• Fish food: Could the Marlins be a potential destination for Russell Branyan? They've been looking for a left-handed bat off the bench, and they're not sure whether either of their first-base options (Logan Morrison and Gaby Sanchez) is ready. So they could be a definite fit for the only remaining free agent who made 30 home run trots last year.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&page=rumblings010129

 

I don't see it happening really. I think they'd rather let JJ2, Gaby, and Logan battle it out.

As much as I would love to get Branyan, I seriously doubt we would get him.

As much as I would love to get Branyan, I seriously doubt we would get him.

 

 

Yeah, I hate "news" like this. Pull a random name out of a hat, find a team that matches up on a couple (but not all) of the criteria met for the player, say that that team has "potential" to be interested in the player, call it news.

 

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adam kennedy and hank blalock are still out there and blalock had a decent comeback year after some serious injuries. kennedy had a solid year for oakland but i think they might be looking for starting jobs.

Without a doubt Blalock would start on the Marlins just like Branyan would. I agree with you about Kennedy though.

I had absolutely no idea he hit 30+ HR last year

If you brought in Branyan he can only play 1st base part-time and he does so at the expense of defense, Cantu and some of the franchise's emerging players.

 

I'm not saying he couldn't be made to fit and be an asset to the team, but a lot of oft-spoken about plans go out the window to accommodate his shortcomings and limited positional play. Not to mention at 116 games last season that's the most he's ever played in his 10+ year career and he only played 50 in 2008, 89 in 2007, 91 in 2006, 64 in 2005 - it doesn't look like he's capable of being more than a reserve player in the NL.

 

I respect a guy who can hit more than 30 homers in a season and I'm not dissing him but unless the Marlins do an about face on where they say are going with a number of guys in 2010 there just isn't room for him.

Branyan never got a chance to be a starting player until last season in the majors. He also cranked 10 homers in only 158 at bats against lefties last season. 31 homers in 116 games in pretty darn impressive especially when you play half of your games at Safeco Park. Cantu would move back to 3B if Branyan were signed. So what if Sanchez and Morrison have to play in the minors.

Like Backin said, Branyan's limited numbers in appearances was only linked to the fact that he was never really given the chance to be an everyday player. I had hoped year in and year our for the last four or five years us, or ANYONE, would give this guy a shot to play everyday. We missed out on that boat, but at least he got his shot and put the numbers on the board. Keep in mind, this is not a guy who is going to have his power numbers drop in Sun Life, either. He has incredible raw power...

 

Plus, if you can give him the time off he may need with Sanchez hanging around...

I think it would be a good move to sign Branyan. I think they will face competition in trying to sign him so he won't come too cheaply.

The Marlins offered a one-year deal to free agent first baseman Russell Branyan, reports ESPN's Jayson Stark. The offer contains a "low base and lots of incentives," and Branyan would have to pass rookies Gaby Sanchez and Logan Morrison on the depth chart for a starting job.

 

Branyan's options are dwindling, as the Orioles added Miguel Tejada, the Mariners acquired Casey Kotchman, and the Mets don't appear to be interested. One possibility could be a return to Cleveland, as Terry Pluto of the Plain Dealer recently hinted. Why the lack of interest in a 31-home run free agent slugger? Branyan is 34 now, and most of his '09 production came in the first half. Back troubles ended his season on August 28th.

 

 

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/02/marlins-made-offer-to-russell-branyan.html

He would make a nice bench player and platoon with Gaby.

Career .837 .OPS against RH pitching. Has amazing power. I would really like this signing.

Nice insurance piece for Gaby.

He would make a nice bench player and platoon with Gaby.

 

He'd be just like Baker, always RHP, hardly ever LHP. Gaby would probably max out at 275-300 PA if he was up the whole year. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing because Branyan will hit bombs and walk. Or you could keep Gaby in AAA to force feed him playing 3B so he can hopefully play there next year, keep Jimenez on the team, and use Helms (1B) and Bonifacio (3B) to sub in versus LHP instead of Branyan.

 

Regardless, it's only good if they are able to sign him. He will be very useful for 2010 in whatever roll he ends up getting.

Branyan had a .802 OPS against lefty pitchers last season and he hit 10 homers in only 158 at bats against them last season. He only hit .222 against them but he is not hopeless. He mashed righties though pounding 21 homers in 273 at bats against them with a .905 OPS (.267 avg.). I'm not so sure that he would be a platoon player.

I severely doubt Gaby would platoon with him, it would be Helms. There is no spot on the bench for Gaby. If Branyan is starting, we still need a left handed hitter for the bench. And from the sounds of it, Branyan is looking at being that bench spot unless Gaby and Logan suck in ST.

He's the best option still out there and could be a good fit if he recovers from those nagging back injuries.

And Branyan wouldn't be a full time platoon player but if he signs he's most likely split time vs LHP with Helms and start as many games as he can vs RHP.

 

Only other solid option beside Branyan I can possibly see is the already before mentioned Joe Crede.

A possible scenario as tweeted by Frisaro:

 

If Branyan signs and wins 1B job and Maybin's shoulder sets him back, Logan Morrison could play RF with Ross in CF.

 

I thought Maybin was recovering ok but this suggests he may not be 100% to start the season.

I severely doubt Gaby would platoon with him, it would be Helms. There is no spot on the bench for Gaby. If Branyan is starting, we still need a left handed hitter for the bench. And from the sounds of it, Branyan is looking at being that bench spot unless Gaby and Logan suck in ST.

 

 

Branyan isn't coming here (if he does) to be on the bench. He cracked 31 homers last season and that deserves respect over a couple of rookies.

I severely doubt Gaby would platoon with him, it would be Helms. There is no spot on the bench for Gaby. If Branyan is starting, we still need a left handed hitter for the bench. And from the sounds of it, Branyan is looking at being that bench spot unless Gaby and Logan suck in ST.

 

 

Branyan isn't coming here (if he does) to be on the bench. He cracked 31 homers last season and that deserves respect over a couple of rookies.

 

I certainly agree but Stark himself said: "Branyan would have to pass rookies Gaby Sanchez and Logan Morrison on the depth chart for a starting job."

 

So sounds like our offer is for a guaranteed bench job with spring training battle for a starting gig.

I saw that too. Personally, I think Branyan will easily beat out Sanchez and Morrison. I still don't think the Marlins have much faith in Sanchez or he would have been with them last year. As for Morrison, I have a hunch he will need some more time in the minors.

I looked more into this today and I'm liking it more and more... get this done and I'm feeling quite good about our squad whether Branyan starts or is on the bench. Do it!

I saw that too. Personally, I think Branyan will easily beat out Sanchez and Morrison. I still don't think the Marlins have much faith in Sanchez or he would have been with them last year. As for Morrison, I have a hunch he will need some more time in the minors.

 

 

 

I'm surprised you like Branyan.

I've been watching him a long time. I lived in Ohio when the Indians drafted him. I saw him play a lot in the minors as the Tribe had some teams there and I could not believe how far this guy can hit the baseball. He was always blocked with the Indians and he never got much of a chance with them. I have little doubt that if he bats 500 times for the Marlins that he will hit 40 or more homers. Even that stadium is no match for him as you saw last season what he did at Safeco Park.