Florida Marlins http://www.marlinslocker.com Daily Blog for Florida Marlins Tue, 02 Mar 2010 03:46:39 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=wordpress-mu-1.2.5 en Cody Ross will be able to focus on RF for the Florida Marlins in 2010 http://www.marlinslocker.com/2010/03/01/cody-ross-will-be-able-to-focus-on-rf-for-the-florida-marlins-in-2010/ http://www.marlinslocker.com/2010/03/01/cody-ross-will-be-able-to-focus-on-rf-for-the-florida-marlins-in-2010/#comments Tue, 02 Mar 2010 03:46:39 +0000 chinmusic http://www.marlinslocker.com/2010/03/01/cody-ross-will-be-able-to-focus-on-rf-for-the-florida-marlins-in-2010/ 29-year old righty swinging Cody Ross will have a home in RF in 2010. Ross played in 151 games for the Marlins last season and he was 151 of 559 (.270 avg, .790 OPS) with 73 runs scored, 24 homers, 90 RBIs and 5 stolen bases. Ross is a gamer so there is no reason to think he won’t be able to hit as well as he did in 2009 if not a little better. Ross only made 1 error in 57 games in RF last season while showing above average range. He only had 2 assists in RF as runners challenged him a bit.

27-year old righty swinging Brett Carroll will be Ross’ primary backup in 2010. Carroll played in 92 games for the Marlins last season and he was 33 of 141 (.234 avg, .689 OPS) with 18 runs scored, 3 homers and 18 RBIs. Carroll didn’t make any errors in 60 games in RF last season while showing outstanding range. He also has a nice arm as he had 4 assists in RF for the Marlins last year. Carroll is not much of a hitter so he is not much of an asset as a corner outfielder.

20-year old righty swinging Mike Stanton is one of the best prospects in the Marlins’ system but chances are that he won’t be ready in 2010. Morrison played in 129 games in A+AA ball last season and he was 122 of 479 (.255 avg, .842 OPS) with 76 runs scored, 28 homers and 92 RBIs. Morrison still has some work to do before he’s ready for the majors as he has whiffed 144 times last season.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE RF IN 2010: B-

]]> http://www.marlinslocker.com/2010/03/01/cody-ross-will-be-able-to-focus-on-rf-for-the-florida-marlins-in-2010/feed/ The Florida Marlins have high hopes for Cameron Maybin http://www.marlinslocker.com/2010/03/01/the-florida-marlins-have-high-hopes-for-cameron-maybin/ http://www.marlinslocker.com/2010/03/01/the-florida-marlins-have-high-hopes-for-cameron-maybin/#comments Tue, 02 Mar 2010 03:36:53 +0000 chinmusic http://www.marlinslocker.com/2010/03/01/the-florida-marlins-have-high-hopes-for-cameron-maybin/ The Florida Marlins have high hopes for 22-year old righty swinging Cameron Maybin who finished the 2009 season strongly. Maybin played in 54 games for the Marlins last season and he was 44 of 176 (.250 avg, .727 OPS) with 30 runs scored, 4 homers, 13 RBIs and 1 stolen base. But, Maybin had big problems making contact for the Marlins last season whiffing 51 times and that is way to many for a hitter like him. Maybin also played in 82 games in AAA-ball last season in which he was 95 of 298 (.319 avg, .862 OPS) with 44 runs scored, 3 homers, 39 RBIs and 8 stolen bases. Maybin only made 1 error in 52 games in CF for the Marlins last season and he showed slightly above average range there. Maybin only had 1 assist in CF last season so he doesn’t have the strongest arm around. Maybin is one of the biggest keys to the Marlins’ 2010 season because they don’t really have much depth in the outfield.

24-year old switch hitting Emilio Bonifacio will be the Marlins’ top utility man and one of his jobs will be to backup Maybin in CF. Bonifacio played in 11 games in CF for the Marlins last season and he didn’t make any errors there will showing outstanding range.

29-year old righty swinging Cody Ross is going to start in RF for the Marlins this season so don’t expect him to play much in CF this year. Ross played in 103 games in CF for the Marlins last season and he made 2 errors while showing slightly below average range. He did have 4 assists in CF last season showing a good throwing arm there.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE CF IN 2010: C-

]]> http://www.marlinslocker.com/2010/03/01/the-florida-marlins-have-high-hopes-for-cameron-maybin/feed/ The Florida Marlins are hoping for a nice encore out of Chris Coghlan in 2010 http://www.marlinslocker.com/2010/03/01/the-florida-marlins-are-hoping-for-a-nice-encore-out-of-chris-coghlan-in-2010/ http://www.marlinslocker.com/2010/03/01/the-florida-marlins-are-hoping-for-a-nice-encore-out-of-chris-coghlan-in-2010/#comments Tue, 02 Mar 2010 03:24:35 +0000 chinmusic http://www.marlinslocker.com/2010/03/01/the-florida-marlins-are-hoping-for-a-nice-encore-out-of-chris-coghlan-in-2010/ 24-year old lefty swinging Chris Coghlan was the Rookie of the Year in the N.L. last season. He played in 128 games for the Marlins last season and he was 162 of 504 (.321 avg, .850 OPS) with 84 runs scored, 9 homers, 47 RBIs and 8 stolen bases. The Marlins hope that Coghlan will be a solid leadoff hitter for them again in 2010 and there is no reason to think he won’t hit .300 again with around 100 runs scored as long as he can stay healthy. Coghlan needs to improve his defense in LF to become a complete player for the Marlins. He made 5 errors in 123 games in LF last season while showing slightly below average range. He did have 3 assists in LF for the Marlins last season so he has a decent throwing arm.

27-year old righty swinging Brett Carroll will be Coghlan’s top backup in LF in 2010. He played in 15 games in LF for the Marlins last season and he didn’t make any errors while showing outstanding range.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE LF IN 2010: B

]]> http://www.marlinslocker.com/2010/03/01/the-florida-marlins-are-hoping-for-a-nice-encore-out-of-chris-coghlan-in-2010/feed/ The Florida Marlins have a crowd at 3B for 2010 http://www.marlinslocker.com/2010/02/20/the-florida-marlins-have-a-crowd-at-3b-for-2010/ http://www.marlinslocker.com/2010/02/20/the-florida-marlins-have-a-crowd-at-3b-for-2010/#comments Sat, 20 Feb 2010 16:30:27 +0000 chinmusic http://www.marlinslocker.com/2010/02/20/the-florida-marlins-have-a-crowd-at-3b-for-2010/ It looks as if 28-year old righty swinging Jorge Cantu will likely be the starting 3B for the Marlins in 2010. It’s still possible though that he could wind up starting at 1B in 2010. Cantu played in 149 games for the Marlins last season and he was 169 for 585 (.289 avg, .788 OPS) with 67 runs scored, 16 homers, 100 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. The Marlins need Cantu to hit well again in 2010 to make up for his iron mitt. Cantu played in 45 games at 3B last season for the Marlins and he made 7 errors while showing pathetic range. His range is about the width of a phone booth at 3B.

33-year old righty swinging Wes Helms will be the backup 3B in 2010. Helms played in 113 games for the Marlins last season and he was 58 for 214 (.271 avg, .682 OPS) with 18 runs scored, 3 homers and 33 RBIs. Helms played in 70 games at 3B for the Marlins last season and he made 7 errors while showing slightly below average range. Helms main role is giving the Marlins pop of the bench and he will likely do a decent job of that again in 2010.

24-year old switch hitting Emilio Bonifacio played in 86 games at 3B for the Marlins last season and he made 14 errors there while showing slightly below average range. Bonifacio is a natural 2B and he looked out of place at the hot corner.

25-year old lefty swinging Jorge Jimenez was a Rule 5 Draft Pick over the winter and the Marlins will give him every opportunity to earn a spot on the 25 man roster. Jimenez played in 133 games in AA-ball last season and he was 144 for 498 (.289 avg, .787 OPS) with 63 runs scored, 13 homers, 87 RBIs and 3 stolen bases.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 3B IN 2010: C

]]> http://www.marlinslocker.com/2010/02/20/the-florida-marlins-have-a-crowd-at-3b-for-2010/feed/ The Florida Marlins have the best shortstop in baseball, period. http://www.marlinslocker.com/2010/02/20/the-florida-marlins-have-the-best-shortstop-in-baseball-period/ http://www.marlinslocker.com/2010/02/20/the-florida-marlins-have-the-best-shortstop-in-baseball-period/#comments Sat, 20 Feb 2010 16:18:27 +0000 chinmusic http://www.marlinslocker.com/2010/02/20/the-florida-marlins-have-the-best-shortstop-in-baseball-period/ 26-year old righty swinging Hanley Ramirez got dropped to third in the batting order in 2009 and he responded with a monster season. Ramirez played in 151 games for the Marlins last season and he was 197 for 576 (.342 avg, .953 OPS) with 101 runs scored, 24 homers, 106 RBIs and 27 stolen bases. In his four years with the Marlins, Ramirez has averaged 117.5 runs scored, 25.8 homers, 78.3 RBIs and 41 stolen bases per season. Ramirez improved his defense last season as he made 10 errors in 146 games at SS in 2010 while showing below average range. This might be the season that Hanley Ramirez adds a N.L. MVP Award to his trophy case after leading the National League in batting average in 2009.

24-year old switch hitting Emilio Bonifacio will backup Ramirez at SS in 2010. He played in 20 games at short for the Marlins last season and he made 3 errors while showing awful range. The Marlins better hope Ramirez stays healthy in 2010.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE SS IN 2010: A+

]]> http://www.marlinslocker.com/2010/02/20/the-florida-marlins-have-the-best-shortstop-in-baseball-period/feed/ The Florida Marlins sign Mike MacDougal http://www.marlinslocker.com/2010/02/19/the-florida-marlins-sign-mike-macdougal/ http://www.marlinslocker.com/2010/02/19/the-florida-marlins-sign-mike-macdougal/#comments Fri, 19 Feb 2010 05:26:36 +0000 chinmusic http://www.marlinslocker.com/2010/02/19/the-florida-marlins-sign-mike-macdougal/ The Marlins have signed 32-year old righty reliever Mike MacDougal to a minor league deal. MacDougal will make $700,000 bucks if he makes the Marlins’ pitching staff and he can earn an extra $75,000 bucks in incentives. MacDougal pitched in 52 games (0 starts) for the Nationals last season and he was 1-1 with 20 saves, a 3.60 ERA and a 1.52 WHIP. He has now pitched in 314 games (3 starts) in his major league career and he is 14-21 with 70 saves, a 4.09 ERA and a 1.52 WHIP. I like this move for the Marlins as MacDougal could help them out late in games if he starts throwing more strikes.

]]> http://www.marlinslocker.com/2010/02/19/the-florida-marlins-sign-mike-macdougal/feed/ The Florida Marlins sign Jason Lane http://www.marlinslocker.com/2010/02/13/the-florida-marlins-sign-jason-lane/ http://www.marlinslocker.com/2010/02/13/the-florida-marlins-sign-jason-lane/#comments Sat, 13 Feb 2010 20:18:10 +0000 chinmusic http://www.marlinslocker.com/2010/02/13/the-florida-marlins-sign-jason-lane/ The Marlins have signed 33-year old righty swinging outfielder Jason Lane to a minor league deal. Lane played in 113 games in AAA-ball last season and he was 104 for 411 (.253 avg, .810 OPS) with 65 runs scored, 13 homers, 47 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. Lane last played in the majors in 2007 with the Padres and Astros. He has played in 497 games in his major league career and he is 291 for 1,208 (.241 avg, .771 OPS) with 165 runs scored, 61 homers, 189 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. Lane will get a chance to compete for a backup job in the outfield for the Marlins this spring.

]]> http://www.marlinslocker.com/2010/02/13/the-florida-marlins-sign-jason-lane/feed/ The Florida Marlins sign Mike Lamb http://www.marlinslocker.com/2010/02/12/the-florida-marlins-sign-mike-lamb/ http://www.marlinslocker.com/2010/02/12/the-florida-marlins-sign-mike-lamb/#comments Fri, 12 Feb 2010 15:07:16 +0000 chinmusic http://www.marlinslocker.com/2010/02/12/the-florida-marlins-sign-mike-lamb/ The Marlins have signed 34-year old lefty swinging 1B/3B Mike Lamb to a minor league deal. Lamb played in 119 games in AAA-ball last season and he was 115 for 440 (.261 avg, .669 OPS) with 44 runs scored, 5 homers and 53 RBIs. Lamb last played in the majors in 2008 with the Twins and Brewers. He has played in 936 games in his major league career and he is 739 for 2,668 (.277 avg, .751 OPS) with 380 runs scored, 69 homers and 345 RBIs. Lamb will have a shot this spring to earn a job on the bench for the Marlins.

]]> http://www.marlinslocker.com/2010/02/12/the-florida-marlins-sign-mike-lamb/feed/ The Florida Marlins are in good shape at 2B for 2010 http://www.marlinslocker.com/2010/02/07/the-florida-marlins-are-in-good-shape-at-2b-for-2010/ http://www.marlinslocker.com/2010/02/07/the-florida-marlins-are-in-good-shape-at-2b-for-2010/#comments Sun, 07 Feb 2010 21:45:12 +0000 chinmusic http://www.marlinslocker.com/2010/02/07/the-florida-marlins-are-in-good-shape-at-2b-for-2010/ Marlins’ fans can thank the MLB Players’ Union for the fact that 29-year old righty swinging Dan Uggla will be back starting for them in 2010. The Union put pressure on the Marlins to start spending some of the revenue sharing they get on player payroll which resulted in Uggla not getting traded. Uggla played in 158 games for the Marlins last season and he was 137 for 564 (.243 avg, .813 OPS) with 84 runs scored, 31 homers and 90 RBIs. Since coming over to the Marlins in the Rule 5 Draft 4 years ago, Uggla has averaged 99.8 runs scored, 30.3 homers and 90 RBIs per year. Uggla’s bat more than makes up for his iron glove in the field. He made 16 errors in 158 games while showing pretty poor range in the field. Whether Uggla lasts the whole year as a Florida Marlin will likely depend on how well the team is playing at the All-Star break. If the Marlins are still in the hunt for the playoffs look for Uggla to be a Florida Marlin for all of 2010.

24-year old switch-hitting Emilio Bonifacio will be the Marlins utility man in 2010. He played in 127 games for the Marlins last season and he was 116 for 461 (.252 avg, .611 OPS) with 72 runs scored, 1 homer, 27 RBIs and 21 stolen bases. Bonifacio played in 7 error-free games at 2B for the Marlins last season while showing poor range. This is Bonifacio’s natural position so the Marlins would probably give him the first crack at the starting 2B job if Uggla got either hurt or traded.

26-year old lefty swinging Danny Richar was signed as a minor league free agent over the winter to help provide depth at 2B in 2010. He played in 7 games for the Reds last season and he was 2 for 8 (.250 avg, .583 OPS) with 1 run scored. Richar also played in 47 games in AAA-ball last season and he was 49 for 169 (.290 avg, .768 OPS) with 20 runs scored, 4 homers, 16 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. Richar only played in 1 game at 2B for the Reds last season and the ball didn’t get hit to him. Richar is an average defender at 2B.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2B IN 2010: B+

]]> http://www.marlinslocker.com/2010/02/07/the-florida-marlins-are-in-good-shape-at-2b-for-2010/feed/ The Florida Marlins sign Seth McClung http://www.marlinslocker.com/2010/02/01/the-florida-marlins-sign-seth-mcclung/ http://www.marlinslocker.com/2010/02/01/the-florida-marlins-sign-seth-mcclung/#comments Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:20:31 +0000 chinmusic http://www.marlinslocker.com/2010/02/01/the-florida-marlins-sign-seth-mcclung/ The Marlins have signed 28-year old righty reliever Seth McClung to a minor league deal. McClung pitched in 41 games (2 starts) for the Brewers last season and he was 3-3 with a 4.94 ERA and a 1.63 WHIP. He has now pitched in 177 games (51 starts) in his major league career and he is 26-34 with 6 saves, a 5.46 ERA and a 1.58 WHIP. It’s doubtful that McClung will be anything more than a mop up man in the pen for the Marlins next season unless he starts throwing more strikes.

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