BTW, the easiest thing in the world that some people find the hardest is to accept the fact we're all fallible.

 

When I got home tonight I was watching my replay of the post game with Helms and he admitted he didn't sleep last night because of his own poor play (I'm assuming he meant how badly he botched Hanley's errant throw). A lesser guy would have not not done that, not admitted his complicity in last night's loss but even as one of the heroes tonight he found time and a way to apologize for what happened.

 

I thought that was pretty classy.

That is classy on Helms behalf, nice to have him back with the team

You know what...just to make everyone happy, here are the reasons why I do not want Jacque Jones.

 

1. He's not a CF'er. Most of his career has been spent as a corner outfielder, yet apparently, NOW he's ok to platoon in CF...at Dolphin Stadium? How does that work? While Amezaga can't hit the ball, he's awesome defensively.

 

2. There's nothing special about Jones bat. He simply CANNOT hit lefties, and the last couple of years, he's just been plain mediocre.

 

3. Lets be real...it's May. What's the point of getting Jacque Jones, when Cody Ross was awesome all of last year (a more telling sample size than this year's #'s?). Also note, Cody > Jones, defensively, imo. Ross actually has an average arm out there, and he's not bad, defensively, overall. Have anyone of you ever seen Jacque Jones throw a baseball? He makes Luis Gonzalez arm look phenomenal, at times.

 

So...

 

Hitting - I feel it's the same crap as Cody Ross. Why waste your money on that?

Defensively - I'd rather have our 25th man on the roster (Brett Carroll) get playing time over Jones, defensively.

 

...and I don't think Jacque Jones (at the age of 33?) has enough range to play CF...especially in Dolphin Stadium where, defensively, CF is a CRITICAL position b/c there's so much room to cover. Room that Alfredo Amezaga covers really well.

 

...and even as a backup corner outfielder...Luis Gonzalez is just fine, thank you.

 

Hence the reason I said "same sh*t, different smell."

 

There are other options out there, not named Jacque Jones, that I would rather have. One of them is IN the organization (where is Alejandro De Aza?????????????)

You know what...just to make everyone happy, here are the reasons why I do not want Jacque Jones.

 

1. He's not a CF'er. Most of his career has been spent as a corner outfielder, yet apparently, NOW he's ok to platoon in CF...at Dolphin Stadium? How does that work? While Amezaga can't hit the ball, he's awesome defensively.

 

2. There's nothing special about Jones bat. He simply CANNOT hit lefties, and the last couple of years, he's just been plain mediocre.

 

3. Lets be real...it's May. What's the point of getting Jacque Jones, when Cody Ross was awesome all of last year (a more telling sample size than this year's #'s?). Also note, Cody > Jones, defensively, imo. Ross actually has an average arm out there, and he's not bad, defensively, overall. Have anyone of you ever seen Jacque Jones throw a baseball? He makes Luis Gonzalez arm look phenomenal, at times.

 

So...

 

Hitting - I feel it's the same crap as Cody Ross. Why waste your money on that?

Defensively - I'd rather have our 25th man on the roster (Brett Carroll) get playing time over Jones, defensively.

 

...and I don't think Jacque Jones (at the age of 33?) has enough range to play CF...especially in Dolphin Stadium where, defensively, CF is a CRITICAL position b/c there's so much room to cover. Room that Alfredo Amezaga covers really well.

 

...and even as a backup corner outfielder...Luis Gonzalez is just fine, thank you.

 

Hence the reason I said "same sh*t, different smell."

 

There are other options out there, not named Jacque Jones, that I would rather have. One of them is IN the organization (where is Alejandro De Aza?????????????)

Erick i agree with you entirely on every point (BTW Cody Ross' arm is considered above average in scouting reports) Jacque Jones would not add anything to improve the team IMO

Okay, now that we're done with the baloney let's actually talk about the facts.

 

First of all Jacque Jones throughout his career has been a centerfielder, as well as leftfielder and rightfielder, with the ability to play any of the three positions without question.

 

Whether the Marlins FO pulls the trigger on him will depend on how closely they think he can mimic last season's second half numbers. Since we only have cursory data at best it's impossible to tell what they're thinking or what their scouts have reported. It is public knowledge though that Jones was nearly acquired last season until the Cubs pulled the plug on the deal.

 

In 2007 Jones played 84 games in centerfield for the Cubs, took more at bats there than any other position. In years past he has had to play corner positions because there was this guy some of you might have heard of, Torii Hunter, who came in and took over CF. Not playing centerfield because Torii Hunter is, does not mean the other player isn't a centerfielder.

 

After starting out slowly in 2007 Jones came into his own after the all-star break ("There's nothing special about Jones bat") hitting .332/.374/.458/.832. As the summer went on his numbers improved to .349/.377/.532/.909 in August and .342/.376.430/.806 in Sept, sporting a line of .667/615/.917/1.532 during the last week of the season in the waning days of a playoff hunt.

 

(Maybe it's worth mention in his six at bats at Dolphin Stadium last season he hit .500 but admittingly it's to small a sample size to be meaningful.)

 

Obviously all of the above is part of what the Marlins' front office, including their scouts and talent evaluators are looking at our minor league prospects and who they think will be available in July. But in analyzing Jones they are hoping for a repeat performance in the second half of the 2008 season.

 

Defenisvely, in his 84 games in CF in 2007 he committed all of four (4) errors with eight (8) assists. He does not have a weak arm, but to be fair throughout his career he has been known to airmail throws from the outfield. There are a number of scouting reports that confirm this.

 

For this who would state unequivocally that that "He simply CANNOT hit lefties" it might be worth noting even with his horrendously slow start in 2007 he was still able to bat .285/.335 against them for the year. Considering he hit only .233 pre-all star overall, one has to draw the conclusion based on his overall stats post ASG that he hit lefties better than those numbers would suggest in the second half of the season. Cody is hitting .136 against lefties currently.

 

So let's recap.

 

1. As recently as the second half of 2007 offensively he put up terrific numbers batting over .300 and an OBP north of .370.

 

2. In 2007 his main position was centerfield where he committed only four errors all season.

 

3. He would actually cost LESS than Cody Ross because Ross as a third year player makes approximately $500,000 while Jones would make the minimum, $390,000. Both would be prorated - half a season of Cody $250k, of Jones $195k.

 

4. He can at least hit his weight which Ross can't do.

 

5. Jones has a lengthy track record of success, Ross does not. He had a nice part-time season last year, this year he hasn't.

 

6. Jones has playoff experience, Ross I believe not.

 

7. If push comes to shove experience and a record of accomplishment wins out. And that's not Ross (who if you've read my comments before I have no axe to grind with. I think he sticks anyways.)

 

 

The call is Beinfest's, all we can do is watch and wait.

 

I have a wild guess what's holding things up and it is pure speculation/pure BS I wonder whether the four games losing streak may have made Jones a little skittish about moving all the way over here if we were about to nosedive and turn into the Padres where he could play out the season twenty minutes from his home. I suspect winning tomorrow seals the deal but again this is just an outlandish guess.

Whether or not it's Jones (Jacques or Indiana), I think this team may need to get another (experienced) OFer to help carry the load a bit. Gonzo can't keep playing everyday, he needs a day off. Hammer is out of action for a while. An outfield of Gonzo at this stage of his career and a platoon of Cody and Pasta needs a boost/spark plug/ something as a stopgap until Maybin is ready (which could be a while). Carroll hasn't shown at this level (or been given the opportunity as to) whether or not he should get starts.

It sounds like Willingham has the potential to miss a lot of games this season. In light of this news and as a precaution I would not mind the Marlins pursuing the low risk option of signing Jones.

I'd like to see us give Jaque a try. if he does good, then great, we got a steal. if he doesn't, then he'll sit. Freddi isn't stupid.

Jones would bring an added boost to attendance...think of all the French fans in Hollywood that would start coming out to games.

 

:shifty

I'd like to see us give Jaque a try. if he does good, then great, we got a steal. if he doesn't, then he'll sit. Freddi isn't stupid.

fredi isn't stupid?

I have a wild guess what's holding things up and it is pure speculation/pure BS I wonder whether the four games losing streak may have made Jones a little skittish about moving all the way over here if we were about to nosedive and turn into the Padres where he could play out the season twenty minutes from his home. I suspect winning tomorrow seals the deal but again this is just an outlandish guess.

 

This isn't as out there as you may think... It's (IMO) the same exact reason Lofton balked at the Devil Rays and is probably balking at us... In the end, I think that JJ will be too unsure and will end up in SD

 

And in argument towards the performances of JJ and Ross... they are quite similar in that there is a correlation between the amount of playing time the player gets... Cody started off like crap, and now he's progressively getting a little better each time...

 

JJ had a more or less abysmal start to the season... now potentially, he could platoon with Ross (Ross against LHP, JJ against RHP, obviously) and something could be made of that, but ultimately, the taking of at bats away from one another will ultimately hurt BOTH of their production at season's end

Looks like Jones is definitely coming here

 

http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/news/articl...sp&c_id=fla

I think we should also pursue a starting pitcher. Badenhop needs to be sent down and the guys on the DL shouldnt be rushed back

It'll make SOME sense to get Jones, if Willingham is going to be out for a LONG time (like a month or so).

I still don't like the idea.

 

Anyone know where De Aza is? He always seems to be lost, somehow. :mis2

Anyone know where De Aza is? He always seems to be lost, somehow. :mis2

He is still hurt . I feel bad for him.

It'll make SOME sense to get Jones, if Willingham is going to be out for a LONG time (like a month or so).

I still don't like the idea.

 

Anyone know where De Aza is? He always seems to be lost, somehow. :mis2

 

De Aza is hurt...has been since the Yankees exhibition game. The next time he'll be heard from again is next spring when he returns to tear up the Grapefruit League before his next injury. At the very least, he should be inducted into the Grapefruit League Hall of Fame. They can put him right next to Ramon Castro.

 

As for Jones. This makes perfect sense. He doesn't cost a thing(other than the vet's minimum) and with the Marlins CF's being the worst in baseball, why not give him a shot? Is he the perfect player? No. He's not going to win a gold glove out there, but neither is Ross or Amezaga. Plus, he's going to be a big upgrade offensively from Amezaga who has produced basically nothing over the past few weeks.

If we go get Jacque strap where would he bat... first?

If we go get Jacque strap where would he bat... first?

 

 

Well, if Cody Ross and Amezaga get to bat 1st, I don't see why Jacque Jones wouldn't.

If we go get Jacque strap where would he bat... first?

 

That's the speculation, he's lead off before, so yeah... props on the Jacque strap thing... witty :thumbup

From the team website:

 

MIAMI -- Jacque Jones is close to becoming a Marlin. Negotiations between the Marlins and Jones' agent, Damon Lapa, are in "advanced discussions."

 

Released recently by the Tigers, Jones would provide the Marlins with a veteran outfielder, who can factor into the center-field mix. Jones also has experience leading off.

 

Jones played in 24 games with the Tigers this season before the left-handed hitter was designated for assignment on May 5. He was released on May 13.

 

A career .278 hitter, Jones has appeared in 1,284 games and he has 165 homers and 1,268 hits.

 

Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

I don't see the point in comparing Ross and Jones when instead they would make a good platoon.

 

Call down Carroll now, when Hammer's ready call down Andino (or swap carroll/andino), when De Aza is ready call him down too. And if when De Aza shows he's doing well in the minors, by that time it's what, July? and we'd have a higher sample size of a players performance to be able to make the right move.

You know I read alot of reports yesterday that had indicated that he had already been signed and was pending a physical, can this be possible?