October 6, 201015 yr http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/florida-marlins/fl-marlins-season-follow-1005-20101004,0,7280027.story Beinfest: More spending won't guarantee better bullpen Marlins will look to upgrade relief staff this offseason Among the greatest laments for Marlins fans this season was why the front office didn't spend more money on the bullpen. The Marlins blew 25 saves, most in the National League and second most in the majors behind the Orioles (27). Only the Orioles and Diamondbacks blew a greater percentage of their total save chances than the Marlins. President of Baseball Operations Admin Beinfest acknowledged the problem, but he's not convinced writing relief pitchers bigger checks next season is the solution. "We definitely need to upgrade the bullpen," he said, before his club's season-ending 5-2 win over the Pirates Sunday. "There needs to be more depth. There needs to be more quality. There needs to be more balance in terms of left-right. "From my perspective, one of the greatest challenges for this organization is putting together a bullpen. It has been for the last nine years. Last year's bullpen was really good. This year's bullpen was not as good as we would have hoped. It's a tough deal and one of our greater challenges." The bullpen contributed to the Marlins losing 10 games when they led after six innings and five when they led through seven. Yet the overall performance got much better in the second half. The 3.98 ERA was the fourth-best franchise history and tied for eighth-best with the Phillies among National League teams. Part of the problem was how much the Marlins leaned on it. Only four NL teams totaled more bullpen innings than the Marlins (500 1/3). None are in the playoffs. "It's a little bit of a sliding scale," Beinfest said. "If your starting pitching goes deeper in to the game, your bullpen is less exposed. When your bullpen is overexposed this is what happens." Traditionally, the Marlins have relied on relievers with track records who underperformed or are coming off injury. They've also done well with six-year minor league free agent types like Brian Sanches, Clay Hensley, Matt Perisho, Lee Gardner, etc., they've brought to spring training on minor league deals. Since 2005, the Marlins have not spent more than $2.6 million on a reliever. The Marlins' priciest Opening Day bullpen arms since 2005: Guillermo Mota ($2.6 million), Jorge Julio ($2.6 million), Kevin Gregg ($2.5 million), Leo Nunez ($2 million), Todd Jones, ($1.1 million), Jim Mecir ($1.1 million), John Reidling ($750,000), Scott Proctor ($750,000), Matt Herges ($600,000). "I don't think it's allocation," Beinfest said. "I wish it was that easy. I think it's just quality. You can get quality from the six-year types, whether it's a Hensley or a Sanches. You can spend a lot of money and end up with nothing, which I think happens quite often in the game because relievers seem to go up and down more than the normal player or pitcher. They have good years and bad years and you hopefully get them on a good year. "If we need to allocate more, we'll absolutely look at that. If we need more experience, which comes along with allocation, then I think we need to look at that as well. I don't think there is a rule: Let's just throw money at the bullpen and everything is going to be OK. I just don't believe that's the answer. Teams have tried that and there have been some pretty miserable failures." Beinfest didn't rule out looking outside the organization for a closer. Guys like Jon Rauch, J.J. Putz, Chad Qualls, Frank Francisco and Brian Fuentes all have ninth-inning experience and will be available in free agency. "I think [Leo Nunez and Hensley] can do it," Beinfest said. "That doesn't mean you don't look. Whether it's affordable or makes sense or fits overall what we're doing is another thing." I think the way the Bullpen was used by Fredi early in the season was of major significance plus there was an obvious lack of quality arms this season available... These added to the Roller Coaster adventure of the Marlins Bullpen
October 6, 201015 yr In other words setting the fanbase up for more cheapness out of the front office. I guess they just don't want to win it all. Teams with a winning mentality go for it, and do what is necessary to win. These guys just do what is cheapest and then cross their fingers that it works. That is why we have not won anything since 2003.
October 6, 201015 yr While I would like to see more experienced, established guys in the bullpen next year, I don't want them to spend too much on it and would far rather they spend any money available on acquiring a decent starting pitcher.
October 6, 201015 yr While I would like to see more experienced, established guys in the bullpen next year, I don't want them to spend too much on it and would far rather they spend any money available on acquiring a decent starting pitcher. This
October 6, 201015 yr We have a solid staff just need to know where everyone belongs. Badenhop MR/LR Sanches MR Ohman MR Sanches MR Nunez MR/SU Veras SU Hensley CL All of those are capable and solid relievers and then you can throw guys like Ceda, Marinez, Tucker, Cisek and others in the mix to earn a spot and we could have one of the best bullpens in the league.
October 7, 201015 yr Last year's bullpen wasn't necessarily "really good" as Beinfest says. Yes it was fine in numbers, but that pen had a habit of letting in runs at the worst times, while being lights out in the less meaningful times.
October 7, 201015 yr We have a solid staff just need to know where everyone belongs. Badenhop MR/LR Sanches MR Ohman MR Sanches MR Nunez MR/SU Veras SU Hensley CL All of those are capable and solid relievers and then you can throw guys like Ceda, Marinez, Tucker, Cisek and others in the mix to earn a spot and we could have one of the best bullpens in the league. I'm more or less in agreement. A little tweaking should help alot. And I really like the idea that they are going to look elsewhere for a closer. He also commented on SP's not going deep enough into games. That coincides with an earlier statement he made about shoring up the defense. A bad defense starts a domino effect. I keep saying, I don't care how good the pitchers are if the guys behind them can't catch and throw.
October 7, 201015 yr As much as people like to point fingers at this front office being cheap, I do agree in the concept of not just throwing money at everyone. Cheap or not, theyve proven time and again that at the end of the day its more about spending the money wisely then just spending it foolishly.
October 7, 201015 yr While its a bit of an understatement that the "Bullpen was not as good etc..." For the most part the Marlins traditional spaghetti approach (throw at wall and see if it sticks) to the bullpen did produce Hensley this season and for stretches Veras. I just wish that Marlins would go out and spend that 2.5 million on a reliever, get someone that is established not someone else's cast off. Of course if the starters would work deeper into games maybe the bullpen wouldn't be so overworked. That should change depending on who the manager will be.
October 7, 201015 yr Marlins are going to have to spend or trade for lefty bullpen arms. No way around it.
October 7, 201015 yr While its a bit of an understatement that the "Bullpen was not as good etc..." For the most part the Marlins traditional spaghetti approach (throw at wall and see if it sticks) to the bullpen did produce Hensley this season and for stretches Veras. I just wish that Marlins would go out and spend that 2.5 million on a reliever, get someone that is established not someone else's cast off. Of course if the starters would work deeper into games maybe the bullpen wouldn't be so overworked. That should change depending on who the manager will be. If our defense didn't suck major balls, thereby leading to higher pitch counts by the starters (plus Ricky sucking the 1/2 half and the seriously misinformed idea of Nate Robertson as a starter), perhaps they would go longer into games... I agree on us getting a LOOGY though. The Marlins are not Midas, and they just can't every year go out, get crap, and expect to reap rewards.
October 7, 201015 yr While I would like to see more experienced, established guys in the bullpen next year, I don't want them to spend too much on it and would far rather they spend any money available on acquiring a decent starting pitcher. This assumes that we would even be able to trade for a starter... We're certainly not going to sign one.
October 7, 201015 yr Marlins are going to have to spend or trade for lefty bullpen arms. No way around it. LOOGY's, for the most part, can be had at a cheap price.
October 7, 201015 yr Marlins are going to have to spend or trade for lefty bullpen arms. No way around it. .....except for the way you proposed in another thread? Tank spent a year pitching with a broken left arm and another year recovering from that broken arm If he gets his arm strength and velocity back, he will be a very effective lefty reliever. Needs to get in tip top shape as well. Worth a gamble. Hopefully, he will sign with Marlins as a minor leaguer.
October 7, 201015 yr Any one else going to be mad if we don't resign Ohman as a LOOGY this offseason or will it just be me? He should be affordable at his age.
October 7, 201015 yr Any one else going to be mad if we don't resign Ohman as a LOOGY this offseason or will it just be me? He should be affordable at his age. Would need to stay healthy, which he couldnt do this season. That may be a deciding factor.
October 7, 201015 yr Any one else going to be mad if we don't resign Ohman as a LOOGY this offseason or will it just be me? He should be affordable at his age. I wouldn't be mad if we don't sign him. I would be mad if we don't sign him, or any other LOOGY this offseason. Similar to the Ross Gload situation. It wasn't bad that we lost him; it was bad that we never even bothered to replace him (at least not in the offseason).
October 8, 201015 yr Any one else going to be mad if we don't resign Ohman as a LOOGY this offseason or will it just be me? He should be affordable at his age. I wouldn't be mad if we don't sign him. I would be mad if we don't sign him, or any other LOOGY this offseason. Similar to the Ross Gload situation. It wasn't bad that we lost him; it was bad that we never even bothered to replace him (at least not in the offseason). Exactly, I don't want to sign someone that we need half way into the season when it would be too late.
October 8, 201015 yr Marlins are going to have to spend or trade for lefty bullpen arms. No way around it. LOOGY's, for the most part, can be had at a cheap price. A million plus a year is not cheap for Loria/Beinfest.
October 9, 201015 yr Any one else going to be mad if we don't resign Ohman as a LOOGY this offseason or will it just be me? He should be affordable at his age. I wouldn't be mad if we don't sign him. I would be mad if we don't sign him, or any other LOOGY this offseason. Similar to the Ross Gload situation. It wasn't bad that we lost him; it was bad that we never even bothered to replace him (at least not in the offseason). This. For sure, this.
October 9, 201015 yr Any one else going to be mad if we don't resign Ohman as a LOOGY this offseason or will it just be me? He should be affordable at his age. I wouldn't be mad if we don't sign him. I would be mad if we don't sign him, or any other LOOGY this offseason. Similar to the Ross Gload situation. It wasn't bad that we lost him; it was bad that we never even bothered to replace him (at least not in the offseason). Mike Lamb wasn't that bad...4 times DFA is not an easy thing too do.
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