I'm not picking on the Marlin manager in particular here, but maybe more it's an indictment against most. Example in point: the bottom of the sixth inning on Sunday vs. the Mets.

 

Nolasco is in trouble with one out and the bases full of Mets. The Marlins hold a 5-1 lead. Out with Nolasco (no problem there) and in with Tim Wood (huge problem there). At this very key juncture in the game, Gonzales brings an entirely unproven pitcher into the game. He had Hensley in the pen. He had Nunez. But no, Hensley pitches only the eighth inning. Nunez pitches only the ninth with a lead of three runs or less (SAVE situation). You have to come with the best pitcher you have in that situation. You have to. My choice would have been Hensley.

 

If a manager basically has his pitching decisions predetermined and carved in stone, what do you even need a manager for? Let the equipment manager read the stone and follow the "rules". This whole "my eighth inning guy and my closer" thing is really pretty absurd. The game was on the line in the bottom of the sixth ... you go with your best.

 

Following through on that, why can't a pitcher that was effective in the eighth inning without throwing a bunch of pitches also throw in the ninth? Most everyone I've ever known that pitched would prefer to warm up and throw 20 or 30 pitches every other day rather than go through the process of warming up and throwing 15 pitches on each of consecutive days.

 

As far as closing games goes, why put the same guy out there in every save situation when a result of that is making him unaffordable when it comes time to re-sign the guy (35 or 40 saves is a huge bargaining chip in salary negotiations)? If Hensley and Nunez are basically equal in effectiveness, why not spread the saves between them?

 

Managers seem to operate by a bunch of arbitrary "rules" that we have all become accustomed to by now. Bottom line? Judgement is taken out of play .... and judgement is what you should be paying managerial dollars for.

Regarding yesterday, Nolasco should've stayed in the game.

However...I never thought I'd say this about one of your post, but I agree...somewhat. I don't see why in a particular situation like yesterday's, Clay Hensley can't come in in the 6th inning. He could probably be stretched out in a game like yesterday's, as well. Former starter + there's a day off today. Would've been better than using a horrible reliever in Tim Wood for multiple innings. All managers are like this though, as you said. Been saying it for awhile.

 

Regarding the saves...if you use both in save situations and they're both racking up saves, they're both going to get raises in salary. So I don't get your logic there.

I'd tell my GM to get off his butt and get me some relief pitching. Finally getting RVH here was a start in that direction- lets hope it works out well.

 

I'd keep Hanley leading off and move Cody up to 5th.

I am?! YAY!

Regarding yesterday, Nolasco should've stayed in the game.

However...I never thought I'd say this about one of your post, but I agree...somewhat. I don't see why in a particular situation like yesterday's, Clay Hensley can't come in in the 6th inning. He could probably be stretched out in a game like yesterday's, as well. Former starter + there's a day off today. Would've been better than using a horrible reliever in Tim Wood for multiple innings. All managers are like this though, as you said. Been saying it for awhile.

 

Regarding the saves...if you use both in save situations and they're both racking up saves, they're both going to get raises in salary. So I don't get your logic there.

 

 

This is what really annoyed me yesterday... If you are gonna take out Nolasco, fine... but with a day off today, why go to a piece of crap with the game on the line and then leave him in for another inning? There was no need to worry about conserving arms in the pen yesterday... Granted the FO hasn't given him a lot to work with, but yesterday was a game you CAN pin on Fredi

I would ban Tim Wood and Renyel Pinto from the stadium, and replace them with my grandmother and my sister.

Regarding yesterday, Nolasco should've stayed in the game.

However...I never thought I'd say this about one of your post, but I agree...somewhat. I don't see why in a particular situation like yesterday's, Clay Hensley can't come in in the 6th inning. He could probably be stretched out in a game like yesterday's, as well. Former starter + there's a day off today. Would've been better than using a horrible reliever in Tim Wood for multiple innings. All managers are like this though, as you said. Been saying it for awhile.

 

Regarding the saves...if you use both in save situations and they're both racking up saves, they're both going to get raises in salary. So I don't get your logic there.

 

 

 

Yo, Erick, how could you disagree with ME? I've called for Stanton to come into the lineup and Maybin out of it. I've called for Hanley to lead off. All these calls have drawn disparagement from some contribtors to this forum. However, that's all happened ... albeit later than it should have. Now we just need Sanabia to replace Robertson in the rotation and work from there. As to the closers, 15 saves will not merit a pitcher a contract for $10 million a year. 40 saves often will. Hensley's qualifications as a closer are pretty close to Nunez right now ... based on their statistical performance thus far in the season.

Regarding yesterday, Nolasco should've stayed in the game.

However...I never thought I'd say this about one of your post, but I agree...somewhat. I don't see why in a particular situation like yesterday's, Clay Hensley can't come in in the 6th inning. He could probably be stretched out in a game like yesterday's, as well. Former starter + there's a day off today. Would've been better than using a horrible reliever in Tim Wood for multiple innings. All managers are like this though, as you said. Been saying it for awhile.

 

Regarding the saves...if you use both in save situations and they're both racking up saves, they're both going to get raises in salary. So I don't get your logic there.

 

 

 

Yo, Erick, how could you disagree with ME? I've called for Stanton to come into the lineup and Maybin out of it. I've called for Hanley to lead off. All these calls have drawn disparagement from some contribtors to this forum. However, that's all happened ... albeit later than it should have. Now we just need Sanabia to replace Robertson in the rotation and work from there. As to the closers, 15 saves will not merit a pitcher a contract for $10 million a year. 40 saves often will. Hensley's qualifications as a closer are pretty close to Nunez right now ... based on their statistical performance thus far in the season.

 

 

They happened later than you wanted for good reasons.

 

But yes, I do agree with your post about Fredi needing to downgrade the importance of bullpen "roles".