LAKE BUENA VISTA - Improving the Marlins' major league worst defense will start behind the plate.

 

According to an industry source, the Marlins' top catching target is free agent Yorvit Torrealba. Their bid to land him will begin in earnest Tuesday, when teams can negotiate with all free agents.

 

During this week's general managers' meetings, which concluded Thursday, the Marlins told teams they'll attempt to trade arbitration-eligible Miguel Olivo or non-tender him before the Dec. 12 deadline.

 

If Torrealba, who spent the past two seasons with the Rockies, becomes a Marlin he'll be one of their highest-paid players. The Rockies already have offered Torrealba a two-year, $6 million deal. In addition, the Mets have little interest bringing back former Marlin Paul Lo Duca and could target Torrealba.

 

Another team that could pursue Torrealba is the Brewers if they deem Johnny Estrada a lost cause, and the Blue Jays also have been mentioned as a possible suitor.

 

Among the factors going for the Marlins: Torrealba recently bought a condo in South Florida and plans on splitting time between Miami and his native Venezuela.

 

Asked about his client's interest in the Marlins, agent Melvin Roman said: "Yorvit would love it. They're a good team, a young team, and Yorvit would be a great fit there. We're going to be open to whatever situation. Florida is a good team that I know will be attractive for him."

 

Don't be surprised if the Marlins are the higher bidder. They told one rival general manager they've set aside a healthy allocation to address their catching deficiencies.

 

Trading Miguel Cabrera would provide the flexibility to pay a catcher while keeping a sub-$35 million payroll.

 

Torrealba, 29, played in a career-high 113 games for the National League champion Rockies and set personal bests for homers (eight) and RBI (47) while hitting .255 with a pedestrian .655 on-base plus slugging percentage.

 

Those spikes in his offensive numbers likely were the product of Coors Field, where he batted .296 in 58 games compared to .212 in 53 road contests. He is a .211 lifetime hitter (4 for 19) at Dolphin Stadium.

 

After Olivo's 19 errors and 26 passed balls in two seasons, the Marlins are more interested in what Torrealba can do defensively. He had four passed balls in 935 1/3 innings behind the plate last season. Olivo had 12 more in 990 1/3 innings. Torrealba committed five fewer errors than Olivo.

 

What also makes Torrealba an attractive option is his rapport with pitchers.

 

Regarded as an exceptional game caller, Torrealba was credited for furthering the development of young Rockies starters Ubaldo Jimenez and Franklin Morales, and closer Manny Corpas.

 

Torrealba does have a downside. In 2006, Torrealba made two trips to the disabled list with right shoulder soreness and last season threw out just 15 of 76 would-be base stealers. The 19.7 percent success rate came a year after he threw out 40.4 percent (21 of 52).

 

Where the Marlins go if they don't land Torrealba is unclear. They would prefer to keep Matt Treanor in a backup role. Free agent Damian Miller, 38, is another able receiver and started 90 or more games behind the plate from 2000-06.

 

Depending on who they do business with the Marlins also could get a catcher in a Cabrera trade. The Angels can afford to part with either Mike Napoli (Flanagan High) or Jeff Mathis.

 

The Marlins could make a run at Kelly Shoppach, but the Indians aren't likely to part with him.

 

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/basebal...0,4213182.story

ehh, he's alright i guess...

 

he's probably the best option out there for catchers

I'd rather sign Michael Barrett. Not a fan of Torrealba at all, but whatever. It will be nice having a catcher who can actually umm...catch a baseball.

I'd rather sign Michael Barrett. Not a fan of Torrealba at all, but whatever. It will be nice having a catcher who can actually umm...catch a baseball.

Barrett would be nice to have.

Torrealba, 29, played in a career-high 113 games for the National League champion Rockies and set personal bests for homers (eight) and RBI (47) while hitting .255 with a pedestrian .655 on-base plus slugging percentage.

 

why the f*** is THIS our guy?

Because Admin Beinfest has an obsession with mediocre journeymen on the fringe of becoming Mexican league players.

why the f*** is THIS our gm?

1) When (and how) could Torrealba be such a hot commodity? From the sound of the article, he's the #2 catching free agent (behind Posada). I mean, I know it's a weak class...but Torrealba?

 

And 2) poptart put it best

 

Torrealba, 29, played in a career-high 113 games for the National League champion Rockies and set personal bests for homers (eight) and RBI (47) while hitting .255 with a pedestrian .655 on-base plus slugging percentage.

 

why the f*** is THIS our guy?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

if he's our starting catcher in 2008, expecially if he ends up being the highest paid player (Yeah that will make be great from a financial point of view, our highest paid player will be a sh*tty catcher!), I will not be happy.

 

We likely already have the our best catching option on the team outside of trading for a Clement WHY CAN'T WE JUST USE HIM HE'S MAKING THE MINIMUM AND HE'S AT WORST JUST AS GOOD AS ALL THESE F*CKS (this is my angry face)

If this FO intends to trade Miguel and make us believe that the team will actually improve, then they need much better production from the catcher position than Yorvit Torrealba.

If this FO intends to trade Miguel and make us believe that the team will actually improve, then they need much better production from the catcher position than Yorvit Torrealba.

 

I agree 100%... as usual it seems that we'll be getting one story from the FO and then have them turn around an act in the complete opposite way :thumbdown

i can see it now. they're going to trade cabs for pitching and blow all their money on position players who will be in AAA by august

Refuse to a pay a superstar (Cabrera) and overpay for an overrated Catcher? Sounds logical.

I would love to see Torrealba in a Marlins uni. Hes one of my favorite players and one of the best, if not the best catcher option out there

NO!

hoooooooooray!

This is pretty sad.

 

He's a defensive upgrade but only slightly because Olivo has a much better arm.

 

 

 

Lets just cross our fingers and hope that this falls through.

I'm really starting to wonder what the hell is wrong with Beinfest.

 

I really think they may be doing this to sabotage the franchise and have an excuse to move the team.

Don't be surprised if the Marlins are the higher bidder. They told one rival general manager they've set aside a healthy allocation to address their catching deficiencies.

 

Trading Miguel Cabrera would provide the flexibility to pay a catcher while keeping a sub-$35 million payroll.

 

Did that quote, and the implications of it, make anyone else laugh really really hard?

Hes one of my favorite players

 

 

No he isn't

This guy couldnt hit in COORS FIELD. What is he going to do in Dolphin Stadium.

Hes one of my favorite players

 

 

No he isn't

 

:lol :lol :lol

I rather see this need being filled via trade. In one of the two packages involving Willis and Cabrera. I rather have a top prospect filling the void, than Torrealba

 

I hate trading Cabrera, but if you are going to do it. time to get a future catcher (future = cheap years, without arbitration) rather than a one year stop gap.

I just want more pitching prospects

acquire a good young catcher or prospect in a trade dammit, don't overspend on mediocrity when we have no money to spend in the first place.

 

We probably shouldn't be the higest bidder on anyone, much less Yorvit Torrealba.

If we don't trade Cabrera for pitching and only pitching prospects, I will be upset.

I rather see this need being filled via trade. In one of the two packages involving Willis and Cabrera. I rather have a top prospect filling the void, than Torrealba

 

I hate trading Cabrera, but if you are going to do it. time to get a future catcher (future = cheap years, without arbitration) rather than a one year stop gap.

 

I wholeheartedly agree with this. I do not understand the fascination with Torreablba, especially for the price, other than he's supposedly the best FA catcher available--which isn't saying much. I'm always a little suspicious when a catcher's strongest attribute is supposed to be how he "calls a game." I think it is difficult to truly say how much of a staff's performance is actually due to the catcher and how much is due to other factors, such as the quality of the pitchers, the pitching coach, luck, etc. His home/road splits are a little troubling and, just based on his stats, it doesn't appear that his arm is anything to write home about.

 

And if the emphasis is on a catcher who can actually catch the ball, you do not want Barrett either. That was one of the reasons (along with his "handling of the pitching staff") the Cubs tired of him, despite his hitting prowess (which was not in evidence last year).

 

That being said, I favor the trade scenarios involving the Dodgers, even though they do not involve a catcher (while those with Angels do--either Mathis or Conger).