Six-Man Rotation and other off-season stuff.

[1927Marlins]

I like the idea of a six-man rotation.

Dontrelle Willis, Josh Johnson, Scott Olsen, Anibal Sanchez, Ricky Nolasco, and Sergio Mitre. Besides Willie, none of these pitchers are ready to pitch 200-plus innings and there are so many options for starters, it would be better if we started with 6 instead of the conventional 5, one of the biggest concerns was how would the young arms of the Marlins would hold up in September.

I sat theres a 3% chance of re-signing Joe Borowski.
Wes Helms will be forced to re-sign, realizing no-one, except maybe the Pirates or Royals will want him,

[cubaxpos]

I wouldn't mind the idea but i think that the surplus of pitchers should be used to acquire the much needed center fielder the team needs.
Also, I think Mitre is better off the bullpen and that's the other glaring need the team has. They should also use the surplus of pitching to shore up the bullpen that was horrendous last year and turn starters into relievers. As to Borowski I don't think he's re-opting by any means. I think he'll get a two year deal somewhere else.
You touched up an interesting point: Wes Hels. I do think there's a market for him out there and I think the Fish should lock him up for two or three years. Mike Jacobs struggled mightly in the second half and especially against left-handed pitching, and Jeremy Hermida didn't show up a whole lot (even though he was injured for the better part of the season). Helms' only 29 and has a lot of productive years ahead of him and he showed he's a professional and can play good D as well as hit.

[AznInvasion]

What about Jason Vargas? This guy was supposed to be real good and with all these other guys ppl just forget about him? Give Vargas a shot before u give one to Mitre. Petit is a nice commodity too.

[cubaxpos]

Petit didn't show a whole lot though. I think he's still ways away from the majors. Jason Vargas was supposed to be the next big thing but he's had control problems. Let's not forget that he's a lefty and it takes time for southpaws to get it.
I think Mitre is just more proven than Vargas. I still remember the shut out he pitched at Wrigley Field agains the 'lins once two years ago. I just happen to think that he's got what it takes to be successful. What Freddy ought to do is to put him in one single spot and not move him like Mr. Girardi did.

[1927Marlins]

Should we worry about CF? I mean Alfredo Amezega, Cody Ross, and Jeremy Hermidia can split time, there all good players who will have their moments of greatness. What I'm saying is a CF-by-commitee wouldnt be so bad. I also have alot of confidence in Reggie Abercrombie. What the Marlins need to focus on is the bullpen, which is an absolute mess.

[-Kyle-]

Tankersley (sp?) is fairly good, but is the only one. Maybe call Doolittle and Bostick up?

[cubaxpos]

I think Petit, Pinto and company can come up and form a good bullpen. Is all up to Fredi to mix and match.
The CF by comittee is not a very bad idea, but then who's in RF?
We need Baldelli, Crawford or Duffy from Pittsburgh.
If you guys want some inside in the Marlins you can check Baxter, the Miami Herald's Marlins beat-writer, who has a lot of insights in the team.

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/baseball/qa_forum.htm

[Knick9]

A six man rotation is interesting because it is obviously rare; even more rare than a four man rotation. However, I don't think the Marlins are the team to use that right now. I believe the Fish will be set with 3/5 of their rotation at least. Everything else, especially the bullpen, remains a mystery to me.

[1927Marlins]

I'm not saying we should stay with the six-man rotation for the whole season. I'm saying since there's alot more competiton within the Marlins for starting rotation jobs, we should start the season off that way, but announce by say... July 31, that they will switch to the 5 man rotation.
This way:

1. There will be more competiton among the pitchers who want to stay in the rotation after the "deadline", meaning better starts from everybody
2. Young pitchers will have 3-5 starts less with the six man compared to the five man rotation, meaning less chance of getting injured and stronger arms in September (hopefully October,too)
3.Bullpen will not have as much pressure, with starters taking an extra day off they might go into the 7th or 8th inning.

I dunno, its just a thought, also the bullpen would be looking pretty good had Kensing and Martinez not gotten so badly injured and Borowski were not leaving, but other than Tankersly, theres no one I trust too well with the ball in a crucial situation. Pinto, Petit, Resop may become solid pitchers but it isnt certain, hopefully, ther will have nice seasons like the young starters and position players had this year.

[W_Marone]

Wes Helms will be forced to re-sign, realizing no-one, except maybe the Pirates or Royals will want him,

Scratch that....you forgot about the Phillies who are always willing to sign the guy who they think will "fit" thier team nicely.

[Dalkowski110]

Well, you now have Henry Owens to add to bullpen depth (unfortunately, Matt Lindstrom is going to be out with arm surgery until at least August). He could take the place of a long reliever or someone with stamina to start. Owens has the potential to be a lights-out closer IF his fastball gets a bit more movement on it (he's 27, but he's also a converted catcher, so don't lose hope) and he probably needs to develop his completely flat slider (although his fastball alone is vicious...he has been clocked at 100 mph). If Lindstrom ever comes back from his arm surgery, he also has a blazing fastball...and literally nothing else. He just throws the fastball. But he threw it so hard and with such movement that he really didn't need another pitch. You might want to eventually address that and add some kind of breaking ball. But Lindstrom would be a good set-up guy either way, probably for Owens.

BTW, what's the concensus from Marlins fans about Jason Vargas (admittedly a project) and Adam Bostick (seemed to have some control issues, but nothing too terrible) to the Mets for Owens and Lindstrom?

[cubaxpos]

Thanks for the scouting report. I didn't know Lidstrom was injured.
I don't think Jason Vargas is very close to the bigs right now.
I loved the trade, we needed young arms for the bullpen and these two fit the mold. As to Vargas, he started very well last year ('05) but then he fizzled in the second half of the season. To top it off, he really stunk it up this season.

[Dalkowski110]

I know about Vargas...I was more interested in your assessment of Adam Bostick, who has been projected multiple times as a top of the rotation starter. I doubt you'll get much of anything out of Matt Lindstrom until at least 2008, and he'll probably be set back even further. Likewise, Jason Vargas is a reclamation project for the Mets, and a true gamble. I'm basically under the impression that it was an Owens for Bostick deal, with Vargas and Lindstrom as throw-ins.

[cubaxpos]

Bostick split last season between Double-A and Triple-A. He's got a good arm. He struck out 109 in 115 innings at Double-A and 30 strikeouts in 27 innings at Triple-A.
He did not pitch all that well in this year's AFL but all I always heard is that this guy had a future in the organization.
You can ask the Marlins Miami Herald's beat writer Kevin Baxter, he knows the Marlins inside-out:
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/baseball/qa_forum.htm

[Dalkowski110]

Thanks, question submitted! :)

[cubaxpos]

You're welcome.
I think his answer was not the most self-explanatory one but I think that bottom line he was a good prospect and might be on track for an 08 run for a spot on the starting rotation.
By the way, do you know where can I get a #26 El Duque's t-shirt?