I think that the Marlins can still get a decent 1B or 3B that is starting caliber for a nice price. Melvin Mora, Joe Crede, Russell Branyan, Hank Blalock, Ryan Garko and Chad Tracy are all still available. I left off Carlos Delgado because he is still limping around. Don't be surprised if Orlando Cabrera thinks about Florida (3B). I don't like that idea but Jeff Loria likes his old players from Montreal so you never know. I think he would cost too much anyway. Looking for a Ross Gload type could lead the Marlins to Frank Catalanotto or Tony Clark. I also like the idea of bringing in another outfielder who could play CF if needed like Reed Johnson, Eric Byrnes or Randy Winn. I also think bringing in Brian Giles on a minor league deal could help out the bench and give him a chance to re-establish himself.

 

The pitching is pretty much picked over and there is not much left. I'm sure Beinfest will bring in some guys on minor league deals who could surprise in 2010 because he always does.

Marlins aren't bringing in any 1st/3rd baseman... Bullpen and a lefty bat for the bench is what they are looking for...

 

It wont be anything big, under a mil for the bat and the bullpen arms will be ST invites like KIKO was last season

This really comes down if you like Gaby and Jimenez.

 

There are FA that can upgrade both of them, being right handers and left handers specifically. The thing is, do you want to bring in anyone to upgrade them or do you want to see if they can play? Secondly, do you want to bring in someone that could "block" Morrison with payroll?

i was going to say chad tracy because he'd fill the role left by gload but he just signed with the cubs for a minor league deal. he would have been a good option if jimenez and gaby struggled but whatever. i still find frank catalanotto and baldelli interesting if they're willing to play for a minimum deal.

I thought Reed Johnson signed with the Jays already. Couldn't tell you how freakin' much I would love the Marlins signing Randy Winn!!!!!!!!!! I know he's probably over the hill but I still hate they lost him in 97 expansion draft, he was so destined for Marlins greatness.

I thought Reed Johnson signed with the Jays already. Couldn't tell you how freakin' much I would love the Marlins signing Randy Winn!!!!!!!!!! I know he's probably over the hill but I still hate they lost him in 97 expansion draft, he was so destined for Marlins greatness.

 

 

Reed Johnson hasn't signed with anyone yet. I agree with you about a player like Winn but he might still want to start.

This really comes down if you like Gaby and Jimenez.

 

There are FA that can upgrade both of them, being right handers and left handers specifically. The thing is, do you want to bring in anyone to upgrade them or do you want to see if they can play? Secondly, do you want to bring in someone that could "block" Morrison with payroll?

 

 

I was thinking that almost everyone on that list of free agents probably wouldn't get more than one year Lou. So that would only block Morrison until 2011 giving him another year in the minors while making the Marlins a better team for 2010.

There have been and will continue to be so many what I'd called fringe/aging/"average" ballplayers signed this off-season to minor league or split contracts, many of which probably have out clauses before rosters are set for Opening Day that I suspect they'll be a horde of talent available at the end of March. The Nationals, just as an example are signing more players than they could ever hope to have room for at either the major league or AAA level, and they aren't the only team doing so.

 

You even have a Mike Lowell (and I'm not necessarily pointing to him) who is clearly not going to be a RS unless someone gets hurt who needs to show he's healthy and if he does will get moved in a minute. With RS picking up a big big share of his salary and a contract for one year someone will give him playing time in 2010. No strings attached.

 

I'm not talking about finding a Roberto Clemente up for dibs, more like the Gload types, the one and done guys who can nicely round out a youngish team like ours until a someone pushes his way onto the roster from AA/AAA ball. The luxury is having someone else paying them and giving them playing time while our scouts keep an eye on ones that interest the front office or some phenom pushes a veteran on another team to the side. We need some depth in a few spots and with so much talent out there I doubt by Opening Day (barring injury) we'll be unhappy with the overall makeup of this club.

Trade Dan Uggla for pitching and sign Johnny Damon for like $3 million to play LF. Or sign Damon and put Coghlan at 3B and leave Cantu at 1B.

 

Coghlan

Maybin

Hanley

Cantu

Uggla

Damon

Cody

Baker

 

 

mmmmmmmmm

Brian Giles might be, if he can handle the 1B spot.

(Also if he can put up with backup role, Definitely.)

Brian Giles might be, if he can handle the 1B spot.

(Also if he can put up with backup role, Definitely.)

 

 

Giles is an interesting name he might very well fit nicely with this team I would be totally behind it

If you want a Marlins reunion, Gary Sheffield is still on the market and hasn't had any offers that I'm aware of. Not a horrible bat to have on the bench, but I'm not that fond of his attitude (although hopefully age has worn that down somewhat).

This really comes down if you like Gaby and Jimenez.

 

There are FA that can upgrade both of them, being right handers and left handers specifically. The thing is, do you want to bring in anyone to upgrade them or do you want to see if they can play? Secondly, do you want to bring in someone that could "block" Morrison with payroll?

 

 

I believe with the Gaby/Logan/JJ2 situation they will be giving them every opportunity to prove themselves first. They will be getting alot of playing time this ST. If during ST things aren't looking good then I see them going after another player or two. Kinda like what they did last year for 1B, with the exception they waited too long and didn't have the competition at 1B to start with. A closer comparison is what they did at the catchers spot last ST. No one was really stepping up for the backup spot so they went out and got Ronnie. But the competition was there for most of ST.

 

I doubt anyone being brought in is going to "block" Logan with payroll. He's the guy they are looking towards to be the 1B of the future. That "future" may be right now. And I doubt they are looking at waiting to bring him up later for future payroll/time in service considerations if he is struggling at the plate this ST. When he is ready, up he comes if it is deemed he is needed. Like Coghlan last season.

It's not that someone will block Logan talent-wise. It's more that if we sign a guy for, say, $5 million, then this team can't really justify having that big a contract sitting on the bench instead of starting.

If you want a Marlins reunion, Gary Sheffield is still on the market and hasn't had any offers that I'm aware of. Not a horrible bat to have on the bench, but I'm not that fond of his attitude (although hopefully age has worn that down somewhat).

 

 

The problem is that the Shef still wants to be starting the majority of games, or at least that was an issue with him last season.

It's not that someone will block Logan talent-wise. It's more that if we sign a guy for, say, $5 million, then this team can't really justify having that big a contract sitting on the bench instead of starting.

 

You got it. Others didn't. And I wouldn't even say $5 million. I'd say, simply a veteran presence that has started in the past and isn't failing miserably at the MLB level.

What about John Smoltz?

It's not that someone will block Logan talent-wise. It's more that if we sign a guy for, say, $5 million, then this team can't really justify having that big a contract sitting on the bench instead of starting.

 

You got it. Others didn't. And I wouldn't even say $5 million. I'd say, simply a veteran presence that has started in the past and isn't failing miserably at the MLB level.

 

The only guy on that original list that could command around $5 million bucks would be Orlando Cabrera and I just don't see that happening. But, I think you'll be surprised at how cheap some of these guys will play for. Heck, Jim Thome only got $1.5 million bucks for 2010 and he's worth a lot more than that.

It's not that someone will block Logan talent-wise. It's more that if we sign a guy for, say, $5 million, then this team can't really justify having that big a contract sitting on the bench instead of starting.

 

You got it. Others didn't. And I wouldn't even say $5 million. I'd say, simply a veteran presence that has started in the past and isn't failing miserably at the MLB level.

 

The only guy on that original list that could command around $5 million bucks would be Orlando Cabrera and I just don't see that happening. But, I think you'll be surprised at how cheap some of these guys will play for. Heck, Jim Thome only got $1.5 million bucks for 2010 and he's worth a lot more than that.

Sure, but that has nothing to do with what I said. Any veteran, is going to block Logan as long as he is playing alright. They won't make a switch in that scenario. Do you really want to block him for a year in AAA when he's basically MLB ready, and completely set aside Gaby? I see the arguments both ways. I just don't know what's smarter. Branyan and Blalock would mash a bit, but Gaby and Logan should be pretty good even as rookies as they have plate disciplined are are relatively polished. And then if you sign someone, you basically lose Jimenez as he wouldn't break camp unless you do something like, cut Wes Helms. Which would be hilarious, but that wouldn't happen. And then you ask, well how important is Jimenez? Granted he's a marginal prospect, but they drafted him for a reason.

 

What I think I would do is, see how much Branyan, Blalock, and Jacobs want as the lefties. I'd sign whoever is cool playing for really cheap, let's say $1 million, which shouldn't be a problem for Blalock or Jacobs, and let them start half the time at 1B and only against RHP. Gaby, gets all lefties and the rest of the starts, and Jimenez is simply sent back to Boston. Then in June, you see how Veteran/Gaby are doing, and if someone stinks, call up Logan and see how that goes. And that's about it. But, I still wouldn't be disappointed with a Gaby/Jimenez platoon to start the year. I believe in the bats.

 

---

 

And a total side note since you brought up Thome, how perfect is Uggla for them as they need a mashing right hander to put in between the five lefties (span, mauer, morneau, kubel, thome) they now have. Cuddyer is legit. Hardy is ok at 7th or 8th, but they really need someone to slot to break it up. I don't know if they can afford Dan, but I like David Bromberg (http://www.thebaseballcube.com/Players/B/David-Bromberg.shtml), and they have a few other RP arms that are interesting. Hell, maybe even take Delmon if you think his second half last year was real and he's starting to meet his potential.

agree with the one person who said smoltz. i think this staff is in desperate need of a veteran presence. offense... i was holding out hope wed sign someone but now all these retreads just doesnt do it for me. giles is interesting as a patient lefty bat off the bench but i dont see it happening

It's not that someone will block Logan talent-wise. It's more that if we sign a guy for, say, $5 million, then this team can't really justify having that big a contract sitting on the bench instead of starting.

 

You got it. Others didn't. And I wouldn't even say $5 million. I'd say, simply a veteran presence that has started in the past and isn't failing miserably at the MLB level.

 

The only guy on that original list that could command around $5 million bucks would be Orlando Cabrera and I just don't see that happening. But, I think you'll be surprised at how cheap some of these guys will play for. Heck, Jim Thome only got $1.5 million bucks for 2010 and he's worth a lot more than that.

Sure, but that has nothing to do with what I said. Any veteran, is going to block Logan as long as he is playing alright. They won't make a switch in that scenario. Do you really want to block him for a year in AAA when he's basically MLB ready, and completely set aside Gaby? I see the arguments both ways. I just don't know what's smarter. Branyan and Blalock would mash a bit, but Gaby and Logan should be pretty good even as rookies as they have plate disciplined are are relatively polished. And then if you sign someone, you basically lose Jimenez as he wouldn't break camp unless you do something like, cut Wes Helms. Which would be hilarious, but that wouldn't happen. And then you ask, well how important is Jimenez? Granted he's a marginal prospect, but they drafted him for a reason.

 

What I think I would do is, see how much Branyan, Blalock, and Jacobs want as the lefties. I'd sign whoever is cool playing for really cheap, let's say $1 million, which shouldn't be a problem for Blalock or Jacobs, and let them start half the time at 1B and only against RHP. Gaby, gets all lefties and the rest of the starts, and Jimenez is simply sent back to Boston. Then in June, you see how Veteran/Gaby are doing, and if someone stinks, call up Logan and see how that goes. And that's about it. But, I still wouldn't be disappointed with a Gaby/Jimenez platoon to start the year. I believe in the bats.

 

---

 

And a total side note since you brought up Thome, how perfect is Uggla for them as they need a mashing right hander to put in between the five lefties (span, mauer, morneau, kubel, thome) they now have. Cuddyer is legit. Hardy is ok at 7th or 8th, but they really need someone to slot to break it up. I don't know if they can afford Dan, but I like David Bromberg (http://www.thebaseballcube.com/Players/B/David-Bromberg.shtml), and they have a few other RP arms that are interesting. Hell, maybe even take Delmon if you think his second half last year was real and he's starting to meet his potential.

 

I've been saying all along that the Twins is the team to trade Uggla to if they are still interested in moving him. They got lots of pitching to give us back. For some reason I think Delmon Young will never live up to the hype because he swings at everything and he is not like Vladimir Guerrero who gets away with that.

I have no problem with letting Morrison sit a year in AAA if someone like Blalock or Branyan is raking. This isn't like when the Phillies signed Jim Thome to a long term contract blocking Ryan Howard for a couple of seasons. I'm just thinking about a 1-year deal. As far as Sanchez goes let him earn anything he gets in spring training.

Has anyone else noticed that over the last few days, maybe a week, not every but many looks at how the Marlins' infield competition shapes up totally ignores the existence of JJ2?

 

I can't figure out if it's ineptitude or there's actually something going on in the background but more and more frequently conventional wisdom is being shaped around the notion that Cantu is our 2010 third baseman while one of the two - Sanchez or Morrison - will be anchoring first. Putting aside Bonifacio because he's not going to third unless it's a dire emergency and they'd probably move Uggla there before EB again and let him play second in a pinch, Jimenez is not even in the picture. He's become at best a left-handed hitting guy off the bench.

 

It may just be bad reporting gone viral, but I wonder if there's a chance he's the next Ceda. He did quit winter league play even before he was drafted if the dates and games played are accurate regardless of what the local media reported. Four games. Done. If the Marlins were that high on him and had plans to pick him up in a few days you'd think the Fish scouts watching him in PR, so they know why he ended his abbreviated winter league tour so quickly. If anyone here knows, I'd like to know. It does dawn on me the four games (he's from PR so it may have been out of convenience) may have been a showcase.

 

Had the Marlins not gone after him the way they did, using the Lindstrom trade to move up to insure grabbing him I'd just say well there's been a change of heart on a Rule 5 guy they had a fleeting interest in, but that wasn't the case. I still think there is at least a 50/50 chance Cantu winds up at his best defensive position and either Sanchez or JJ2 is at third, or some mystery man we don't know about yet.

 

I've seen a lot of amateur video over the winter of him (you'll love the leg kick) and he does look strong at the plate so I guess I'm wondering out loud if he's hurt or there's some other reason we don't know about. I guess we'll know soon.

from "Fish Bytes" in the Herald...

 

"But the Marlins have touched base with Kevin Gregg and they're also keeping a close eye on several others, including Chan Ho Park, Seth McClung, Kiko Calero, Mike MacDougal, Derrick Turnbow and Jose Veras."

 

Kevin Gregg? I suppose it's plausible but it seems to me at least with most fans he wore out his welcome here. Certainly acquisitions aren't made to please the fans but it kinda puts a pale on the festivities when they announce "Kevin Gregg" to a round of boos and catcalls on Opening Day.

Has anyone else noticed that over the last few days, maybe a week, not every but many looks at how the Marlins' infield competition shapes up totally ignores the existence of JJ2?

 

I can't figure out if it's ineptitude or there's actually something going on in the background but more and more frequently conventional wisdom is being shaped around the notion that Cantu is our 2010 third baseman while one of the two - Sanchez or Morrison - will be anchoring first. Putting aside Bonifacio because he's not going to third unless it's a dire emergency and they'd probably move Uggla there before EB again and let him play second in a pinch, Jimenez is not even in the picture. He's become at best a left-handed hitting guy off the bench.

 

It may just be bad reporting gone viral, but I wonder if there's a chance he's the next Ceda. He did quit winter league play even before he was drafted if the dates and games played are accurate regardless of what the local media reported. Four games. Done. If the Marlins were that high on him and had plans to pick him up in a few days you'd think the Fish scouts watching him in PR, so they know why he ended his abbreviated winter league tour so quickly. If anyone here knows, I'd like to know. It does dawn on me the four games (he's from PR so it may have been out of convenience) may have been a showcase.

 

Had the Marlins not gone after him the way they did, using the Lindstrom trade to move up to insure grabbing him I'd just say well there's been a change of heart on a Rule 5 guy they had a fleeting interest in, but that wasn't the case. I still think there is at least a 50/50 chance Cantu winds up at his best defensive position and either Sanchez or JJ2 is at third, or some mystery man we don't know about yet.

 

I've seen a lot of amateur video over the winter of him (you'll love the leg kick) and he does look strong at the plate so I guess I'm wondering out loud if he's hurt or there's some other reason we don't know about. I guess we'll know soon.

 

 

Jimenez is a Rule 5 Pick. He isn't guaranteed a roster spot on the Marlins. Most of those guys get returned to their original teams every year. I think we got spoiled with Uggla.