Forecasting roster spots

Speculating on who will stay and go is part of the fun in Spring Training.

 

In Marlins camp, there are some interesting position battles going on, and as we head into the final two weeks, here are some things to follow.

 

Based on conversations and observations, it looks as if the backup position player spots are coming into focus.

 

Obviously, until moves are official, anything can happen. But taking the temperature of the ballclub as of Saturday afternoon, it looks like the position players off the bench may be Ronny Paulino, Wes Helms, Emilio Bonifacio, Brian Barden and Mike Lamb.

 

The Marlins every day outfield, if healthy, is set. Unlike last year, when Jeremy Hermida was frequently removed for defensive reasons in the late innings, there may not be a need for a defensive outfield replacement. Chris Coghlan, Cameron Maybin and Cody Ross won't be coming out of games because of their defense.

 

Bonifacio, meanwhile, can play center field, as well as infield. Cody Ross, who will play right field, also can move to center field, if needed.

 

Barden has been on the team's radar for more than a year, and chances are good that he will break camp with the club. Now that they have him, he is a quality defensive infielder who can play shortstop, second and third base. On Sunday in Viera against the Nationals, he subbed in at third base.

 

Gaby Sanchez most likely will win the first base job. If in late innings, the Marlins take Sanchez, a rookie, out for whatever reasons, Jorge Cantu can slide from third base to first base. Barden could get playing time at third in that scenario. Helms, the primary pinch-hitter option, also could fill that role.

 

Defensively, Barden is very good. He may be this year's version of Alfredo Amezaga, who is now with the Dodgers.

 

Lamb, meanwhile, has the edge as the left-handed bat off the bench. In Spring Training, Lamb is 5-for-15, with a .375 on-base percentage. Lamb hasn't struck out in Spring Training. To fill that lefty situational role, the Marlins are looking for someone who makes contact.

 

Primarily a first and third basemen, Lamb also could be the emergency third catcher.

 

It is looking like Jorge Jimenez, the Rule 5 claim who was dealt to Florida as part of the Matt Lindstrom trade, may not fit into the Marlins plans right now. If the Marlins indeed decide to keep Lamb, then Jimenez would likely be offered back to the Red Sox, his original team. Jimenez is 3-for-18 thus far.

 

Again, the team hasn't officially made any final decisions, and jobs could still be won based on merit, or if there are injuries.

 

Typically, how players are used in these final two weeks will indicate what roles the club is considering. The Marlins soon will be looking to give their regulars more playing time, which limits opportunity for prospects who project to open in the Minor Leagues.

 

On Monday, the Marlins are off, and two starting pitching candidates are slated to throw in Minor League games on the back fields at Roger Dean Stadium -- Andrew Miller and Clay Hensley.

 

-- Joe Frisaro

Forecasting roster spots

Speculating on who will stay and go is part of the fun in Spring Training.

 

In Marlins camp, there are some interesting position battles going on, and as we head into the final two weeks, here are some things to follow.

 

Based on conversations and observations, it looks as if the backup position player spots are coming into focus.

 

Obviously, until moves are official, anything can happen. But taking the temperature of the ballclub as of Saturday afternoon, it looks like the position players off the bench may be Ronny Paulino, Wes Helms, Emilio Bonifacio, Brian Barden and Mike Lamb.

 

The Marlins every day outfield, if healthy, is set. Unlike last year, when Jeremy Hermida was frequently removed for defensive reasons in the late innings, there may not be a need for a defensive outfield replacement. Chris Coghlan, Cameron Maybin and Cody Ross won't be coming out of games because of their defense.

 

Bonifacio, meanwhile, can play center field, as well as infield. Cody Ross, who will play right field, also can move to center field, if needed.

 

Barden has been on the team's radar for more than a year, and chances are good that he will break camp with the club. Now that they have him, he is a quality defensive infielder who can play shortstop, second and third base. On Sunday in Viera against the Nationals, he subbed in at third base.

 

Gaby Sanchez most likely will win the first base job. If in late innings, the Marlins take Sanchez, a rookie, out for whatever reasons, Jorge Cantu can slide from third base to first base. Barden could get playing time at third in that scenario. Helms, the primary pinch-hitter option, also could fill that role.

 

Defensively, Barden is very good. He may be this year's version of Alfredo Amezaga, who is now with the Dodgers.

 

Lamb, meanwhile, has the edge as the left-handed bat off the bench. In Spring Training, Lamb is 5-for-15, with a .375 on-base percentage. Lamb hasn't struck out in Spring Training. To fill that lefty situational role, the Marlins are looking for someone who makes contact.

 

Primarily a first and third basemen, Lamb also could be the emergency third catcher.

 

It is looking like Jorge Jimenez, the Rule 5 claim who was dealt to Florida as part of the Matt Lindstrom trade, may not fit into the Marlins plans right now. If the Marlins indeed decide to keep Lamb, then Jimenez would likely be offered back to the Red Sox, his original team. Jimenez is 3-for-18 thus far.

 

Again, the team hasn't officially made any final decisions, and jobs could still be won based on merit, or if there are injuries.

 

Typically, how players are used in these final two weeks will indicate what roles the club is considering. The Marlins soon will be looking to give their regulars more playing time, which limits opportunity for prospects who project to open in the Minor Leagues.

 

On Monday, the Marlins are off, and two starting pitching candidates are slated to throw in Minor League games on the back fields at Roger Dean Stadium -- Andrew Miller and Clay Hensley.

 

-- Joe Frisaro

 

there is no point in carrying both barden and bonifacio. they're pretty much the same player. brett carroll will make the team, i'm sure of that. the players set in stone are helms, carroll, and paulino. then it'll be between bonifacio and barden as the backup middle infielders....i'm pretty sure it'll be boni since he's played more and performed well in spring training. so the last spot should be for the left-handed bat off the bench which would be lamb, jimenez, or morrison. i think morrison gets 2 months of seasoning in the minors and then it'll come down between jimenez and lamb...unless they made a last minute acquisition like ross gload was last season.

Isn't BC out of options?

 

There's not a chance in hell he doesn't make the team.

Frisaro thinks there's going to be a catcher and 4 infielders on the team?

Isn't BC out of options?

 

There's not a chance in hell he doesn't make the team.

 

 

he has an option. He was given a fourth option because he missed half of the 2008 season.

If BC has an option and they like Barden, they could at least give Barden a shot, and once the season starts, it'll probably be a lot easier to get him through waivers (not sure what his options situation is).

Hayden Penn's thrashing today is a blessing. Goodbye.

Isn't BC out of options?

 

There's not a chance in hell he doesn't make the team.

 

 

he has an option. He was given a fourth option because he missed half of the 2008 season.

 

 

lol I knew you'd come through... :notworthy

BC better be on the team.

Hayden Penn's thrashing today is a blessing. Goodbye.

 

 

Agree 100%. I have nothing against the guy personally, but I just don't want him in our rotation, regardless of the fact that some of the alternative options may be struggling so far.

Isn't BC out of options?

 

There's not a chance in hell he doesn't make the team.

 

 

he has an option. He was given a fourth option because he missed half of the 2008 season.

 

 

lol I knew you'd come through... :notworthy

 

To be fair I've been saying he was out of options all offseason until I read otherwise

 

Fourth options are annoying

Mike Lamb may be inching ever closer to securing his place on the roster as he came through with a PH 3 run double in today's game.

 

On the pitching side of things, Mike MacDougal isn't doing too well, walking 3 amongst his 0.2 innings today, giving up 3 runs and so his Spring ERA now stands at 9.64

Mike Lamb may be inching ever closer to securing his place on the roster as he came through with a PH 3 run double in today's game.

 

On the pitching side of things, Mike MacDougal isn't doing too well, walking 3 amongst his 0.2 innings today, giving up 3 runs and so his Spring ERA now stands at 9.64

 

 

MacDougal has been given every opportunity to fail this spring and most of the time he has been failing. Beinfest/Hill must really like his stuff for him to still be around. He just doesn't have enough control to be effective at this point. I still wonder if he has some lingering issues from his offseason injury. It is hard to say - he has always had control issues.

The guy did close what was it 20 of 21 games last season even if he did it rather sloppily, and did it for the worst team in baseball, so you can see why the front office has to be curious about what he could here. That said, you're right he's been given every opportunity and just isn't cutting it whether the reason is injury or skill so his not making the active roster shouldn't be a surprise if that's how it works out. In short, absent what we don't know that Fredi and his staff does, I don't think he's shown enough to even interest another organization in putting him on their major league roster.

Anyone know why the Nats let MacDougal go? He may not be much, but with such a good 09 for them, why wouldnt they want him back?

Mike Lamb may be inching ever closer to securing his place on the roster as he came through with a PH 3 run double in today's game.

 

On the pitching side of things, Mike MacDougal isn't doing too well, walking 3 amongst his 0.2 innings today, giving up 3 runs and so his Spring ERA now stands at 9.64

 

 

MacDougal has been given every opportunity to fail this spring and most of the time he has been failing. Beinfest/Hill must really like his stuff for him to still be around. He just doesn't have enough control to be effective at this point. I still wonder if he has some lingering issues from his offseason injury. It is hard to say - he has always had control issues.

 

I remember watching him a few times with the Nats and he does have good stuff. Throws mid 90's some times upper with crazy movement but can't control it to save his life.

Anyone know why the Nats let MacDougal go? He may not be much, but with such a good 09 for them, why wouldnt they want him back?

 

 

He was arbitration eligible, and they felt he would command a lot more through arbitration than he was actually worth (And considering he only got a MILB deal, they likely made the right choice)

Mike Lamb may be inching ever closer to securing his place on the roster as he came through with a PH 3 run double in today's game.

 

On the pitching side of things, Mike MacDougal isn't doing too well, walking 3 amongst his 0.2 innings today, giving up 3 runs and so his Spring ERA now stands at 9.64

 

 

MacDougal has been given every opportunity to fail this spring and most of the time he has been failing. Beinfest/Hill must really like his stuff for him to still be around. He just doesn't have enough control to be effective at this point. I still wonder if he has some lingering issues from his offseason injury. It is hard to say - he has always had control issues.

Spoke too soon it looks like.

i wouldn't be surprised if we got a lefty bat by trading for it right before the season. maybe someone like fred lewis who is out of the mix with the giants outfield. he's got pretty good numbers against righties

i wouldn't be surprised if we got a lefty bat by trading for it right before the season. maybe someone like fred lewis who is out of the mix with the giants outfield. he's got pretty good numbers against righties

 

 

I like the Fred Lewis option, too. He's rumored to be released on MLBTR, and like you said, he is solid against RHP (over .800 OPS career).

I would love grabbing Fred Lewis, but they have said they want a guy with a great contact ability, and Lewis strikes out way above average.

I would love grabbing Fred Lewis, but they have said they want a guy with a great contact ability, and Lewis strikes out way above average.

 

 

I mean, I hope a .362 career OBP vs RHP would be more important than the K's, but I've seen this FO appear to stay "on [public] message" in spots where I feel it is not best for the team, so that wouldn't surprise me.

I agree. I mean, he does also have a career .363 BABIP, but even lowering that to something like .330 still gives an extremely solid line.

 

And although it's a terribly small sample size (73 PA), his career line as a PHer is basically duplicate of his career line as a starter.

WEDNESDAY, 3:09pm: Schulman tweets that the Giants are "not trying to dump Lewis, but hope to deal him for an experienced backup middle infielder who can play shortstop and second base." The D'Backs have one such available player in Augie Ojeda, but there's no indication they're looking to add an outfielder.

 

 

give em barden, he can play multiple infield positions. i don't know, but i just don't believe in lamb but no one expected gload to put up those numbers last season so we might have an in-house option