November 10, 200322 yr Florida Marlins Projected Lineup CF Juan Pierre 2B Mark Grudzielanek C Ivan Rodriguez 3B Mike Lowell RF Miguel Cabrera LF Jeff Conine 1B J.T. Snow SS Alex Gonzalez Projected Rotation RHP Josh Beckett RHP Brad Penny RHP Carl Pavano LHP Dontrelle Willis RHP A.J. Burnett/RHP Kevin Correia Projected Bullpen RHP Braden Looper RHP Chad Fox LHP Joey Eischen RHP Rick White After winning the World Series in 2002, the Angels chose to do next to nothing in the offseason. The Marlins won?t be able to afford that luxury. Ivan Rodriguez, Luis Castillo and Ugueth Urbina are all free agents and it would be a huge surprise if more than one re-signs with the team. Decisions also have to made on 2004 free agents Mike Lowell and Derrek Lee, and Juan Encarnacion and Mark Redman appear to be candidates to be non-tendered. Whether or not to give Rodriguez and Castillo the long-term deals they desire is the biggest question. Since there will be no shortage of inexpensive alternatives at second base, Castillo should be let go. Re-signing Rodriguez has to be the top priority. I?m predicting that they?ll manage to do that and lock up Mike Lowell for the long term. As a result, Lee, Encarnacion and Redman are all going to have to depart. Lee can be traded to the Giants for Kevin Correia and a couple of additional prospects. To replace him, J.T. Snow could be signed or a cheap corner outfielder could be brought in, pushing Jeff Conine to first. Encarnacion should get non-tendered. Redman might have a little trade value. The good news is that dropping those three could allow the team to keep A.J. Burnett, Carl Pavano and Braden Looper. Throw in a few decent but cheap relievers, and the Marlins seem at least as well off as they did a year ago at this time. They?re probably not going back to the World Series, but Marlins fans won?t have nearly as much to complain about as they did in the year after the last championship.
November 10, 200322 yr Not the worst thing that could happen, especially with Pudge and Lowell still here. But what about that barren wasteland called the bullpen? The only thing that will be down there is some tumbleweeds and a few crickets.
November 10, 200322 yr Author rotoworld's other projections.... Urbina-Mutts DLee-Giants Enc-Colorado(imagine the numbers he would put up there?!?)possibly Giants Castillo-Cubs
November 10, 200322 yr i like the projections very much, although i'd say they look a bit optimistic IMO. nonetheless, if that's our lineup for next year, i'll be VERY pleased.
November 10, 200322 yr I'd love that roster! Just one problem--Ugueth Urbina, my favorite player would be gone, but it's a sacrifice I'd be willing to make to get those players. Kevin Correia isn't a bad kid--last season, living in San Fracisco, I heard a couple of his games in the car. JT Snow I'd take any time, as I would Joey Eischen and Mark Grudzielanek (I think I spelled his name right )
November 10, 200322 yr I know our pitching is to be even better next year, but why would we want to replace Lee and Encarnacion with the likes of Grudz and Snow. They might help our OBP or p/PA a bit. Grudzielanek is a below-average player that is seeking a raise in his $5 million dollar salary after his good season. He is a good contact hitter and can work the count when he wants. He also can't field well, has no speed, and his bat is nothing to fear. He was also known to be Dusty Baker's pet last year, and I don't know how well he would work with Jack McKeon. There are far better options available at that price (even Castillo at $6-7M per year.) Miggy and Conine in the outfield? It worked well for the stretch run and post-season, but Conine's knees are one year older. I'm confident Miggy could do anyone from snagging a grounder off the third base line to climbing the outfield fence to steal a home run or play the middle infield or pitch. I don't know if it will be smart to leave spring training with only 2 or 3 natural outfielders. Don't get me wrong, I like Snow a lot. Good fielding first baseman with patience at the plate, and a left-handed bat to boot. He's not up for a big pay cut though. It will cost us maybe 3 or 4 million, half what Lee is expected to command through arbitration. There are plenty of outfielders out there that could be had for a quarter of the price we would have to pay Snow, who would give us a faster and defensive-sound team without as much a hit to offense that Snow would ahve replacing Lee. Also I don't think the Giants will be willing to give up Correia after letting Moss and Ainsworth go this season.
November 10, 200322 yr Enc-Colorado(imagine the numbers he would put up there?!?) Can you say... Preston Wilson? And who the hell would Colorado trade here for him, exactly?
November 10, 200322 yr Grudz would be a solid #2, but I would just as soon save the money and keep Urbina around. Plop Medina/Hooper or some other 2B from ST in there for the job. Defense a must. Right now, I would be shocked if Pudge stays on board. I dont feel too optimistic about him staying, but hey, miracles do happen - as we know all to well. In a way, I dont know if I want Pudge back because we could use that money elsewhere and have a capable replacement in Castro already lined up (if acquitted). Keeping Burnett is key to this offseason, so is keeping Lowell. That should be priority 1 and 2. Our bullpen needs help, and Looper should not be our closer. I dont think he has demonstrated he is the closer - unless he develops an offspeed pitch. Right now, I am obsessed by Jose Guillen. I think he would be a cheap alternative for corner OF that could shift Conine to 1B. Then we can trade Enc, Lee, and Redman to free up money and obtain some prospects ready to go in the next few years. Those three could have a lot of trade value. That said, we dont need JT Snow, instead sign Guillen, shift Conine. Here is what I think would be better: Pierre Hooper/Medrano/alternative 2B Guillen Lowell Conine Cabrera Castro Gonzalez P SP Beckett Penny Willis Pavano Helling/Burnett (Aug.)/alternative SP Pen Urbina CL C Fox Spoon (Aug.) Looper? No Pudge, no Vlad = big time savings. Of course, trading away Lee, Enc and Redman saves more money and not re-signing Castillo leaves even more money. Which means that my proposal is worse case, but we could still feasibly re-sign Pudge or Castillo AND retain the current lineup. I think...but there are a lot of interesting alternatives out there.
November 10, 200322 yr Pierre Hooper/Medina/alternative 2B Guillen Lowell Conine Cabrera Castro Gonzalez P SP Beckett Penny Willis Pavano Helling/Burnett (Aug.)/alternative SP Pen Urbina CL C Fox Spoon (Aug.) Looper? If you don't keep Pudge, despite the fact that you sign Urbina, you can still afford Castillo.
November 10, 200322 yr Grudz would be a solid #2, but I would just as soon save the money and keep Urbina around. Plop Medina/Hooper or some other 2B from ST in there for the job. Defense a must. Right now, I would be shocked if Pudge stays on board. I dont feel too optimistic about him staying, but hey, miracles do happen - as we know all to well. In a way, I dont know if I want Pudge back because we could use that money elsewhere and have a capable replacement in Castro already lined up (if acquitted). Keeping Burnett is key to this offseason, so is keeping Lowell. That should be priority 1 and 2. Our bullpen needs help, and Looper should not be our closer. I dont think he has demonstrated he is the closer - unless he develops an offspeed pitch. Right now, I am obsessed by Jose Guillen. I think he would be a cheap alternative for corner OF that could shift Conine to 1B. Then we can trade Enc, Lee, and Redman to free up money and obtain some prospects ready to go in the next few years. Those three could have a lot of trade value. That said, we dont need JT Snow, instead sign Guillen, shift Conine. Here is what I think would be better: Pierre Hooper/Medina/alternative 2B Guillen Lowell Conine Cabrera Castro Gonzalez P SP Beckett Penny Willis Pavano Helling/Burnett (Aug.)/alternative SP Pen Urbina CL C Fox Spoon (Aug.) Looper? No Pudge, no Vlad = big time savings. Of course, trading away Lee, Enc and Redman saves more money and not re-signing Castillo leaves even more money. Which means that my proposal is worse case, but we could still feasibly re-sign Pudge or Castillo AND retain the current lineup. I think...but there are a lot of interesting alternatives out there. I don't know, but I feel keeping the current chemistry of this team as much as possible should be the priority. Pudge should be re-signed. In addition, if is true that Guillen is problematic on the club house. Why would you want him here?
November 10, 200322 yr if we want the best possible record next season, we should not sign pudge. however, if we DO sign pudge, he should help sell tickets. long-term, it'll probably be in our best interests and it should help keep us financially viable
November 10, 200322 yr Whoops. My bad Ramp, yes, Medrano. Who is Medina? :blink: Thinking of Rafael Medina?
November 10, 200322 yr Freeing up Money = Midseason Deals, long term extensions and Next Season FA (Pedro, Nomar, Lowe)
November 10, 200322 yr Pudge should be re-signed. Not if it harms the teams production. I don't agree with signing a player as a PR move if it holds the team back. If our FO learned anything this season, it's that players don't attract fans, winning does. Signing Pudge does not give you the best chance to win. Period. In addition, if is true that Guillen is problematic on the club house. Why would you want him here? Cheap? Productive? And he would probably get along with a care-free fun-loving team like this. Who wouldn't?
November 10, 200322 yr Burnett will be back by May. Some even hope for opening day. Michael Tucker is a good LH bat for the outfield that could fare well with help of McKeon and our coaches. Edit: Our young starters suck at holding runners. We need Pudge!
November 10, 200322 yr Screw Tucker. I hate that guy - he is pure garbage. Get me Guillen. And I am very pleased to read that the FO is not going to re-sign anyone just to avoid a panic. It is very smart of this team to field a winner, and not a bunch of names (Mets). I am very tempted for us to let Pudge and Castillo go and replace them with Castro (if acquitted, good God) and Hooper/Medrano or even the newly mentioned Pokey Reese (suggested by Capefish). We could save lots of money and use that to sign a guy like Guillen and get us some more arms in the bullpen (like lefty relief). We also can trade Encarnacion and Lee (because Guillen goes to RF and Conine to 1B) which frees up more money AND gets us some prospects in return. Redman could also be traded in order to re-sign Burnett and a spot starter until he is able to return. Marlins have a lot of flexibility right now...gotta love it.
November 10, 200322 yr Hooper is not ready for the MLB Says who? Because scouts beg to differ. Name two.
November 10, 200322 yr Personally I take Rotoworld with a grain of salt, this guy seems to be very trade happy. Come on Gavin Floyd and MArlon Byrd for Vasquez along with a few others.
November 10, 200322 yr Someone who bats in the mid .260's in the minor leagues is not ready for the Show. sure he's fast, sure he has good pitch selection and all that...but it's not all been put together. dont rush him, give him time to get better. Just because we hit the rookie jackpot this year with Dontrelle and Cabrera does not mean that hooper is ready to be brought up just because he has decent numbers. Decent in AAA does not cut it in the MLB.
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