I'd post my player suggestions but the firestorm isn't worth dealing with. Needless to say I would be willing to trade quality young pitching, starting regulars and whatever I needed to (let's not read this as OMG !!! he wants to trade Stanton and Morrison and fillintheblank phenom) for dependable high OBP bats and not look back, so long as they only have this season or maybe this one and next year on their contracts, and the players who got in the way would be moved to the bench or themselves traded, probably the latter as I think Helms and Gload coming off the bench are a good seasoned tandem and Amezaga will get healthy sooner or later. Starting pitching is doing quite well generally and deserves more runs to work with and the group of on again off again guys populating this lineup are not generating enough run production to keep the team in a lot of games. You'll get more out of your starting pitchers and relievers as well although I'm thinking more in terms of the guys starting, if they don't have to pitch every game thinking they can't make a mistake because it's only a one run game.

 

One thing I would do is reunite Ramirez and Uggla in the lineup, third and fourth respectively and use one of the guys alluded to above as protection for Uggla so that you have a really strong 3-4-5 core (you almost want pitchers more afraid of the guy hitting behind Uggla than Uggla himself) and stick to it for the rest of the season. One of the faults I have with management (and for the most part I'm okay with Fredi)is too much switching up players in the lineup. Of course a great deal of it is unavoidable and due to circumstances we have no knowledge of (loss of playing time, the Cantu dizziness thing for example that I would guess most here associated with his wrist injury). When guys come to the park everyday they should know they are hitting in the same spot as last night. It brings a certain mindset to the job. I think it's one of the things you do when you get to July that brings out the best in players.

 

I know Fredi likes to do righty, lefty, righty.... etc. as much as possible, but I'd throw that out the window if production increased without it. I would not worry about next season, I would load up for a run at one our two chances to make the playoffs and not look back. I would not worry about media comments regarding another firesale or buying a pennant if the team starts winning more consistently.

 

Feel free to disagree but it's just my opinion and not open to debate. I'm not running the team this is just fantasy talk and we all know it. There are lots of ways of fixing this team, or in the alternative I suppose blowing it up and writing off the season, although I doubt that happens. My way is not necessarily the right way, it's just "one" way.

Keep Kiko and Cantu, offer them arby after the year, collect the compensation picks.

 

 

I didn't realize Kiko is arby-eligible? We'd have to see what kind of FA he'd be, because I'd rather get a B/B- pitching prospect than a 2nd-round sandwich, or whatever it is you get for FA's who aren't type A.

 

Well, every player after a 1 year contract is "arbitration eligible". The question is if they're club controlled. If they're club controlled, they have no choice but to take arbitration (or a contract by the team). If they aren't, then they can reject arbitration and become a FA.

 

Kiko is not club controlled. However, I find it VERY unlikely he's a type B FA. He'll have almost no saves, and he'll only be pitching for one year (keep in mind type FA status is based off of a 2 year period).

 

However, don't expect anything more than at most a C+ prospect. When we traded Gaby for Rhodes, Gaby's value had plummeted, and he's not doing good this year either (ERA just barely under 5 in AAA).

 

As far as Cantu goes, he still has another year of club control. So he can not deny arbitration, we cannot collect compensation picks off of him. Considering how bleak our future at third base is looking, I hope we keep him. And then if we find someone else, wether it be we decide to spend on a FA 3b or trade for a club controlled 3b, we can then trade him. If we don't find anybody, keep him all of '10, then offer him compensation.

Do you mean the immediate future, or are you giving up on Dominguez already?

We have to think about logically. Our future is looking bright at: Outfield, Relief pitching, First Base, Catcher, Shortstop and second base. We have depth or good and young players at all those positions.

 

We are really weak at third base becuase Dominguez isn't hitting so far, and we have no one else behind him.

Our starting pitching is very, very weak. We have no one in the minors to look forward to.

 

I can see Cody Ross, Alfredo Amezaga, and Dan Uggla traded by the All Star break. Maybe Jeremy Hermida and Jorge Cantu for the right price. But I hope we don't, because we don't have anyone to replace them and most likely will not get enough back for them.

 

Trading Uggla could get us Tim Alderson. But he has to start hitting the ball better.

I'm not sure Ross and Amezaga could get us much.

Matt Lindstrom, Anibal Sanchez, and Jorge Cantu could be potential trade candidates. But I doubt it.

A wild card here is Ricky Nolasco. Don't be suprised If he is traded to a team that would give up alot for him.

 

What we have to look for in every trade is starting pitching and maybe another solid third base prospect.

I agree with Marlins2003 about the Hanley-Uggla combo and propose the following lineup:

 

Coghlan, Baker, Hanley, Uggla, Cantu, Hermida, Cody, Bonifacio, Pitcher

 

I would prefer no Bonifacio in the lineup but we know unfortunately that it will never happen. Also Fredi's love for his speed which never gets used and keeping him near the top of the order means the lineup I suggested will not happen either.

 

In terms of trades, Uggla is the obvious one but without him our lineup gets much worse and the loss of power from Uggla, Jacobs and Willingham combined from last year would render our offense ineffective due to the swinging mentality that our hitters have.

Uggla is def gone , Hermida they should trade, I think they will trade Cody (if they can get somebody good, which they prob can), I would like to see Cantu stay another year to keep the seat warm for Logan, but wouldnt be suprised if they traded him.

 

What about Linstrom? I think they can get something good for him. I really dont think Lindstrom is going to be a good closer or even a good setup man during his career. He just cant consistently control that breaking ball of his and when these major leaguers know his fastball is coming they just feast on it. Also, half the time he cant even get his fastball over the plate.

I agree with Marlins2003 about the Hanley-Uggla combo and propose the following lineup:

 

Coghlan, Baker, Hanley, Uggla, Cantu, Hermida, Cody, Bonifacio, Pitcher

 

I would prefer no Bonifacio in the lineup but we know unfortunately that it will never happen. Also Fredi's love for his speed which never gets used and keeping him near the top of the order means the lineup I suggested will not happen either.

 

In terms of trades, Uggla is the obvious one but without him our lineup gets much worse and the loss of power from Uggla, Jacobs and Willingham combined from last year would render our offense ineffective due to the swinging mentality that our hitters have.

 

 

 

 

Really nice lineup.

Uggla is def gone , Hermida they should trade, I think they will trade Cody (if they can get somebody good, which they prob can), I would like to see Cantu stay another year to keep the seat warm for Logan, but wouldnt be suprised if they traded him.

 

What about Linstrom? I think they can get something good for him. I really dont think Lindstrom is going to be a good closer or even a good setup man during his career. He just cant consistently control that breaking ball of his and when these major leaguers know his fastball is coming they just feast on it. Also, half the time he cant even get his fastball over the plate.

 

 

 

That's the thing. We can't get a good player for Lindstrom. He hasn't shown anything yet to get a good return in a trade.

That is why we I think we should keep him.

What is the problem, is that big dark hole in third base.

I'd say keep them all this year and wait to see how our minor leaguers develop. If we feel that they're ready, and we're not in contention, then deal whoever and bring up Stanton, Morrison, Sanchez, and co.

 

Unfortuantely, I don't think we're in a financial position to keep some of our current big leaguers for another year.

I hope Cantu doesn't ge traded....damn a brand new year of rebuilding would suck even more but hwat can you do when this team can't get it done and is difficult to win more then 2 in a row......plz don't trade cantu = clutch

Do you mean the immediate future, or are you giving up on Dominguez already?

 

 

Immediate, although you also don't want to put all the eggs in one basket, especially before they even reach AA.

Trade Freddi

For the record, my Fav player is Cantu, i hope he never leaves, hanley seems abit proud for me, even though hes not as great as he puts him self up to, ridding his high horse. I miss Migggy and juan Pierre, wish we never traded Miggy, what a big mistake

For the record, my Fav player is Cantu, i hope he never leaves, hanley seems abit proud for me, even though hes not as great as he puts him self up to, ridding his high horse. I miss Migggy and juan Pierre, wish we never traded Miggy, what a big mistake

 

 

 

Hanley is probably the second best player in all of baseball, at the age of 25. He has every reason to put him self up.

We all know that Uggla is probably gone. I'd try to pick up a 3B option in that deal. I'd also test the field for offers for Hermida and maybe Cantu, with Hermida going for anything of value and Cantu only going if somebody gives us an outstanding deal. We need to keep Cantu for one more year until we get an adequate option at the corners.

Give Uggs and Hermida until the All Star Break unless we get a Great offer.

 

If they continue there struggles then there gonna be gone and you can throw in a guy like Boner or Amezaga or a reliever.

 

Hopefully they get hot and our team pulls it together and Fredi has some damn common sense and put Baker or Hermida in the 2 spot vs RHP instead of vs LHP.

In addition to looking for 3B prospects (as someone mentioned above), I'd also like to start stockpiling some young catching prospects... I know Skipworth is years away yet, but last I looked he had 10 passed balls and a .188 average...WOuld be nice to have another option just in case in 2 or 3 years

In addition to looking for 3B prospects (as someone mentioned above), I'd also like to start stockpiling some young catching prospects... I know Skipworth is years away yet, but last I looked he had 10 passed balls and a .188 average...WOuld be nice to have another option just in case in 2 or 3 years

 

 

True as Dominguez and Skippy have both had there struggles, it would be great to have a back up plan. Doesn't have to be anyone great but at least someone that can put up decent numbers and play in the Major League Level.But if we could somehow steal another good prospect i'd be all for it.

Dominguez has turned it around in Jupiter since mid May.

Dominguez has turned it around in Jupiter since mid May.

 

 

That's good to hear but he's still hitting .239. Hopefully he picks it up and gets more comfortable as the season progresses.

The one thing with catcher is we at least have baker, who (until the '12 season) will play at worst adequate for a catcher and only making the minimum. We don't have that for third base unless we make a trade. So if we don't make a trade, that leaves basically 3 options for third by spending money. A free agent (too much money and too many years), Uggla (likely outpriced although we certainly could keep him), and Cantu (Make the least out of the bunch and also the youngest).

I think its foolish for our A+ team to be in the FSL in the first place but thats neither here nor there.

We want good players but don't want to give up anyone, that don't work.

It's actually "Heroes get remembered, but legends never die"

 

 

Wow. I misremembered it so badly in my childhood that it was ingrained in my head that way, even to the point then when I saw that clip in the last year or two, I still heard it the way I wrote it. That makes a lot of sense though.

I agree with Marlins2003 about the Hanley-Uggla combo and propose the following lineup:

 

Coghlan, Baker, Hanley, Uggla, Cantu, Hermida, Cody, Bonifacio, Pitcher

 

I would prefer no Bonifacio in the lineup but we know unfortunately that it will never happen. Also Fredi's love for his speed which never gets used and keeping him near the top of the order means the lineup I suggested will not happen either.

 

In terms of trades, Uggla is the obvious one but without him our lineup gets much worse and the loss of power from Uggla, Jacobs and Willingham combined from last year would render our offense ineffective due to the swinging mentality that our hitters have.

 

 

 

 

This

 

and vs LHP

 

Coghlan, Bonifacio, Hanley, Uggla, Cantu, Hermida, Paulino, Cody(you can swap Cody and Paulino if you want)