http://www.miamiherald.com/614/story/908623-p2.html

 

Just a little chatter:

 

? The Marlins are not sure infielder Emilio Bonifacio -- acquired from Washington in the Josh Willingham/Scott Olsen trade -- will make the team but believe he will eventually become a decent hitter, and Bonifacio said that will happen by improving his bunting. But two scouts expressed pessimism about his offensive upside.

 

Bonifacio has hit .240, with a poor .300 on-base average, in 192 career at-bats, with more strikeouts (49) than hits (46). ''He's about as fast a guy as there is in baseball,'' Marlins executive Admin Beinfest said.

 

? Though the Marlins traded or dumped three veteran relievers ( Kevin Gregg,Doug Waechter, Joe Nelson), Beinfest said he's comfortable with the bullpen, noting right-handers Matt Lindstrom, Scott Proctor, Leo Nu?ez and Logan Kensing all have ''above-average fastballs.'' And the Marlins are working with lefty Renyel Pinto to make his delivery more consistent and less ''swingy,'' as pitching coach Mark Wiley said.

 

 

 

I want to see Bonafacio do well, but I'm just not sure. I'm sort of happy to hear that the FO knows he won't make the team out of ST. This should take him out of the equation for the open bench spots, unless of course he has an amazing spring

Not a surprise.... He's a minor leaguer...

Considering that Luis' first 600 ABs could be best described as 'turd blossom' we shouldn't be surprised.

Considering that Luis' first 600 ABs could be best described as 'turd blossom' we shouldn't be surprised.

 

That is the one thing that allows one to be somewhat optimistic about Bonifacio although they're individuals and I hate drawing comparison between players just because they both play the same position, is how incredibly badly Luis Castillo's major league career started off and the time it took him to "get it".

 

The other thing is this is something coming from Barry Jackson. Were it Joe Capozzi or perhaps one of the other beat writers covering the Marlins this might have more credibility, but a quick look-see through the PBP and the SS don't appear to have anything confirming his blanket statement that "the Marlins are not sure..." almost implying a decision has already been made or they've already seen enough on the third day of spring training which at least to me would seem counter-productive for the team and especially the player. Jackson seems to like nameless scouts as sources, or alleged sources, but without even qualifying them as being with the Marlins or not, it's hard to take much of anything he takes seriously.

 

At this level I've found players are almost never as good as their advocates claim nor as bad as their detractors, especially when being in their first spring training camp. Case in point Jose Castillo who had a terrific spring training last season and was clearly the superior glove at third but the talent evaluators in this organization clearly see things differently than you or I, or even sportswriters for that matter.

It also could mean they can't trade Andino, don't want to DFA him for nothing, and will try and sneak him through waivers in April.

 

But EB would probably be best served getting everyday AB in between Raynor and Coghlan in NOLA for a few months.

Comments like this are good because when EB sees it he will know he has to put in maximum effort to improve his hitting skills.

Comments like this are good because when EB sees it he will know he has to put in maximum effort to improve his hitting skills.

 

 

If he spends the entire time practicing his bunting, there's gonna be problems...

http://www.miamiherald.com/614/story/908623-p2.html

 

Just a little chatter:

 

? The Marlins are not sure infielder Emilio Bonifacio -- acquired from Washington in the Josh Willingham/Scott Olsen trade -- will make the team but believe he will eventually become a decent hitter, and Bonifacio said that will happen by improving his bunting. But two scouts expressed pessimism about his offensive upside.

 

Bonifacio has hit .240, with a poor .300 on-base average, in 192 career at-bats, with more strikeouts (49) than hits (46). ''He's about as fast a guy as there is in baseball,'' Marlins executive Admin Beinfest said.

 

? Though the Marlins traded or dumped three veteran relievers ( Kevin Gregg,Doug Waechter, Joe Nelson), Beinfest said he's comfortable with the bullpen, noting right-handers Matt Lindstrom, Scott Proctor, Leo Nu?ez and Logan Kensing all have ''above-average fastballs.'' And the Marlins are working with lefty Renyel Pinto to make his delivery more consistent and less ''swingy,'' as pitching coach Mark Wiley said.

 

 

 

I want to see Bonafacio do well, but I'm just not sure. I'm sort of happy to hear that the FO knows he won't make the team out of ST. This should take him out of the equation for the open bench spots, unless of course he has an amazing spring

 

I don't see how improving you're bunting will make you a better hitter. The moment i heard of this trade, i knew that i was one of the worst trades i've ever seen the Marlins do. They traded a solid lefty pitcher who eats up innings and a guy that can play great baseball when healthy for a average player in the MINORS who can't hit for his life and a couple of other crappy minor leaguers. Scotty ALONE deserved a little better than that, but both getting that little? That trade was a steal for the Nats, and a missed opportunity for the Marlins.

He's bunting b/c he can't hit.

Stop overrating the guy...he's nothing special.

 

Stats don't lie.

 

He can be as fast as he wants...he's not going to steal 1B. And judging by his minor league .OBP #'s, and the rate he makes contact with the ball + the little to no power he has...he's going to have trouble getting to 1B.

 

Consider it good news everytime you hear a rumor of him not starting with the big team.

I think It would be good to let him work out his hitting in NOLA. Then let him compete for a starting job next year.

He's bunting b/c he can't hit.

Stop overrating the guy...he's nothing special.

 

Stats don't lie.

 

He can be as fast as he wants...he's not going to steal 1B. And judging by his minor league .OBP #'s, and the rate he makes contact with the ball + the little to no power he has...he's going to have trouble getting to 1B.

 

Consider it good news everytime you hear a rumor of him not starting with the big team.

 

Stats are often misread. We need to see if he gets a handle on the strike zone.

He's bunting b/c he can't hit.

Stop overrating the guy...he's nothing special.

 

Stats don't lie.

 

He can be as fast as he wants...he's not going to steal 1B. And judging by his minor league .OBP #'s, and the rate he makes contact with the ball + the little to no power he has...he's going to have trouble getting to 1B.

 

Consider it good news everytime you hear a rumor of him not starting with the big team.

 

Stats are often misread. We need to see if he gets a handle on the strike zone.

 

And when it comes to Bonifacio...which stats are "misread?" Face it...we like the guy and have hope for him...b/c he'll be wearing the uniform we root for one day.

No one in their right mind can think this was a good trade.

You win some, you lose some. The Gregg for Ceda trade was an awesome job by Beinfest. Trading a mid/lower end of the rotation young lefty who eats up innings + an MLB caliber OF'er when healthy for a projected utility player is bad value. Nothing "misread" about that.

Of course, Smolinski was a part of the deal...but he's a ways away.

He's bunting b/c he can't hit.

Stop overrating the guy...he's nothing special.

 

Stats don't lie.

 

He can be as fast as he wants...he's not going to steal 1B. And judging by his minor league .OBP #'s, and the rate he makes contact with the ball + the little to no power he has...he's going to have trouble getting to 1B.

 

Consider it good news everytime you hear a rumor of him not starting with the big team.

 

Stats are often misread. We need to see if he gets a handle on the strike zone.

 

And stats are often misunderstood especially the ones with fancy names that don't measure what they supposedly measure.

I don't see how improving you're bunting will make you a better hitter. The moment i heard of this trade, i knew that i was one of the worst trades i've ever seen the Marlins do. They traded a solid lefty pitcher who eats up innings and a guy that can play great baseball when healthy for a average player in the MINORS who can't hit for his life and a couple of other crappy minor leaguers. Scotty ALONE deserved a little better than that, but both getting that little? That trade was a steal for the Nats, and a missed opportunity for the Marlins.

Just to play devil's advocate, considering the serious financial restraints going on in the league right now, the Marlins also traded away a $6-7 million commitment to those two players in 2009. Seeing how Bobby Abreu can't even get that much, and Pudge is eventually going to sign for less than half the money Willingham is making, it's pretty telling the Marlins were able to get anything back. The Nationals have opened their wallets a bit, but not many other teams have Would you rather trade for Olsen and pay him $ 3 million, or sign Tim Redding for $2 million, or Pavano a low base and large incentives without any compensation? Sure Olsen is younger and could improve blah blah blah, but he's still mediocre at best and your investing a lot more into him than you would be for a similar pitcher you can find for cheap every year in free agency. I wouldn't give the Marlins crap if I was someone else knowing their economic situation, the rest of the league's situation, how good Olsen and Hammer are overall, and all that was out there in free agency. Getting back a probable average/plus bench player that can play everywhere, and a good prospect in Smolinski (He was a 2nd round pick and has a bat. He'll very likely be one of our top 10 prospects next year depending on how many guys graduate to the bigs) isn't getting nothing. It's underwhelming and disappointing because you'd prefer a better 2nd prospect than Dean, or someone more MLB ready/proven than EB, but this isn't something to absolutely kill them on.

 

They run a pretty tight ship in the front office. I can't imagine they valued EB and prospects at the same level as what they gave up. $$$$ is coming into play here. And if the alternative was waiting for what you think they're worth, and then DFAing when no one bit. Well, they made a really good play getting anything for them then.

Someone thought he'd make the team this year? He needs more seasoning. New Orleans he will go.

big suprise?

 

this kid wont last.

 

he's made for the minors.

Someone thought he'd make the team this year? He needs more seasoning. New Orleans he will go.

Well the team should carry 4 middle infielders.

 

It's the idiotic Helms signing that's ruining things, as 24th slot should go to a fourth outfielder that we currently do not have, and 25th to the second middle infielder, being Andino, Bonifacio, or some punk they pick up off the street. Like the Rays just did with Kennedy.

I'm glad to hear that they aren't automatically going to give him a roster spot. I was truly worried that was going to be the case and I don't think he has a leg up on Andino or anyone else that should get a roster spot.

You guys relying on Scott Proctor? Joe Torre killed his career like Joe Girardi did to that great, young Marlins 06 pitching staff.

You guys relying on Scott Proctor? Joe Torre killed his career like Joe Girardi did to that great, young Marlins 06 pitching staff.

 

You have a bug up your butt after being forced to have that humiliating .sig beneath your posts? Or are you just a terminal troll? The careers of the '06 staff were hardly "killed" by Girardi. In fact, I seem to remember Ricky Nolasco going from being dominated by the Mets in '06 to beating the Mets or keeping them pretty much in check in '08. And one Josh Johnson continued to dominate - or at least beat - the Mets in '08. As for Anibal's career, it is hard to say. But I wouldn't count him out just yet.

You guys relying on Scott Proctor? Joe Torre killed his career like Joe Girardi did to that great, young Marlins 06 pitching staff.

That young 06 staff is back this season.. So becareful

You guys relying on Scott Proctor? Joe Torre killed his career like Joe Girardi did to that great, young Marlins 06 pitching staff.

 

You have a bug up your butt after being forced to have that humiliating .sig beneath your posts? Or are you just a terminal troll? The careers of the '06 staff were hardly "killed" by Girardi. In fact, I seem to remember Ricky Nolasco going from being dominated by the Mets in '06 to beating the Mets or keeping them pretty much in check in '08. And one Josh Johnson continued to dominate - or at least beat - the Mets in '08. As for Anibal's career, it is hard to say. But I wouldn't count him out just yet.

 

Anibal already had shoulder issues and I doubt their flaring up had anything to do with Girardi anyway.

This just in...

 

Bonifacio AKA Bonerface Suck(ed)s(ing)

 

:notworthy

I'll take the marlins rotation over the mets rotation (yea i know they got santana, but still)

I'll take the marlins rotation over the mets rotation (yea i know they got santana, but still)

I would too but the Marlins rotation is both the most likely to break out and to break down in the NL East. The Phils and the Mets both have more sure things, even if it's probably going to be barely above average in the Mets best case.