The Marlins were vilified for gutting their roster after winning the World Series in 1997, but owner Jeffrey Luria and general manager Admin Beinfest did their best to not let the World Champion club fall apart this offseason. Through a mixture of signings, re-signings, and trades, the Marlins kept a large part of their roster in tact and managed to cover all their bases?so to speak. However, while the World Champs have all the spots filled, the team will need to rely on young players like Miguel Cabrera and Hee Seop Choi rather than veterans like Derrek Lee and Ivan Rodriguez.

 

Notable offseason transactions The Marlins re-signed third baseman Mike Lowell, second baseman Luis Castillo, shortstop Alex Gonzalez, starting pitchers A.J. Burnett, Carl Pavano, and Brad Penny, catchers Ramon Castro and Mike Redmond, outfielder/first baseman Brian Banks, outfielder Gerald Williams, infielders Mike Mordecai and Lenny Harris, and relief pitchers Toby Borland, Chad Fox, and Michael Tejera.

 

Got all that? Well, the signings didn?t end there. With closer Braden Looper leaving for the Mets and setup man Ugueth Urbina exploring other options, the Marlins inked closer Armando Benitez to a one-year deal. The team also locked up pitcher Darren Oliver with a one-year contract and signed infielder Damion Easley to a minor-league deal.

 

The Marlins made a trio of trades; sending Lee to the Cubs, starting pitcher Mark Redman to the Athletics, and outfielder Juan Encarnacion to the Dodgers. In return for Lee, the Marlins acquired Choi and minor-league pitcher Mike Nannini. The Redman deal netted reliever Mike Neu and minor-league pitcher Bill Murphy, and the Encarnacion deal returned minor-league outfielder Travis Ezi. Along with Looper, Urbina, Lee, Redman, and Encarnacion, the Marlins also said goodbye to catcher Ivan Rodriguez, outfielder Todd Hollandsworth, infielder Andy Fox, and pitchers Rick Helling and Armando Almanza.

 

What to watch Burnett underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow on April 28, 2003, and initial projections predicted that he would not return until late in the 2004 season. However, the recovery has gone well enough that A.J. could be in the rotation by the end of spring training. That being said, the more likely scenario is that Oliver fills the fifth spot in the starting rotation when the season opens, and Burnett will claim that role sometime in May.

 

The 20-year-old Cabrera burst onto the scene in 2003, and this season he?ll be asked to bat third for the Marlins. The super-prospect seems up for the job after a solid postseason, and he kept in shape with a token appearance in the Venezuelan winter league. While we have few doubts that Miguel is a future All-Star, fantasy owners should note that he?s still young and he does not have the best plate discipline (84 strikeouts and 25 walks in 314 at-bats). We can?t expect Albert Pujols-like brilliance (yet), as he may struggle to carry a lineup that lost Lee and Rodriguez.

 

The Marlins will be the second team in two years that will count on Choi to hold down the first-base job. The 24-year-old failed the Cubs in 2003, as he hit only .218 with eight homers and 28 RBI in 202 at-bats. Choi?s minor-league stats and scouting reports suggest that he?s bound to be a solid fantasy first baseman at some point, and he?ll have every opportunity to succeed this season. However, fantasy owners need to keep an eye on him this spring. If necessary, Jeff Conine can move to first base, and Banks or Abraham Nunez can start in the outfield. This winter, Nunez led the Dominican League in homers, RBI, doubles, runs scored, slugging percentage, and extra-base hits.

 

Fantasy owners need to be wary of over-valuing the Marlins? stolen base potential. Florida featured five players [Pierre (65), Castillo (21), Lee (21), Encarnacion (19), and Rodriguez (10)]who swiped 10 or more bases in 2003, but much of the running took place prior to the managerial switch from Jeff Torborg to Jack McKeon. Through 38 games under Torborg, those five players stole a combined 48 bases while only being caught 12 times (80 percent success). Played out over 162 games, those five Marlins would have totaled 205 steals. In the 124 games under McKeon, those five players stole 88 bases and were caught 48 times (65 percent). Over 162 games, that rate equals 115 steals. Also, with the roster turnover, McKeon?s club now features fewer base stealers, and we have worries that the league?s best stealing club will fall back to the pack in 2004.

 

Position battles The Marlins are nearly set heading into spring training. Castillo, Gonzalez, and Lowell will occupy their respective infield positions, while Pierre, Conine, and Cabrera fill up the outfield. The starting rotation will feature World Series MVP Josh Beckett, National League rookie of the year Dontrelle Willis, Penny, Pavano, and Oliver/Burnett. Benitez will be the closer.

 

The biggest question mark is at catcher, where the Marlins will let Ramon Castro and Mike Redmond battle for playing time. Redmond, 32, has proven to be a consistent .300 hitter in his limited career, but his bat doesn?t have much pop. The Marlins (and fantasy owners) would much rather see the 27-year-old Castro win the every-day job, but he is still dealing with legal problems. Castro was arrested and charged with rape on August 28, and he expects to have a trial date set when he attends a pretrial hearing on February 6. Castro hit five homers in only 53 at-bats last season, and he managed to smack eight dingers in 90 at-bats during winter-league play in Puerto Rico. He has the potential to crank out 15-20 homers if given ample playing time, but fantasy owners have to be wary of the legal issues.

http://fantasysports.yahoo.com/analysis/ne...tasy&league=mlb

"The Marlins will be the second team in two years that will count on Choi to hold down the first-base job. The 24-year-old failed the Cubs in 2003, as he hit only .218 with eight homers and 28 RBI in 202 at-bats. Choi?s minor-league stats and scouting reports suggest that he?s bound to be a solid fantasy first baseman at some point, and he?ll have every opportunity to succeed this season. However, fantasy owners need to keep an eye on him this spring. If necessary, Jeff Conine can move to first base, and Banks or Abraham Nunez can start in the outfield. This winter, Nunez led the Dominican League in homers, RBI, doubles, runs scored, slugging percentage, and extra-base hits."

 

 

I couldn't agree more.

The Cordero signing puts a whole different spin on Choi's situation though.

The Cordero signing puts a whole different spin on Choi's situation though.

Really?

 

It all comes down between Choi and Nunez in my opnion.If Abe coninues to impress,I don't see how he won't find himself in the starting lineup and of course Choi has to struggle.Will Cordero is more of an insurance neither guy can get the job done.

The Cordero signing puts a whole different spin on Choi's situation though.

Really?

 

It all comes down between Choi and Nunez in my opnion.If Abe coninues to impress,I don't see how he won't find himself in the starting lineup and of course Choi has to struggle.Will Cordero is more of an insurance neither guy can get the job done.

I think Choi is way ahead of Nunez. One is still considered a prospect and the other not. Nunez has to come into camp and absolutely set the world on fire to find an everyday job while Choi only needs to perform reasonably well to be assured his spot at 1B.

The Cordero signing puts a whole different spin on Choi's situation though.

Really?

 

It all comes down between Choi and Nunez in my opnion.If Abe coninues to impress,I don't see how he won't find himself in the starting lineup and of course Choi has to struggle.Will Cordero is more of an insurance neither guy can get the job done.

I think Choi is way ahead of Nunez. One is still considered a prospect and the other not. Nunez has to come into camp and absolutely set the world on fire to find an everyday job while Choi only needs to perform reasonably well to be assured his spot at 1B.

 

IF Choi struggles, you know the proven vet, Cordero, will get the nod over the still-a-prospect Nunez.

 

The Marlins got first baseman Hee Seop Choi in the deal that sent Lee to the Cubs, and Cordero could provide an insurance policy if Choi does not progress as Florida hopes.

The Cordero signing puts a whole different spin on Choi's situation though.

Really?

 

It all comes down between Choi and Nunez in my opnion.If Abe coninues to impress,I don't see how he won't find himself in the starting lineup and of course Choi has to struggle.Will Cordero is more of an insurance neither guy can get the job done. With the signing of WIL Cordero, I now find it difficult to see where Abe fits in, unless Easely fails to make the team.

The Cordero signing puts a whole different spin on Choi's situation though.

Really?

 

It all comes down between Choi and Nunez in my opnion.If Abe coninues to impress,I don't see how he won't find himself in the starting lineup and of course Choi has to struggle.Will Cordero is more of an insurance neither guy can get the job done. With the signing of WIL Cordero, I now find it difficult to see where Abe fits in, unless Easely fails to make the team. Easley will not make the time I promise, unless someone gets injured.

 

I think the bench should be like this.

 

C- Redmond

Utility- Mordy

1B- Cordero

1B/COF- Banks

PH- Harris

OF- Nunez

 

As much as I would like to have another infielder on the bench we don't really need one because both Cabrera and Conine are versatile so it shouldn't be too big of a problem.

The Cordero signing puts a whole different spin on Choi's situation though.

Really?

 

It all comes down between Choi and Nunez in my opnion.If Abe coninues to impress,I don't see how he won't find himself in the starting lineup and of course Choi has to struggle.Will Cordero is more of an insurance neither guy can get the job done. With the signing of WIL Cordero, I now find it difficult to see where Abe fits in, unless Easely fails to make the team.

That's why I said Nunez has to come and set the world on fire, force the issue, make it impossible for Jack not to play him.

 

Right now Nunez is maybe on the FO/McKeon radar screen but he's a blip way over in the corner as opposed to Choi who has mentioned frequently by Admin B. and Trader Jack as virtually penciled in.

 

When I wrote in a previous post that one was a prospect and the other not, I was referring to Choi as the one still considered a prospect. Nunez, having aged two+ years over night is no longer considered a prospect.

 

It may be a mistake to link the two. We need a first baseman, we don't NEED another outfielder. Beinfest's reputation is tied to Big Choi, that's not the case with Nunez.

 

Cordero puts a spin on the future of both ballplayers but I agree moreso in Choi's case. In Nunez's case he not only has to leapfrog Cordero for playing time he has virtually push Conine out of the way too.

 

We may never see Nunez in a Marlins uniform this or any season. If he does well he may well be traded. If he doesn't set the world on fire he may well be headed back to AAA (which the more I think about it the more I think will happen) so he can get enough playing time to justify his existence. Looking into the future, if Choi performs and Nunez does well in AAA what may happen is Cordero us tradebait mid-year and Nunez replaces him.

And, for the record, I do NOT think Easely will make the team, and Abe will make the final 25-man roster, kinda how Banks did last off-season.

With the signing of WIL Cordero, I now find it difficult to see where Abe fits in, unless Easely fails to make the team.

 

Not to be argumentative Wild (now that it appears the much loved Repeatin04 is gone j/k), but why would you think Easley even has a chance of making this club?

 

I don't get it. To me Damion Easley is the poster boy for washed up players. He makes Gerald Williams look like Barry Bonds. Talk about being a washout, not only did he fall on his face with the Tigers, HE COULDN'T EVEN MAKE IT WITH THE D'RAYS ! Sheesh !

 

There's enough other infield talent at AAA and AA to provide bench help if needed or from some non-roster invitee before you have settle for that bum. I'd rather give Hooper a chance to sit on the bench, at least he'd come to play, he has good D, he's scrappy and an overachiever as opposed to that lazy good for nothing.

 

I have never, not once, said anything negative about any of Admin B.'s signings but this is only one I question. No glove, no speed, no bat and worse, no desire.

 

No nothin'.

 

-----

 

While I was writing this Wild posted and said he didn't think Easley would make the team but I'm leaving the post up anyways.

The Cordero signing puts a whole different spin on Choi's situation though.

Really?

 

It all comes down between Choi and Nunez in my opnion.If Abe coninues to impress,I don't see how he won't find himself in the starting lineup and of course Choi has to struggle.Will Cordero is more of an insurance neither guy can get the job done.

I think Choi is way ahead of Nunez. One is still considered a prospect and the other not. Nunez has to come into camp and absolutely set the world on fire to find an everyday job while Choi only needs to perform reasonably well to be assured his spot at 1B. I agree. Choi will be starting at 1B - the FO likes him a lot. Nunez is in NO WAY up for a starting job. At best, he would be 4th OF. Cordero changes things a bit - there is a big contest in ST to get a roster spot. Easely, Nunez, Cordero, Banks, Harris, Williams, Mordecai - all will be in the mix. Who do you take, who do you send away? Cant wait for ST...

Cordero, Banks, Mordecai

Signed to major league deals.

With the signing of WIL Cordero, I now find it difficult to see where Abe fits in, unless Easely fails to make the team.

 

Not to be argumentative Wild (now that it appears the much loved Repeatin04 is gone j/k), but why would you think Easley even has a chance of making this club?

 

I don't get it. To me Damion Easley is the poster boy for washed up players. He makes Gerald Williams look like Barry Bonds. Talk about being a washout, not only did he fall on his face with the Tigers, HE COULDN'T EVEN MAKE IT WITH THE D'RAYS ! Sheesh !

 

There's enough other infield talent at AAA and AA to provide bench help if needed or from some non-roster invitee before you have settle for that bum. I'd rather give Hooper a chance to sit on the bench, at least he'd come to play, he has good D, he's scrappy and an overachiever as opposed to that lazy good for nothing.

 

I have never, not once, said anything negative about any of Admin B.'s signings but this is only one I question. No glove, no speed, no bat and worse, no desire.

 

No nothin'.

 

-----

 

While I was writing this Wild posted and said he didn't think Easley would make the team but I'm leaving the post up anyways. I think Easely has got something to prove and could make this team when we start the season. You dont think he is as talented as Mordecai? The guy has way more ability - but the question is, could he put it together in a game? I think there is going to be a lot of surprises this spring, and Easely is going to be among them. I do like Mordy's knowlegde of the game and possible coaching career...so he likley will make the team.

With the signing of WIL Cordero, I now find it difficult to see where Abe fits in, unless Easely fails to make the team.

 

Not to be argumentative Wild (now that it appears the much loved Repeatin04 is gone j/k), but why would you think Easley even has a chance of making this club?

 

I don't get it. To me Damion Easley is the poster boy for washed up players. He makes Gerald Williams look like Barry Bonds. Talk about being a washout, not only did he fall on his face with the Tigers, HE COULDN'T EVEN MAKE IT WITH THE D'RAYS ! Sheesh !

 

There's enough other infield talent at AAA and AA to provide bench help if needed or from some non-roster invitee before you have settle for that bum. I'd rather give Hooper a chance to sit on the bench, at least he'd come to play, he has good D, he's scrappy and an overachiever as opposed to that lazy good for nothing.

 

I have never, not once, said anything negative about any of Admin B.'s signings but this is only one I question. No glove, no speed, no bat and worse, no desire.

 

No nothin'.

 

-----

 

While I was writing this Wild posted and said he didn't think Easley would make the team but I'm leaving the post up anyways. I think Easely has got something to prove and could make this team when we start the season. You dont think he is as talented as Mordecai? The guy has way more ability - but the question is, could he put it together in a game? I think there is going to be a lot of surprises this spring, and Easely is going to be among them. I do like Mordy's knowlegde of the game and possible coaching career...so he likley will make the team.

Not to disrespect your post BUT since you asked I don't think Damion Easley has the desire or the ability to carry Mike Mordecai's jock.

 

What Damion Easley was he no longer is. Mordy would drive through a wall for this team.

"The Marlins will be the second team in two years that will count on Choi to hold down the first-base job. The 24-year-old failed the Cubs in 2003, as he hit only .218 with eight homers and 28 RBI in 202 at-bats. Choi?s minor-league stats and scouting reports suggest that he?s bound to be a solid fantasy first baseman at some point, and he?ll have every opportunity to succeed this season. However, fantasy owners need to keep an eye on him this spring. If necessary, Jeff Conine can move to first base, and Banks or Abraham Nunez can start in the outfield. This winter, Nunez led the Dominican League in homers, RBI, doubles, runs scored, slugging percentage, and extra-base hits."

 

 

I couldn't agree more.

I couldn't disagree more.

 

Choi had a very good OPS last year. And you don't want to move one of the best leftfielders last year (according to the advanced metrics, Conine was in the top-5) to first base when you play in a spacious ballpark with a number of flyball pitchers on the mound.

I couldn't disagree more.

I agree to that.

 

I mean, his On-Base was .140 freakin' points higher than his batting average. If you want to look at the math like that, if he hits .270, he ends up on-base at a .410 clip, which is sickning for a 24-year-old (25-year-old during the season).

He's 26!? Put him in a nursing home!!! he's a seasoned veteran on this team

He's 26!? Put him in a nursing home!!! he's a seasoned veteran on this team

The club really has grown up since the stretch run.

 

Conine, Chad Fox, Oliver, Cordero, and there was Urbina.