Bullpen is Hurting Marlins

The Marlins are off to a great start with an 11-7 record, and some are starting to think that the Marlins have what it takes to win that division. Not so fast.

The Marlins bullpen has already blown three saves, and have an ERA of 5.19 (second worst in NL) in 17 games. Matt Lindstrom has a 1o.80 ERA in seven games, with just three saves in five attempts. Leo Nunez, who was acquired from the Royals in the Mike Jacobs trade, has a blown save but has a 4.32 ERA in eight games. Lindstrom has an explosive fastball, but he is not mixing it well with his other pitches. He has left his fastball over the plate too much, and it is starting to get hit. Marlins fans can't complain about trading Kevin Gregg either, the prospect they got for him, Jose Ceda, is a big powerful right handed reliever who could be join the Marlins this season if necessary. It is still early, and the Marlins expect Lindstrom to heat up. He had a 3.14 ERA last season, but had a WHIP of 1.45.

The Marlins have four quality starters who have combined to go 6-3 so far this season. The Marlins are on a six game losing streak, but beat the Mets, Braves, and Nationals in series play. It is way too early to say the Marlins should go out and get a closer, but Lindstrom has been a set up man the past two seasons and may not be suited in the closer role. "Stuff-wise, he's got it. The big arm, 96 miles per hour. His breaking pitch is being developed to be an above-average pitch. His two-seamer is working. Now he needs to develop the other stuff that comes with winning games.''

One possible option could be Red Sox prospect Daniel Bard. He is closing in Triple-A and has really impressed the Red Sox, going 1-0 with a 1.69 ERA and K-BB ratio of 18-3. The Red Sox could look to acquire Mike Stanton, Gaby Sanchez, or Sean West if they were to make Bard available.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Marlins Finding Cheap Replacements

The Marlins are looking to improve their pitching and defense, and it starts with picking up veterans coming off poor years. Aaron Boone, who played some third base for the Marlins last season, batted .286 with 5 HR and 28 RBI in 69 games. He is coming off a knee injury, and would probably get a one year, incentive laden contract. Another player like that is pitcher Mike Maroth, who was 5-7 with a 6.89 ERA in 27 games with the Tigers and Cardinals. He really struggled in the National League which makes me think he might get a one year deal, with guaranteed money. He has talked with the Nationals, and will probably receive two million annually. I think it is smart to look for these type of veterans, but trading away all your studs would only put them a step back. Trading one would do the trick, not all three. Not really a cheap upgrade, but the Marlins are looking into bringing in either Michael Barrett, Yorvit Torrealba, or Paul Lo Duca. All three are drawing a lot of interest and their price will probably rise. All three are good options, and I'm sure they will land one. I think a lot starts with whether or not they can trade Miguel Cabrera. I'm sure they plan to trade Cabrera before they have to offer him arbitration, and also before the peak of the free agent signings so they can upgrade as well.

According to MLB Rumors Correspondent Thomas Reiss, the Marlins are also looking at Cliff Floyd, and have been in contact with his agent. I'm sure he would command a one year deal, worth 3-4 million dollars. That is a hefty price on the cheap Marlins, but if they can get Floyd to take a discount, he might be a good fit. He believes that the Twins have contacted Floyd about their DH spot, but it has not been confirmed yet.

Friday Grumblings

Rowand Taking Over In Center For Dodgers?: Free agent outfielder Aaron Rowand is drawing a lot of interest from teams around the league, and his new contract is expected to be big. Although he is asking for fifteen million, one MLB executive tells me he expects the deal to top 90 million dollars. There are several teams interested in Rowand that could take on that kind of contract. The Dodgers, White Sox, Rangers, Cubs, and Astros have all made contact with Rowand, but it appears the Dodgers have the inside track because of Rowand's connections to Southern California.

Tigers Interested In Hernandez: The Tigers are expressing interest in Livan Hernandez. According to MLB Rumors Correspondent Tim Wallace, Livan prefers to play in New York with his half-brother Orlando, but is willing to listen to offers. Look for the Cardinals to inquire about Hernandez before his price goes up.

Brewers Eye Kendall?: The Brewers are interested in Kendall. Not a surprise here. Kendall is known for working with young pitchers well and his experience in the NL Central would make a change much easier.

Yankees Sign Molina, Braves Trade Villarreal: The Yankees signed Jose Molina to back up Posada to a two year contract, worth four million dollars. Not much to say here except it gives Joe Girardi a solid backup behind Posada. Also, the Braves traded Oscar Villarreal to the Astros for Josh Anderson. Anderson, 25, batted .358 with 0 HR and 11 RBI. He is very fast, and gives the Braves another option in center.

Royals Close to Deal with Yasuhiko Yabuta: According to MLB Rumors Correspondent Steve Wilson, the Royals are nearing a deal with Japanese pitcher Yasuhiko Yabuta. He was 4-6 last season with a 2.73 ERA and four saves in 58 games. This probably won't be the last pitcher the Royals sign from Japan. Trey Hillman has first hand knowledge of these guys and will be able to coach them better than some coaches.

UPDATE: Ken Rosenthal has confirmed the report and said it is a two year deal with an option for a third.

Marlins After Barrett, Lo Duca to Rockies?: The Marlins have turned their attention to signing Michael Barrett. If you look at my article back in September, it says that the Marlins might look at him if they have some cash open. However, the Marlins could sign Barrett to a deal similar to Torrealba, and work his annually salary into their budget. A catcher will not come cheap now that the Mets over payed for Torrealba, so they will need to open their wallet. The Rockies have begun talks with Paul Lo Duca, but talks have not gotten far.

Uggla to Rockies?

The Marlins plan to shop some of their young talent this offseason and the Rockies have already named one of their targets: Dan Uggla. Uggla did pretty well for the Marlins this season hitting .260 with 32 HR in 146 games. He will likely look for 5-6 million in arbitration and the Marlins are not comfortable taking that type of salary on. The Rockies have several attractive players that could improve the Marlins, making a trade very plausible. 

The Marlins could go target Taylor Buchholz in a deal, along with Ryan Spilborghs in the outfield. As for another player in the deal, they could go after a minor league infielder. Someone like Jayson Nix could be available after the Rockies "gave up" on him early on this past season. Uggla is very athletic and could play several different positions for the Rockies - this move seems like a no brainer. 

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Hermida to Royals, Indians, or Diamondbacks?

Coming into this offseason, the Marlins have eighteen arbitration eligible players. It is very unlikely that the Marlins will sign all of them, but picking who to trade will be the tough part. While the Marlins have been competitive, they don't want to trade away their best players and take another two steps back in terms of getting back to the playoffs. With that said, it is likely they will try to keep one of the following three: Mike Jacobs, Dan Uggla, and Jeremy Hermida. There is a lot of demand for outfielders and second baseman, so they might be able to get the best prospects for them. However, it is possible that the Yankees could turn to the Marlins for Jacobs if signing Teixeira falls through. 

Hermida, although he has expressed his desire to stay, looks as good as gone. Royals GM Dayton Moore is very familiar with Hermida who saw Hermida play in Georgia growing up. The Indians are in the market for an outfielder while the Diamondbacks, who will lose Adam Dunn, could take a chance on Hermida hoping a competitive lineup with a lot of opportunities will turn his struggling career around. One thing holding him back is that he is very injury prone, so they might not be able to get the best prospects for him. 

Expect the Marlins to be very busy this off season.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Jacobs to Royals?

According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the Marlins and Royals were a player away from trading Mike Jacobs for a package of prospects. However, it is believed the Marlins and Royals are working out a new deal, and it could be announced sometime within the next two weeks. The Marlins reportedly plan to increase their payroll to 30-35 million dollars; however, some industry sources believe it might be a ploy to make some of their players up for arbitration more desirable. Dan Uggla is being pursued by several teams but the Marlins asking price is reportedly too high. If the Marlins can trade Hermida, Jacobs, Olsen, and Gregg, they should still be in good shape for a legitimate run at the postseason. 

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Buyers and Sellers

Here is a list of teams you should expect to buy, and a list of teams expected to sell:

BUYERS

Yankees
- Without a doubt. Losing Alex Rodriguez hurts, but what hurts even more is stating all season that they will not negotiate once he opts out. We know the Yankees are dieing to talk money with Rodriguez, but have made no indication that they actually will. Because of it, expect the Yankees to basically unload their farm system again for players Miguel Cabrera and possibly Johan Santana. I expect them to get Cabrera, and then go after a solid pitcher to help the rotation now thatPettitte is gone.

Potential Sellers: Marlins, Twins, Mariners, Rockies, and Orioles.

Rangers
- The Rangers have some solid players that are drawing interest. And the Rangers, are looking for solid upgrades around the field. They are looking to find a first baseman, while exploring the market for another infielder and center fielder. They have talked with the RedSox about a potential deal for Coco Crisp, but no real progress has been made. They are also looking into the possibility of acquiring RichieSexson from the Mariners in exchange for Vicente Padilla.

Potential Sellers: Red Sox, Mariners, Cubs, Dodgers, Braves, and White Sox.

Dodgers
- They bought Joe Torre and are already a better team because of it. They are very interested in Alex Rodriguez, Andruw Jones, Hiroki Kuroda, and even Johan Santana. Obviously, they will not get them all, but one, maybe two is a definite possibility. They have the money to spend, and will definitely be spending.

Potential Sellers: Twins, Marlins, White Sox, Cubs, Braves, and Rangers.

Giants
- The Giants have a lot of wholes to fill now that Barry Bonds has left and are already looking at possibilities such as Alex Rodriguez, Carl Crawford, andDelmon Young. All they will be selling some of their pitchers, I think there best bet is signing Rodriguez, and holding on to some of their pitchers for just a little bit longer.

Potential Sellers: Devil Rays and Phillies.

Twins
- They will probably lose both Torii Hunter and Carlos Silva and are exploring all options. They are looking at Rocco Baldelli, Coco, Crisp, and according to MLB Rumors Correspondent Steve Wilson, Felix Pie as well. Not only that, but they are exploring the possibility of trading for Jon Garland, but I doubt that will happen. Despite them trying to trade Johan Santana, more upgrades will come from buying.

Potential Sellers: Devil Rays, Athletics, and Rockies.

SELLERS

White Sox
- They can probably be considered both, but they are definitely selling right now. They are shopping their whole pitching staff in exchange for some solid prospects while looking for a suitor for JoeCrede. They are very interested in Torii Hunter, but I see them taking the trade route to find better upgrades.

Potential Buyers: Yankees, Rockies, Astros, Mariners, Dodgers, Rangers, and Braves.

Marlins
The Marlins have two solid players that they have put on the market, and they are already drawing a lot of interest. I do not expect them to tradeDontrelle Willis, but we could see Miguel Cabrera on the move. The list won't be too long because the Marlins asking price is so high, but there will be interest. Other than Cabrera, expect them to shop Anibal Sanchez, who they have had some problems with over the past year.

Potential Buyers: Yankees, Phillies, Red Sox, Dodgers, and Giants.

Athletics
The Athletics have admitted that their farm system is weak and will probably look to restock this off season. The three players that plan to trade are JoeBlanton, Dan Haren, and Dan Johnson. Blanton and Haren are already drawing interest while Johnson could easily be dumped for some low level players. I expect many teams to be interested in the two pitchers because the market is so weak, so they will probably get a lot in return.

Potential Buyers: Rockies, Mets, Diamondbacks, Cardinals, Phillies, and Reds.

If you have any others, leave me a comment and I will add them.

Team by Team Updates from Orlando

Angels: After signing Gary Matthews to a five year deal, the Angels have kept fairly quiet. GM Bill Stoneman arrived late Monday and had minor discussions with a couple different teams. The Angels are tossing names around like Bartolo Colon and Felix Rodriguez in hopes of acquiring a bat. But other than just rumors, there has been no news to report.

Astros: The latest news from the Winter Meetings for the Astros is that Andy Pettitte wants to pitch next year and is leaning towards returning to the Astros. This could influence Roger Clemens decision on whether he wants to return to Boston, New York, Houston, or just retire. The Astros are also discussing a possible trade for Jason Jennings.

Athletics: The A's appear to be the number one team to sign Mike Piazza as their DH. The deal is a two year deal worth 15 million dollars. They are also working on a deal with Alan Embree.

Blue Jays: The Blue Jays are desperately trying to retain Ted Lilly but it appears that the Cubs are the favorite. Lilly has received a four year offer, worth 40 million dollars. "That's just hearsay from our end," Ricciardi said. "I personally talked to Ted Lilly on Saturday and had a great conversation with him. That's really all I can go on." The Blue Jays are also targeting Gil Meche, and are talking with the White Sox about trading Vernon Wells.

Braves: Reports from Orlando are saying that the Braves may look to trade Adam LaRoche and Marcus Giles. However, there are also rumors concerning Andruw Jones as well. It appears that GM John Schuerholz will look to trades before signings.

Brewers: The Brewers have been talking with teams about trading Geoff Jenkins or Kevin Mench, and have heard the Red Sox are interested in acquiring Derrek Turnbow. The Brewers are also interested in signing Kenny Lofton. They also are working a deal with Tony Graffanino who appears to be staying in Milwaukee.

Cardinals: The Cardinals have inked a five year, 65 million dollar deal with Chris Carpenter. The also plan to meet with Jason Schmidt. Other than that, the Cardinals have been relatively quiet.

Cubs: The Cubs have made an offer to Ted Lilly at an estimated 40 million over four years. They are also looking into Jason Schmidt and Gil Meche. They are also looking to trade Jacque Jones, have inquired about Jason Jennings, and may look to sign outfielders Cliff Floyd and Kenny Lofton.

Devil Rays: The Devil Rays main priority is to build their bullpen. However, that has not stopped them from looking to trade Rocco Baldelli, Jorge Cantu, or Carl Crawford. They are also working on a deal to sign Akinori Iwamura.

Diamondbacks: The Dbacks have been very quiet, hoping they could possibly sign Mark Mulder. The have also met with the agents of Keith Foulke.

Dodgers: The Dodgers appear to be interested in Jason Schmidt and have only had few conversations. On Monday, the Dodgers and Red Sox were talking about a trade for Manny Ramirez, but according to Colletti, the deal has a less than "5 percent" chance of getting done. They are close to finalizing a deal with Mike Lieberthal and rookie closer Takashi Saito.

Giants: The Giants have signed numerous players over the past week and have just began to finalize them. They have signed Dave Roberts, Rich Aurilia, Bengie Molina, and have resigned Pedro Feliz. The Giants are looking into signing Ryan Klesko, and have inquired about the Mariners Richie Sexon and the Cubs Jacque Jones.

Indians: Joe Borowski will take a physical either today or tomorrow for the Indians and then he will sign a one year deal. However, they will still look into signing Octavio Dotel or Keith Foulke. The Indians are really focusing on pitching and beefing up their bullpen after signing Dellucci.

Mariners: The Mariners are in hot pursuit of two pitchers. They plan to meet with Jason Schmidt and appear to be the favorites if the Cubs sign Lilly. However, Schmidt has said he wants to win now and has no problem leaving the West Coast. They are also looking to trade for Jason Jennings, but so are several other teams.

Marlins: The Marlins are showing serious interest in acquiring Rocco Baldelli. The Marlins are reluctant to part with pitching, but according to sources, Scott Olsen could get the deal done.

Mets: The Mets were in hot pursuit of Barry Zito but may have to settle for a veteran because of how high Zito's price tag is. Scott Boras is reportedly asking for a six to seven year deal, worth 102 million dollars. The Rangers seem more willing to offer the big deal.

Nationals: The Red Sox and Giants are talking a three way deal with the Nationals concerning Manny Ramirez. They would probably lose Chad Cordero and possibly acquire Noah Lowry. However it is just speculation. The Nationals Ryan Church, Jose Vidro, and Chad Cordero are all drawing interest in other trades.

Orioles: Rodrigo Lopez is on the topic of most general managers list of pitchers. The Mariners, Brewers, and Mets have all inquired about Lopez but no deal appears imminent. The Brewers have offered Kevin Mench but a formal offer will have to be sketched out. The Braves appear interested in Brian Roberts but the Orioles are reluctant to trade him.

Padres: The Padres are closing in on a deal with Greg Maddux. The deal is estimated at a one year deal worth 10 million dollars with an option for one more. They are also interested in Jason Schmidt and Ronnie Belliard.

Phillies: A frustrating off season so far might make a turn for the worst. Pat Burrell is drawing little to know interest and the Phillies continue to struggle to find pitching. Eaton only pitched in 65 innings and pitched okay when he returned. They are looking to Chicago to acquire Freddy Garcia, possibly reuniting Aaron Rowand. The Cubs might also be interested in Aaron Rowand because they are in need of a center fielder.

Pirates: The Pirates are talking with the Braves and Reds about Adam LaRoche and Adam Dunn. They have also inquired about Trot Nixon for right field. None of these deals appear to be finalized soon. The Pirates do have a slight advantage with the overload of pitching. They could acquire a decent hitter for a pitcher or two.

Rangers: The Rangers and Vicente Padilla have agreed to a three year deal, worth 33 million dollars. This will set the minimum for other second tier pitchers like Ted Lilly and Gil Meche. The Rangers also expect to make a serious run for Barry Zito, who is seeking a six year deal, worth 17 million annually.

Red Sox: The Red Sox are close to signing Julio Lugo and J.D. Drew. They also plan to finalize a deal with Daisuke Matsuzaka. Theo Epstein has also set a deadline for when he will stop trying to trade Manny Ramirez. THIS JUST IN: The Red Sox have agreed to a 5 year deal, worth 70 million dollars. I do not see Manny Ramirez being traded because the teams that are pursuing him do not have what the Red Sox want. Or they are not willing to part with what the Red Sox want.

Reds: The Reds have signed a 2 year deal, worth 5 million dollars total with Dave Weathers. Other than Weathers and Gonzalez, that is all the news from the Reds office. Adam Dunn is drawing some interest from teams but no deals have been worked out.

Rockies: The Rockies have signed LaTroy Hawkins and he will be their setup man. Several teams have inquired about Jason Jennings including the Astros, Cubs, Mariners, Mets, Rangers, and Twins. They also have interest in Kenny Lofton and Darin Erstad.

Royals: The Royals have focused on pitching, and have made an offer to Miguel Batista (3/24). They also have put Gil Meche as a top priority but it appears he will either go to the Cubs or Blue Jays.

Tigers: Jeremy Bonderman and Marcus Thames' names have come up in trades but the Tigers do not appear to be interested in trading them. They are interested in trading for Marlins pitcher Renyel Pinto. Pinto, 24, went to the Marlins last year in the Juan Pierre deal. He pitched from the bullpen most of the season.

Twins: The Twins are serious about acquiring Jason Jennings and a deal could get struck by tomorrow. With Liriano out for 2007 and Radke to retire, the Twins are looking for pitching and due to a lack of funds, will have to do it by trade. They are also working a deal to keep Rondell White.

White Sox: White Sox pitcher Brandon McCarthy may start in AAA next year unless they can trade one of their pitchers. Javier Vasquez and Freddy Garcia have both drawn a lot of interest from the Mets, Phillies, and Yankees and it is more than "50 percent" possible that one of them gets traded. The White Sox are also interested in acquiring Vernon Wells but I do not know if they have what it takes to trade him. They also have interest in Aaron Rowand.

Yankees: The Yankees have made an offer to Andy Pettitte worth 15 million for one year. The Yankees and Bernie Williams have also had minor discussions about a deal. They are also close to a deal with Kei Igawa. They have interest in Ted Lilly, Gil Meche, and Freddy Garcia (via trade).

Pirates After Andino

According to the Hot Stove Blog, the Pirates are still after Marlins second base prospect Robert Andino. Andino, once considered a Marlins top prospect, is out of options and will have a tough time making the roster. He has hit .201 in 144 at-bats with the Marlins over four abbreviated seasons, but hit .287 in 43 games in Triple-A last season. The Marlins are reportedly looking at Brian Bixler, a middle infielder who still has options. Bixler hit .157 for the Pirates last season, but is a .284 career hitter in 533 career minor league games. 

A trade involving Robert Andino looks imminent. 

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Marlins' Thompson Putting Everything Together

Contributor: Melissa Isaacson (www.melissaisaacson.com)

Aaron Thompson has often been obscured by one of the best draft classes in recent memory. But the former first-round choice of the Florida Marlins is off to a strong start at Double-A Jacksonville, has a career 4.01 minor league ERA and scouts like his competitive nature and how he sets up the count. 

Thompson has been inspired by his fellow 2005 Florida draftees. Two of five have already had major-league call-ups including Chris Volstad, 2-1 with a 2.96 ERA in six starts this season while holding hitters to just a .192 batting average with 32 strikeouts. Volstad made the jump to the big league club in early July of '08, an occasion that Thompson, his roommate since their rookie ball days, was able to witness.

"Can't help but be jealous," said Thompson, who happened to be in the area rehabbing from a shoulder injury, "but it made me want [to be here] more."

Making the jump from the amateur to the professional level can have adverse effects on a player. A gifted pitcher who throws 95 miles per hour in high school may not necessarily know how to set up a hitter, a must against professional hitters. 

Thompson, who has been working to develop his secondary pitches so that he is more confident in approaching hitters, now understands the difference.

"It is the mindset," Thompson said, "how to read a situation and how to pitch instead of just throwing. When the game changes, I need to change [my approach] and make quick judgments."

Thompson's journey through the minor leagues hit a roadblock when Thompson dealt with shoulder issues last year. Yet the Marlins awarded Thompson by sending him to the Arizona Fall League, a privilege for only five players in each organization. Thompson, who has pitched almost exclusively as a starter, worked primarily out of the bullpen.

"I made adjustments out of the bullpen, so now I could pitch in the bullpen if needed," he said.

The versatility Thompson now brings to the Marlins could get him a ticket to Miami sooner than originally thought.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Marlins Will Trade Gregg

The Marlins and Kevin Gregg are close to breaking up. Gregg has grown frustrated with the Marlins unwillingness to spend money, and isn't afraid to tell the media how he is feeling: "It's an organization that doesn't want to spend money," Gregg told the Miami Herald. One NL executive told me the Marlins view Gregg as a problem and fully intend to trade him this off season. This season, Gregg is 7-8 with a 3.49 ERA and 29 SV, but was recently removed from the closer spot for young flamethrower Matt Lindstrom. 

The Rockies are known to be interested in Dan Uggla, and may package a deal with Uggla and Gregg for prospects. The Rockies have the prospects, and will likely receive more by trading Atkins, Holliday, and Fuentes, assuming they trade them. The Mets could also make a trade for him considering they need a closer.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Rays Sign Nelson

The Miami Herald is reporting that the Rays have come to terms with free agent pitcher Joe Nelson on a one year deal worth 1.3 million dollars. Nelson, who was non-tendered by the Marlins, will not only give the Rays bullpen depth, but he will also take a lot of pressure off some of the young guys to produce coming off a big year. While Nelson had his best season with the Marlins, he is an experienced veteran. In 59 games for the Marlins last season, Nelson went 3-1 with a 2.00 ERA and 60 K.

The Indians and Marlins were also pursuing Nelson.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Nelson Drawing Interest

Marlins reliever Joe Nelson went 3-1 with a 2.03 ERA in 59 games this past season, but was non-tendered by the Marlins in a pay-cutting move. "He said it was a business decision, nothing personal," Nelson said on Saturday. "The Marlins have a certain amount of money allotted for the bullpen, and they felt I was over that." Nelson was at the Winter Meetings this past week to create a little buzz and get his name out there, and a couple teams contacted his agent this weekend. Joe Frisaro says the Marlins have not closed to the door, but they will need to offer him more than the 650,000 they offered him earlier this week.

The Royals, Red Sox, Brewers, and Mariners are possible targets for Nelson, who could make as much as one million dollars this offseason.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Weekly Roundup

What started as a nice start to another baseball season, we were blindsided with the news that Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart was killed in an automobile accident. Off to a promising start with a six inning shutout performance, the top pitching prospect looked to be blossoming into a true major leaguer. The news of his death was a tragedy, not to mention the three other lives that were taken as well. The Angels, already with their three top pitchers on the DL, are now forced to find a replacement. The Angels held a very nice ceremony for the victims before Saturday's game, and were able to beat the Red Sox in his honor. On a lighter note, there were several young players who had nice weeks, and teams are looking to these guys to build off their strong starts.

Jordan Schafer, Braves: .348 AVG, 2 HR, .423 OBP.

- Schafer has put up great numbers at the plate and has shown off his speed in the outfield. 

Emilio Bonifacio, Marlins: .500 AVG, 1 HR, .517 OBP, 4 SB.

- Bonifacio is off to a great start at third for the Marlins. The talent has always been there, it's poor consistency that has been the problem.

Adam Lind, Blue Jays: .400 AVG, 3 HR, 12 RBI, .419 OBP.

- Entering his third major league season, Lind has taken big strides at the plate. He could play a big role in the Blue Jays playoff hopes this season.

Jeremy Guthrie, Orioles: 2-0 W-L, 2.25 ERA, 5 K, 12 H.

- Guthrie has been an Orioles project for the past three seasons, and he might be putting his stuff together. He did put up 10 wins last season, and is off to a good start this year.

Josh Johnson, Marlins: 2-0 W-L, 0.57 ERA, 1 ER, 15 SO.

- Johnson is a big, hard throwing right hander who combines his fastball with a hard slider. He was able to beat Johan Santana today, and is hoping to lead that young rotation.

Here are some other young players whose first week is something they would like to forget:

John Lannan, Nationals: 0-2 W-L, 10.00 ERA, 10 ER, 3 BB, 9 IP. 

- The Nationals hope Lannan can breakout for the Nationals after putting up 10 wins last season, but he hasn't been able to command his fastball early on.

Scott Olsen, Nationals: 0-2 W-L, 14.63 ERA, 8 IP, 13 ER, 2 HR, 6 BB.

- The Nationals hoped that when they traded for Olsen, he would emerge into a solid top of the rotation starter to lead the Nationals. So far, that hasn't been the case.

Chris Davis, Rangers: .045 AVG, 1 H (22 AB), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 10 SO.

- There is a lot of pressure on Davis to put up big numbers after having a breakout 2008 campaign. So far he has struggled mightily and the Rangers could be scrambling if Davis doesn't pick it up.

Injuries

Brandon Webb, Diamondbacks: 15-day DL, shoulder tightness.

Doug Brocail, Astros: 15-day DL, strained rotator cuff.

Rumors

After Cole Hamels struggled through his first outing, several believe that he is showing the effects of an overworked pitching from last season. Hamels told the Philadelphia Inquirer that he is "fine now."

The Angels may be forced to add another pitcher with Escobar, Lackey, and Santana on the DL. Pedro Martinez is available. The LA Times mentions Anthony Ortega and Darren Oliver asi in-house possibilities.

Dodgers outfielder Delwyn Young is out of options, and several scouts have been watching him during his rehab assignment. The Indians, Pirates, and Phillies are interested.

Minor League Update

Juan Miranda, Yankees (AAA): .474 AVG, 2 HR, 11 RBI.

- The Yankees won't hesitate to recall Miranda if Teixeira goes down for an extended amount of time.

Matt LaPorta, Indians (AAA): .625 AVG, 1 HR, 1 SO, .667 OBP.

- LaPorta could be playing for the Indians very soon if he continue to swing a big bat.

Tyler Flowers, White Sox (AA): .417 AVG, 1 HR,  2 RBI, .500 OBP

- Flowers is the young power hitter the White Sox hope can fill the shoes of Jim Thome or Jermaine Dye when there time with the team runs out. So far he is looking really good.

David Price, Rays (AAA): 0-0 W-L, 4.91 ERA, 4 SO, 3.2 IP.

- Price will be pitching for the Rays at the major league level really soon. Once he gets comfortable and into more of a routine will the Rays give him the opportunity. 

What to look for next week...

Interviews will start to be scheduled next week.

Rich Harden, who is coming off a solid 10 strikeout performance, will be making his second start of the season. Some think that Harden is already DL bound, so it will be interesting to see if he can string together back to back strong outings.

The Pirates, Cubs, Nationals, Rays, Dodgers, and Mets all have their home openers. 

Tigers pitcher Rick Porcello will make his second start of the season.

 

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Nationals Acquire Olsen, Willingham

The Nationals have traded Emilio Bonifacio, P.J. Dean, and Jake Smolinski to the Marlins for Josh Willingham and Scott Olsen. This is a great trade for both teams. The Nationals acquire a solid starter with ace potential as well as a outfielder with some upside. Olsen was 8-11 with a 4.20 ERA in thirty three games this season while Willingham hit .254 with 15 HR in 102 games. Both guys will have starting roles with the team and probably do fairly well playing in the same division. 

As for the prospects the Marlins will receive, Bonifacio is the only one with major league experience. He will likely be a utility player for the Marlins in 2009. In 10 games in Class-A short season, Dean went 4-1 with a 1.57 ERA. In 24 games in Class-A short season, Smolinksi hit .306 with 0 HR. 

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Marlins, Astros Eying Pudge?

Free agent catcher Ivan Rodriguez is still looking for a starting job, and is stating his claim for a job in the WBC representing Puerto Rico. Pudge is 5-for-8 with 2 HR so far this Classic, and has no plans to back off his contract demands. Both the Marlins and Astros are looking at Pudge, but are not willing to meet his demands just yet. Sources have informed me that the Astros are seriously considering Rodriguez because J.R. Towles is struggling (1-for-12) and they do not have an alternate to start there. 

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel is reporting that the Marlins are still interested, but are hoping Pudge will back off his demands. Pudge hit .276 with 7 HR in 115 games last season, and is seeking a one year deal. 

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

2008 National League Awards

NL MVP: Ryan Howard, Phillies (.251 AVG, 47 HR, .320 AVG w/ RISP)

- A close call between him, Albert Pujols, and Carlos Delgado, Howard was a step above the rest. Despite hitting the lowest of the three, Howard carried the team during the second half of the season and lead the final surge that got them into the playoffs. He hit .320 with RISP and came through in the clutch all season long. 

NL Cy Young: C.C. Sabathia, Brewers (17-10 W-L, 2.70 ERA, 1.65 ERA w/ MIL)

- Sabathia was not my choice last week for Cy Young. But after winning his final two starts on three days rest and getting the Brewers into the playoffs, he is the obvious choice. He won eleven games for the Brewers and through seven complete games, giving the bullpen a lot of rest. While Brandon Webb and Tim Lincecum were dominant, they didn't lead their team into the playoffs like Sabathia did. 

NL Rookie of the Year: Geovanny Soto, Cubs (.285 AVG, 23 HR, 86 RBI)

- Cubs rookie Geovanny Soto did an excellent job behind the plate. He handled the veteran pitchers to a league leading 97 wins, while leading all catchers with 23 homeruns. 

NL Comeback Players of the Year: Jorge Cantu, Marlins (.277 AVG, 29 HR, 95 RBI)

- His first year playing everyday since 2005, Cantu spent last season playing 52 games with the Reds and Rays. He signed with the Marlins and stepped up in a big way to help this team improve. It is likely that the Marlins will trade him while his value is high, but he did a great job this season and deserves the award.

NL Manager of the Year: Lou Piniella, Cubs

- After figuring out what the Cubs had last season, he put this team together with a solid lineup and kept them in the front of the standings all year long. While some expect a World Series, it has been a success and a big step for the Cubs. 

Executive of the Year: Tony Reagins, Angels

- Key acquisitions: Jon Garland, Mark Teixeira, Torii Hunter.

- Reagins built this team up to dominate the West. I am embarrassed to say I didn't think they had the division, but they have the depth, the offense, and the pitching to win a World Series. Not to mention one of the best coaching staffs in the league.

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Cubs Acquire Gregg

The Cubs have trade pitching prospect Jose Ceda to the Marlins for closer Kevin Gregg. This is a very interesting move from the Cubs, who have regarded Ceda as a top pitching prospect for several seasons. As for Gregg, he had a pretty solid season for the Marlins despite leading the league in blown saves. Ceda will likely see time in the MLB next season for the Marlins while Gregg will be used in late inning relief. The Cubs will still attempt to sign Kerry Wood, and it is possible they will turn Gregg and cash into the Jake Peavy deal with the Padres. The Padres are looking for a solid pitcher and could use Gregg in late inning relief as well. While he isn't a deal breaker, he would certainly help get a deal done.

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Phillies Should Take Chance On Cabrera

helping out as well. However, what could the The Phillies infield is stacked with talent and they are all fairly young. Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, and Jimmy Rollins already make them one of the best teams in baseball, with other fillers like Aaron Rowand, Pat Burrell, and Rule V Prospect Shane VictorinoPhillies do to get better? If their pitching can stay healthy, I would pick them to win the division again, but we will have to wait till it gets closer to Spring Training. Adding Mike Lowell would be great, but expensive, especially if they want to hold on to Aaron Rowand. The Phillies have some prospects waiting for their chance that could be expendable in certain situations. Adding Miguel Cabrera, who the Marlins are looking to trade, would complete that infield and make that lineup solid up and down. For the Marlins, it would make room in there payroll and ultimately make room for prospect Chris Coghlan at second while moving Uggla to third. They could offer Brett Myers, cash, and several prospects and still be a great team and put pressure on the aging Mets to improve. They have Hamels, Kendrick, Lieber, and hope to hold on to Kyle Lohse, while finding places for Moyer and Durbin. I think the Phillies have room for Rowand if they modify his contract to fit into their payroll, but if he decides to leave, they have Michael Bourn, Jason Werth, and other players around the league that are available. Greg Golson did pretty well for the Phillies in Double-A, and he is playing Fall Ball right now so he is a candidate in the outfield. According to the MLB Rumors East Coast Correspondent Steve Wilson, the Marlins have not ruled out any teams in trade negotiations, which makes this scenario more plausible. Most of these big trades will happen around the Winter Meetings, and I see not only the Phillies, but the Giants, Dodgers, Angels, and maybe the Yankees or Red Sox, depending on Lowell and Rodriguez, to be interested.

Marlins New Stadium Approved

Miami-Dade county has voted in favor of a retractable roof stadium for the Marlins. This has been a very long process for both sides, so it is nice to see them pass this very large first hurdle. The stadium is expected to be ready by 2012, meaning construction would start sometime this year. With Hanley Ramirez, Cameron Maybin, and other young prospects under the teams control, the Miami Marlins will have a solid core of talent entering their new stadium.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.