more wrong about Hermida but I guess we'll have to save that for next April :thumbup

Damn that was a gun.

Just wondering 2003...whos going to start over Hermida in your scenario?

Just wondering 2003...whos going to start over Hermida in your scenario?

 

I have absolutely no idea who plays where in the outfield or who is even with the club or not, except obviously Ramirez.

 

And I said if these guys show they can be more than mediocre/average guys I may be proved wrong and in so I'll win because we have a better team. This is not an anti-anybody post. The two thoughts were eventually Hanley moves to the outfield to further his career and in 2008, before players start getting expensive again, the FO pulls out the stops to put a truly competitive and possibly playoff bound team on the field.

Just wondering 2003...whos going to start over Hermida in your scenario?

 

I have absolutely no idea who plays where in the outfield or who is even with the club or not, except obviously Ramirez.

 

And I said if these guys show they can be more than mediocre/average guys I may be proved wrong and in so I'll win because we have a better team. This is not an anti-anybody post. The two thoughts were eventually Hanley moves to the outfield to further his career and in 2008, before players start getting expensive again, the FO pulls out the stops to put a truly competitive and possibly playoff bound team on the field.

I understand your reasoning and your thoughts, but there is absolutely no chance Hermida is gone next season barring a blockbuster move. That and the Marlins would be absolute idiots to move a 23 year old with this kind of minor league pedigree. Yes, I realize for every Scott Kazmir, there's a Brien Taylor but with the amount of talent this kid has they wont move him unless they can grab a "Salty" for him. And even then I don't know if they do.

 

As for Hammer, not sure why you singled him out and not Mike Jacobs. Perhaps you just forgot.

2nd best play Amezaga has ever made... after this one

 

:o

* (Written in response to Ramp's post above) * Again, read what I wrote. I * believe * (operative word, not guaranteeing, not speaking in any absolutes, just a belief) the entire outfield, which by definition includes Willingham will be different than what we see right now. I didn't say that any players are on or off the team, I think you may be right that Willingham could move to first, but I think if the team wants to win in '08 defense has to offer more than what's out there now. Corner outfielders cannot kick the ball around on one play and three innings later make a spectacular one. We need consistently good defense to start winning 90+ "games" a season.

 

People should note I'm not calling anyone a bad player or any of the words so often used here in a derogatory manner. I think there's a big across the board upgrade coming at a number of positions, but I'm just speculating. If I know, you have to know there is something of an internal debate going on about Hermida and some FO people are less enamored of him than others. That doesn't mean anything other than what it means, he has his supporters and there are some detractors. He is 100% in control of his destiny.

Well Hammer won't be in LF, so you're right there. He'll be at 1st.

 

Is that just your feeling/thoughts, or does the FO want him there next year?

Well Hammer won't be in LF, so you're right there. He'll be at 1st.

 

Is that just your feeling/thoughts, or does the FO want him there next year?

It's been the case in the recent past but I have no insight on anything new... just merely speculation

@ Ramp's video:

 

 

Oh my Jesus.

Guy's scrappy as hell.

Anyone who has been watching baseball can tell you that Amezaga has always been a very good glove at SS. He was the Angels starting SS for a few years he just didn't hit enough to keep the job on an everyday basis. he is an excellent utility player just not a starting CF. I love Amezaga coming off the bench. I can't stand him day in and day out in the lineup playing CF, Many don't understand that our expectations of a Cf have been lowered so far that some even to my amazement use the adjetive as above average defensive CF when describing his play out there that shows how low the bar has been placed. I wanna see more of Amezaga at SS, 3rd, 2nd and even at 1st to give our starters time off don't wanna see him day after day misjudging balls and chasing after flies in CF

Anyone who has been watching baseball can tell you that Amezaga has always been a very good glove at SS. He was the Angels starting SS for a few years he just didn't hit enough to keep the job on an everyday basis. he is an excellent utility player just not a starting CF. I love Amezaga coming off the bench. I can't stand him day in and day out in the lineup playing CF, Many don't understand that our expectations of a Cf have been lowered so far that some even to my amazement use the adjetive as above average defensive CF when describing his play out there that shows how low the bar has been placed. I wanna see more of Amezaga at SS, 3rd, 2nd and even at 1st to give our starters time off don't wanna see him day after day misjudging balls and chasing after flies in CF

It's like you live in your closet and post as if you haven't watched a game in 2 months. And instead just watch footage from June of 2006 over and over again.

Anyone who has been watching baseball can tell you that Amezaga has always been a very good glove at SS. He was the Angels starting SS for a few years he just didn't hit enough to keep the job on an everyday basis. he is an excellent utility player just not a starting CF. I love Amezaga coming off the bench. I can't stand him day in and day out in the lineup playing CF, Many don't understand that our expectations of a Cf have been lowered so far that some even to my amazement use the adjetive as above average defensive CF when describing his play out there that shows how low the bar has been placed. I wanna see more of Amezaga at SS, 3rd, 2nd and even at 1st to give our starters time off don't wanna see him day after day misjudging balls and chasing after flies in CF

 

And that was the original plan, Injuries change things unfortunately.

I get what the Marlins are trying to do with Amezaga, they wanna equate him to Ryan Freel and Chone Figgins but it is not the best use of his skills. Ramp I have to admit being in central florida I don't see the Marlins very much on TV but the times i have i still see limited range in the Outfield and bad jumps on fly balls, maybe he plays better outfield every other day. It's possible. My sample size of games i have watched is small but the pattern is evident. He is physically athletic enough to correct on his mistakes. If my memory serves me correct they wanted to run Pierre out of town for being a "butcher" in CF. I am just in shock when I see posting mentioning Amezaga in a favorable manner to players like Grady Sizemore and Carlos Beltran (# of errors) I just have to believe that we have gotten use to crappy outfield play.

I hope you are watching tonight Eddie

I get what the Marlins are trying to do with Amezaga, they wanna equate him to Ryan Freel and Chone Figgins but it is not the best use of his skills. Ramp I have to admit being in central florida I don't see the Marlins very much on TV but the times i have i still see limited range in the Outfield and bad jumps on fly balls, maybe he plays better outfield every other day. It's possible. My sample size of games i have watched is small but the pattern is evident. He is physically athletic enough to correct on his mistakes. If my memory serves me correct they wanted to run Pierre out of town for being a "butcher" in CF. I am just in shock when I see posting mentioning Amezaga in a favorable manner to players like Grady Sizemore and Carlos Beltran (# of errors) I just have to believe that we have gotten use to crappy outfield play.

I'd take Amezega over Freel right now. Hand down.

 

/Reds fan.

Alfredo's been very good this season he been good in CF i saw him at home game were he catch ball on wall were he almost got hurt

Alfredo's been very good this season he been good in CF i saw him at home game were he catch ball on wall were he almost got hurt

I was sitting at the wall right above him, I actually hurt myself jumping from the 2nd row to the first row to see if he was OK. He was, I managed to pull a muscle and he got up before I did.

Is Freel even back yet?

I wouldnt be opposed to Hanley in CF and Fredo at SS.

 

Hanley is such a good athlete i think he could really excel out there... Fredo implanted as our #8 hitter/plus defensive SS doesnt sound too bad at all. Sea Bass did it for 7 years here.