Game Today

by craig on Mar 20, 2008 8:09 AM EDT in News and Rumors

The Marlins are back in action today against our spring training roommates - the Cardinals.

The Marlins starting pitcher is Ricky Nolasco, who will be followed by Scott Olsen. As far as I know, they are the only two pitchers on the docket for the Fish in today's game. This will be Olsen's first action in the Grapefruit League since returning from shoulder tendinitis.

The Cardinals starting pitcher is Braden Looper. You remember him.

Game time is 1:05 p.m.

The Cardinals are the home team.

Here ye be da stat thingys (Yes, it's still spring training):

Magic Updating Box Score

MLB Gameday

Have a Great Day!

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Nats Release John Patterson

Patterson got his outright release today from the Nats. Basically he wasn't progressing as quickly as they wanted.

I've got my take on it here.

Could he be a possible pickup for the Fish?

He's 30 and made just $800K last year. He won't be as good as he was a few years ago, but he would provide some depth at the back of the rotation. Of course, he'd be another injury risk, which we have in spades. Nevertheless, I expect management to show some interest.

NoBiasBaseball.com

by Matt Wilson on Mar 20, 2008 3:33 PM EDT reply actions

More moves

I just got a text message that Brett Carroll has been optioned to AAA. My text messages only mention roster players. If any non-roster players were reassigned, I will post that when I find out.

There was an interesting comment made in the minor leeague report.

Florida's blockbuster trade with the Tigers in December brought in six young players, including four pitchers. Three of them who were in big league camp are now being developed more in the Minor Leagues.

The last time I checked, only two of the six players acquired from Detroit have been sent to minor league camp; Dallas Trahern and Eulogio de La Cruz. Did someone else get sent down that I don't know about? Only Badenhop is not on the 40-man roster for me to not get a message about but that is just speculation.

by mbaamin08 on Mar 20, 2008 5:12 PM EDT reply actions

It's up

There was a non-roster move as well but it wasn't Badenhop.

Optioned OF Brett Carroll to Triple-A Albuquerque; Reassigned INF Chris Barnwell to Minor League camp.

by mbaamin08 on Mar 20, 2008 6:01 PM EDT up reply actions

3rd base competition over?

There was an interesting article on the Marlins site saying that the competition for the 3rd base job may be over and an announcement could be made soon.

There were growing indications from within the clubhouse on Thursday that third baseman Jose Castillo will not make the team.

Castillo, a free-agent pickup from the Pirates, has had a pretty good Spring Training, batting .283 with one home run and six RBIs. The 24-year-old from Venezuela has played a solid third base.

However, there were rumblings on Thursday that Castillo's tenure with the Marlins is coming to an end.

If so, the third baseman wouldn't be surprised. Recently, he was quoted in a Venezuelan newspaper as saying if he didn't make the Opening Day roster, that he would consider playing in Japan.

Castillo signed with the Marlins on Dec. 24 for $650,000.

If indeed the Marlins waive Castillo, it means Jorge Cantu, a non-roster invitee who has had a terrific spring, would be the frontrunner to win the third-base job. Cantu played the entire 10 innings at third base on Thursday.

Should Cantu become the regular third basema and Castillo is let go, it improves the chances of Jason Wood making the club as a backup corner infielder.

Wood was used as a defensive replacement at first base for Mike Jacobs last year. Versatile Alfredo Amezaga, an excellent defensive player, would then become a candidate to play third base more for defensive reasons.

Very interesting. I was under the impression that they would platoon.

In another article, Fredi Gonzalez confirmed one of the 5 starters in the rotation.

Previously the frontrunner to be Florida's Opening Day starter, Olsen now is going to be slotted fourth in the rotation, and he is in line to pitch against the Pirates on April 4.

Actually, Olsen taking the ball in Game 4, is the only rotation spot announced by manager Fredi Gonzalez.

This comes as little surprise since we all knew Olsen was a lock for the rotation and his injury just pushed him to the 4th slot. Hendrickson is a lock for the rotation and the front-runner for the opening day gig. That really only leaves VandenHurk, Volstad, Miller and Nolasco fighting for the last 3 spots. While technically not eliminated from the competition, Badenhop only threw 2 innings the other day and Waecther was listed on today press pass as scheduled to pitch today and tomorrow. He was up in the 9th inning in case Nelson got into more trouble. I'm reading that as they are not being as seriously considered for the rotation as the other four.

by mbaamin08 on Mar 20, 2008 7:44 PM EDT reply actions