Marlins Daily - Latest Comments

Re: Post Game Thread: Marlins Lose 15 of 16

gutterReplace — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 16:15:16 -0000

Re: Blurring the Line Between Ownership and Management

astonisher — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 11:34:04 -0000

Mini-Me Sampson is not Daddy Loria's son-n-law but step-boy, despised in Montreal and Miami as much as Loria. http://sportsbiznews.blogsp...

Re: Post Game Thread: Marlins Lose 15 of 16

Rusk from Pakistan — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 01:30:35 -0000

Rusk from Pakistan

Re: I miss the Florida Marlins

Johnny McKinney III — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 10:00:38 -0000

Thank you for posting this blog. I'm glad to know someone else shares my sentiments about the FLORIDA Marlins.

Re: Scouting Report on Austin Brice

Kevin Clements — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 09:47:52 -0000

Thanks Spencer & Dave !

Re: Checking in on Chris Volstad

rsanchez1 — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 16:45:59 -0000

I personally think they bailed on Volstad a little too late. They gave Volstad way too many chances.

The caption for that Volstad photo made me laugh though.

Re: Scouting Report on Marlins Prospect Andrew Heaney

destrilogy — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 11:32:45 -0000

amazing article. keep posting articles like this one.

Re: Scouting Report on Marlins Prospect Andrew Heaney

Rob Davis — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 17:42:22 -0000

Great and well written .

Re: Jose Reyes’ hit streak by the numbers

Jace G. — Sat, 18 Aug 2012 04:29:20 -0000

Great article, it seems like the author really knows his stuff.
Keep it up Griffin! :-)

Re: Not done yet: Marlins, Pirates exchange Gaby Sanchez for Gorkys Hernandez

RIP327 — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 15:24:44 -0000

Might be worth just for the draft pick. Gorkys at least gives us a good defensive extra outfielder for late game substitution. And Logan Morrison will probably take over 1B next year anyway.

Re: More on the Blue Jays Interest in Josh Johnson

TtDsufc — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 09:24:00 -0000

Some decent reasoning, but i'd argue your reading a little much into a few things (though i'm not 100% given your original Hanley/Johnson mindset). There was I believe no question AA was willing to trade prospects for longterm upgrades, he's come out and said so repeatedly this year in fact. I merely felt you were reading a little much into the Astros trade in terms of what was let go, whereby while we traded quantity, we didn't let go anything above a 3rd tier prospect, while dumping contracts. Your original suggestion had both quality (something we will also trade, but in moderation) as well as quantity, and threw up red flags accordingly.

Regarding Escobar's supposed personality conflict, there has only been talk of this in the US press (ESPN primarily, and then others quoting them). All evidence available would indicate that Escobar is a popular member of the Jays clubhouse, he gets on very well with Encarnacion and Bautista, and is on good terms with our GM and the backroom staff. He puts in a lot of work off the field, gets rave reviews for his work ethic between games and is generally seen as a friendly (if airheaded and error prone) guy by all in Toronto. The only negative reports we have seen during his tenure have been from US sources, pushing the whole lazy latino sterotype he was tarred with in Atlanta, not a peep out of the Canadian press that hasn't been quoting US press. Given the Jays large online presence, a lot of Toronto fans have pretty much written this whole thing off as another made up story to garner page views (much like last years Man in White hatchet piece, and over gutter reporting of past years).

In terms of KJ, most fans would be happy to see us keep him, we just expect him to try FA and inevitably to go elsewhere.

Re: More on the Blue Jays Interest in Josh Johnson

Mike Hannah — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 00:40:15 -0000

Sorry it took me a day or so to get back to this but I did want to discuss your points as I felt your post was very well reasoned and thought out.

The Happ/Cordero+Prospects Trade

I'm not entirely sure I agree that the two pitchers dropped so from B- to C+ but what did happen was that the Jays had a really strong draft class that likely pushed them down to the bottom of the Top 20 and Perez out, all together.

The point I was making though was that shipping out prospects is no longer unprecedented in the AA administration.
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As for Adeiny Hechavarria, the word is that he's being considered for the MLB next season as a 2B, though I wonder if AA has given up on KJ who he long sought, but with the glove he is reported to have at SS it's hard for me to believe they really want to move him

Also, Yunel it seems is sort of wearing out his welcome in TO. He's a very good SS, when he wants to be, but his attitude, struggles this season, and giant mental lapses have likely soured the organization on him a bit.

I could see AA bringing back KJ who, despite his struggles in June-July, had a very solid April-May, is coming around recently, and also has one of the team's highest OBP's.

Also, I expect Miami to ask for top prospects (Profar is being mentioned) and AA may be able to convince them on lesser prospects (no Gose, Hech, or big 3 Lansing SP's) in a deal that has Yunel and his team-friendly contract.
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Yes, I'm aware that quoting a AA bating average after just 16 games is a bit disingenuous. My point was not to make him seem like a failed prospect or bad in any way, but to illustrate the point I was making which was that he is behind a lot of other players (prospects and vets) and nothing he's done thus far has prove he should be put over them.

Also, I believe the Jays have a lot of OF prospects and current OF's that pretty much block Marisnick completely. I mean, Rasmus is 25 and will be in the Jays organization for years to come, Snider is 24 and the same can be said for him, which leaves us with one spot, RF, which you have to believe that Gose has the inside track for in... 2-ish season's when Bautista will be old enough to facilitate an everyday DH spot.

He's one of those big potential FA's that Miami might look for that the Jays could easily do without. Having him in the system is, as of now, a luxury. He has no real future with the team over the next 4 seasons as far as I can see, and the team can draft dozens of OF's to play LF (his likeliest position, imo) by the time they need to replace Snider.
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Ultimately, it MAY be giving up a bit much, but it's nothing the Jays can't afford in the long-run. My only mistake, in my opinion, is not saying Yunel and Marisnick -OR- Yunel or Marisnick + other prospects.

Thinking about it, I'm not 100% sure AA would give up both Yunel AND Marisnick + prospects for just JJ. The reason I wrote it was that originally, my article was about Hanley AND JJ, but Hanley was traded as I wrote it and my mentality didn't shift.

Re: Additional thoughts on the Marlins-Dodgers trade.

Ron — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 20:08:12 -0000

Bernie,

The Marlins DID NOT have a firesale after the 2003 season. It was prior to the 2006 season, and despite that "sell-off", the team actually scored more runs in 2006 than in 2005 and were in the race into August! Also, what's going on here is NOT a firesale. I think these are good baseball moves. Of course, the real test will be the offseason, and one of us will be proved right and one wrong, based on what the team does.

Ron

Re: Additional thoughts on the Marlins-Dodgers trade.

Masonoakley42 — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 14:23:52 -0000

Let's wait and see what they do with the money before calling anything a firesale.

Re: More on the Blue Jays Interest in Josh Johnson

Masonoakley42 — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 14:22:15 -0000

Good points about Yunel. Although I wonder if the Marlins would rather take more prospects with high upside, or take Yunel plus a few C+ or such.

Re: More on the Blue Jays Interest in Josh Johnson

Masonoakley42 — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 14:20:21 -0000

Good points. Although I don't think Hechavarria really has significant value in a trade like this, since his upside is more limited than say Marisnick

Re: This Is Not Another Marlins Fire Sale, Just Summer Cleaning

Masonoakley42 — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 14:18:05 -0000

Jeffery Loria wasn't in control of the team for the last fire sale, which was 15 years ago.

Re: This Is Not Another Marlins Fire Sale, Just Summer Cleaning

Felipe — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 12:58:16 -0000

With Jeffrey Loria and stepson David Samson in control of this team, believe me, it is a fire sale.

Re: Additional thoughts on the Marlins-Dodgers trade.

Bernie Weisz — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 21:15:13 -0000

What a shame! The Marlins have the distinction of winning a World Series championship every year they qualified for the postseason, doing so in 1997 and 2003 — both times as the National League wild card team...followed by self destructing "fire sales." There is no loyalty to the fans of Miami whatsoever! The names go on.....Gary Shieffield, Charles Johnson, Al Leiter, Kevin Brown, A.J. Burnett, Derrick Lee, Edgar Rentería, Luis Castillo, Moisés Alou, Johan Santana (you can look it up..yes...he was a Marlin!), Antonio Alfonseca, Dontrelle Willis, Ryan Dempster, Josh Beckett, Carl Pavano, Brad Penny, Miguel Cabrera, Juan Encarnacion, Dan Uggla, Josh Johnson, Ricky Nolasco, Anibal Sanchez, and Hanley Ramirez. Are we supposed to close our eyes and pretend that the ownership of our team is only interested on saving money? Winning the World Series is only an option if a post season fire sale occurs. I openly declare that if this trend continues, Miami marlins games should be boycotted!
Bernie Weisz
Pembroke Pines, Florida

Re: More on the Blue Jays Interest in Josh Johnson

TtDsufc — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 18:54:58 -0000

May I make some counter arguements, bear with me. I'll use John Sickels list when referencing prospect rankings, but I can look up other lists if you like.

-For Lyon, Happ, Carpenter, the Jays moved

Cordero-contract dump, given likely at increased prospect cost, to save money
Francisco-ditto
Wojiechowski-preseason #11 (B- prospect) stalled at A+ ball this season while repeating the level, low Ks, high hits still, and this while in the most pitcher friendly minor league, likely a C+ prospect at time of trade.
Musgrove-preseason #15 (B- prospect) bad reviews out of extended spring, shoulder injury concerns and loss of velocity, likely a C+ prospect at time of trade
Perez-preseason #20 (C+ prospect) solid progress but repeating A-ball, needed to be added to 40-man at season end to avoid rule-5 draft elligibility (jays are short of 40-man space). Likely still a C+ prospect.
Rollins-preseason unlisted, a C prospect, has been solid at A-ball this year

That's three C+ prospects with a lot of issues + a C prospect for three relief pitchers and the dumping of two unwanted players.

-Yes Hechavarria is in the wings, we also however have no 2B for next season, have no high minors 2B prospects, and have Hechavarria taking reps at 2B. He is not blocked by Yunel at this time.

-Marisnick, yes is blocked potentially at this time, but has only just reached AA and is not an issue until at least late 2013 (quoting a .233 AA average is disinqenuous btw based on a small 19 game sample, you're being unfair to your readers by throwing that up, he's more than held his own at A+ FSL level in a pitcher friendly environment for most of this season in a far greater sample). At this point he is a top-50 prospect in baseball (B+ prospect) the Jays have no need to trade at this time.

-I have no issue with you throwing in the likes of Dyson and McGuire, they are tradeable assets at this time of fungible value to the Jays, I have no issue with their inclusion in general, just as additions on top of what you had already put in the trade mix.

-Yes Johnson would be arguably a #1 with the Jays (though close with Morrow healthy by August and back in the mix), he'd be a significant upgrade for next year, but only at fair value

Re: More on the Blue Jays Interest in Josh Johnson

Mike Hannah — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 18:23:57 -0000

Considering what we saw last week when the Jays traded 3 of their top 20 prospects to get an average lefty starter, an average bullpen arm, and an old Triple-A player, it isn't completely unreasonable to think they might also do something like this.

Yunel, a lot like Hanley, is very hot and cold. Both in terms of their attitude and their performance this season. With Hechavarria waiting in the wings, the Jays could easily move Yubar.

Marisnick is behind Rasmus, Gose, Snider, and Bautista right now (not to mention Davis and Thames who have MLB experience). With Sierra, Anderson, and DJ Davis also coming through the system, the Jays could trade Marisnick. Also, Marisnick is batting .233 in Double-A. Not that it really matters, but it doesn't put him over anyone else.

Dyson is covered by Mujica, and McGuire is struggling in the Minors and, while a very good prospect, is behind Norris, Syndergaard, Nicolino, Sanchez, Hutchison, and Alvarez in the young player/prospect hierarchy.

Josh Johnson is injury prone, yes, but he is also a #1 starter. The Jays don't have a #1 with Morrow hurt and Romero sucking. Put all three of them, healthy, and hopefully reinvigorated in a rotation next season with Alvarez and Laffey/V/Happ or whoever else, and the Jays will have something.

And Mujica is a fairly good reliever, though I'd prefer Cishek... Or, both.

Re: More on the Blue Jays Interest in Josh Johnson

TtDsufc — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 18:01:11 -0000

Overpaid arguably, due to his injury proness, though that's very debateable i'll admit. When healthy, he is worth his contract, and generally worth about $12million surplus a year ($5million per WAR, $25million total value per year for a 5 WAR player, contract is worth $13.75m the remaining year plus what's left of this year at about $5m), so at max his contract is worth about $15million over the remaining 1.5 seasons in value to a team. Any missed time will eat into that value, and would be hedged for given his injury history, so your likely looking at a package worth about $12 million in prospects and parts.

To put that in perspective, Yunel is on pace as a 3WAR player this year (in what is considered a down year), and has cleared 4WAR in six of eight years. He makes $5million a year, over the next three years, and about $2million the remains of this season, so 3.4ish years, $17million. Your going to get at worst 10 WAR during that period (if he has all down years), or $50 million in value. Your thus looking at a contract with probably $33million in surplus value over it's duration remaining. If you believe the garbage ESPN has been spouting about him being out of favour, slash that value in half if you like, that's still more value in his contract compared to what is left on Johnson's.

If the Jays were a team in contention, sure they might overpay with Escobar and a C+ prospect to get Johnson's remaining time, maybe they do consider themselves in contention and do this. To suggest a package like Michael did, of Escobar + six prospects is utter delusion though.

Re: More on the Blue Jays Interest in Josh Johnson

Masonoakley42 — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 17:33:10 -0000

Overpaid? No.
Injury prone? Yes.
I think you forgot to mention how he's a true number 1 pitcher/ace when healthy, though.

Re: More on the Blue Jays Interest in Josh Johnson

TtDsufc — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 17:07:18 -0000

Hmm....the running out of continued pie in the sky overpays continues. You really think the jays would shift a 3WAR SS making $15million (total) over the next three years, + a top 50 OF prospect, +two C+ grade SPs +2 more 100-125 prospects + PTBNL for 1.5 years of an overpaid (relatively), injury prone NL pitcher + Mujica. Fat chance.

You'd maybe get Yunel + a SP prospect,
or maybe Marisnick + a SP prospect +PTBNL

The idea you'd get all that in one deal is quite frankly mind blowing.

Re: More on the Blue Jays Interest in Josh Johnson

Mike Hannah — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 16:09:24 -0000

I agree, but the way I was thinking is that with how baron the Miami farm is they should maybe sacrifice getting a top 5 prospect in order to get 2 or 3 top 25 prospects in the Jays system, add some depth. The Marlins could get Gose, but the deal would not involve Marisnick, Dyson, and a lesser SP prospect than McGuire.