November 12th, 2010. The Marlins have traded left-handed pitcher Andrew Miller to the Boston Red Sox for left-handed pitcher Dustin Richardson.

 

Fast forward a day. The Marlins have traded centerfielder Cameron Maybin to the San Diego Padres for right-handed relievers Ryan Webb and Edward Mujica.

 

Andrew Miller. Cameron Maybin. Once top prospects acquired from the Detroit Tigers as the return for former franchise player Miguel Cabrera have now been traded for three relievers.

 

Fast forward some more. This is a busy start to the offseason. The Marlins are the talk of the baseball world. "Are they really trading potential for...RELIEVERS???" "Guys who don't even get saves? No way." "Everyone, laugh out loud at the Marlins front office for the Miguel Cabrera trade!"

 

Fair enough. Moving on. The Miguel Cabrera trade happened three offseasons ago. The past is the past, right? There is important business to take care of, "and his name is Dan Uggla!" Lets sign him! New era of Marlins baseball where we actually spend money on our All-Star players!

 

4 years, 48 million, the Marlins said.

Dan Uggla's response: 5 years, 71 million.

 

And that was the end of Dan Uggla.

 

November 16th, 2010. The Marlins have traded second baseman Dan Uggla to the division rival Atlanta Braves for super-utilityman Omar Infante.

 

Well, cool. Infante is versatile, and made the All-Star team last year. Cool points for him, everyone thinks. But seriously...there has to be more, right? Yes, of course. Uggla is an All-Star second baseman; of course there's more.

Who's the second player in the deal?

 

mlbtraderumors.com...checking...checking...AND HIS NAME IS...*exciting moment, there MUST be a top prospect coming back*...AND HIS NAME IS...MIKE DUNN!?!?!?!?

 

WHAT?

 

"Wow, the Marlins are a bunch of cheap [expletive]."

"That's it! I'm not spending a penny on the team, until Loria sells the team!"

"They should've given Uggla the 5 years! Spend a billion dollars on him, if you have to!"

"To a division rival????????????"

"Mike Dunn can't hit homeruns! What will Rich Waltz and Tommy Hutton say now?"

 

"Did they seriously get a RELIEVER? A guy who's proven to be nothing more than a lefty specialist?"

"Why??????????????"

 

The popular reactions to the Marlins offseason trades, thus far.

 

After a National League high 25 blown saves from the bullpen last year, the Marlins front office made it clear that the bullpen would be a priority this offseason; it is now clear that that comment was no joke.

 

The question now is whether or not such moves were worth it.

 

Relievers in baseball are often looked at as volatile creatures. Unless they're a rarity like Mariano Rivera, year-to-year consistency can often be difficult to find with relievers. In a perfect world, middle relievers are found at a cheap price, without having to give up any assets. Seriously, it's borderline laughable to trade Dan Uggla and get a middle reliever in return. Right?

 

Not quite.

 

There has been a change in the baseball world; that change is being seen in the way middle relievers are now being valued. Don't believe me? Ask the Detroit Tigers. Their first major signing of the offseason was signing 33-year-old Joaquin Benoit to a 3 year, 16.5 million dollar deal. The same guy who has a season high 105 innings in the big leagues (in 2003, when he was a part-time starter), and has a history of injury, as well (missed the '09 season, due to rotator cuff surgery).

 

That overpayment will now, more than likely, become a trend for middle relievers, around baseball. Guys like Scott Downs, J.J. Putz, Kerry Wood, etc. are probably considering themselves fortunate to become free agents at such a time.

 

Still think the Marlins moves were laughable? Think again.

 

Sure, trading potential quality everyday players for middle relievers is not ideal, but it's certainly a whole lot better than overspending for a player who's max is 60-70 innings per season. The Marlins have a budget in their payroll, and had a major problem to fix with their bullpen. Obviously everyone is allowed to criticize, but at some point even the critics have to ask themselves how they would've fixed the bullpen situation. The "see what sticks" approach of the past couple of offseasons clearly didn't work anymore; things have changed.

 

As major league front offices begin to notice that the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings are just as important, and often times more important, than the ninth; guys like Edward Mujica, Ryan Webb, and Mike Dunn become more valuable than ever, for a variety of reasons.

 

Mujica, who is arbritration eligible and likely to make around one million dollars in 2011, led all relievers with his K/BB ratio in 2010 (72 K's, 6 BB's in 69 innings).

 

Ryan Webb and Mike Dunn are probably more valuable in the sense that even if they struggle, they're allowed to go back to the minors to get things corrected because their money isn't guaranteed yet; they have options.

 

With that said, both Webb and Dunn have closer "stuff." Both with fastballs in the mid-90's, Webb's expertise is getting opposing hitters to hit the ball on the ground. Among relievers, he had the 5th best GB% in baseball last year, at 62.3%.

 

Dunn, who will be the focus of the bullpen being the return for Uggla, was once a guy the Yankees refused to include in a deal for 2009 AL All-Star outfielder Curtis Granderson; his stuff is that great. Thus far in his big league career, he's proven that he can dominate left-handed hitters, at the very least. In 2010, Dunn had a 16.76 K/9 against left-handed hitters with a 1.22 FIP. Assuming he keeps it up, he will prove to be valuable when the Marlins are in need of a late inning reliever to face the likes of Ryan Howard, Brian McCann, and all the very good left-handed hitters in the National League East, and National League, in general.

 

Has it been a questionable offseason? Yes. Can these types of moves cost a GM his job, if they don't pan out? Absolutely. However, don't be surprised if the middle relievers prove to be valuable for a Marlins team that has struggled with its bullpen the past couple of years. And don't be surprised if the Marlins end up being a better overall team because of it.

 

Even if their names aren't Dan Uggla.

 

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Nice read, Erick. I'm actually really really really excited with what we've done this offseason. I loved Dan Uggla more than most of the people on this board, but the FO knew when it was time to cut ties, and I don't disagree with them. His 30 HR power will be made up by a full year of Stanton and Morrison (I expect to see a lot more power for LoMo this season) and Dunn is going to be essential in dealing with the lefty demons in the NL East.

 

I didn't realize Mike Dunn's K/9 against lefties was THAT high. Which is great, because the lefties in our division strike out a lot too. So put 2+2 together, and that K rate will hopefully stay the same. If he gets his act together against righties, then our bullpen will be a force for years to come.

 

Ugh, is it Spring Training yet??

I know JJ must be happy.

I know JJ must be happy.

 

*seventh inning, one out*

[Edwin walks out]

JJ: "Aw crap... Well, here's another no decision."

Bullpen: *gets the remaining 8 outs with no hiccup*

JJ: *already went home*

 

(end of season) Josh Johnson wins the Cy Young after his 28-2 record and 2.11 ERA

JJ: "Say WHAT?"

I know JJ must be happy.

 

*seventh inning, one out*

[Edwin walks out]

JJ: "Aw crap... Well, here's another no decision."

Bullpen: *gets the remaining 8 outs with no hiccup*

JJ: *already went home*

 

(end of season) Josh Johnson wins the Cy Young after his 28-2 record and 2.11 ERA

JJ: "Say WHAT?"

 

More like Josh leaves the game with us down 3-2 because we don't have the lineup to score more runs. Also, who is supposed to track down JJ's balls hit to center field?

I know JJ must be happy.

 

*seventh inning, one out*

[Edwin walks out]

JJ: "Aw crap... Well, here's another no decision."

Bullpen: *gets the remaining 8 outs with no hiccup*

JJ: *already went home*

 

(end of season) Josh Johnson wins the Cy Young after his 28-2 record and 2.11 ERA

JJ: "Say WHAT?"

 

More like Josh leaves the game with us down 3-2 because we don't have the lineup to score more runs. Also, who is supposed to track down JJ's balls hit to center field?

 

 

Yeah because the offense has gotten sooooooooooooooooooo much worse.

Also, it isn't even December yet. There's no guarantee that Coghlan's going to be the team's CF'er next year.

I know JJ must be happy.

 

*seventh inning, one out*

[Edwin walks out]

JJ: "Aw crap... Well, here's another no decision."

Bullpen: *gets the remaining 8 outs with no hiccup*

JJ: *already went home*

 

(end of season) Josh Johnson wins the Cy Young after his 28-2 record and 2.11 ERA

JJ: "Say WHAT?"

 

More like Josh leaves the game with us down 3-2 because we don't have the lineup to score more runs. Also, who is supposed to track down JJ's balls hit to center field?

 

 

Yeah because the offense has gotten sooooooooooooooooooo much worse.

Also, it isn't even December yet. There's no guarantee that Coghlan's going to be the team's CF'er next year.

 

How is the offense not going to be just a bit worse missing the guy who was easily the most productive offense player for this team? Also, keep in mind that any projected lineup will include 3 second-year players who performed well in their rookie season, but sophomore slumps are almost more common than not for productive rookies, and Coghlan really shows this.

 

I think its possible that our offense could still be Ok, but right now we've subtracted a lot more than we've added in that aspect and I don't think you can just pencil down Stanton, Morrison, and Sanchez for better offense production just because they are a year older.

I know JJ must be happy.

 

*seventh inning, one out*

[Edwin walks out]

JJ: "Aw crap... Well, here's another no decision."

Bullpen: *gets the remaining 8 outs with no hiccup*

JJ: *already went home*

 

(end of season) Josh Johnson wins the Cy Young after his 28-2 record and 2.11 ERA

JJ: "Say WHAT?"

 

More like Josh leaves the game with us down 3-2 because we don't have the lineup to score more runs. Also, who is supposed to track down JJ's balls hit to center field?

 

They finally constructed the bullpen the way you wanted, and yet you're still complaining about the FO. And the funny part is, the offense isn't even as bad as you make it sound.

I know JJ must be happy.

 

*seventh inning, one out*

[Edwin walks out]

JJ: "Aw crap... Well, here's another no decision."

Bullpen: *gets the remaining 8 outs with no hiccup*

JJ: *already went home*

 

(end of season) Josh Johnson wins the Cy Young after his 28-2 record and 2.11 ERA

JJ: "Say WHAT?"

 

More like Josh leaves the game with us down 3-2 because we don't have the lineup to score more runs. Also, who is supposed to track down JJ's balls hit to center field?

 

 

Yeah because the offense has gotten sooooooooooooooooooo much worse.

Also, it isn't even December yet. There's no guarantee that Coghlan's going to be the team's CF'er next year.

 

How is the offense not going to be just a bit worse missing the guy who was easily the most productive offense player for this team? Also, keep in mind that any projected lineup will include 3 second-year players who performed well in their rookie season, but sophomore slumps are almost more common than not for productive rookies, and Coghlan really shows this.

 

I think its possible that our offense could still be Ok, but right now we've subtracted a lot more than we've added in that aspect and I don't think you can just pencil down Stanton, Morrison, and Sanchez for better offense production just because they are a year older.

 

 

I'm sorry, but I thought we traded Uggla, not Hanley Ramirez.

 

The offense is going to be fine. Sophomore slumps don't always happen. You're just thinking worst case scenario if they do. They could all increase their production from last season and improve our offense.

The offense is going to be fine. Sophomore slumps don't always happen. You're just thinking worst case scenario if they do. They could all increase their production from last season and improve our offense.

 

i got bored + looked up the stats from the past decade of RotY winners (non-pitchers): Ichiro, Eric Hinske, Angel Berroa, Bobby Crosby, Dustin Pedroia, Evan Longoria, Rafael Furcal, Albert Pujols, Jason Bay, Ryan Howard, Hanley Ramirez, Ryan Braun, Geovany Soto, Chris Coghlan

only Braun, Soto, and Coghlan had an OPS .1+ less their sophomore year compared to their rookie year.

Braun's OPS in his second year was still around .900 though. wow.

When you consider that the Marlins have a starting rotation that can largely be relied upon as just five or six inning pitchers, the bullpen is extremely important. Given what I've seen in the fall off of A. Sanchez, Volstad, Nolasco, etc. once they hit the sixth inning, I want a deep reserve of quality relief. I don't worry too much about the loss of power in the Marlins lineup if it can be exchanged for better defense, more team speed, and, very importantly, fewer strikeouts. The high frequency whiffage of the Marlin lineup of the past few years has been discouraging.

I know JJ must be happy.

 

*seventh inning, one out*

[Edwin walks out]

JJ: "Aw crap... Well, here's another no decision."

Bullpen: *gets the remaining 8 outs with no hiccup*

JJ: *already went home*

 

(end of season) Josh Johnson wins the Cy Young after his 28-2 record and 2.11 ERA

JJ: "Say WHAT?"

 

More like Josh leaves the game with us down 3-2 because we don't have the lineup to score more runs. Also, who is supposed to track down JJ's balls hit to center field?

 

They finally constructed the bullpen the way you wanted, and yet you're still complaining about the FO. And the funny part is, the offense isn't even as bad as you make it sound.

 

I don't recall saying that trading one of the league's best second basemen in Uggla for severely under his value was the right way to construct a bullpen.

This trade was not under value for Uggla. I don't know what you thought of him, but this is his value.

 

And you always complained about the Front Office's approach to the bullpen. Well now, they've done their due diligence and put together a very talented bullpen. Giving up Uggla sucks, but we received a very talented left handed pitcher in return.

This trade was not under value for Uggla. I don't know what you thought of him, but this is his value.

 

 

 

 

 

Actually, no it's not. However, the Marlins didn't have much leverage after he rejected a 4 year/48 million dollar offer. Apparently, that ended up being the best offer they got; the Blue Jays offer was pretty bad.

I know JJ must be happy.

 

*seventh inning, one out*

[Edwin walks out]

JJ: "Aw crap... Well, here's another no decision."

Bullpen: *gets the remaining 8 outs with no hiccup*

JJ: *already went home*

 

(end of season) Josh Johnson wins the Cy Young after his 28-2 record and 2.11 ERA

JJ: "Say WHAT?"

 

More like Josh leaves the game with us down 3-2 because we don't have the lineup to score more runs. Also, who is supposed to track down JJ's balls hit to center field?

 

 

Yeah because the offense has gotten sooooooooooooooooooo much worse.

Also, it isn't even December yet. There's no guarantee that Coghlan's going to be the team's CF'er next year.

 

How is the offense not going to be just a bit worse missing the guy who was easily the most productive offense player for this team?

 

I never said it wouldn't be worse.

Fact of the matter is, you said JJ will be leaving games down 3-2 because the team won't be scoring as many runs now. I guess the departure of Dan Uggla means the Marlins will only score 2 runs per game now?