The '09 Marlins will likely go as far as the starting pitching takes the team, so how do you believe it is shaping up? Everyone has to be happy with the top two, Nolasco and Johnson, at this point. Unfortunately, that's just 40% of a rotation.

 

Volstad and Sanchez are proving to be pretty hittable thus far ... a little too hittable to breed confidence. Miller doesn't even seem to be an option for the rotation, based on what we have seen thus far.

 

So, where does the pitching coming from if, three weeks from now, the staff is still two deep?

I will bet Volstad is just working on pitches, so I am not worried. I would also bet that Sanchez is working on getting his groove back in terms of actually throwing all his pitches for a strike, so he may not be pitching with strategy (setting guys up, etc.). I will be concerned if he continues to struggle in his last two starts.

The '09 Marlins will likely go as far as the starting pitching takes the team, so how do you believe it is shaping up? Everyone has to be happy with the top two, Nolasco and Johnson, at this point. Unfortunately, that's just 40% of a rotation.

 

Volstad and Sanchez are proving to be pretty hittable thus far ... a little too hittable to breed confidence. Miller doesn't even seem to be an option for the rotation, based on what we have seen thus far.

 

So, where does the pitching coming from if, three weeks from now, the staff is still two deep?

 

That's a huge 40%! I gess you look at what Volstad has done and well he is not a blow people away type of pitcher. Those hits will become weak grounders as Volstad's location gets better. Sanchez may be trade bait but man is he talented. You also have to look at West's efforts in making a claim for a starting job. The diffrence-maker of the rotation in my mind is Miller. He has the best stuff of any young lefty

it just hasn't come together just yet. It's almost like he has been overcoached recently and he is getting back to basics right now. I feel he is just too good for him not to succeed

the only one i'm really worried about is miller. i wish we had a proven pitcher ready to step in if he's not able to live up to his talent this season

I think a guy who's getting lost in this is Burke Badenhop. If Miller or Sanchez prove to be a little rusty still come opening day, I think you might see Burke getting another shot. I think he could be a very good fifth starter, and he's showing us that now that he's healthy.

Im not worried about ricky,jj or Volstad but sanchez and miller worry me the most. Sanchez more than anyone.

Volstad's fine. He pitched 4 excellent innings in his last start before giving up three straight singles to open the 5th. Although I'm not comfortable with Anibal in the rotation right now, I feel he has the #4 slot locked up at least until after the All-Star break when it may be time to call up a West, Thompson, Sinkbeil; for the simple fact that there is so much uncertainty surrounding the 5th starter.

I think a guy who's getting lost in this is Burke Badenhop. If Miller or Sanchez prove to be a little rusty still come opening day, I think you might see Burke getting another shot. I think he could be a very good fifth starter, and he's showing us that now that he's healthy.

I would have said this was nuts 2 weeks ago, but I am starting to feel this way also. I suspect this is the opening day pitching.

 

SP - Nolasco, Johnson, Volstad, Anibal

RP - Lindstrom, Nunez, Kensing, Proctor, Cruz, Pinto, Meyer, and Badenhop (Calero if Proctor is hurt)

 

The Marlins need a fifth starter once until April 28th when normal 5 day patterns emerge, so we'll be carrying an additional reliever for sure. I don't think with Miller's spring they can justify keeping him in the pen when he can grab some starts in NOLA. Badenhop/Meyer can work that 1 game, and hopefully Miller is ready 6 weeks from now. It seems like everything is falling into place for Burke this spring.

 

Also, I think Kroenke and Delgado have basically played themselves into DFAville at this point. Not a big deal, but just saying.

Volstad's fine. He pitched 4 excellent innings in his last start before giving up three straight singles to open the 5th. Although I'm not comfortable with Anibal in the rotation right now, I feel he has the #4 slot locked up at least until after the All-Star break when it may be time to call up a West, Thompson, Sinkbeil; for the simple fact that there is so much uncertainty surrounding the 5th starter.

 

I think if one of Thompson, West, or Tucker is doing well by the All-Star break, Anibal may be dealt for some very pretty prospects or some very big second half player (if we're in contention) regardless of his performance, considering the question marks and his arb eligible status next season. I think they'd rather deal Anibal than Ricky or JJ, despite the fact that they'll be going into their second arb seasons. I think the front office might just bite the bullet and say they're both worth paying another year (most likely only if we're strong contenders all season, though).

Volstad's fine. He pitched 4 excellent innings in his last start before giving up three straight singles to open the 5th. Although I'm not comfortable with Anibal in the rotation right now, I feel he has the #4 slot locked up at least until after the All-Star break when it may be time to call up a West, Thompson, Sinkbeil; for the simple fact that there is so much uncertainty surrounding the 5th starter.

 

I think if one of Thompson, West, or Tucker is doing well by the All-Star break, Anibal may be dealt for some very pretty prospects or some very big second half player (if we're in contention) regardless of his performance, considering the question marks and his arb eligible status next season. I think they'd rather deal Anibal than Ricky or JJ, despite the fact that they'll be going into their second arb seasons. I think the front office might just bite the bullet and say they're both worth paying another year (most likely only if we're strong contenders all season, though).

 

Tucker's a reliever.

The only one there I could see stealing a spot is West, really.

I don't see us trading any major pitcher in the organization until after the season.

it would be awesome to sign a veteran like pedro but with him asking between 5-8 million it's not going to happen. let's just hope everyone stays healthy this season

I can deal with guys like Volstad and Sanchez struggling a little bit in the spring, but I'm very concerned by Miller. Seeing as he's proved nothing at the major league level despite many opportunities, he sure as heck should have to prove something this spring in order to win a spot.

 

I'm just sick of hearing about his talent and his stuff when he has never done a thing in the upper levels of baseball to warrant his status. The dude can supposedly throw 100, but yet he barely touched 90 in most of his starts last year and even then he couldn't throw a strike. Even worse than his numbers was the lack of poise or confidence that he showed on the mound. If he can't prove that he can get hitters out in ST, he shouldn't get the opportunity to not get them out in the regular season.

The only pitchers in the rotation i am worried about are Sanchez and Miller. I'm really worried about Miller. I have stated his mechanics are really bad, and even with him trying to change it up it may be too late. I don't see his control ever getting any better. Sanchez is still a very good pitcher, my worry is that he will never regain his 2006 form after the surgery, but I am more confident in Sanchez than i am in Miller.

I can deal with guys like Volstad and Sanchez struggling a little bit in the spring, but I'm very concerned by Miller. Seeing as he's proved nothing at the major league level despite many opportunities, he sure as heck should have to prove something this spring in order to win a spot.

 

I'm just sick of hearing about his talent and his stuff when he has never done a thing in the upper levels of baseball to warrant his status. The dude can supposedly throw 100, but yet he barely touched 90 in most of his starts last year and even then he couldn't throw a strike. Even worse than his numbers was the lack of poise or confidence that he showed on the mound. If he can't prove that he can get hitters out in ST, he shouldn't get the opportunity to not get them out in the regular season.

 

I remember a bunch of times where he hit 95 and up and did it without using much effort. Heck today i saw him hit 97 a couple tiimes not to metnion the times he was at 93-94.Im right there with you about him not warrenting a spot but who else are we gonna throw?

I think Miller will be fine. All he needs is time.

I think Miller will be fine. All he needs is time.

 

Time? He had a lot of time last year and only showed marginal improvements and then he regressed again. He doesn't need time, he really needs to learn how to pitch consistently and that is something that can/should be done at the minor league level.

dude, Miller is damaged goods. The Tigers rushed him, Miller is suffering the consequences from that.

I can deal with guys like Volstad and Sanchez struggling a little bit in the spring, but I'm very concerned by Miller. Seeing as he's proved nothing at the major league level despite many opportunities, he sure as heck should have to prove something this spring in order to win a spot.

 

I'm just sick of hearing about his talent and his stuff when he has never done a thing in the upper levels of baseball to warrant his status. The dude can supposedly throw 100, but yet he barely touched 90 in most of his starts last year and even then he couldn't throw a strike. Even worse than his numbers was the lack of poise or confidence that he showed on the mound. If he can't prove that he can get hitters out in ST, he shouldn't get the opportunity to not get them out in the regular season.

 

I remember a bunch of times where he hit 95 and up and did it without using much effort. Heck today i saw him hit 97 a couple tiimes not to metnion the times he was at 93-94.Im right there with you about him not warrenting a spot but who else are we gonna throw?

 

The we can't get any better anyway attitude is not what is gonna make us a playoff team (now that we have the roster for that this year anyway after the way the FO dismantled things). The reality is that there are a lot of pitchers out there who could pitch a 5.80 ERA starting every fifth day. Even some in the organization who could. But the silly thing is, even if a guy like Sean West could perform to that level, the organization probably wouldn't want to rush him. But Miller himself has been ridiculously rushed and by two different organizations. I'm not just thinking of the current team's performance when I say that Miller should start in the minors, Miller's future might be better served by having him learn how to pitch at an easier level.

If you guys saw the post game interviews, Miller's problems predominantly came from a broken bat ground ball that snuck through the infield with the bases loaded. Both Miller and Gonzalez were happy with the performance, even if the line did not show it.

 

I'm expecting Miller to be this year's Jonathan Sanchez. 1.45 whip, a lot of strikeouts, and he's either great or awful. Not many "in between" starts. That would be fine for his overall development. Anything more would be awesome.

I thought Miller looked good today. He had 1 bad inning.

I think a guy who's getting lost in this is Burke Badenhop. If Miller or Sanchez prove to be a little rusty still come opening day, I think you might see Burke getting another shot. I think he could be a very good fifth starter, and he's showing us that now that he's healthy.

Hopefully not. The guy sucks as a starter.

He needs time. Mostly everyone wanted to get rid of Ricky Nolasco last year, but then he shut us all up. Patience people, patience.

He needs time. Mostly everyone wanted to get rid of Ricky Nolasco last year, but then he shut us all up. Patience people, patience.

Most people didn't want to get rid of him, they (and I) wanted him in the bullpen. And yes, I've eaten my crow in calling him a "bullpen pitcher".

He needs time. Mostly everyone wanted to get rid of Ricky Nolasco last year, but then he shut us all up. Patience people, patience.

Most people didn't want to get rid of him, they (and I) wanted him in the bullpen. And yes, I've eaten my crow in calling him a "bullpen pitcher".

 

 

My point was basically to let him pitch. He has the stuff.