Curious,

I'm sure there are more members qualified on this board to ask this question to, so I'd love members like Erick and HotCorner's opinion on

 

Who do you view as legitimate options to play third base, or legitimate targets the Marlins should be looking at in some Organization's 3B Prospects?

 

With Myers traded, and him being the one guy I would have enjoyed in Miami- who do you think are good options and who is likely to be our choice going into next year. Do you feel Cox and Dietrich are capable?

I am hoping the Braves sign an OF'er and the Marlins make a trade for Juan Francisco/sign a low-cost right-handed hitter to platoon with him.

 

Francisco hits righties well and has a lot of power potential.

 

Out of all the options available/all the rumors, Francisco is the best possible fit, imo.

 

He just can't hit lefties so I'd hope for a right-handed hitter not named Kevin Kouzmanoff as a platoon partner.

I agree with Erick on Francisco. Assuming Atlanta doesn't sign a free agent outfielder. I wouldn't mind adding someone like Ty Wigginton. Go to spring with Cox, Wigginton and Kouz.

There are no long term solutions....so whoever plays third base next year is pretty inconsequential....

Francisco could be more than a stopgap; that's why I like him.

 

The guy truly has some serious power.

Francisco could be more than a stopgap; that's why I like him.

 

The guy truly has some serious power.

 

What would he cost though?

Not much. He doesn't have much of a track record and isn't a necessity for them if they can sign an OF/move Prado back to 3B. It'd be a low-risk, potential high-reward type of thing.

I am the only option for 3B.

http://www.scoutingbook.com/players/p2690

 

Does Zach Cox actually have a chance to compete in ST?

 

It looks like his eye came around in 2012 with AA Jacksonville, and that was after the Marlins sent him from STL's AAA to Miami's AA Squad.

 

My only concern is his defense, his fielding percentage makes me feel like Hanley was a Gold Glover.

He did terrible in AA Jacksonville. I'm not sure what you mean by his "eye came around in 2012 with AA Jacksonville."

Can we trade Nolasco to the Rays for Will Myers? Is that doable?

 

 

*giggle*

He did terrible in AA Jacksonville. I'm not sure what you mean by his "eye came around in 2012 with AA Jacksonville."

 

He was OBP in Memphis was 290 something, whereas in Jacksonville he got that up to .320 or so. Both averages were the same I believe, .254.

Can we trade Nolasco to the Rays for Will Myers? Is that doable?

 

 

*giggle*

 

lol

He did terrible in AA Jacksonville. I'm not sure what you mean by his "eye came around in 2012 with AA Jacksonville."

 

He was OBP in Memphis was 290 something, whereas in Jacksonville he got that up to .320 or so. Both averages were the same I believe, .254.

 

Yeah, but his OPS still went down a lot with the demotion. It's laughable to say he "came around" there. Also compare those numbers to what he did in 2011 AA.

 

If he were to be plugged into 3B at the MLB level, he'd be well below replacement level with his terrible defense. You won't see him up, though, because the Marlins thought that St. Louis was already rushing him. That's why he was demoted.

Cox's defense is terrible? I'm not questioning you, I'm honestly asking. Is he considered a decent bat at least? I'm lost. What's his purpose here? Why did we go after him specifically?

We have a gaping hole at 3B, he's a former top prospect, and we gave up very little. It was a good trade still IMO.

We have a gaping hole at 3B, he's a former top prospect, and we gave up very little. It was a good trade still IMO.

 

Ok yeah I just did a little quick research myself and one report said "offensively-gifted"... so seems like a top pick that fell off the mark a bit recently and we're hoping he regains it and is a major league 3B sooner than later. I do like the trade though, glad we got something for Mujica, just wasn't all aware of what Cox brought to the table.

While we're at it though... Coghlan's name was brought up in a few articles by Frisaro and I haven't seen it mentioned here. Anyone think its worth a shot?

He was basically brought in to fill the gap at third after the Dominguez blunder. The Marlins have some hope that he can get it together (there's also questions about his bat being MLB caliber), but I think it's unlikely that he amounts to anything. I wouldn't expect him to be your third baseman of the future by any means.

While we're at it though... Coghlan's name was brought up in a few articles by Frisaro and I haven't seen it mentioned here. Anyone think its worth a shot?

 

No. He sucks and the Marlins can probably do better. Most notably, Coghlan has no position.

As much as I hate to say it I think the Marlins use Kouzmanoff and platoon him with a player like Ryan Raburn, Jack Hannahan or Matt Downs. Someone cheap and serviceable for a year. As for Coghlan I would like to see him first return to being able to hit, that would be huge, don't see it happening,,,, Anyway put him in the utility role of Boni,play him in the outfield a little at second and third.

well and the thing with Francisco of course like Erick said is that it's contingent on the Braves making a move. But sure, no problem there. Anyone who's still young and has a little bit of ceiling would be fine to take a chance on. Not much to lose since the record will be bad anyway. Hannahan's still out there but nothing to get excited about.

 

I don't really get why Cox was such a highly rated prospect.

 

He'll be 24 next season, whether that's in Jax or NO i'm not sure but unless he shows some development I don't see how he fits. Corner infielders without plus defense, power, or plate discipline don't fare very well. One of those things has to improve. Even the batting average fell last season. By the end of 2013 they'll have an idea whether Dietrich is any kind of option there. Otherwise they're going to have to look elsewhere. Hopefully Cox surprises everyone.

I don't think Dietrich has ever played a game at third in his minor league career, not sure what position the Marlins look for him to play, for the future if Cox isn't the answer possibly Cabrera acquired in the Bell trade might be an option.

While we're at it though... Coghlan's name was brought up in a few articles by Frisaro and I haven't seen it mentioned here. Anyone think its worth a shot?

 

The little bit of hope with Coghlan is that he has been successful before. We know he is capable of hitting. Granted, he has fallen about as low as you can be as a hitter. It is one thing to hope for somebody to be good that has never shown signs of it. He has though. Just needs to get it back. IMO, him starting to hit again is best case scenario.

I'd like to see Coghlan given a shot to win the 3B job in Spring Training.