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I'm in the crowd that believes we could really use a left-handed outfielder in the neighborhood of Dunn, Abreu, Griffey, or Anderson, on a one-year deal. I personally believe if the asking price comes down on these guys the way it's looking, they'd fit in perfect with this ballclub. It would also open up the door to trade either Jeremy Hermida and keep Cody Ross in either a 4th OFer or platoon role (unless the market for Ross is hotter than the market for Jermida).

 

It's not completely out of the blue here, and it doesn't exactly make zero sense.

 

Thoughts?

I rather keep both since the Dunn/Abreau etc will only be a one year deal.

All of them are liabilities on defense. If we played in the American League, then I'd definitely want to sign Dunn the most out of all of them, but unfortunately we do not have the luxury of putting him at DH

I hate to give the same tired response to a thread I feel like I have seen before (although more realistically worded in this case)

 

however, even a huge pay cut from Abreu, Dunn, or Griffey Jr. would still likely keep them out of our range.

 

I would love to see Ken Jr. in a Marlins uni, though.

Also, let's not forget that our payroll is up significantly this offseason if you include Hanley's new contract and the $14 M + we have spent in arbitration...AND Uggla still has to go through arbitration, so we're looking at almost $20 M dollars spent in arbitration alone. I know Loria gave Beinfest a little extra spending money this offseason, but that was to bring back all arbitration-eligible players...he never said anything about signing big name free agents, even if they are somewhat discounted.

we're currently sitting on 33m if Uggla wins.

 

So we could sign one and still be well below 40m.

 

If the cap is 35m though, they're out of our price range.

 

And if the cap is 33m, well, yeah.

 

However one thing to keep in mind is that money is not just paralleled to one season. Instead of spending 5m on a FA this season, we could instead spend that extra 5mil next season. And with that 5m, we're talking about being able to retain 1-3 players we wouldn't have been able to.

we're currently sitting on 33m if Uggla wins.

 

So we could sign one and still be well below 40m.

 

If the cap is 35m though, they're out of our price range.

 

And if the cap is 33m, well, yeah.

 

However one thing to keep in mind is that money is not just paralleled to one season. Instead of spending 5m on a FA this season, we could instead spend that extra 5mil next season. And with that 5m, we're talking about being able to retain 1-3 players we wouldn't have been able to.

 

This implies that they would be signable for under $7 million for 1 year; I doubt this is possible, especially with Abreu - I can't see his value going from $16 million to well below $7 millions. There were rumors about Dunn getting as little as $5 million a year, so that would fit, but I have no idea how realistic those rumors are.

 

Your point about spending the money is well taken. I feel like we are likely to move Cody after 2009 anyway, though. I'm not sure what his cost for next season projects to, but with decent production I'd have to assume it'll rise over $3 million anyway?

 

Either way, the point is that we could sign an Adam Dunn type, move Cody Ross now while his value is pretty high (he could be even better next year, but he could also have a drop-off), and improve our outfield and farm system right now. If we can get Dunn for $6 million and 1 year, for example, our payroll would rise less than $4 million.

 

I'm not sure what the market for Cody Ross would be, but I would think it should be pretty good.

 

Obviously this would be a gamble that at least one of kids would be ready to start in the OF in 2010 along with Maybin (and Hermida in RF if he has a strong 2009?). But I think we're going to make that gamble either way. I don't see this team hanging on to both Hermida and Ross for 2010 - they'll trade at least one to cut payroll and substitute in Logan Morrison, John Raynor, or someone else not currently in the big leagues to play RF/LF.

 

As to Puma's comments on defense, I could easily live with Dunn's defense in exchange for the consistency he brings with getting on base and hitting for tremendous pop.

Well, if we assume that Cody puts up his ~.800 OPS, and Dunn puts up his ~.900 OPS, after factoring in their defense, it's actually basically a push who is better. Dunn is really, really bad defensively and the reason he's still on the market/won't get much money. In the cases of players like Abreu and Griffey, they're also still bad defensively players, but at least shifting them from RF to LF will allow them to be just below average and only costing a couple of runs, whereas Dunn costs 1-2 wins with his defense.

 

I'd also personally prefer to keep Cody if we do sign somebody, and have him as the 4th OFer/"back up plan". If somebody get injured, if Maybin isn't ready, if Hermida is too cool for school, Cody's a great answer.

Well, if we assume that Cody puts up his ~.800 OPS, and Dunn puts up his ~.900 OPS, after factoring in their defense, it's actually basically a push who is better. Dunn is really, really bad defensively and the reason he's still on the market/won't get much money. In the cases of players like Abreu and Griffey, they're also still bad defensively players, but at least shifting them from RF to LF will allow them to be just below average and only costing a couple of runs, whereas Dunn costs 1-2 wins with his defense.

 

I'd also personally prefer to keep Cody if we do sign somebody, and have him as the 4th OFer/"back up plan". If somebody get injured, if Maybin isn't ready, if Hermida is too cool for school, Cody's a great answer.

 

It'd be awesome to sign someone AND keep Cody - I'd certainly prefer that, and I think everyone would. I'm just worried about the payroll problems.

 

Is Dunn that bad? Wow. I don't have access to +/-, but he must be quite bad if you feel that way. In that case, if he had to trade someone to make room, I'd almost rather it'd be Hermida.......My guess is that he would bring back a better haul than Cody in a trade, and Dunn/Maybin/Ross is a LOT better defensively than Dunn/Maybin/Hermida, which might struggle a good bit.

 

The one thing I would point out is how OBP driven Dunn's OPS is.

For their careers:

Dunn - .247/.381/.518/.899

Ross - .261/.324/.493/.817

 

Of the .082 OPS difference, only .025 are due to differences in SLG.

If we equalized OBP to .324 for each and added 2 points of SLG to Dunn for each 1 point of OBP given up (roughly the standard ratio).........

Dunn loses 57 OBP points and gains 114 SLG points, giving him a stat line of

Dunn - .247/.324/.632/.966, and in that case his OPS would be 149 points higher than Cody's.

 

Now, is Cody's defense still that much better (and Dunn's that much worse) that they are still roughly equal given that difference in offense? I'm not sure how to figure that, but I will add that Cody has less of a track record, while dunn has had an OBP below .386 just once in the last 5 seasons.

Well, if we assume that Cody puts up his ~.800 OPS, and Dunn puts up his ~.900 OPS, after factoring in their defense, it's actually basically a push who is better. Dunn is really, really bad defensively and the reason he's still on the market/won't get much money. In the cases of players like Abreu and Griffey, they're also still bad defensively players, but at least shifting them from RF to LF will allow them to be just below average and only costing a couple of runs, whereas Dunn costs 1-2 wins with his defense.

 

I'd also personally prefer to keep Cody if we do sign somebody, and have him as the 4th OFer/"back up plan". If somebody get injured, if Maybin isn't ready, if Hermida is too cool for school, Cody's a great answer.

 

It'd be awesome to sign someone AND keep Cody - I'd certainly prefer that, and I think everyone would. I'm just worried about the payroll problems.

 

Is Dunn that bad? Wow. I don't have access to +/-, but he must be quite bad if you feel that way. In that case, if he had to trade someone to make room, I'd almost rather it'd be Hermida.......My guess is that he would bring back a better haul than Cody in a trade, and Dunn/Maybin/Ross is a LOT better defensively than Dunn/Maybin/Hermida, which might struggle a good bit.

 

The one thing I would point out is how OBP driven Dunn's OPS is.

For their careers:

Dunn - .247/.381/.518/.899

Ross - .261/.324/.493/.817

 

Of the .082 OPS difference, only .025 are due to differences in SLG.

If we equalized OBP to .324 for each and added 2 points of SLG to Dunn for each 1 point of OBP given up (roughly the standard ratio).........

Dunn loses 57 OBP points and gains 114 SLG points, giving him a stat line of

Dunn - .247/.324/.632/.966, and in that case his OPS would be 149 points higher than Cody's.

 

Now, is Cody's defense still that much better (and Dunn's that much worse) that they are still roughly equal given that difference in offense? I'm not sure how to figure that, but I will add that Cody has less of a track record, while dunn has had an OBP below .386 just once in the last 5 seasons.

 

also factor in 5 years of 40 HR for Dunn (as the article mentions)

Well, if we assume that Cody puts up his ~.800 OPS, and Dunn puts up his ~.900 OPS, after factoring in their defense, it's actually basically a push who is better. Dunn is really, really bad defensively and the reason he's still on the market/won't get much money. In the cases of players like Abreu and Griffey, they're also still bad defensively players, but at least shifting them from RF to LF will allow them to be just below average and only costing a couple of runs, whereas Dunn costs 1-2 wins with his defense.

 

I'd also personally prefer to keep Cody if we do sign somebody, and have him as the 4th OFer/"back up plan". If somebody get injured, if Maybin isn't ready, if Hermida is too cool for school, Cody's a great answer.

 

It'd be awesome to sign someone AND keep Cody - I'd certainly prefer that, and I think everyone would. I'm just worried about the payroll problems.

 

Is Dunn that bad? Wow. I don't have access to +/-, but he must be quite bad if you feel that way. In that case, if he had to trade someone to make room, I'd almost rather it'd be Hermida.......My guess is that he would bring back a better haul than Cody in a trade, and Dunn/Maybin/Ross is a LOT better defensively than Dunn/Maybin/Hermida, which might struggle a good bit.

 

The one thing I would point out is how OBP driven Dunn's OPS is.

For their careers:

Dunn - .247/.381/.518/.899

Ross - .261/.324/.493/.817

 

Of the .082 OPS difference, only .025 are due to differences in SLG.

If we equalized OBP to .324 for each and added 2 points of SLG to Dunn for each 1 point of OBP given up (roughly the standard ratio).........

Dunn loses 57 OBP points and gains 114 SLG points, giving him a stat line of

Dunn - .247/.324/.632/.966, and in that case his OPS would be 149 points higher than Cody's.

 

Now, is Cody's defense still that much better (and Dunn's that much worse) that they are still roughly equal given that difference in offense? I'm not sure how to figure that, but I will add that Cody has less of a track record, while dunn has had an OBP below .386 just once in the last 5 seasons.

 

You do bring up a good factor about being OBP driven. For base OPS, roughly 30 points of OPS = roughly 5 runs (so the 82 point base difference is roughly 15 runs). With the difference in OBP, we can say that it's roughly what, 20?

 

However, this then goes back to defense. Dunn has averaged -10 runs (thought it was more like 15, hence my original 1-2 wins thing, but lower than I expected) since 2004. So for Cody to roughly equal Dunn, he'd have to be +10 runs defensively. I don't think Cody will be that much in RF, but he'll be pretty damn close.

 

Hermida certainly brings up a more interesting scenario and one I've often thought about. The issue though is that through the GM meets I think we saw that Hermida does not have much value at the moment, I think he's a pretty safe bet to put up at least a .800 OPS next season based off last season's peripherals, so if we wait a season we'd be able to sell a lot higher on him and get more in return.

 

But this does bring up an interesting thing that I never thought about, what exactly would Cody's price be? He was one of the top CFers last year, only 28 years old so still several years left in his prime, and 3 years of club control.

 

Well

 

Who desperately needs a CFer?

 

Who's pitching staff was just signed full?

 

Wananannana The Yanks.

 

If we could manage to pry Hughes away, I'd be so so so all over that. I love me some Philip. However Kennedy is a lot more realistic option. He was grossly overrated after '07 thanks to 1) being a yankee and 2) a grand total of 3 starts at the MLB level, but he's still a nice pitcher.

The only one of them I see a chance in a Marlins uniform would be Griffey. For the fact that many other teams dont want him, and if one does, its probably from a team that has no chance of winning next year.

 

We can possible sway him for lower money on different things.

 

Letting him know our OF depth situation and knowing that if our rookie CF Maybin does not work out, he will get lots of playing time.

 

If he does produce at a high level for us, let him know we arent afraid to trade Hermida or someone.

 

Doesnt he live in Tampa, he might want to play close to home.

 

He is at the end of his career, the pressure for him to prove he still can play would not be so great playing in an empty park.

 

I doubt with all the money he has made in the past he really doesnt need a huge contract.

 

Convince him that we have a chance at going all the way this year, and if we are out of the race by the deadline, the Marlins would do there best to trade him to a team in contention.

Adam Dunn:

 

Dunn played between two of the best ballparks in the national league last season: Arizona 1.07, and Cincinnati 1.04

 

After adjusting Dunn's offense for his ballparks, and adjusting for his position (cOF), he was about 16 runs above average offensively.

 

According to UZR Dunn's defense was -20 runs in LF last season.

 

Offense +16

Defense: -20

= -4 runs overall.

 

Applying the same methodology used on Adam Dunn, we get Cody Ross:

 

Offense: +7

Defense: +13.2

= +20.2 runs overall

 

10 runs = 1 win.

 

1 win = $4.5MM

 

Ross' Fair Market Value is $9.9MM

 

If Dunn matches his offensive performance last season, and doesn't ever have to play defense, he's worth +16 runs above average.

 

16 runs is 1.6 wins, good for a fair market value of: $7.2MM

Adam Dunn:

 

Dunn played between two of the best ballparks in the national league last season: Arizona 1.07, and Cincinnati 1.04

 

After adjusting Dunn's offense for his ballparks, and adjusting for his position (cOF), he was about 16 runs above average offensively.

 

According to UZR Dunn's defense was -20 runs in LF last season.

 

Offense +16

Defense: -20

= -4 runs overall.

 

Applying the same methodology used on Adam Dunn, we get Cody Ross:

 

Offense: +7

Defense: +13.2

= +20.2 runs overall

 

10 runs = 1 win.

 

1 win = $4.5MM

 

Ross' Fair Market Value is $9.9MM

 

If Dunn matches his offensive performance last season, and doesn't ever have to play defense, he's worth +16 runs above average.

 

16 runs is 1.6 wins, good for a fair market value of: $7.2MM

 

Ok, now move Dunn to 1B potentially where his defense is pretty much average to slightly below. Now his value is much higher. Cantu moves to third, Gaby goes to AAA. Helms/McPherson play third when Cantu switches over to first for defensive purposes late in games. Dunn becomes a quasi backup LH OFer AND a 1B.

 

McPherson could be moved in this situation, or even Cantu... whoever gets the better value in return. Our OF is retained and we get the upside of potentially sliding Dunn to LF in DS (which is easier on him than say ARZ, one would think) if Hermida doesn't play like he should and then Helms/McPherson/Gaby do the CI.

Dunn's defense was bad so year because he played in RF. Don't look at his RF numbers. Just his LF numbers. He's not going to play RF for us.

 

I also expect to see a regression in Cody's numbers. Look at his career line. He's always been good defensively but not that good as he was last year.

It isn't that easy, though.

 

If we move Dunn to 1B, he loses another 5 runs for moving down the defensive spectrum.

 

Say he's a -2 UZR at 1B

 

-2 UZR & - 5 1B

 

-7 Runs defensively.

 

His projected offense is +23.9 runs next season

 

At 1B Dunn is:

 

24-7=

 

+17 runs.

 

1.7 wins

 

4.5 * 1.7 = $7.65MM

 

So he would be good if we can sign him at 1 year $7-$8MM

It isn't that easy, though.

 

If we move Dunn to 1B, he loses another 5 runs for moving down the defensive spectrum.

 

Say he's a -2 UZR at 1B

 

-2 UZR & - 5 1B

 

-7 Runs defensively.

 

His projected offense is +23.9 runs next season

 

At 1B Dunn is:

 

24-7=

 

+17 runs.

 

1.7 wins

 

4.5 * 1.7 = $7.65MM

 

So he would be good if we can sign him at 1 year $7-$8MM

 

Which I think may be somewhat reasonable in this market... however, HRs sell and someone will invariably want that production for at least a couple years. Dunn is proven, so it's not like he needs the one year deal to "prove himself"

Dunn's defense was bad so year because he played in RF. Don't look at his RF numbers. Just his LF numbers. He's not going to play RF for us.

 

I also expect to see a regression in Cody's numbers. Look at his career line. He's always been good defensively but not that good as he was last year.

 

UZR treats corner outfield positions almost identically (it doesn't take into consideration 'arm strength/accuracy' though). We'd have to rely on a good scouting report.

 

And Cody Ross is actually projected to be better offensively next season.

It isn't that easy, though.

 

If we move Dunn to 1B, he loses another 5 runs for moving down the defensive spectrum.

 

Say he's a -2 UZR at 1B

 

-2 UZR & - 5 1B

 

-7 Runs defensively.

 

His projected offense is +23.9 runs next season

 

At 1B Dunn is:

 

24-7=

 

+17 runs.

 

1.7 wins

 

4.5 * 1.7 = $7.65MM

 

So he would be good if we can sign him at 1 year $7-$8MM

 

Which I think may be somewhat reasonable in this market... however, HRs sell and someone will invariably want that production for at least a couple years. Dunn is proven, so it's not like he needs the one year deal to "prove himself"

 

Good points. But my math was wrong.

 

Dunn was -2 runs at 1B last season according to UZR. And that's about right looking over his career numbers. When playing the easiest defensive position on the field (1B), you get a -12.5 runs added according to 'Win Values'

 

At 1B he would be:

 

-2 UZR

-12.5 1B

= -14.5 defensively

 

his offense is projected to be +23.9 in 2009 using CHONE projections.

 

23.9-14.5 = +9.4 runs above average.

 

He's worth close to 1 win as a 1B. Which is worth a Fair Market value of roughly $4.5MM

but look at his numbers in RF

 

even going by UZR

 

in 182 innings, he was at -10 in RF

in lf, he was at -10 in 980 innings, basically his career norm

 

You can not equate somebody moving positions like that to numbers. You can't say "well, since he was -10 in RF, he'd have been -10 in LF in that same time frame." One of my dislikes about UZR is it's fascination of equating all positions equally.

 

And, I didn't say anything about Cody's offense. I was talking about his defense. Look at his career line. Bigger sample sizes are what need to be looked at. Defense is just like offense, in fact one year anomalies seem to happen more with defense than offense. But even with his offense, he's not going to improve significantly. He only had two peripherals that were a bit off (his BB% was a bit below his career norm, and his BABIP was a bit under his expected BABIP). And since you say "project", no projection has him above his career line and the most one has above his line last year is 11 points.

but look at his numbers in RF

 

even going by UZR

 

in 182 innings, he was at -10 in RF

in lf, he was at -10 in 980 innings, basically his career norm

 

You can not equate somebody moving positions like that to numbers. You can't say "well, since he was -10 in RF, he'd have been -10 in LF in that same time frame." One of my dislikes about UZR is it's fascination of equating all positions equally.

 

And, I didn't say anything about Cody's offense. I was talking about his defense. Look at his career line. Bigger sample sizes are what need to be looked at. Defense is just like offense, in fact one year anomalies seem to happen more with defense than offense. But even with his offense, he's not going to improve significantly. He only had two peripherals that were a bit off (his BB% was a bit below his career norm, and his BABIP was a bit under his expected BABIP). And since you say "project", no projection has him above his career line and the most one has above his line last year is 11 points.

 

I'm looking at wOBA at Fangraphs.

 

Cody Ross had a .345 wOBA last season and a career .349 wOBA.

 

CHONE (which is probably the most comprehensive projection system out, right now), has him matching his career .349 wOBA. Bill James has him surpassing his career wOBA at .352.

 

And UZR is purely about quantifying a players range. LF and RF have differences, no doubt. But they both require an equal amount of corner outfield range, or that is what is commonly assumed/believed.

 

Most metrics that rate defense consolidate LF and RF -- it isn't a perfect system, but it's better than the alternative: nothing at all.

 

I agree with you about Ross' defense. Last season was far and away the best of his career, but last season was also the first season he got any amount of regular/full time work. Maybe he really is that good defensively, or maybe it was fluky. I guess we have to wait and see.

I don't want to really get into this, but if you get Dunn you play him at 1B, leave Gaby in AAA, and roll this out opening day:

 

C - Baker (Rabelo)

1B - Dunn (Cantu, Helms)

2B - Uggla (Bonifacio, Amezaga)

SS - Hanley (Amezaga, Bonifacio)

3B - Cantu (McPherson, Helms)

LF - Hermida (Dunn, Bonifacio)

CF - Maybin (Amezaga, Ross)

RF - Ross (Hermida, Bonifacio)

B - Amezaga, Bonifacio, McPherson, Helms, Rabelo

 

SP - Nolasco, Johnson, Volstad, Anibal

RP - Lindstrom, Nunez, Proctor, Pinto, Kensing, Cruz, Kroenke, Meyer

 

AAA - A. Miller (until May 3rd when a routine 5th SP is needed), G. Sanchez, Coghlan, J. Gibbons, Vanden Hurk, Tankersley, Tucker, Trahern, Badenhop, J. Miller, Carroll, Mobley, Doolittle, Hayes

AA - West, Morrison, Cousins, Thompson, Leroux, Wood, G. Taylor, Winters, Petersen

 

You take the god dam defensive hit at 1B for a near lock at a .900 OPS. We're ridiculous deep everywhere, except a skeptical catching situation and lack of a 'proven' 6th starting pitcher. Although those may still work out for us.

 

 

This is never going to happen, but Dunn makes this team scary good. We'd score well over 800 runs with this lineup, with still an improved defense, and a very improved staff if they stay healthy.

but look at his numbers in RF

 

even going by UZR

 

in 182 innings, he was at -10 in RF

in lf, he was at -10 in 980 innings, basically his career norm

 

These numbers are wrong. Where are you getting them from?

I don't want to really get into this, but if you get Dunn you play him at 1B, leave Gaby in AAA, and roll this out opening day:

 

C - Baker (Rabelo)

1B - Dunn (Cantu, Helms)

2B - Uggla (Bonifacio, Amezaga)

SS - Hanley (Amezaga, Bonifacio)

3B - Cantu (McPherson, Helms)

LF - Hermida (Dunn, Bonifacio)

CF - Maybin (Amezaga, Ross)

RF - Ross (Hermida, Bonifacio)

B - Amezaga, Bonifacio, McPherson, Helms, Rabelo

 

SP - Nolasco, Johnson, Volstad, Anibal

RP - Lindstrom, Nunez, Proctor, Pinto, Kensing, Cruz, Kroenke, Meyer

 

AAA - A. Miller (until May 3rd when a routine 5th SP is needed), G. Sanchez, Coghlan, J. Gibbons, Vanden Hurk, Tankersley, Tucker, Trahern, Badenhop, J. Miller, Carroll, Mobley, Doolittle, Hayes

AA - West, Morrison, Cousins, Thompson, Leroux, Wood, G. Taylor, Winters, Petersen

 

You take the god dam defensive hit at 1B for a near lock at a .900 OPS. We're ridiculous deep everywhere, except a skeptical catching situation and lack of a 'proven' 6th starting pitcher. Although those may still work out for us.

 

 

This is never going to happen, but Dunn makes this team scary good. We'd score well over 800 runs with this lineup, with still an improved defense, and a very improved staff if they stay healthy.

 

I would honestly just go with our fielders that we have right now. Let Sanchez and McPherson battle out for a corner infielder spot.

I don't want to really get into this, but if you get Dunn you play him at 1B, leave Gaby in AAA, and roll this out opening day:

 

C - Baker (Rabelo)

1B - Dunn (Cantu, Helms)

2B - Uggla (Bonifacio, Amezaga)

SS - Hanley (Amezaga, Bonifacio)

3B - Cantu (McPherson, Helms)

LF - Hermida (Dunn, Bonifacio)

CF - Maybin (Amezaga, Ross)

RF - Ross (Hermida, Bonifacio)

B - Amezaga, Bonifacio, McPherson, Helms, Rabelo

 

SP - Nolasco, Johnson, Volstad, Anibal

RP - Lindstrom, Nunez, Proctor, Pinto, Kensing, Cruz, Kroenke, Meyer

 

AAA - A. Miller (until May 3rd when a routine 5th SP is needed), G. Sanchez, Coghlan, J. Gibbons, Vanden Hurk, Tankersley, Tucker, Trahern, Badenhop, J. Miller, Carroll, Mobley, Doolittle, Hayes

AA - West, Morrison, Cousins, Thompson, Leroux, Wood, G. Taylor, Winters, Petersen

 

You take the god dam defensive hit at 1B for a near lock at a .900 OPS. We're ridiculous deep everywhere, except a skeptical catching situation and lack of a 'proven' 6th starting pitcher. Although those may still work out for us.

 

 

This is never going to happen, but Dunn makes this team scary good. We'd score well over 800 runs with this lineup, with still an improved defense, and a very improved staff if they stay healthy.

 

One note on the 6th SP: we don't even need a 5th SP until May 3rd. I absolutely would like this team to have one, as our current SP depth is a bit thin. However, at least we get by nearly a month of the year before we need Miller (barring injury), so that at least gives us one month before we are at a real risk of having to throw Meyer/Badenhop/Thompson/Vandenhurk/West into the fire. The extra month might not make any of the younger guys in that mix go from unpolished to able ML starter (albeit at the back-end of a rotation), but every little bit helps.

I realize this is somewhat unlikely and maybe just a marginal difference, but every little bit helps, and I thought I'd mention another potentially beneficial aspect of our early schedule.