First three rotation spots look solid.

 

Fourth and fifth, not so much.

 

Bullpen is quite effective and deep with a ML proven reliever waiting in New Orleans and others coming along in AA and AAA.

 

How about Clay Hensley into the rotation? He is a former starter and was on his way to being the fifth starter a year ago before the Marlins, unfortunately, picked up Nate Robertson.

 

How long does it take to stretch a reliever out for starter innings?

No!!! He is one of the best and most reliable players out of the pen, and the biggest strength of this team is that pen.

I've wondered about this occasionally, but you'd probably have to send him to the minors for a while to get stretched out consistently and properly? And I don't want to lose his arm during the season.

I'm against it. Even if I were for it, that's something you have to start the moment the season ends last year. You don't want to do a change like that in the middle of the season.

How long to get him ready to start?

 

Weeks, Months?

 

Solid starters are a lot more valuable to a team that solid relievers.

Hensley move to the BP was the best thing ever to happen to his career. I know he also added a pitch but he was a marginal starter at best he never was an innings eater.

 

I say that keep him at his strength, he has been great in the setup role...and even closing occassionally. Iknow that Vazquez and Volstad have not been great... Volstad is showing great movement on his pitches,.. actually amazing monement. He is still feeling for location...He is almost there! Vazquez is just a hot mess right now, this is coming from a huge fan of his. Hopefully he can get whatever bugaboo is ailing him under wrap

We need that spot in the rotation to be resolved but Hensley is not the answer

It's April. And why mess with something that is not broken. If this organization wanted to turn Hensley, or Sanches, into a starter, this was an offseason descision like CJ Wilson or Kyle McClellan. It would be terrible to mess with a guy, just on conditioning, right now.

 

Also, Volstad wasn't bad his last start and the bullpen let him down. I still have confidence in him to hold down a mid 4 era and 180 innings. That's totally fine. Vazquez is a bigger concern, but again, it's April, he's a vet and knows his limitations. Give him time. We can get a starter in June if we need too.

 

Repeat, It's April. We're 12-6 and Hanley hasn't started hitting yet.

Hensley has repeatedly said he'd much rather stay in the bullpen, as he feels it's a better role for him and thinks it will prolong his career.

Why would you ever want to mess with the best bullpen -thus far- in the majors?

 

8)

I don't think this is an option a month into the season. I think Volstad can hold a 5th spot and I'm willing to give Vazquez 2 more starts to show something.

Hensley has repeatedly said he'd much rather stay in the bullpen, as he feels it's a better role for him and thinks it will prolong his career.

 

 

 

Said to whom?

I don't think this is an option a month into the season. I think Volstad can hold a 5th spot and I'm willing to give Vazquez 2 more starts to show something.

 

2 more starts for a guy with a $7 million contract, one of the most consistent starters in baseball 2000-2009, your top minor league alternatives (Sanabia, West) are injured, where you'd really have to turn to Koehler who projects as a back of the bullpen guy in the bigs, or you start stretching out literally Badenhop which probably is not a good idea 2-3 times through an order.

 

I'd say, he gets about 12 more starts to see if his velocity, control, or performance improves.

Why would you ever want to mess with the best bullpen -thus far- in the majors?

 

8)

 

 

 

+100000000000000000

Definitely lives up to the old addage, "If it aint broke, don't fix it"

don't we have 2 or 3 guys in the minors that can start if needed?

don't we have 2 or 3 guys in the minors that can start if needed?

 

 

 

Not really.

 

Sanabia is hurt and West is a slug.

Bad idea. No need to panic. We need to save hensley. If leo blows up we need clay to take over. No need to lose another arm.

I don't think this is an option a month into the season. I think Volstad can hold a 5th spot and I'm willing to give Vazquez 2 more starts to show something.

 

2 more starts for a guy with a $7 million contract, one of the most consistent starters in baseball 2000-2009, your top minor league alternatives (Sanabia, West) are injured, where you'd really have to turn to Koehler who projects as a back of the bullpen guy in the bigs, or you start stretching out literally Badenhop which probably is not a good idea 2-3 times through an order.

 

I'd say, he gets about 12 more starts to see if his velocity, control, or performance improves.

 

Only eleven more to go.

Hensley has repeatedly said he'd much rather stay in the bullpen, as he feels it's a better role for him and thinks it will prolong his career.

 

 

 

Said to whom?

 

 

http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/03/20/2124075/for-florida-marlins-clay-hensley.html

 

And last year there were a bunch of articles on how he really enjoyed closing, etc.

If you wanted Hensley in a starting role it should've been during Spring Training to warm him up. Not now.

Bad idea. I was interested to see the Marlins sign Chris Sampson today, makes me wonder if they're getting someone ready in case Vazquez is totally broken. He was somewhat better tonight, but the 5 walks is unacceptable. You aren't going to win many starts if you walk that many players.

True, but four of his walks were early in the game, and he pitched very well the majority of the game. Three runs given up is pretty good.

True, but four of his walks were early in the game, and he pitched very well the majority of the game. Three runs given up is pretty good.

 

 

Compared to his other starts yes. But he really needs a 7 inning 1 run game or something to give me some confidence in him.

True, but four of his walks were early in the game, and he pitched very well the majority of the game. Three runs given up is pretty good.

 

 

 

And the 5th was intentional. I just an article at marlins.com where he said he knows he has to work some more on his early innings. I watched the radar at the game and noticed his velocity came up after the first two innings, and his off speed stuff was 20 MPH less than his fastball, which makes his fastball look faster. He's not a stupid guy, or a rookie. I still think he works it out.

I liked the idea before last season in ST when he all but had a rotation spot wrapped up, and then they went out and signed Nate Robertson....