Fish Bites: Why Pitching Has To Be Priority

The Miami Marlins will evaluate a few different positions this off season. For sure third base and second base. Plus, they will also have to restore the bull pen. Just two years ago they had one of the best pens in baseball. Now it is poor. Nevertheless, the Marlins should still be looking at pitching. Even though Ricky Nolasco, Jacob Turner and Josh Johnson are under contract heading into next season, the Fish should look at improving the staff. Maybe by adding another solid starter? Carlos Zambrano, Wade LeBlanc, and Nathan Eovaldi are not solid starters at this time.

One name I would suggest is Javier Vazquez. Apparently he is pondering a come back to baseball. He did not pitch last season. Based on how he pitched in the second half of 2011, Vazquez is not only solid. He is much more than that.

- Interesting award for Giancarlo Stanton this week. He was the receiver of the Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award. He was the Marlins representative to win this award. Kudos to Giancarlo.

- In case you missed it, Brett Hayes was claimed off waivers by the Colorado Rockies over the weekend. For now, the ball club will rely on John Buck and Rob Brantly at catcher. Read more here.

- The Marlins might want to contend next season and not just rebuild. But even if this is the intention, it will not be as publicized as last offseason. Its safe to say the club learned their lesson this past season.

- Logan Morrison has two main objectives this off season. One is to rehab from knee issues. And the other is to continue to build his charity. It has always been a main focus of his.

Around the League

- Lucas Duda of the New York Mets has broken his wrist moving furniture. He should be ready for spring training.

- In case you missed it, David Ortiz has re-signed with the Boston Red Sox for two years. A sure sign that the Red Sox are going to try to fix their woes on the quick.

- No surprise here, but Miguel Cabrera was named the 2012 Player of the Year by his fellow peers. He was absolutely the best player this past season.

At Fish Stripes

- The state of the Miami Marlins on Election Day is discussed this week by Mr. Dorney. Seems like it might get real quiet from here on out.

- One of the more interesting free agent options for the Fish this offseason is Melky Cabrera. There are not many options for a team looking to cut spending. Read more here.

- Mr. Melton brings up a real good point this week. Could it be that the hiring of Mike Redmond as new Marlins manager was more of a puppet move? In other words, another guy the Marlins front office can control? I hope not.

- No doubt that third base is the biggest hole the Marlins need to fill this offseason. In fact, they have already began to address the position early on by signing Kevin Kouzmanoff. Read more here about other holes that need to be filled.