February 12, 200917 yr I think the Marlins key to success in 2009 will be the bullpen. This team will be a contender, if the bullpen pans out. The lineup is solid, the starting rotation is solid...the bullpen comes in, as a question mark. Right now, the way it looks is... Matt Lindstrom will close, Nunez and Proctor will be the main RH middle relievers, Pinto will be the main LH middle reliever, and the rest is undetermined. In my opinion, I think Taylor Tankersley is going to have a bounce back year. Bullpens are really important, nowadays. Just look at the Rays and Phillies last year, for some examples. Bullpens are always difficult to predict as well b/c bullpen pitchers seem to rise and fall each and every year. Hopefully, our guys are on the rise this year.
February 12, 200917 yr I say we have a league average pen this year. Also, I've been a huge proponent of Lindstrom and the return of The Tank for a while now and can see that going well. Plus, Kiko Nomar Calero will be this year's Nelson and probably end up setting up, mark my words.
February 12, 200917 yr Author I say we have a league average pen this year. Also, I've been a huge proponent of Lindstrom and the return of The Tank for a while now and can see that going well. Plus, Kiko Nomar Calero will be this year's Nelson and probably end up setting up, mark my words. Yeah, Calero was an interesting pickup. If he can be, somewhat, similar to his days in St.Louis that would be great. Lindstrom will have to set the tone, as most closers do for bullpens, in order for everyone to get accustomed to roles early on. While I don't think Lindstrom will be great as some on here do, I think he'll be good enough. I actually think our middle relief can be solid.
February 12, 200917 yr I think the bullpen will be fine. Kiko was a great pick, and I think guys like Proctor will contribute. All we need is the rotation to shape up as it's been advertised, and also, that they stay healthy. Our guys are not known for their healthy careers so far. But I think this could be the year where they all get 30 starts each. Wow, that would be something.
February 12, 200917 yr I think the key to success is that now all of these guys have gotten some of that money how hungry are they gonna be? There are lots of question marks and we need lots of things to break right for us to make the playoffs. Will Lindstrom be able to close better than Greg?(Yes). Will Maybin be a stud out the gate or will it take time? What if Sanchez can't hit, then Helms starts (worse O, better D) or McDallas (better O,worse D)? And what about catcher? We might be looking at this team with teal colored glasses.
February 12, 200917 yr Bull Pen will be very important. But I think the health of our starting rotation will be more important.
February 13, 200917 yr I think the lineup has as many reasons to be pessimistic as optimistic. We have no idea what Baker is going to do over a full season. We have no clue what Gaby Sanchez or Dallas McPherson can produce at the MLB level. Maybe Cantu goes back to his 06-07 days. Hermida keeps slipping into a fourth outfielder. Ross is inconsistent over a 600 at-bat season. I mean, the odds are against most of this happening IMO, but some of it can surely come about. I personally have zero bullpen worries, and as long as the rotation stays healthy I think it's going to be dominant.
February 13, 200917 yr But I think the health of our starting rotation will be more important. I believe it's the key. One of the reasons we did so poorly in 2007 was because our staff was so battered with injuries, and we had to rely on inexperienced rookies and journeymen pitchers. If we can keep the starting 5 intact for 90% or more of the season, we could win the division (assuming that none of them falls off a cliff in terms of their numbers).
February 13, 200917 yr I agree with wildcard. I have my doubts about the offense, especially seeing what some of the young hitters (maybin, baker, Sanchez, or McPherson) will do with 500-600 AB's. I am pulling for each one of them but 162 games is a long time to be consistent, especially if it's your first full year. I am also concerned with the closer position because who will take that role if it doesn't pan out for Lindstrom? I'm not saying it's not going to because I think he is the best canidate, but what if? From the games I've seen and knowing who is coming back to pitch in the bullpen I am optomistic that they will get the job done.
February 13, 200917 yr I agree with wildcard. I have my doubts about the offense, especially seeing what some of the young hitters (maybin, baker, Sanchez, or McPherson) will do with 500-600 AB's. I am pulling for each one of them but 162 games is a long time to be consistent, especially if it's your first full year. I am also concerned with the closer position because who will take that role if it doesn't pan out for Lindstrom? I'm not saying it's not going to because I think he is the best canidate, but what if? From the games I've seen and knowing who is coming back to pitch in the bullpen I am optomistic that they will get the job done. Many of Choices First would be Tucker as he is suppose to be our closer of the future Next if either Ceda/Nunez or if he's healthy and pitching decent even Tank
February 13, 200917 yr I thought you were gonna say: "The return we get on the Uggla trade." :mischief
February 13, 200917 yr The Key to the Marlins success two steps to ensure a division title damn why won't pictures resize correctly for me?
February 13, 200917 yr damn why won't pictures resize correctly for me? ... and why don't stupid polls show up for me?
February 13, 200917 yr damn why won't pictures resize correctly for me? ... and why don't stupid polls don't show up for me?
February 13, 200917 yr I agree with wildcard. I have my doubts about the offense, especially seeing what some of the young hitters (maybin, baker, Sanchez, or McPherson) will do with 500-600 AB's. I am pulling for each one of them but 162 games is a long time to be consistent, especially if it's your first full year. I am also concerned with the closer position because who will take that role if it doesn't pan out for Lindstrom? I'm not saying it's not going to because I think he is the best canidate, but what if? From the games I've seen and knowing who is coming back to pitch in the bullpen I am optomistic that they will get the job done. Many of Choices First would be Tucker as he is suppose to be our closer of the future Next if either Ceda/Nunez or if he's healthy and pitching decent even Tank Tucker definitley has the make-up to be the closer, but, he has to make the team first. His numbers in his short stint in the big leagues are not that impressive. Do I think he can be better? Absolutely. When is the question. I know nothing about Ceda or Nunez so O.K I'll take your word on them. Have they talked about Tank closing before? Tank has been in Triple A the last 2 years because of getting rocked. Believe me I'm not hating on any of these guys. I hope they are just as good or better than the best reliever the marlins have this year. If they are then Erik won't have to worry about our bullpen situation. I hope we don't have to worry either!
February 13, 200917 yr I agree with wildcard. I have my doubts about the offense, especially seeing what some of the young hitters (maybin, baker, Sanchez, or McPherson) will do with 500-600 AB's. I am pulling for each one of them but 162 games is a long time to be consistent, especially if it's your first full year. I am also concerned with the closer position because who will take that role if it doesn't pan out for Lindstrom? I'm not saying it's not going to because I think he is the best canidate, but what if? From the games I've seen and knowing who is coming back to pitch in the bullpen I am optomistic that they will get the job done. Many of Choices First would be Tucker as he is suppose to be our closer of the future Next if either Ceda/Nunez or if he's healthy and pitching decent even Tank Tucker definitley has the make-up to be the closer, but, he has to make the team first. His numbers in his short stint in the big leagues are not that impressive. Do I think he can be better? Absolutely. When is the question. I know nothing about Ceda or Nunez so O.K I'll take your word on them. Have they talked about Tank closing before? Tank has been in Triple A the last 2 years because of getting rocked. Believe me I'm not hating on any of these guys. I hope they are just as good or better than the best reliever the marlins have this year. If they are then Erik won't have to worry about our bullpen situation. I hope we don't have to worry either! Nunez is a skinny, reliable set-up guy with a live arm. Ceda is an Armando Benitez type... BIG, intimidating, with a powerful arm. If there's a closer of the future in this organization, there's a coin flip to decide between him and Tucker. They both have the stuff, and they certainly have the make-up.
February 13, 200917 yr Author Tankersley and "closer of the future" don't belong in the same sentence.
February 13, 200917 yr Tankersley and "closer of the future" don't belong in the same sentence. cuz tucker needs to close! he throws hard!!!!! Just kidding, I agree. I used to think that about Tank back in 06, but that ship might just have sailed.
February 13, 200917 yr Author Tankersley and "closer of the future" don't belong in the same sentence. cuz tucker needs to close! he throws hard!!!!! Just kidding, I agree. I used to think that about Tank back in 06, but that ship might just have sailed. Actually, I would think about it for awhile now with Tucker. Considering we got Ceda in that Gregg trade...Ceda has the potential to be "the guy in the 9th," as well.
February 13, 200917 yr I think the Marlins key to success in 2009 will be the bullpen. This team will be a contender, if the bullpen pans out. The lineup is solid, the starting rotation is solid...the bullpen comes in, as a question mark. That is an optimistic assessment. I thought the Marlins acted too quickly dumping Olsen, especially for the garbage they got back in return. I originally said this because I thought Miller wasn't ready for the show. Now it seems it doesn't have to do with skills, but with his health. Now the Marlins are back where they were in the beginning of last season with a rotating fifth starter. And of course outside of Miller there are the questions about Anibal's health. So that is definitely a worry. I'd agree with your assessment of the lineup, though.
February 13, 200917 yr Author I think the Marlins key to success in 2009 will be the bullpen. This team will be a contender, if the bullpen pans out. The lineup is solid, the starting rotation is solid...the bullpen comes in, as a question mark. That is an optimistic assessment. I thought the Marlins acted too quickly dumping Olsen, especially for the garbage they got back in return. I originally said this because I thought Miller wasn't ready for the show. Now it seems it doesn't have to do with skills, but with his health. Now the Marlins are back where they were in the beginning of last season with a rotating fifth starter. And of course outside of Miller there are the questions about Anibal's health. So that is definitely a worry. I'd agree with your assessment of the lineup, though. Bottom line, however...I think our starting rotation will be, at worst, an average rotation. Good enough, really. Specifically b/c unlike some others, I believe we might have 2 aces on the staff, and while there are plenty of question marks...potential is there. The only thing I don't like about the rotation is the lack of depth, in case something does go wrong.
February 13, 200917 yr How can you not have worries about a bullpen that Pinto is part of? Even more seriously than that, the bullpen is a huge question mark. The starters? Nolasco and Johnson should be, at worst, okay. The rest are really up in the air. The offense and defense I have no worries about, just excitement.
February 13, 200917 yr Pinto had a solid, solid first half year in 2008. Mark Wiley used him way too much, therefore in my opinion gave him a case of dead arm. Although the defense should improve I still don't think that the offense is going to be that good. Hanley, Uggla, and Cantu IMO will be good, their track records say so. However the younger, inexperienced hitters have yet to establish themselves and there are quite a few of them in the proposed lineup. Hermida can slump and it's usually hard for him to come out of it (i.e 2008), Baker shows promise and has shown incredible potential, Maybin has no track record of hitting big league pitching except for the month he was up last year (I hope the way he hit during that time is how he will hit this year). Gaby and McPherson have little track records of hitting big league pitching. If everyone hits to their potential then we will be good and yes it will be exciting. I just believe pitching is going to keep us in the hunt, both from the starters and bullpen.
February 13, 200917 yr I agree with Erick, Its the pen. look at the phils and rays last year both had good pens and ok staffs with 1 or 2 guys who were good.
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