Bonifacio Breaks Out

 

MIAMI -- When the oh-so-smart Marlins traded arbitration-eligible players Scott Olsen and Josh Willingham to the competing Nationals in November, it looked like a typical small-revenue club salary dump. But with the Marlins, typical dealings are almost always more than they seem.

 

Beside the obvious benefit of extricating themselves from two arbitration cases they didn't need or want, the Marlins received three younger players in the deal, including speedy infielder Emilio Bonifacio, whose value was declining fast -- at least in the eyes of others. When Arizona dealt Bonifacio to Washington straight up for set-up man Jon Rauch only last summer, many figured that the Diamondbacks had ripped off the Nats (although Rauch has turned out to be nothing short of a disaster for the Diamondbacks). And this winter most accounts of the Marlins-Nats trade involving Bonifacio portrayed the speedy infielder, who hadn't distinguished himself during his brief tenure with the Nats, as an afterthought or throw-in.

 

But the Marlins knew better. And now, a week into his Marlins career, Bonifacio, who moves faster on the diamond than anyone in baseball, has moved up in everyone else's eyes. Those outside the Marlins organization once again view the 23-year-old as an exciting young player after watching him ignite the Marlins offense with a .500 batting average, exhibit the best baseball speed since Deion Sanders and lead his club to a 5-1 start.

 

The Marlins' scouts seem to know things others do not, so they figured it might be worthwhile to give Bonifacio, primarily a second baseman, a look at third base. So far the slap-hitting speed demon has looked like a star at a position normally reserved for power hitters. Bonifacio put together multiple-hit efforts in the Marlins' first five games of the season and produced enough theatrics to excite even the minimal crowds they draw down here. Johan Santana shut him down on Sunday, but his 0-for-4 effort only dropped him to .500 on the season. GM Admin Beinfest, while noting that it's still very early, said, "We recognized the bat was still developing. It's not a finished bat."

 

His legs, not his bat, will make Bonifacio, but if he can make consistent contact he'll be dangerous. Scouts say he's an 80 runner (on their 20-to-80 scale), and viewers could see why during his Opening Day inside-the-park home run against his former Nationals mates, during a triple in Game 2 and then again on an infield hit that caused fellow speedster Jose Reyes, the Mets shortstop, to rush to try to record the out (he couldn't do it).

 

"It's a different feel for us," Beinfest said. "It's a different way to try to manufacture runs from a year ago, when we relied on the home run." The big game-changing twist came when the Marlins inserted Bonifacio, moved power-hitting Jorge Cantu from third (where he was a liability) to first and removed all-or-nothing first baseman Mike Jacobs.

 

If Bonifacio's bat has been a revelation, his glovework has been no less so. "Our [scouts] thought he had enough arm for shortstop [when they acquired him], so they thought they'd take a look at third," Beinfest said. But there's a big difference between having the arm and playing the vastly different angles at third, and early in spring there were questions about whether Bonifacio would be able to make a smooth switch from second. (Some Marlins people believe the team would be better off with Bonifacio at second instead of power-hitting star Dan Uggla, though they do need Uggla's pop.)

 

But Bonifacio looks fine at third, and he has helped make the Marlins a speedier, slightly better-fielding team than a year ago, when they surprised folks by winning 84 games despite ranking 15th in the NL in fielding percentage. Florida also trots out an impressive quintet of under-27 starters this season, beginning with superb talents Josh Johnson (who looks like he's ready to emerge as a true No. 1 after outdueling the Great Santana on Sunday, 2-1), Ricky Nolasco and Chris Volstad. Nonetheless, Las Vegas odds makers posted the Marlins' over-under number at 76 wins. That's quite a slight considering they won 84 last year when journeyman Mark Hendrickson was their Opening Day starter while Johnson carried out rehab, Nolasco worked out of the bullpen and Volstad pitched in the minors. "We didn't have our pitchers lined up last year," Beinfest said when asked about the 76-win prediction. "We don't talk about rebuilding here. We try to play in October."

 

That's true, even though, as always, the club made all its changes with the bottom line in mind. Beinfest delicately summed up the trade with Washington by saying, "We needed to reallocate our assets." In addition to Bonifacio the Marlins acquired two low-level minor leaguers in the deal, second baseman Jake Smolinski and pitcher P.J. Dean, two "young guys we like," Beinfest said. So far in Washington, meanwhile, Olsen has been awful and Willingham's an unhappy bench player.

 

While the Nats deal with those players and their impending arbitration cases, the Marlins continue to maintain a payroll that, while up to $35 million this year from an absurd $24 million last year, is surely well below their revenues. (While Beinfest doesn't complain, their revenue-sharing monies alone should support a greater payroll than $35 million.)

 

With the Marlins, however, it's never worth looking at the payroll. No matter what they spend, they think they can compete. And by landing players like Bonifacio, they usually do.

 

 

Good ink. This kid is turning heads. :thumbup

Bonifacio turned alot of heads in this site.

Talk about jumping the gun.

Talk about jumping the gun.

 

Just about the prime example of "kneejerk". I hope he's right, though.

Talk about jumping the gun.

Just about the prime example of "kneejerk". I hope he's right, though.

 

Really? I thought the author was pretty measured in his praise.

 

First of all, the article readily acknowledges that the move was basically a salary dump, and that most people thought Boni was a throw-in. He then outlines just how great EB's start has without overstating his case.

 

I think a better explanation is that some posters have literally been waiting for anyone to exaggerate EB's abilities/potential in light of his excellent start. Since this is the closest anyone has come, they feel the need to jump on it for being 'knee-jerk'. The fact of the matter is no one is making him out to be something he isn't. The article basically said that EB has been a pleasant surprise of the beginning of the season, no more.

 

GM Admin Beinfest, while noting that it's still very early, said, "We recognized the bat was still developing. It's not a finished bat."

 

IMO, the only two things that are over-the-top would be comparisons to Deion, but that is only with respect to speed, and no one is denying that EB is one of the fastest in the majors.

 

That and the last sentence, "by landing players like Bonifacio, [the Marlins] usually [compete]". This sentence is basically a tie-together-the-article line that should not be read into too much. You guys are reaching here, IMO.

 

 

IMO, the sentence that really bugs the 'realists' is this one:

 

The Marlins' scouts seem to know things others do not

 

Mainly because they can't accept that they belong to the second group.

Hmmm, doesn't seem quite as bad upon 2nd reading. I'll give you that much, DD.

Calling his bat and his switch to 3rd a revelation is over-the-top, but not bad otherwise.

Calling his bat and his switch to 3rd a revelation is over-the-top, but not bad otherwise.

 

What, you think to compare Emilio Bonifacio and Jesus Christ is inappropriate?!

He's surprising us to be sure but we knew that he was gonna get a chance at 3rd and to bal leadoff, we just didnt agree with it based on his minor league numbers. Now the games are actually being played and once again we realize that we have probably other than the Red Sox the best damn scouts and front office in the league. Now the true test is can he keep this up and for how long. And Beinfest also said it would end up beinng Boni, Maybin and Hanley to start the game and I personally would love to see that! That would speed up Maybin's development if Boni can consistently get on base and thus speed up the teams development because lets face it we traded the dude for MIGUEL a HOF type guy.

The crowds this weekend didnt seem minimal at all.

He's surprising us to be sure but we knew that he was gonna get a chance at 3rd and to bal leadoff, we just didnt agree with it based on his minor league numbers. Now the games are actually being played and once again we realize that we have probably other than the Red Sox the best damn scouts and front office in the league. Now the true test is can he keep this up and for how long. And Beinfest also said it would end up beinng Boni, Maybin and Hanley to start the game and I personally would love to see that! That would speed up Maybin's development if Boni can consistently get on base and thus speed up the teams development because lets face it we traded the dude for MIGUEL a HOF type guy.

 

Sorry, but Baker is too good to be knocked out of the top of the lineup for two guys (in Maybin and EB) who haven't had any sustained ML success yet. If Maybin can OBP .370, then put him up there, no problem, but until then, Shake n' Bake.

I would have people take a perusal at Alejandro De Aza's first 50 or so at bats and you would realize why this praise is laughably premature.

it's definitely early

 

however, out here in AZ the d'backs fans were in love with this kid and hated to see him go and are upset to see his start, especially given how incredible rauch has been..........................

 

a lot of people in FL and DC weren't high on him at all and without seeing him play I had no idea what to expect

 

i do love his speed - i thought he may be a little light hitting for 3rd base, but so far it's working (even if so far isn't that far)

 

however, the speed is game changing - the inside the park home run, forcing reyes to rush the play (he would of been safe even if the throw was on target), bunt singles, scoring the game winning run from 2nd - it's just a great dynamic to have on the team - pitchers and catchers need to think about the steal threat - he gets the attention of teams due to his speed

 

however, the speed will only come into play and continue to stick in minds if he continues to get on base and make contact - that is where he'll have a lot to prove

I would have people take a perusal at Alejandro De Aza's first 50 or so at bats and you would realize why this praise is laughably premature.

 

'm sure a lot of people were excited about De Aza early 2007, rightfully so... It is simply never premature or inappropriate to be excited about actual regular season results, because these very results lead to Fish wins, and Fish wins are exciting. :sleazy

 

No one is saying Bonifacio is already an established hitter, just that the early returns on the WAS trade look somewhat promising. The article is about a young underdog on an exciting young team off to a great start. An even better start than De Aza and the 2007 Marlins had, believe it or not!

 

The article also emphasizes his speed, probably even more than his bat, in saying he has the's the fastest since Dieon. Probably an overstatement, but consider that EB has stolen twice as many bags (4) in 6 games as De Aza did (2) in his entire major league career (45 games)! The De Aza comparison makes a reasonable point, only that EB still has his whole career ahead of him and everything to prove. But who wants to be that guy sitting there with his arms folded?

I would have people take a perusal at Alejandro De Aza's first 50 or so at bats and you would realize why this praise is laughably premature.

 

 

not really fair to judge De Aza. He was doing very good for the Marlins, and his numbers never really decreased. Injuries plagued him, and kept him from winning the starting spot two years running. Still love that slap swing by De Aza :thumbup