The Miami Marlins, and for that matter most teams in baseball, have very little going on the last few weeks. Spring training is close now. And for the team that still has not figured out what kind of roster they want to have going into the new season, I would assume they are better off letting things develop. Not only are there few free agents left on the market, teams will make moves within spring training. That happens every year. Moves to cover an immediate need, or moves to create more opportunities at a certain position (for example when there is a log jam of outfielders).
- The Marlins potentially might make a move with one of their young starting pitchers. Sean West has not done much here. But he is still young, and more importantly, he is left handed. Plus, he is out of options. So as teams look around baseball to cover this particular need, expect the Marlins to listen to offers. The team's starting rotation is settled. And there are plenty of spot start candidates in the minors. The ball club did a great job this off season of adding names that could come in at any time (Gaudin is one example).
- This Saturday tickets go on sale for the upcoming exhibition games against the New York Yankees. Expect these to sell quickly. Especially when you consider there are only 1,000 tickets left to opening day against the Cardinals. On top of that, the list of people that have signed up for an on line lottery to bid on these 1,000 seats is now up to 52,000. The odds are against all of us.
- Personally, I don't care when a player switches his jersey number. Especially when the player has not done anything lately. But if you are the type that likes controversy, and how a ball club can make an error by even considering to un-retire a number, then read the craziness surrounding the Logan Morrison jersey number switch.
- Here's how you know there is little going on. I have read quite a bit recently on Josh Johnson. Primarily, about how he is back, pain free, and very confident this season he will be great. I like the positive vibes, but I expected JJ to be ready for this season all along. I'm sure he could have pitched more last season if needed. But with the team missing its other superstar due to injury, and a lack of dependable starting pitching, he probably did right in staying away and focusing all of his energy on this season.
- Lastly for this week, Marlins Daily writes about how the Marlins could have most certainly used Yoenis Cespedes to play centerfield. On the other side though, the writer also takes a look at the situation without Cespedes. And how the Marlins offense should still produce satisfactory. The Marlins happen to have five regular position players who project to have an OPS of more than 100 (according to ZiPS). The implication is these players are predicted to perform above average at the plate. And a sixth, Infante, is just a hair below this. So feel confident the Marlins will still hit a ton this season.
Around the League
- Great news this week about Tony Gwynn. The hall of famer had a cancerous tumor removed from his cheek. Apparently, tough the surgery lasted fourteen hours, he will be able to return to coaching in one month. Incredible.
- Looks like one time Marlin A.J. Burnett may be a Pittsburgh Pirate before to long. What a shame. Burnett has the goods to excel. He just loses it from time to time. And now that the Yankees are set at rotation, Burnett is easily the pitcher they most want to move.
- Jose Reyes has one of the ten worst swings in 2011 according to Jeff Sullivan. You can see the actual at bat against Tommy Hanson here.
At Fish Stripes
- Michael Jong brings up a good point about the Marlins. They have had many prospects come up over the years, but not many of them have led directly to success in the win / loss record. For example, since 2002, not much has come up from the farm system and made an impact like Mike Stanton is making right now at the big club level. I can remember just a few years back when the Marlins farm system was the envy of all of baseball. Farm from the truth now.