http://www.palmbeachpost.com/marlins/conte...01beinfest.html

 

 

Beinfest: Changes possible in off-season

By By Joe Capozzi

 

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

 

Sunday, September 30, 2007

 

NEW YORK ? By JOE CAPOZZI Palm Beach Post Staff Writer NEW YORK - Miguel Cabrera said Sunday he doesn't expect the Marlins to trade him this winter. But will the third baseman be moved to first base next year? Will Hanley Ramirez move to center field? And Kevin Gregg from the bullpen to the starting rotation? After watching the Marlins finish in last place with the league's worst defense and pitching, baseball operations president Admin Beinfest hinted that all options will be considered in 2008 to avoid a repeat of 2007.

 

"Given our situation, we can't rule anything out,'' Beinfest said Sunday in his annual end-of-season interview with beat writers. "Everything is worthy of discussion because of the needs we've identified.'' That doesn't mean Cabrera won't return to third base, Ramirez to shortstop and Gregg to the closer's role. But Beinfest did predict a busy winter as the front office seeks ways to improve the two areas the organization had been known for until this year - pitching and defense. "We cannot sit here and not be active given that we're last in pitching and defense. I think you have to be when you're in the position we're in,'' he said. The Marlins finished 71-91, just the fourth time in franchise history they lost 90 games. That's a big step back from last year's team of rookies that went into September in the wild-card hunt. The Marlins finished the season with 137 errors, by far the most in baseball (Texas had 122). Ramirez led the team with 24 and Cabrera was next with 23. "When you look at errors on the left side of the infield and you talk about the quality of players on the left side, they are correctable,'' Beinfest said, "It can get a lot better. There's no reason why Hanley and Miguel can't play top-tier defense.'' Florida was last in the NL with a 4.94 ERA, 891 runs allowed and 661 walks. Injuries played a big role, but Beinfest said all starters will compete for jobs in spring training. Right-handers Rick VandenHurk, Ricky Nolasco and Sergio Mitre are candidates. But Beinfest didn't mention anyone who would definitely be in the mix, not even Dontrelle Willis or Scott Olsen. "Based on some of the years and performances of our starting staff, I would have to say you will have to come in and show us that you want to be in the rotation and again and you want to be productive. There will be no ?gimmes'. You will have to work at it,'' he said. Prospects such as Chris Volstad and Gaby Hernandez will compete in spring training but chances are they'll start the season in the minor leagues with the idea of joining the Marlins later in the year. Beinfest hoped that would add incentive for veteran starters to improve. "They know what's lurking in double-A. It should be good competition,'' he said. Willis and Olsen lost a combined 30 games. "Ollie needs to improve several aspects,'' Beinfest said of Olsen, whose 10-15 season was marred by behavioral issues including separate fights with teammates and police. "His slider needs to get back to where it was. He needs to work on controlling himself. He's an emotional guy in the game and he needs to get back to what made him successful a year ago.'' On Sunday, Willis had a 7-1 lead but didn't last three innings because of control problems. He finished 10-15 with a 5.17 ERA. "I can't give you a real reason the ERA is inflated but Dontrelle's going to be just fine,'' Beinfest said. "He is a big winner. He's got a great career ahead of him. I don't think the organization has seen anything that would say that Dontrelle is not gonna be a big winner again in the future.'' But Beinfest wouldn't go a step further and say Willis is part of the Marlins' plans for 2008.

 

He said there was a chance right-hander Anibal Sanchez, who underwent shoulder surgery in June, could be ready for spring training, but the team is not counting on that. Beinfest said owner Jeffrey Loria hasn't given payroll parameters for 2008. He wouldn't commit to adding veterans to provide leadership and guidance to younger players, but he admitted the 2007 Marlins might have benefited from more veterans.

 

"We may have missed a little bit of that this year and it's my fault if we didn't have enough veterans,'' he said. "But it think it is important and it is something that we will look at.'' Cubs outfielder Cliff Floyd, a Marlin from 1997-2002, has told people close to him that he'd like to end his career in Florida. Floyd, a free agent, lives in the Fort Lauderdale area.

I like the way he speaks. He usually doesn't usually take as hard of a stance as he took in this article. I appreciate how he acknowledged that Olsen sucked and that people need to step up.

 

As for Floyd. Don't see it happening. We don't need an OF, unless we trade Jake and move Willy to 1B. Even then Floyd seems very meh to me.

 

Also, the way Admin talks makes me think he believes that Miggy and Willis will be back. Of course, it's not his decision.

 

I have a good feeling about this off season.

I hadn't heard about the Floyd thing, I certainly would love for him to be our corner backup corner OFer, given it's, at most, a mil (Considering he took 3m this year, and he wants to be here, might even take less than a mil). Had a .795 OPS this year...would REALLY help our bench out. Bring him and Bonney back, plus Cody and Amezaga (say what you will, but he's a plus plus defender with an average OBP against RHP), and man, gotta like how our bench would look. And then if somebody like, say, Hermida goes down, we don't have to replace him with, say, a .500 OPS guy like we did this year.

Given our situation, we can't rule anything out,'' Beinfest said Sunday in his annual end-of-season interview with beat writers. "Everything is worthy of discussion because of the needs we've identified.''

I wish he could just say "Cabs ain't going anywhere and we just bought out Hanley's arbitration"

 

sucks to be a fan of this team sometimes

Given our situation, we can't rule anything out,'' Beinfest said Sunday in his annual end-of-season interview with beat writers. "Everything is worthy of discussion because of the needs we've identified.''

I wish he could just say "Cabs ain't going anywhere and we just bought out Hanley's arbitration"

 

sucks to be a fan of this team sometimes

But oh so great when they succeed :thumbup

Given our situation, we can't rule anything out,'' Beinfest said Sunday in his annual end-of-season interview with beat writers. "Everything is worthy of discussion because of the needs we've identified.''

I wish he could just say "Cabs ain't going anywhere and we just bought out Hanley's arbitration"

 

sucks to be a fan of this team sometimes

 

Damn right. No skin off their back stability really adds wonders to every aspect of the season.

 

Oh, and bring back Cliffy!

Given our situation, we can't rule anything out,'' Beinfest said Sunday in his annual end-of-season interview with beat writers. "Everything is worthy of discussion because of the needs we've identified.''

I wish he could just say "Cabs ain't going anywhere and we just bought out Hanley's arbitration"

 

sucks to be a fan of this team sometimes

 

Damn right. No skin off their back stability really adds wonders to every aspect of the season.

 

Oh, and bring back Cliffy!

I'm all for Cliffy coming back.... but really his only spot is off the bench right?

Given our situation, we can't rule anything out,'' Beinfest said Sunday in his annual end-of-season interview with beat writers. "Everything is worthy of discussion because of the needs we've identified.''

I wish he could just say "Cabs ain't going anywhere and we just bought out Hanley's arbitration"

 

sucks to be a fan of this team sometimes

 

Damn right. No skin off their back stability really adds wonders to every aspect of the season.

 

Oh, and bring back Cliffy!

I'm all for Cliffy coming back.... but really his only spot is off the bench right?

 

Oh absolutely. I hope the Marlins realized how thin they were this season, and how that ultimately killed them. Cliff as the bopper off the bench (since I'm already penciling Cody in as the starter) an insurance policy for the all-too-fragile Willingham and Hermida and just a recognizable name to fans makes a ton of sense.

 

But, yeah, if we're comically limited in spending (as, dare I say, I doubt we will since all the front-office re-upped for an absurd amount of time), then whatever.

I like Cliff as a backup OF in general, but, do we really want so many fragile/anti defensive presences in the OF?

 

We need a CF who can play above average defense and hit RHP and we need a 4th OF who can hit a little bit and play defense all over. Cody is still a LHP guy to me even after this year, but if he wants to continue hitting like this, I would say let him earn his playing time and if need be, shift Hammer to 1B. We still need the CF and legit 4th OF, neither of which Floyd is.

 

Besides that, resign Boone and upgrade Olivo. Our offseason should be four guys - CF, 4th OF, Boone, Upgrade Olivo, and then reasses SP depth in July and see who can be traded for longterm options at positions of need.

 

And the finances are obvious, for the love of god buy out Hanley's arbitration. Probably Hermida too.

I rather doubt the organization has a case of collective amnesia and has forgotten how Floyd used the media (and the media used Floyd) in 2002 to try and extort $30 million for three years out of a fledgling ownership group even though he was damaged goods, and after being traded spent four years bad-mouthing the organization every single chance he had up to and including admitting he rooted against the Marlins during the 2003 World Series.

 

I understand why some here might want Floyd back just so he could spread more poison everyday and do his best to ruin the ball team but I suspect the chances of Cliffie wearing a Marlins uniform again are about the same as Mike Piazza. Or Dave Magadan.

 

The truth is there's too many good healthy veteran players out there (just look at how the Nationals were put together this season) to take a chance on a soured bench player who made his bed with this organization back in 2002. Or as Cliff said (paraphrasing) "They'll never win anything without me" as he packed his bags for Montreal.

nice to see another aboard the "bring Uncle Cliffy home" train

If we move Cabrera to first, this would open up a great chance for us to get Mike Lowell back. As of right now, Boston is not thinking of re-signing him. He's going to ask for some big bucks though.

I rather doubt the organization has a case of collective amnesia and has forgotten how Floyd used the media (and the media used Floyd) in 2002 to try and extort $30 million for three years out of a fledgling ownership group even though he was damaged goods, and after being traded spent four years bad-mouthing the organization every single chance he had up to and including admitting he rooted against the Marlins during the 2003 World Series.

 

I understand why some here might want Floyd back just so he could spread more poison everyday and do his best to ruin the ball team but I suspect the chances of Cliffie wearing a Marlins uniform again are about the same as Mike Piazza. Or Dave Magadan.

 

The truth is there's too many good healthy veteran players out there (just look at how the Nationals were put together this season) to take a chance on a soured bench player who made his bed with this organization back in 2002. Or as Cliff said (paraphrasing) "They'll never win anything without me" as he packed his bags for Montreal.

 

My sentiments exactly. No reason to bring this guy back. Amazing the short/selective memories some folks have. Or maybe you are right. They just want someone on the team that will help them in their FO bashing.

If we move Cabrera to first, this would open up a great chance for us to get Mike Lowell back. As of right now, Boston is not thinking of re-signing him. He's going to ask for some big bucks though.

Any free agent money needs to go to - (1) Cabrera, (2) Cabrera, and (3) Hanley.

If we move Cabrera to first, this would open up a great chance for us to get Mike Lowell back. As of right now, Boston is not thinking of re-signing him. He's going to ask for some big bucks though.

Not true.

 

Also, Lowell is going to command a lot with the year he is having.

If we move Cabrera to first, this would open up a great chance for us to get Mike Lowell back. As of right now, Boston is not thinking of re-signing him. He's going to ask for some big bucks though.

Any free agent money needs to go to - (1) Cabrera, (2) Cabrera, and (3) Hanley.

Lou you got the priority exactly right. If the Marlins wanna give anyone money it better be to Cabs

Mike Lowell is gonna get big bucks cause he had a helluva season and he's solid at 3B...

Also even if we had the money to sign Lowell why would he wanna come back to a place that (1)were gonna be a losing club for a couple of years and (2) basically kicked him out of town and called him washed up....

I don't think Floyd is worth much more than a million dollars or so.

 

No one debated that.

I forget, around when can we expect JJ back?

I forget, around when can we expect JJ back?

 

2009.

If we move Cabrera to first, this would open up a great chance for us to get Mike Lowell back. As of right now, Boston is not thinking of re-signing him. He's going to ask for some big bucks though.

Not true.

 

Also, Lowell is going to command a lot with the year he is having.

Honestly Mike Lowell's a great fit to Boston and it would be great for him to stay there. Like you said Lowell will command alot, after the season he just had. I heard that the Sox don't want to overcommit to him though in terms of length of contract since he is already 33. Anyone think the Yanks i'll go after him, since A-Rod might leave? I don't think so, just because they released him after he got cancer (Atleast I hope Mike doesn't think of going to the Yanks, that would hurt). But hey, money speaks for itself.

"We may have missed a little bit of that this year and it's my fault if we didn't have enough veterans,'' he said. "But it think it is important and it is something that we will look at.''

I don't know why he's blaming himself for that. He doesn't have control over the budget, and if anyone is to blame, it is Loria for our lack of spending on veterans.

Honestly Mike Lowell's a great fit to Boston and it would be great for him to stay there. Like you said Lowell will command alot, after the season he just had. I heard that the Sox don't want to overcommit to him though in terms of length of contract since he is already 33. Anyone think the Yanks i'll go after him, since A-Rod might leave? I don't think so, just because they released him after he got cancer (Atleast I hope Mike doesn't think of going to the Yanks, that would hurt). But hey, money speaks for itself.

How I see it, the Red Sox could shift Youkilis to 3B without a problem, so they are in the enviable position of being able to shop for all sorts of players to fill one of their corner IF slots. I honestly could see them really happy to plug Sean Casey or Mike Lamb for a season (let alone why not J.D at 1st if you have Manny, Ellisbury, and Coco, which then begs the question why not just trade Coco for a 3B/1B) until they figure out a longterm option. Mike Lowell isn't a big deal for the Sox. And the Yankees will give A-Rod retardo money. They need to spend their money getting younger and start building around Arod, Jeter, Cano, and the 8-9 young arms (Wang, Hughes, Jaba, Kennedy, Britton, H. Sanchez, Ohlendorf, E. Ramirez, Chamberlain, Igawa (kidding)) they got. They have no shot at the Red Sox longterm if they keep getting older, and wasting cash on guys like Lowell, Damon, Giambi, Moose, Clemens, and dare I say Mariano. They should go after Hunter/Rowand, maybe J. Jennings if he's healthy, take a chance on K. Wood or other potential high impact RP. Try to trade an OF for more pitching/youth, and then figure out how to build a team. Saying that, they'll sign Andruw Jones, Mike Lowell, Michael Barret, Geoff Jenkins, Bartolo Colon, Scott Linebrink, and Chris Reistma, and wonder why they they aren't any better than Boston, Toronto, and gasp, Tampa, over the next few years. Poor Orioles. They are truly pathetic.

I don't think Floyd is worth much more than a million dollars or so.

 

No one debated that.

Well, shouldn't that be the key issue here? This club doesn't have money to throw away on a fourth OF.

 

Who's to say he'd command that much?

I thought Lowell had the cancer when he was with the Marlins??? no?

 

and the fish have no shot at him even if Boston lets him go ($$$$$$$)