What about thinking outside the box by bringing in Felipe Lopez to play 3B with Cantu playing 1B for a year? He played in 151 games for the Brewers and D-Backs last season in which he was 187 for 604 (.310 avg, .810 OPS) with 88 runs scored, 9 homers, 57 RBIs and 6 stolen bases. I know that was a career year for him but if the price is right would you take a chance on him for 1 year? Just throwing it out there I have not heard anything about the Marlins have interest in him.

I think Felipe Lopez would be a solid addition to this team, but not necessarily as a starter at third and bumping Cantu to first. The great thing about Lopez at this point in his career is that he can play practically anywhere. If we had him on our team, I'd hope we would use him as such. He could be an insurance option for poor performance at first, third, left, right, or nearly anywhere else.

I think Felipe Lopez would be a solid addition to this team, but not necessarily as a starter at third and bumping Cantu to first. The great thing about Lopez at this point in his career is that he can play practically anywhere. If we had him on our team, I'd hope we would use him as such. He could be an insurance option for poor performance at first, third, left, right, or nearly anywhere else.

 

...and he is a much better hitter than the guy who formally occupied that role :whistle

I don't have a problem with bringing on Lopez. I can't imagine there are many teams still looking at him as a starter, considering guys like Adam Kennedy and Orlando Hudson finally signed.

You all understand of course the guy is not a third baseman and we've twice recently seen what happens when you try converting 2B to 3B and the less than optimum results. He's another guy who could be made to fit into the roster if there was some overwhelming reason to, but there isn't at least not right now.

 

BTW, here's his fielding page from ESPN - it's a quickie meant only to indicate position play - it should be obvious he has never been a third baseman of choice since he broke in 2001. He's a middle infielder not a corner guy. If we were looking for a utility guy which so far the front hasn't indicated we are, he might be a decent candidate with his outfield play definitely a bonus but as a starter, I don't think so.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/stats?playerId=4254&context=fielding

I agree. Felipe is a nice player, but is not right for this team.

i would take him on. he is a solid player who can hit for average and some power.

 

however, his best year was definitely 2005 with the reds when he hit .291 with 23 home runs and 85 rbi.

 

im really shocked guys like kennedy and hudson were not signed sooner. Lots of guys not getting what they expected im sure.

I agree. Felipe is a nice player, but is not right for this team.

 

 

Not right as a third basemen it is possible, but of the price were right (which it very well probably isn't) he could be a tremendous benefit to this team.

You all understand of course the guy is not a third baseman and we've twice recently seen what happens when you try converting 2B to 3B and the less than optimum results. He's another guy who could be made to fit into the roster if there was some overwhelming reason to, but there isn't at least not right now.

 

BTW, here's his fielding page from ESPN - it's a quickie meant only to indicate position play - it should be obvious he has never been a third baseman of choice since he broke in 2001. He's a middle infielder not a corner guy. If we were looking for a utility guy which so far the front hasn't indicated we are, he might be a decent candidate with his outfield play definitely a bonus but as a starter, I don't think so.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/stats?playerId=4254&context=fielding

 

 

I would like to see either Logan or Gaby secure that 1B slot so Cantu can see a full season at 3B, including ST. I think he could be very acceptable there. Never take the GG away from Zimms, but I believe he would be okay.

 

We really don't have a position on the team for Lopez. Unless he can pitch.

I thought it interesting that he just fired Scott Boras.

 

Source: Felipe Lopez fires agent

 

By Jayson Stark

ESPN

 

Free-agent infielder Felipe Lopez has fired his agent, Scott Boras, and signed on with the Beverly Hill Sports Council, a source told ESPN.com Friday.

 

The 29-year-old Lopez was reportedly disgruntled over still finding himself without a team, just days before the beginning of spring training.

 

Lopez batted .310, with a .383 on-base percentage, last season for the Diamondbacks and Brewers. The only other free agent on the market this winter who matched or beat him in both of those categories was Matt Holliday.

 

The Cardinals are the only club known to still have interest in Lopez, who was also on Colorado's shopping list before the Rockies signed Melvin Mora.

I thought it interesting that he just fired Scott Boras.

 

Source: Felipe Lopez fires agent

 

By Jayson Stark

ESPN

 

Free-agent infielder Felipe Lopez has fired his agent, Scott Boras, and signed on with the Beverly Hill Sports Council, a source told ESPN.com Friday.

 

The 29-year-old Lopez was reportedly disgruntled over still finding himself without a team, just days before the beginning of spring training.

 

Lopez batted .310, with a .383 on-base percentage, last season for the Diamondbacks and Brewers. The only other free agent on the market this winter who matched or beat him in both of those categories was Matt Holliday.

 

The Cardinals are the only club known to still have interest in Lopez, who was also on Colorado's shopping list before the Rockies signed Melvin Mora.

 

Yeah, I don't blame him. If you aren't a 'star', Boras puts you at the end of his 'to-do' list. This has happened before. It's crazy that both he and Damon don't have jobs, although it looks like Damon will have a new team shortly.

Maybe with Boras gone he gets a deal here to play, but doubtful Marlins would want to put that much money out there if they plan on keeping Uggla for the time being.