Official : Coghlan headed to 3rd

[miamimarlinswin]

As being reported on MLB Network and in this article :

 

http://espn.go.com/b...eading-to-third

 

As of now, the Marlins plan on converting Coghlan from left field to third base.

 

A natural infielder, Coghlan was switched to left field in May 2009 to get his bat in the lineup. The move paid off as he hit .321 and won the NL Rookie of the Year honors.

 

In 2010, Coghlan was limited to 91 games and was hitting .268 when he suffered his season-ending injury on July 25.

 

Coghlan damaged his meniscus during a postgame celebration when he landed awkwardly on his knee after smearing a shaving-cream-covered towel into the face of Wes Helms, who delivered a walk-off hit.

 

When he is cleared to do baseball activities, Coghlan will focus on switching to third base. For now, his primary focus is being completely healthy.

 

"They told me third base, and I haven't heard otherwise," Coghlan said of where he expects to play next season. "There are a lot of things that can still happen. You never know. But as of right now, the tentative plan is third base.

[Admin]

Seems a little premature with the Uggla negotiations going so poorly.

 

Then again, if Coghlan is going to start working on his 3B defensive game he needs to start as soon as possible, or before the Marlins have a more definite answer on Uggla's future. If they can't extend his contract, hopefully they have decided on if they will trade him or let him walk after 2011.

[mystikol87]

Seems a little premature with the Uggla negotiations going so poorly.

 

Then again, if Coghlan is going to start working on his 3B defensive game he needs to start as soon as possible, or before the Marlins have a more definite answer on Uggla's future. If they can't extend his contract, hopefully they have decided on if they will trade him or let him walk after 2011.

 

 

I really think if they have to deal Uggla they'll put Bonifacio at 2B, instead of trying to fill any position player "needs" through trade or FA.

[sgleason02]

The full article is on floridamarlins.com. Coghlan was just now cleared for "light jogging." It talked about how they got inside his knee and found out that it was more serious than they thought, which set him back farther. He also makes it sound like the last time he heard about moving to 3b was during the season. I also agree that it's a bit premature to declare a guy who hasn't played infield for two seasons, and is still rehabbing from a knee injury, next season's 3b.

[Admin]

If Uggla is not part of the team's future, it makes sense to try to get Coghlan settled in there (rather than starting him at third), especially since the Marlins think they might have a third baseman of the future in Dominguez.

 

If they are certain about dealing Uggla, they should put Coghlan at 2nd and Bonifacio at 3rd until Dominguez is either deemed ready (or moved).

[dim]

Problem now is if we do get a long term deal done with Uggla, where does that leave Coghlan? I mean after this year it's assumed that Dominguez is the starting 3B in 2012. Seems like after the season or at the trade deadline this season we have to make a few decisions. If we decide to keep Morrison over Sanchez, which I expect, maybe trade Sanchez for a young minor league pitcher with possible #2 upside. If we decide midseason Maybin doesn't fit into the long term plans, then maybe trade him, move Stanton to CF, and Coghlan to RF? Or possibly Hanley to RF and Coghlan to SS? There are certainly a few possibilities out there.

[mystikol87]

If Uggla is not part of the team's future, it makes sense to try to get Coghlan settled in there (rather than starting him at third), especially since the Marlins think they might have a third baseman of the future in Dominguez.

 

If they are certain about dealing Uggla, they should put Coghlan at 2nd and Bonifacio at 3rd until Dominguez is either deemed ready (or moved).

 

 

This is a pretty interesting and good thought. The only reason that wouldn't make sense is if they really see EB as the 3B of the future and expect to deal Coghlan at some point if everyone else pans out, but that'd be silly.

[YearOneMarlinFan]

Seems like one of the great unknowns is whether Coghlan will really be anywhere near as good as he was in 2009. Unless I missed it, I haven't seen much discussion about that on these boards, and I'm a little uneasy about assuming he'll actually become the excellent player we think he can be.

[gizmo]

Seems like one of the great unknowns is whether Coghlan will really be anywhere near as good as he was in 2009. Unless I missed it, I haven't seen much discussion about that on these boards, and I'm a little uneasy about assuming he'll actually become the excellent player we think he can be.

 

 

Right before he got injured, he was back to his 2009 self. The first two months is what really hurt him.

 

June and July: .312 AVG, .394 OBP, .480 SLG, .874 OPS

[Erick]

Seems a little premature with the Uggla negotiations going so poorly.

 

Then again, if Coghlan is going to start working on his 3B defensive game he needs to start as soon as possible, or before the Marlins have a more definite answer on Uggla's future. If they can't extend his contract, hopefully they have decided on if they will trade him or let him walk after 2011.

 

 

I really think if they have to deal Uggla they'll put Bonifacio at 2B, instead of trying to fill any position player "needs" through trade or FA.

 

 

If Uggla leaves, I'd be willing to bet that Edgar Renteria signs/ends his career here, playing 2B.

[Erick]

By the way, I'm not a fan of this move.

 

This means Morrison is going to be playing LF next year. I would've just left Coghlan, there.

 

If Uggla signs, it's pretty much the same lineup as last year. That's not a bad thing in terms of offense, but defensively, I don't see how the team is improving, by any means.

[YearOneMarlinFan]

Seems like one of the great unknowns is whether Coghlan will really be anywhere near as good as he was in 2009. Unless I missed it, I haven't seen much discussion about that on these boards, and I'm a little uneasy about assuming he'll actually become the excellent player we think he can be.

 

 

Right before he got injured, he was back to his 2009 self. The first two months is what really hurt him.

 

June and July: .312 AVG, .394 OBP, .480 SLG, .874 OPS

Watching games I'd noticed he'd been playing better as the season went on but didn't realize it was for that long. That's encouraging.

[mystikol87]

By the way, I'm not a fan of this move.

 

This means Morrison is going to be playing LF next year. I would've just left Coghlan, there.

 

If Uggla signs, it's pretty much the same lineup as last year. That's not a bad thing in terms of offense, but defensively, I don't see how the team is improving, by any means.

 

 

And his name is........PERRY....HILL!!!!!!!!

[YearOneMarlinFan]

By the way, I'm not a fan of this move.

 

This means Morrison is going to be playing LF next year. I would've just left Coghlan, there.

 

If Uggla signs, it's pretty much the same lineup as last year. That's not a bad thing in terms of offense, but defensively, I don't see how the team is improving, by any means.

 

And put Morrison at 3d?

[Erick]

By the way, I'm not a fan of this move.

 

This means Morrison is going to be playing LF next year. I would've just left Coghlan, there.

 

If Uggla signs, it's pretty much the same lineup as last year. That's not a bad thing in terms of offense, but defensively, I don't see how the team is improving, by any means.

 

 

And his name is........PERRY....HILL!!!!!!!!

 

 

Perry Hill can improve player positioning, but he can't improve someone's range. And the reason why I don't like this move is because they'll end up moving Coghlan again, anyway.

[Erick]

By the way, I'm not a fan of this move.

 

This means Morrison is going to be playing LF next year. I would've just left Coghlan, there.

 

If Uggla signs, it's pretty much the same lineup as last year. That's not a bad thing in terms of offense, but defensively, I don't see how the team is improving, by any means.

 

And put Morrison at 3d?

 

 

No. He's left-handed so that's not even possible. I was thinking more along the lines of leaving Coghlan in LF, putting Morrison at 1B, and trading Gaby for an area of need on the team.

[Entendu]

I'm not sure if this is something we can ever call official or not. It's just a position change :o If it's ever official, it probably became official months ago.

[SilverBullet]

By the way, I'm not a fan of this move.

 

This means Morrison is going to be playing LF next year. I would've just left Coghlan, there.

 

If Uggla signs, it's pretty much the same lineup as last year. That's not a bad thing in terms of offense, but defensively, I don't see how the team is improving, by any means.

 

And put Morrison at 3d?

 

 

No. He's left-handed so that's not even possible. I was thinking more along the lines of leaving Coghlan in LF, putting Morrison at 1B, and trading Gaby for an area of need on the team.

 

I just feel like trading Gaby puts us a step backwards as a whole. Id rather have Gaby's bat in there along with Morrison, Coghlan, Stanton, Hanley, hopefully Uggla, and a hopefully consistent Maybin. I have to take your own line here but unless we get a blowaway cant miss deal for Gaby... I don't see how this improves the team, by any means

[Erick]

By the way, I'm not a fan of this move.

 

This means Morrison is going to be playing LF next year. I would've just left Coghlan, there.

 

If Uggla signs, it's pretty much the same lineup as last year. That's not a bad thing in terms of offense, but defensively, I don't see how the team is improving, by any means.

 

And put Morrison at 3d?

 

 

No. He's left-handed so that's not even possible. I was thinking more along the lines of leaving Coghlan in LF, putting Morrison at 1B, and trading Gaby for an area of need on the team.

 

I just feel like trading Gaby puts us a step backwards as a whole. Id rather have Gaby's bat in there along with Morrison, Coghlan, Stanton, Hanley, hopefully Uggla, and a hopefully consistent Maybin. I have to take your own line here but unless we get a blowaway cant miss deal for Gaby... I don't see how this improves the team, by any means

 

The way I see it is:

1. Gaby can probably get us a cheap, quality reliever.

2. Morrison shouldn't stay in LF. He looked clueless out there last year, and I don't think he's as athletic as Coghlan to make the necessary improvements. He seems more valuable at 1B.

3. Gaby's production can be replaced in LF at a cheap price, somehow. He's a nice player, but not spectacular, or anything. There are many ways to replace the overall production he provides.

 

Not that I'd be mad if we kept Gaby (as I said, he's a nice player to have), but I would just, personally, handle that situation differently. Really, if a Gaby trade doesn't happen this offseason, it will happen sooner rather than later. Once Dominguez is ready, I don't see how Gaby stays on the team (unless if Gaby ends up regressing next year, and settles for a platoon role at 1B).

[SilverBullet]

By the way, I'm not a fan of this move.

 

This means Morrison is going to be playing LF next year. I would've just left Coghlan, there.

 

If Uggla signs, it's pretty much the same lineup as last year. That's not a bad thing in terms of offense, but defensively, I don't see how the team is improving, by any means.

 

And put Morrison at 3d?

 

 

No. He's left-handed so that's not even possible. I was thinking more along the lines of leaving Coghlan in LF, putting Morrison at 1B, and trading Gaby for an area of need on the team.

 

I just feel like trading Gaby puts us a step backwards as a whole. Id rather have Gaby's bat in there along with Morrison, Coghlan, Stanton, Hanley, hopefully Uggla, and a hopefully consistent Maybin. I have to take your own line here but unless we get a blowaway cant miss deal for Gaby... I don't see how this improves the team, by any means

 

The way I see it is:

1. Gaby can probably get us a cheap, quality reliever.

2. Morrison shouldn't stay in LF. He looked clueless out there last year, and I don't think he's as athletic as Coghlan to make the necessary improvements. He seems more valuable at 1B.

3. Gaby's production can be replaced in LF at a cheap price, somehow. He's a nice player, but not spectacular, or anything. There are many ways to replace the overall production he provides.

 

Not that I'd be mad if we kept Gaby (as I said, he's a nice player to have), but I would just, personally, handle that situation differently. Really, if a Gaby trade doesn't happen this offseason, it will happen sooner rather than later. Once Dominguez is ready, I don't see how Gaby stays on the team (unless if Gaby ends up regressing next year, and settles for a platoon role at 1B).

 

I'm just pretty surprised at how non-hesitant you'd be to remove a guy who was near-Rookie of the Year this year. Gaby blossomed in 2010, and now you're ready to ship him off.

[Erick]

I'm just pretty surprised at how non-hesitant you'd be to remove a guy who was near-Rookie of the Year this year. Gaby blossomed in 2010, and now you're ready to ship him off.

 

 

The team is just dysfunctional right now the way it stands. A couple of players out of position.

Gaby wasn't really a legit ROY candidate, and for a ROY he's a bit old. And while he had nice quantative #'s (like HR's, RBI's, etc.), his rate statistics (which are more important...stuff like .OPS, etc.) weren't all that impressive, especially considering the position he plays. And he's nothing special defensively, either.

 

In a perfect world, I think the perfect scenario for him is platooning with someone at 1B, but I figure we might as well just trade him this offseason, while his value is probably high.

 

Then again, this is all irrelevant if Dan Uggla doesn't stay (in which case, Coghlan probably moves to 2B, and Gaby becomes more of a keeper because we'll need his bat more).

[Anonymous]

I agree with Erick. I don't want Morrisson in left field. If I had my way, I would trade Gaby, play Coghlan at LF and Morrison at first.

[Iowa]

When was the last time we had an actual left fielder playing left field?

[mystikol87]

When was the last time we had an actual left fielder playing left field?

 

 

Billy McMillon?

[Iowa]

ha, thats pretty obscure... I was thinking Cliff Floyd.