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Sanchez brilliant as Marlins take series

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Fri, 21 Jul 2006 16:38:00 +0000

07/19/2006
MIAMI -- If his last two starts are any indication, Anibal Sanchez promises to be a big hit in the big leagues.
The twist is, the Marlins rookie right-hander isn't allowing the opposition too many hits.
Sanchez gave up one hit in seven-plus scoreless innings on Wednesday afternoon. His masterful performance, coupled with Cody Ross' second-inning home run, lifted Florida to a 1-0 victory over the Nationals.
A crowd of 25,546, filled mostly with camp kids, witnessed Sanchez (3-0) extend his scoreless innings streak to 18 1/3 innings, stemming back to the first inning of a July 6 start at Washington.
Taylor Tankersley and Joe Borowski combined on the two-hit shutout, which gave the Marlins the series victory, 2-1.
Considering the Marlins dropped a 7-6 decision on Tuesday night, watching a four-run lead in the sixth inning disappear, taking the series was a relief.
"We let one go last night," said Ross, who was a late addition to the starting lineup. "This is just a great win to come off a bad one last night."
Informed two hours before the first pitch by bench coach Gary Tuck that he was starting in left in place of Josh Willingham, Ross felt about the sixth inning that Sanchez was on his way to a special outing.
"The way Anibal threw the ball, I had a feeling, 'Man, this [1-0 lead] might hold up,'" said Ross, who went deep off Ramon Ortiz (6-9).
In the ninth, the Nationals threatened off Borowski. Nick Johnson walked with one out and went to third on Alex Escobar's single to right. But Borowski struck out Marlon Anderson and got Austin Kearns on a fly to deep center to nail down his 19th save.
"The last thing you want after having a starter throw like that is to go out and blow it," Borowski said.
To open the ninth, Borowski got Ryan Zimmerman to line to center, snapping the third baseman's hitting streak at 17 games.
Sanchez threw a career-high 106 pitches. He was coming off seven scoreless innings in the Marlins' 3-1 win over the Astros on July 14, when he allowed two hits and got the win over Roger Clemens.
A 22-year-old from Maracay, Venezuela, Sanchez lowered his ERA to 3.41. But take away a seven-run outing in 4 1/3 innings of relief against Boston, Sanchez is 3-0 with a no-decision and a 1.46 ERA.
He was recalled from Double-A on June 25 to pitch the second game of a doubleheader at Yankee Stadium. That day, he tossed 5 2/3 scoreless innings in a combined shutout of New York.
The fact he is still with the Marlins is a personal surprise. He thought he was only up because of the twin bill in New York. But with Brian Moehler on the disabled list, Sanchez has secured a rotation spot.
"When I came to pitch in Yankee Stadium, I just thought it was for one game," Sanchez said. "I didn't think I would be staying here. I am feeling more comfortable right now."
Dating back to his July 6 outing at Washington, the rookie right-hander has allowed three hits in a 15-inning span.
The lone hit Sanchez allowed was a leadoff single to Kearns to open the third inning.
"He should be confident with the way he's thrown," Marlins manager Joe Girardi said. "I want all our pitchers to have confidence because I think they're able to relax and make their pitches better. The one thing that comes with that confidence, is he has to work hard. And he's working hard. I appreciate the way he's going about his business."
The Marlins have logged three shutouts this season, with Sanchez involved in two of them. Wednesday marked the 18th time in franchise history that the club has enjoyed a 1-0 win. The last time it happened was June 26, 2005, at Tropicana Field against the Rays, and it's the 12th time they've won by that score at home.
The combined two-hitter was the second by the Marlins this season. In a 5-1 win over the Mets on May 26, they also gave up a pair of hits.
Acquired from the Red Sox last November as part of the Josh Beckett-Mike Lowell trade, Sanchez was in line to have a chance to make the club out of Spring Training. But shoulder tendinitis foiled any chances, and he was sent to Double-A without pitching in a Spring Training game for Florida.
"When I saw him in the Future's Game, I thought this kid might have a chance to make our team," Girardi said, referring to the 2005 Futures Game. "Then his shoulder came up sore, and I thought the organization made a good decision putting him in Double-A. He pitched really well there until he got the call."

Source: http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/

Notes: Moehler nears return

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Fri, 21 Jul 2006 16:37:00 +0000

07/20/2006
MIAMI -- Tossing a simulated game on Thursday afternoon was step one in getting Brian Moehler off the disabled list and activated before the end of the month.
The plan is for Moehler, on the DL with a sore right big toe, to next pitch in a Gulf Coast League game on Monday. With a doubleheader slated for July 30 at Philadelphia, manager Joe Girardi said the right-hander is targeted to start one of those games.
In the simulated game, Moehler threw 40 pitches, facing batters for the first time since he was lifted in the first inning against the Red Sox on July 1.
The injury is troublesome because it is to the foot that he uses to push off the rubber.
Moehler has yet to test his foot running, which he hopes to do on Saturday.
"I felt pretty good," Moehler said of facing batters. "I felt better than the last time I was on the mound."
Moehler is 5-7 with a 6.84 ERA in 15 starts. He's logged 77 2/3 innings.
Girardi says it is too early to determine how Moehler will be used when he comes back.
"We'll evaluate at that time," Girardi said. "We'll see how he goes. We have to keep him healthy."
Since Moehler went on the DL July 2, Anibal Sanchez has stepped into the rotation, and the rookie is 3-0.
Moehler is aware he is in a numbers situation.
"We have five guys going great," Moehler said. "Whatever they want to do with me is fine."
Moehler has pitched out of the bullpen in the past, and if that is where he is needed, he will accept that role.
Moehler also may find himself a candidate to be traded. The non-waiver deadline is July 31, the day after his planned start.
While Moehler is getting closer to returning, Sergio Mitre remains a ways away from getting back in action. On the 60-day DL with a shoulder strain, Mitre threw a bullpen session on Wednesday, and he is tossing off the mound every two or three days.
"It's taking a while," Mitre said.
A more likely return date for Mitre is mid-August, at the earliest.
Sanchez sensational: If not for a bout with shoulder tendinitis, Sanchez may have been on the Opening Day roster instead of starting off at Double-A Carolina.
Girardi said Sanchez would have received strong consideration to make the rotation heading into the season.
As circumstances had it, Sanchez made the most of his tenure pitching at Carolina. Although his record was 3-6 in 15 starts, his ERA was a respectable 3.15. More than the numbers, the 22-year-old from Venezuela was able to log innings. He compiled 85 2/3, allowing 82 hits.
Since being called up on June 25 to pitch the second game of the doubleheader at New York against the Yankees, Sanchez has solidified a rotation spot.
"When I pitched in Yankee Stadium, they told me I was just coming for just that game," said Sanchez, who tossed 5 2/3 scoreless innings in that game. "I didn't know if I would be here."
Sanchez has made four appearances, and three starts, in the big leagues. As a starter, he is 3-0 with a 1.46 ERA, including a string of 18 1/3 scoreless innings. More impressive is the fact that he's given up just three hits over his last 15 innings.
Looking back, Sanchez said pitching in Double-A was a big benefit.
"I had tendinitis in Spring Training, and I think going to Double-A helped me, because I was able to throw a lot of innings," Sanchez said. "When I came here, I didn't have to make adjustments. I think that helped me so much."
Sanchez's success stems from spotting his fastball, which reaches 93 mph. He mixes in a slider and curveball, and he threw one changeup (which recorded an out) in Wednesday's win against Washington.
His fastball has a lot of movement, and some scouts say it sometimes resembles a cutter because it spins away from right-handed hitters. Conversely, it drifts in on lefty batters.
Sanchez says he doesn't intentionally throw a cutter, it just moves that way sometimes.
Ross rebounds: Cody Ross had been in an 0-for-19 slide before connecting on a second-inning home run on Wednesday, which proved to be the lone run in Florida's 1-0 victory.
Getting that blast and adding a single in a 2-for-3 game was a nice bounce-back performance for Ross. Used primarily as a fourth outfielder and late-inning defensive replacement, Ross had been seeing regular action before being slowed by a groin injury.
"I was playing there every day for a while," he said. "I was playing well, and then I got hurt. My swing didn't feel the same when I got back. I went through an 0-fer spell. It's nice to get away from that and get a win."
Deal for campers: The roughly 15,000 campers who were at Wednesday's 1-0 win over Washington are being offered a deal to attend a home game later this season.
By showing their ticket stubs for that game, campers can get a free ticket to a game later this season with the purchase of two adult tickets. Those transactions must take place the day of the future game.

Source: http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/

Marlins players visit veterans

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Fri, 21 Jul 2006 16:36:00 +0000

07/20/2006
MIAMI -- A few Marlins players took a break from their work on the baseball diamond Thursday morning to see some special fans.
Mike Jacobs, Logan Kensing and Chris Resop paid a visit to patients at the Miami Veterans Affairs Medical Center on Thursday. The Marlins trio saw patients in the spinal cord and nursing unit of the hospital for one hour as a part of Major League Baseball's Salute America campaign.
The Miami VA Medical Center has many programs designed to aid older veterans with illnesses and provides inpatient and outpatient services to members of the Air Force, Army, Navy and Coast Guard.
While the patients seemed thrilled to get autographed T-shirts and cards from the players, they seemed happiest to just have the chance to forget about their ailments for a few minutes and chat with the players.
"It was a good time," Resop said. I can't imagine being laid up in there, so it was fun to give them a break from that."
The players themselves seemed to get as much of a thrill out of the experience as the patients did, laughing and chatting with as they discussed the lunches they were eating or the programs they were watching on the TV.
"It's just nice to see them smile and be able to brighten up their day," Resop said.

Source: http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/

Marlins fall late to Pirates in opener

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Fri, 21 Jul 2006 16:34:00 +0000

07/20/2006
MIAMI -- When the rains came, so did the Marlins' miseries.
Under a steady drizzle that began in the eighth inning, the Marlins' bullpen hit a wet patch.
The Pirates, behind an eighth-inning homer by Nate McLouth and RBI hits from pinch-hitter Jeromy Burnitz and Jack Wilson in the ninth inning, upended the Marlins, 5-3, on Thursday night in front of 9,139 at Dolphin Stadium.
The Marlins watched a 3-2 lead slip away in the eighth when McLouth homered off Logan Kensing to open the inning. For the rookie Kensing, it was the second time in three days that he was taken deep in the eighth inning. In a loss on Tuesday to the Nationals, Robert Fick homered in the same inning.
A difference Thursday was the elements. Several times in the inning, Kensing tried to clean the mud out of his spikes. He fell behing behind in the count, 2-1, and McLouth responded with his fifth home run.
At one point in the eighth, crew chief Dale Scott, the second-base umpire, held play up a few seconds to get a weather update from the grounds crew.
Marlins manager Joe Girardi downplayed the soggy conditions. They didn't bother the Pirates' relievers as much, although closer Mike Gonzalez struggled with his footing in the ninth, as the Marlins threatened with a two-out single from Miguel Olivo followed by a walk to Wes Helms. But Alfredo Amezaga struck out on a high fastball to end the game, giving Gonzalez his 16th save.
"I wanted to hit that ball so hard," said Amezaga, acknowledging that he overswung.
"Everyone had to play in it," Girardi said. "Obviously, it's not the conditions that any ballplayer wants to play in, but everyone had to play in it."
The Pirates seized the lead with two runs in the ninth off Randy Messenger (1-6), who walked two and gave up a run-scoring single to Burnitz. Wilson provided an insurance run with an RBI double.
Pitching in the rain for the first time this season, Messenger said the elements were a factor.
"When it's wet, you don't want to throw the ball too hard, because I was a little tentative [about plunking] one of the hitters," the right-hander said. "At least I was. That's something you don't want to do. So you almost overcorrect yourself.
"If I don't have a feel for the ball, I'm not going to try to cut it loose and end up hurting somebody for no reason."
Not feeling comfortable with the grip of the ball, Messenger didn't have his normal velocity, and he walked Jose Bautista to open the ninth. A sacrifice bunt and wild pitch moved Bautista to third. After Ronny Paulino walked, Burnitz singled to right on a back-door slider intended to induce a ground ball.
"I got him to roll it over, and it went through the hole," Messenger said.
Wilson then did a good piece of hitting by slapping a pitch away into right field for an RBI double.
Messenger called letting the conditions get to him a "mental lapse."
"It happens sometimes," he said. "The next time, forget about it and just pitch. Obviously, by me doing that tonight, it hurt me.
"It's all in your mind, really. I can go out there and pitch in the rain any time. Tonight was one of those times I had that in the back of my head."
Despite the struggles of Kensing and Messenger, Girardi points out both have done a solid job for the most part.
"Mess has done a pretty good job, and so has Kensing," Girardi said. "They're learning how to pitch late in games. Everyone is looking for late-inning bullpen help. If it was an easy job, anybody could do it. They're having more good outings than bad outings. To me, that's a positive. There's going to be days like today, too."
Impressive again, Marlins starter Josh Johnson limited the Pirates to a two-run home run by Jason Bay in seven innings. The young right-hander gave up four hits, struck out six and walked two. He was lifted for a pinch-hitter in the seventh inning, leaving with the lead and in line for a win.
Now with 97 2/3 innings pitched this season, Johnson has enough innings to qualify for the ERA lead. After Thursday's showing, the rookie has a 2.49 ERA.
"Everything felt really good," Johnson said. "If anything got away, it was only for a hitter or two. It was a good step in the right direction."
Johnson empathized with the relievers throwing in the rain.
"I hate pitching in the rain, too," he said. "It's not fun, it's not easy, either. But it's kind of how it is down here -- it rains a lot. So you've got to get used to it, I guess."
The Marlins scored in the first on Hanley Ramirez's RBI double. Mike Jacobs homered in the fourth and Dan Uggla's triple scored Miguel Cabrera, who doubled, in the sixth inning.

Source: http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/

Young Cabrera taking on big role

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Sun, 12 Mar 2006 16:21:00 +0000

02/23/2006
JUPITER, Fla. -- As fate would have it, Miguel Cabrera's fast track to the big leagues in 2003 involved a humorous encounter with the man who would eventually become his manager.
The date was June 5, 2003, and Cabrera was in the midst of tearing up the Southern League while playing for Double-A Carolina. On that particular day, the Mudcats were facing the Cardinals' Minor League affiliate. It just so happened that Joe Girardi was on a rehab assignment while he was still catching for the Cardinals.
Also that day, St. Louis closer Jason Isringhausen was rehabbing and pitching against the Mudcats. After getting a quick look at Cabrera, Girardi asked the budding slugger: "What are you still doing here?"
Less than three weeks later, Cabrera was promoted to the Marlins, and he's been a staple in the lineup and a two-time All-Star since.
Now the Marlins' manager, Girardi sees it as his job to keep Cabrera's career pushing forward. Despite all of Cabrera's natural skills, it might be tough to do because the rest of the lineup is so young. No longer does the Florida offense include the power of Carlos Delgado, the timely hitting of Paul Lo Duca or the speed presence of Juan Pierre and Luis Castillo. Three-time All-Star Mike Lowell also is gone, as is Juan Encarnacion.
Even among that collection of star players, Cabrera enjoyed the best season of any Marlin in 2005, batting .323 with 33 homers and 116 RBIs.
With so many inexperienced players now, it's believed in baseball circles that Cabrera will have a difficult time duplicating his strong statistics. Some league talent evaluators predict Cabrera will walk 100 or more times because no one will pitch to him.
How will Cabrera handle being the centerpiece of the offense?
"I don't want to put so much pressure on myself," he said. "I want to do like I did last year, play my game. I'm going to play hard. I'm not going to put pressure on myself. We're all going to have to play hard."
As for the low expectations for Florida, Cabrera is taking a wait-and-see approach.
"Let's see what is going to happen," Cabrera said. "We're young. But we've got talent, too. Let's play and let's see what's going to happen."
So much has been thrust upon Cabrera since he burst onto the big-league scene in June 2003. He was a driving force in the Marlins winning the World Series, and his home run off Roger Clemens in Game 4 confirmed that he was for real.
"He's an amazing talent," Girardi said. "He's a special player."
And he's just 22 -- he turns 23 in April. And while he has matured on the field, he encountered some shaky moments off the field toward the end of last season.
While his numbers were star caliber, Cabrera's work habits were questioned. In the final weeks, he developed a trend of coming to the park late. His tardiness for one game in Atlanta, where he arrived about an hour before the first pitch, led the team to suspend him for a game.
Some of his teammates got on him and there was a players' meeting called late in the year where Cabrera's commitment was criticized.
"He just needed guidance," Marlins veteran Lenny Harris said. "He needed somebody to step up for him and tell him what's right and what's wrong. When you're a great player, everybody is going to look at what you're going to do next. He fell into a little trap.
"When I was young like that, I was never late to stretching or being to the ballpark. He may have had a personal reason, I don't know. I never asked him why he was late. I told him, 'Get over it. You made a mistake. You are one of the best players in the game. Don't let this negativity bother you. Go out there and have fun.' But the negativity was bothering him the last couple of days. I know it was because every time I made eye contact with him, our eyes weren't meeting. I told him, 'Keep your head up.'"
In Girardi's eyes, the past is the past. Cabrera has a clean slate with a new manager and many new teammates.
"I'm going to make my own opinion on Miguel Cabrera," Girardi said. "I'm not going to take anyone else's. Somebody might see him different than I see him. What happened last year, I don't worry about. It's my job to get the most out of him, just like everybody else. It's my job to get the most out of Dontrelle Willis. So I'll make my own judgments."
Cabrera and Willis are the two primary impact players remaining from the 2003 title team. Both were called up from Double-A in the same season and now they are looked upon as leaders.
On Wednesday, Cabrera arrived for the first time at Marlins' Spring Training. He took his physical in the morning and was in the batting cage early in the afternoon.
To the trained ear, they say you can tell who is hitting by the sound of the ball off the bat. Such is the case with Cabrera. There is no mistaking the loud pops when Cabrera makes contact.
Cabrera showed up to Spring Training in blue jeans, a T-shirt and sporting a Venezuelan baseball cap. When he saw Willis outside the clubhouse, the two embraced. In a couple of weeks, however, they also will be rivals.
Cabrera will play in the World Baseball Classic for Venezuela, while Willis will pitch for the United States.
In the offseason, Cabrera again played for his hometown Aragua in the Winter Leagues, and he shared his country's excitement when Venezuela beat the Dominican Republic to capture the Caribbean Series crown.
He has already worked out four times with the Venezuelan squad in preparation for the World Baseball Classic.
"I'm going to represent my country," Cabrera said. "We'll see what's going to happen. I always represent my country, any time."
Entering his fourth big-league season, Cabrera finds himself at a new, but familiar, position. An outfielder the past few years, he is back at third base. The past few seasons, that spot was filled by Lowell, who won his first Gold Glove last year.
"I feel good because that is my natural position," said Cabrera, a third baseman in the Minor Leagues.
In the offseason, Girardi had a casual phone conversation with Cabrera. The manager called to touch base and get to know the young star better.
"When you look at a guy like Miguel Cabrera, Albert Pujols or Barry Bonds, you're always going to say, 'You can't let that guy beat you,'" Girardi said. "The adjustment he has to make is not to try to do too much. When a player tries too hard, that just means he has passion for the game. And he cares. I"m just going to observe him and see how he handles it. We'll have a continuing conversation about being who you are. That will never change."

Source: http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/

Davis caught early by catching bug

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Sun, 12 Mar 2006 16:20:00 +0000

02/23/2006
JUPITER, Fla. -- Brad Davis was only 5 or 6 years old -- he can't remember which -- growing up on the southern California coast, when his parents took him to the local Toys 'R Us to pick out a birthday present. What Davis chose surprised his parents, but they still bought it for him, setting the stage for what has become a lifelong obsession.
It wasn't a Hot Wheels car or a Power Ranger or a G.I. Joe that Davis snagged that day in the toy store. Rather, he grabbed a catcher's mask, surely not knowing as a child that he would someday be sitting in the clubhouse at Roger Dean Stadium, adjusting the catching equipment he hopes will someday provide his ticket to the Major Leagues.
"My parents tell that story all the time," said Davis, 23, whom the Marlins selected out of Long Beach State in the fifth round of the 2004 First-Year Player Draft. "They told me I could get one thing, just one thing and I got a catcher's mask. I guess catching was just in my blood."
Having catching in one's blood is a good trait to have, especially since Davis is part of an organization that isn't exactly rife with catching prospects. Miguel Olivo and Josh Willingham are battling for the top spot behind the plate with the parent club this spring. But a strong showing over the next few weeks could put Davis in a favorable position for the future, especially if he can impress Florida's new manager, former catcher Joe Girardi.
Davis, who is coming off a season in which a broken left wrist limited him to 64 games with Greensboro of the South Atlantic League, has no delusions of grandeur about making the Marlins' team out of camp. He's hopeful, though, that he can skip over Class A Jupiter of the Florida State League and start the year in the Double-A Southern League.
One factor that may be working against him, though, is an old issue that continues to crop up. Carrying just 180 pounds on a 6-foot-2 frame, Davis' size and stamina are always mentioned, leading to doubts that he can withstand the pounding of an entire season behind the plate. He's hoping that Girardi, who is 5-11 and whose weight hovered around 200 pounds during a 15-year playing career, can see past the size issue.
"It's always been an issue, but with him being a catcher, there are things that he'll be able to see that others might not be able to see," Davis said. "My size hasn't posed a problem for me so far. But in the eyes of the scouts and coaches, with my weight, I might not make it through a full season. I've been playing year round for 12 years, though, and my body is in good shape to keep playing year round."
Jim Fleming, Florida's vice president of player development and scouting, said on Monday that Davis' fears are unfounded, that his size hasn't even been discussed internally.
"[Mike] Lieberthal looked just like him when he was drafted," Fleming said. "Guys like Davis take a while because the frame doesn't instantly take weight. Size isn't a concern, though. He has to find not necessarily size but strength in his legs."
For many of the pitchers with whom he's worked, Davis' size doesn't seem to matter, either. He caught Jered Weaver (first round, Angels, 2004), Abe Alvarez (second round, Boston, 2003) and Jason Vargas (second round, Marlins, 2004) while at Long Beach State, helping the Dirtbags staff post a 3.11 ERA, which was fourth best in the nation. He's also caught Taylor Tankersley (first round, Marlins, 2004) since being drafted and was behind the plate for Cesar Ramos (first round, Padres, 2005) when he was at LBS.
"He's a great guy to throw to," Vargas said. "I've thrown to him a couple of years now between college and the Minors, and he's a great guy behind the plate. I trust throwing to him. His size hasn't been an issue for me. He just might not have grown into his body yet. He's still young, like all of us here. But he's learned how to call and catch from a great pitching coach [Troy Buckley at LBS]. And for me, personally, he calls a good game."
Davis, who followed the Padres and Benito Santiago as a youngster, knows there are still areas of his game that need improving. He said he'd like to work specifically on his throwing but is quick to point out that all aspects of his development can use some improvement. Davis had nine errors and 15 passed balls in 59 games behind the plate in 2005. If you project that over a whole season, he would have likely led Sally League catchers in both categories.
There's no rush, though. He's got catching in his blood. And with that kind of makeup, it shouldn't take long to make the kind of adjustments that will earn him a spot in Miami.

Source: http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/

Notes: Tuck's tutelage tremendous

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Sun, 12 Mar 2006 16:19:00 +0000

02/24/2006
JUPITER, Fla. -- In putting together his coaching staff, Marlins manager Joe Girardi insisted on having Gary Tuck as his bench coach.
Formerly a catching coach in the Yankees organization, Tuck has the reputation of being a backstop guru. He has been credited with helping mold New York All-Star catcher Jorge Posada, a converted infielder who had played shortstop and second base.
"To me, he's the best in the business," Girardi said. "When it comes to catching coaches in baseball, he's the best. I really, really wanted Tucky here. He was very important to my staff. I'm so happy to have him. I feel like I'm fortunate to have him on my staff, because he's just a great baseball man. He makes catchers great. That's what he does. He teaches catching and he has a passion for catching like nobody else I've ever met."
All the Marlins' catchers are going through a battery of drills. Along with catching bullpen sessions with the pitchers, the backstops are working on techniques on how to properly frame the ball in the glove. The catchers are doing a series of drills using smaller gloves before progressing to their own gloves.
They also used "rotation balls" to develop their throwing accuracy. These are baseballs with a strip of electrical tape wrapped around them. The purpose is to observe the spin of the ball, (ideally with the tape part spinning vertically.
"We're setting a foundation and seeing where they are at, so I can learn them and they can learn me," Tuck said. "And [we are] really building from the ground up with a foundation, from stance to receiving, blocking, footwork, the exchange. The icing on the cake will be the middle of Spring Training, calling a game."
A big part of what Florida's catchers are dealing with is properly framing pitches in the hopes of gaining more strikes.
"It's huge," Tuck said of being able to get borderline strikes. "[Girardi] was one of the best at it. It's a manicured art -- it's like surgery. If you're quiet enough and calm enough and you catch the right part of the baseball and don't move your body, you may get more strikes than you do balls. It's an art. Anybody can knock it down; it's how you catch it."
One of Tuck's biggest projects is seeing if Josh Willingham is ready to be an everyday catcher. A converted infielder, Willingham is competing for the starting position behind the plate with Miguel Olivo and Matt Treanor.
"What Josh needs to figure out is a style of catching," Tuck said. "Once he figures out his style and what he's comfortable with, he has a chance to do it. That's the same thing with all of them. They have to figure out a style, an approach."
In a few days, Willingham is getting a better idea about the position.
"We've been talking a lot about receiving -- keeping balls in the zone and working on footwork," Willingham said. "There is an art to getting strikes. I'm learning a lot and making a lot of adjustments. It's helping me a lot."
So how is Willingham progressing?
"I've had this question asked probably 20 times after [a few] days of drills," Tuck said. "Well, can he do it? Yeah, if the game was drills, sure. But the game is the game. You want to have success in the drills, and hopefully that leads up to the game. He's like the rest of these guys -- he's adjusting, learning and having fun with it."
Cabrera's contract talks: The representatives of third baseman Miguel Cabrera were in Jupiter on Friday, discussing contract ideas with general manager Larry Beinfest.
A two-time All-Star, Cabrera is in his final season under club control, and he is eligible for arbitration for the first time after this season. Based on his service time, Cabrera is in line to earn about $400,000. His salary figure will escalate to several million dollars after this season.
Agent Adam Katz talked with the Marlins regarding Cabrera's contract status. No deal has been signed yet, but it will be in a couple of days.
Katz also represents shortstop Hanley Ramirez.
Fehr meets with Marlins: The Marlins on Friday became the sixth stop for Major League Baseball Players Association officials, who make their annual tour to each club.
Don Fehr, the union's executive director, addressed the club for about 90 minutes, discussing players issues and touching on the fact that the collective bargaining agreement expires in September.
Without giving specifics, Fehr went over a variety of topics.
The league and union have yet to get into serious formal discussions, but Fehr says it is still early and there is a focus on the upcoming World Baseball Classic.
"We never discuss specifically what we talk about," Fehr said. "You can assume we talked about virtually all topics of relative interest, and the contract is expiring at the end of September. So it would be a safe assumption that we got into [the CBA status] at some point. But it's still early. While we're in the last season, the contract doesn't expire for another 10 months or so. Hopefully we'll have it done before then, but I'm way out of the prediction business."
No formal talks between the union and league have begun, but Fehr points out there is informal dialogue.
"We've got a lot of informal contact going on, and we're beginning to have some information exchanges and other things," Fehr said. "You've got to remember we have this tournament going on, too. You try your hardest to get an agreement and hope you do."
Five sign: On Friday, the Marlins signed five more players on their 40-man roster. Inking deals were pitchers Travis Bowyer, Harvey Garcia, Logan Kensing and Chris Resop. Outfielder Jeremy Hermida, projected to start in right field, was the lone position player to sign.
The Marlins now have signed 22 players on their 40-man roster.
Ligtenberg light tossing: A sore elbow kept reliever Kerry Ligtenberg off the field until Friday, when he resumed throwing with a basic game of catch. A non-roster invitee, Ligtenberg is scheduled to begin long-tossing on Saturday and throwing off the mound on Sunday.
"It's been frustrating," he said.
Bothered by an elbow problem in the past, Ligtenberg feels he tweaked his throwing arm while lifting weights before Spring Training started. As a precaution, he had an MRI exam taken, and he was taking anti-inflammatory medication.
Fish bites: The first home run in live batting practice was hit by Cabrera, who smoked a towering blast to left field off left-hander Jimmy Anderson. ... Shortstop Robert Andino, who makes Orlando his home these days, spent a good part of the offseason working out with Mets prized outfield prospect Lastings Milledge. ... In infield drills Friday, Mike Jacobs and Mike Kinkade worked at first base, while Cabrera and Wes Helms took grounders at third. Helms worked at first base on Thursday. ... In a few days, the Marlins will announce who will start the March 1 exhibition game against the University of Miami at Roger Dean Stadium. Girardi says a number of hard-throwing youngsters will take the ball.

Source: http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/

Notes: Third base will stretch Cabrera

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Sun, 12 Mar 2006 16:18:00 +0000

02/25/2006
JUPITER, Fla. -- Switching back to third base will also be a conditioning transition for Miguel Cabrera.
After being used primarily in the outfield the past three seasons, Cabrera has new fielding challenges now that he's back at third base.
Marlins manager Joe Girardi points out that there is more bending at third and often more action.
Cabrera has always been a solid fielding third baseman, but now he's adapting to doing it on a full-time basis.
"Everything I heard about him playing third base is positive," Girardi said. "It may take him time to get back into third-base shape. There's a lot of bending and more ground balls. You can come into camp in shape, but it's not the same as game shape.
"I used to always come into camp in shape, but it wasn't catching shape. He just has to get his body in shape. We'll take it slowly. The one thing you don't want to do with Miguel is abuse him in Spring Training, because he's going to play the entire season."
Eager for the Classic: When baseball union chief Donald Fehr was in Jupiter on Thursday, he was asked about the upcoming World Baseball Classic.
The Marlins will be represented in the tournament by Dontrelle Willis for the United States and Cabrera for Venezuela.
"Obviously, I'm very curious to see how it plays out," Fehr said. "Whenever you start something new like this, you never know what it's going to be like. You know a that whole bunch of things are going to happen that nobody thought about, and they're going to happen in a different way than anybody thought about. But you don't know what they are."
Fehr thinks the Classic will be successful.
"First of all, I think it's going to be a very good tournament," he said. "People are going to like it. I'll be surprised if the players don't really like it. ... It could really be the start of something interesting. We've had a truckload of requests for press credentials, [numbering] in the thousands. It's really great."
One of the drawbacks for the tournament is the fear of injury.
"There is that. And the timing issue is the single most difficult one that there is," Fehr said. "The way we got to this time period is by considering all the other ones and deciding they all had bigger problems than this one did."
As for potential injuries, Fehr added, "You worry about it, but on the other hand, these guys are professionals. The trainers are professionals. We've asked for camps to open a little early. And we have pitch-count limits. I'll be surprised if the likelihood of injury is any greater than it is at any other time. But we'll see."
Looking up to Pokey: It hasn't taken long for players to notice the swift fielding skills of Pokey Reese, a two-time Gold Glove winner.
The 32-year-old is in the mix to be the starting second baseman, but he also can play shortstop.
"I think guys will look up to Pokey," Girardi said. "I know I like to watch him play. Guys will learn by watching him."
The Marlins plan on giving Dan Uggla a strong look at winning the starting second-base job. As a Rule 5 Draft pickup, Uggla has to make the Opening Day roster or he will be returned to the Diamondbacks.
Thus far, Uggla has been going through drills at second base, along with Reese.
Rainy Saturday: Sporadic rain caused some alterations in Saturday's practice schedule. Still, the club was able to get its work done.
The players were on the back fields when rain forced some groups to go into the batting cages, where pitchers were able to throw bullpen sessions and hitters were able to take batting practice.
"I thought we had a very good day," Girardi said. "Pitchers were able to throw with hitters standing in."
Catcher Wilson signs: More catching depth was added on Saturday with the signing of catcher Tom Wilson to a Minor League contract with an invite to Spring Training. By adding Wilson, the Marlins now have 59 players in camp.

Source: http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/

Borowski hopes for closing time

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Sun, 12 Mar 2006 16:17:00 +0000

02/25/2006
JUPITER, Fla. -- Among the snapshots of Joe Borowski's career are photos of himself being congratulated after a game by Joe Girardi.
Once teammates, first with the Yankees and later with the Cubs, Girardi actually caught a couple of Borowski's saves.
Now Borowski is competing for Girardi's approval.
"I have the 8-by-10s, and I have pictures of him and me shaking hands after a game," Borowski said. "Now he's my manager."
In Borowski's words, being managed by his former teammate is a bit "weird."
At 34, Borowski finds himself striving to reignite his career. And Florida certainly has been a place for previous closers to regain their lost form. In 2004, Armando Benitez set a club record with 47 saves. And last year, Todd Jones seized the spot and saved 40.
"Hopefully, I'll be lucky No. 3," said Borowski, a closer with the Cubs in 2003 before being beset by injuries the past two seasons. "You never know."
The Marlins signed Borowski as a free agent after he went 1-5 with a 3.82 ERA in 32 games with Tampa Bay last season. He opened 2005 on the disabled list with a fractured bone in his right forearm. And in 2004, a shoulder strain landed him on the DL.
Prior to that, Borowski logged 33 saves in 68 1/3 innings while with the Cubs in 2003.
With the Marlins, he is the front-runner to close in a wide-open competition that includes hard-throwing rookie Travis Bowyer.
"I'm just looking to go out there and put myself in position and pitch healthy an entire year," Borowski said. "I've been battling a lot of injuries the past couple of years. I'm finally coming into camp this year feeling fantastic, 100 percent. I'm just looking forward to going out there and not only proving to myself, but proving to the people who were saying, 'Oh well, he was never really any good, anyway.' [I want] to prove them all wrong, too."
Late-inning relievers covet the closer role. And once they've tasted closing, they savor the chance to keep doing it.
"Oh yeah, I love it," Borowski said. "There is no better feeling than to pitch when the game is on the line. Nothing comes close to that. It's a feeling, I love it. There's no other way to explain it."
A year ago, Jones came into Spring Training projected to be a setup right-hander. At the time, Guillermo Mota was in line to close with Antonio Alfonseca being a fallback option. But after Mota and Alfonseca both experienced arm problems, Jones filled in and never relinquished the job.
"I think it's a huge opportunity for him," Girardi said of Borowski. "He is healthy. He hasn't been healthy the last couple of years. But he was healthy in Tampa, that's why he pitched so well."
When it comes to closers, Girardi points out the pitcher has to be tough-minded and focused.
"You have to understand is there is no one behind you," Girardi said. "There is no one who can come in and save your rear end if you get into a jam. That's the mentality you have to learn quick. The other thing is you have to learn to forget it quick. You can't think about it a couple of days. Whether you saved it or didn't save it, that day is over. You have to move on to the next day."
Designated for assignment by the Cubs on June 28, the Rays signed Borowski on July 11.
He logged 35 1/3 innings with the Devil Rays, and held opponents scoreless in his first 20 outings, producing a career-high and club-record 21-inning scoreless streak.
"I want to pitch late in games, when games are on the line," Borowski said. "I felt that this was the best opportunity for me getting back into that kind of role."
Borowski isn't going to dazzle you with a 97 mph fastball. He relies on savvy and toughness to get the job done. The fact that Girardi has seen what Borowski can do may be an advantage.
"He knows what I'm capable of doing," Borowski said of his new manager. "He knows if I'm doing the job or not that I'm going to lay everything out there and give 120 percent. I don't have the greatest stuff in the world. I'm not blessed with throwing 99 mph. But I know when people are on base and the game is on the line, I'll do everything I can to get out of that situation.
"Baseball is a game of opportunities, and you have to make the most of the opportunity at the time. Everybody says, 'This is going to be this guy's job.' But if they don't do the job, there is always a guy waiting. When you do get the opportunity, you run with it as long as you can."

Source: http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/

Pair of catching prospects tasting camp

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Sun, 12 Mar 2006 16:16:00 +0000

02/26/2006
JUPITER, Fla. -- Bolstering their catching depth has been an organizational priority in recent years, and finally some prospects are in the making.
Two young catchers with bright futures are getting a taste of big-league camp: Brad Davis and Brett Hayes.
Davis, a fifth-round pick out of Long Beach State in 2004, was Jason Vargas' catcher in college. Hayes was a compensatory pick last year (79th overall) out of the University of Nevada. The two are projected to catch for Class A Jupiter.
In years past, the Marlins opted to bring veteran catchers into camp. But with so many new faces and young pitchers, the team wanted Davis and Hayes to work with the pitchers while being observed by manager Joe Girardi and bench coach Gary Tuck, who specializes in developing catchers.
"We hope they're the two catchers of the future," said Jim Fleming, the Marlins vice president of player development and scouting. "We wanted Joe to see them and Gary Tuck to see them, and have them see all the pitching. It kind of advances them along a little bit."
On the move: Left-handed reliever Taylor Tankersley, a first-round pick in 2004 out of the University of Alabama, is off to a strong start this spring and has a shot to make the club as a lefty specialist. Tankersley is refining a hard curveball or slider. He's a converted starter, who has relieved in the past.
Names in the game: Bo Porter, who saw some limited playing time in the big leagues, is the new manager of the Jamestown Jammers in the New York-Penn League. A former center fielder, who played briefly with the Cubs (1999), A's (2000) and Rangers (2001), Porter also is the organization's outfield coordinator.
They're No. 1: In 2004, Tankersley was the top pick, and he may make the club or end up in Double-A Carolina. Pitcher Jeff Allison, the first-round pick in 2003, is reporting to camp and could start off in Greensboro. Jeremy Hermida, the first-round choice in 2002, is projected to be the Marlins starting right fielder.
Class of '05: Because of compensatory picks last year, the Marlins had five picks before the second round. The club took all pitchers: Chris Volstadt, Aaron Thompson, Jacob Marceaux, Ryan Tucker and Sean West. All of them has a chance to make the low Class A Greensboro squad. Thus far, the class is tracking the way the club expected. Volstadt, Thompson and Marceaux are showing promise. Volstadt and Thompson have a chance to accelerate through the system as starters. Marceaux is projected as a reliever. And Tucker and West are starting candidates.
What they're saying: "I can't sit there and baby my wrist. I'm ready." -- First baseman Jason Stokes, on battling back from a second wrist surgery

Source: http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/

Notes: Spring will tell the Marlins' tale

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Sun, 12 Mar 2006 16:15:00 +0000

02/26/2006
JUPITER, Fla. -- Gradually, the Marlins are lining up their lineup and rotation. With so many spots unsettled, the upcoming games will set a clearer picture of how the team will look on Opening Day.
For now, manager Joe Girardi is starting to formulate his pitching rotation. On Sunday, the first-year skipper said he's tagged left-hander Jason Vargas to start Wednesday's exhibition against the University of Miami. And Dontrelle Willis will get the start on Thursday against the Orioles in the Grapefruit League opener at Fort Lauderdale Stadium.
"We've got to get Dontrelle prepared to pitch in a game," Girardi said.
Willis will throw between 45-50 pitches. The left-hander, slated to start on Opening Day, will leave Marlins camp on March 3 to join Team USA for the upcoming World Baseball Classic.
Vargas, meanwhile, will toss two innings (or about 30 pitches) against the Miami Hurricanes, in the 3:05 p.m. ET start at Roger Dean Stadium on Wednesday.
The Marlins are in the process of setting their preliminary rotation for the Grapefruit League schedule. Starters will pitch every fifth day. But because there are so many young pitchers competing for spots in camp, the team will frequently give two projected starters work in the same game.
In putting together the batting order, Girardi says slugger Miguel Cabrera will bat third or fourth.
The idea of a left-right-left scenario intrigues the manager. If the Marlins bat Cabrera cleanup, left-handed hitters Jeremy Hermida and Mike Jacobs are the candidates to bat third and fifth.
"I love it," Girardi said. "I love the balance because it does create matchup problems."
Factoring into where Cabrera hits will be how the hitters around him perform.
"Miguel's position doesn't necessarily depend on Miguel," Girardi said. "Miguel's position depends on the guys around him and how they fit. If I had a for-sure No. 1, and a for-sure No. 2, Miguel would hit third. But I might have to tweak things because I'm not sure exactly how it's going to pan out.
"You think about the guy who hits in front of Miguel, he's going to get great pitches. So, who do you want in front of Miguel? They're not going to pitch to the guy in front of Miguel to get to Miguel, we know that. They might pitch around Miguel to get to the next guy."
Uggla getting defensive: Dan Uggla's chances of making the club and winning the starting second-base job hinge largely on his defense.
Battling seasoned Pokey Reese, a two-time Gold Glove winner, Uggla is refining his techniques with respected infield coach Perry Hill.
Hill has Uggla working on widening his base while fielding, or getting his feet farther apart and his glove down sooner. Turning double plays is another part of the game that is being broken down more closely.
"We're working more fundamentally," Uggla said. "I'm working on more double-play stuff. We're starting slow and then getting a little quicker. I'm always running around, trying to do things more quickly. We're just doing things gradually, so I can make sure I know what I'm doing every time, rather than trying to do things too quick and doing something wrong. Every day we're doing stuff a little bit quicker.
"My thing is, I have a tendency to get my feet a little too narrow. The biggest thing I'm working out is getting my feet out. I've been concentrating on getting as wide and getting as low as I can. It's been helping. What I did when I first got into pro ball, but I got away from it."
As a Rule 5 Draft pickup from Arizona, Uggla has to make the final roster or he will be returned to the Diamondbacks.
"I don't worry about him defensively," said Girardi, who claims Hills is the best defensive instructor in the business. "I think you'll see a lot better defensive player in six weeks. They're all going to school right now."
Uggla is considered a solid hitter with power. If he improves defensively, he could win the starting job.
"I feel like what I'm doing now should make me better," Uggla said.
Advice from Beckett: Like so many others, former Marlins right-hander Josh Beckett is eager to see how the young Florida pitching staff performs. Now with the Red Sox, Beckett plans to follow the progress of friends like Willis, Vargas and Brian Moehler.
The 25-year-old Beckett certainly knows about being on the fast track to the big leagues. The second overall pick in 1999, Beckett was a September callup in 2001, and in 2003 he was the World Series MVP.
Asked to give some advice to the young Marlins pitchers, Beckett said: "The thing they should not get caught up in is wins and losses. So often, wins and losses are out of a starter's control. What they should do is concentrate on keeping their team in the game."
Five years ago, Beckett was projected to be on a group of hard-throwing "young guns" that were being compared to the elite Braves of the 1990s. Beckett was featured in a poster with A.J. Burnett, Brad Penny, Ryan Dempster and Jason Grilli. Of that group, Grilli's career has been affected by injuries, but the others have enjoyed pretty good success.
"I came in with Brad and A.J., and we were on teams that lost a lot of games," Beckett said. "You [pitchers] have to stay focused and not get rattled. On a young team, you have to keep things in perspective."
Fish bites: Sergio Mitre accidentally struck Matt Treanor in the lower-back area with a pitch during live batting practice on Sunday. Treanor hung in there and two pitches later, fouled a ball off his toe. Cabrera followed with a homer off Mitre. ... Infielder Alfredo Amezaga is expected to play for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic. ... On Sunday, Marlins players and Girardi spent some time getting filmed so their images can be used in a video game. "It's amazing. They can do some amazing things," Girardi said of the video-game graphics. "It would help if we could pick a team that way." ... The Marlins have a workout set for the main field at Roger Dean Stadium on Monday, and they also will be going through drills on the back field, beginning about 10 a.m. ET.

Source: http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/

Samson, Homestead officials meet

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Sun, 12 Mar 2006 16:14:00 +0000

02/27/2006
JUPITER, Fla. -- Another potential South Florida stadium site came into the picture for the Marlins on Monday.
Team president David Samson met with officials from Homestead regarding a new retractable-roof park for the club in the southern part of Miami-Dade County.
While the Marlins will further explore the feasibility of Homestead, a sizeable funding gap remains to make such a project a reality.
In the search for a new ballpark, the Marlins are weighing options locally and out of state. In late November, Major League Baseball granted the Marlins permission to seek relocation.
The team has already met with officials from San Antonio, Portland, Ore., and Norfolk, Va., while also discussing options in Miami-Dade County. Oklahoma City officials also have been in communication with the club about a possible relocation.
The city of Hialeah also is a potential spot for the new home for the Marlins.
The stadium search is expected to last about five or so months. Samson is expected to visit an undisclosed out-of-state option within the next few weeks.
Charlotte, N.C., also is in the mix.

Source: http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/

Mailbag: Who will protect Cabrera?

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Sun, 12 Mar 2006 16:13:00 +0000

02/27/2006
Other than the Joey Gathright trade rumors, what other trade possibilities are the Marlins pursuing? Also, can you can give me a percentage on the chances of the Marlins acquiring the speedy Gathright if the other outfield candidates do well, like Chris Aguila and Eric Reed? -- Oliver Q., Tallahassee, Fla.
For now, the Marlins want to evaluate their own players at a number of positions, including center field. Reed has blazing speed and is the best defensive center fielder in the system. But can he hit at the big-league level? That's what the team wants to find out. Aguila has been a solid hitter in the Minor Leagues, and may have the edge based on big-league experience. Many regard Aguila as a fourth or fifth outfielder, but he hasn't been given much of a chance. He soon will be.
Reggie Abercrombie, who has tremendous power, is an interesting prospect because of his athletic ability. Abercrombie is a home run threat, and he runs well. He has to show more plate discipline, however. If the team doesn't find its center fielder internally, Gathright has long been on the team's radar. However, the club will not overpay on their pitching prospects. The Marlins will search to see if there are outfield prospects on other clubs they can make deals with for young pitching.
Do you except Miguel Cabrera's numbers to decrease due to a lack of good on-base percentage hitters before him? -- Adrian D., Chicago
This is definitely a concern. Clearly, the opposition is going to target Cabrera, not allowing him to be the guy who beats them. Whether Cabrera is hitting third or fourth, he will need some protection from the batter behind him. Perhaps even a bigger issue are the batters in the first two spots. Juan Pierre and Luis Castillo are no longer around to solidify the the front of the order. Now the team is searching for speed that high in the order. Those two spots may end up being, at least early on, Reed leading off and Hanley Ramirez batting second. Cabrera may end up batting cleanup, sandwiched between a pair of left-handed hitters. Jeremy Hermida could bat third with Mike Jacobs batting fifth.
I know it's early, but what position are the Marlins expected to go after in the First-Year Player Draft? -- Carson B., Naples, Fla.
The organization's philosophy is to draft the best player available, and in case of ties, lean toward pitching. Since the club selected three pitchers in last year's first-round, would they go for more pitching? Frankly, yes. The Marlins are always looking for the next Josh Beckett or next Dontrelle Willis. Left-handed pitching is hard to come by, as is catching. The team is a little better stocked now with some quality lefties and some catching depth. But those remain areas of focus. Assuming Ramirez and Robert Andino pan out as shortstops, the need to draft a middle infielder won't be as great.
What is the latest on the stadium issue? Is there any good news to report as of now with the stadium talks? -- Kim C., Miami
Not much has changed in the weekly stadium update. Talks are obviously slow for a new park in South Florida, and other markets are being explored. The process will take several months. There is talk of putting the stadium issue up for a vote in the form of a half-cent sales tax in Miami-Dade County for one year. County officials have debated that idea, and if they approve it, the sales tax could be put on a referendum either in September or November.
How do the Marlins view the future of Chris Volstad? What is his projected time frame to the Major Leagues? -- Bob S., West Palm Beach, Fla.
Minor League camp will begin in about a week, but Volstad already has been taking part in a minicamp at Roger Dean Stadium. Since he is from Palm Beach Gardens, he lives close to the complex in Jupiter, and he works out there a lot. The team's first of three first-round picks in last June's draft is expected to open the season at low Class A Greensboro.
Remember, he just got out of high school, so he is very young. But from all indications, he tracks to be in the big leagues in a few years. The gauge for players in the Marlins' system is how they look in Double-A. Once they get to Double-A, and show they belong, they are candidates to make the leap to the big leagues. Volstad has the makings of a future ace or No. 2 pitcher. It's now up to him and how he develops.
I have heard a lot of talk about the Marlins losing 100 games this season, and I'm not sure that I believe it. Last year, the Marlins underperformed and were still able to finish above .500. Why is it so hard to believe that some of these untested rookies could work out and we would finish the season hovering around .500 again? -- Andy L., Miami
Manager Joe Girardi is instilling in these players a winning mentality. The reason why not much is expected is because the team lacks experience. While it has young talent, you never know how that group will mesh together. Realistically, this may indeed be a long year in terms of wins and losses. A telling sign will be how many of these prospects are indeed big-league caliber.
There are high hopes for Ramirez, Jacobs, Hermida and Josh Willingham. If they pan out, the foundation for a strong lineup is in place. And there is an abundance of young pitching. How fast and how many of them develop will be the key to success in the near future.

Source: http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/

Notes: Helms to be a jack of all trades

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Sun, 12 Mar 2006 16:11:00 +0000

02/27/2006
JUPITER, Fla. -- Offers came from the Phillies and Indians, but versatile Wes Helms opted to sign as a free agent with the Marlins.
In Helms, Florida has an experienced 29-year-old who can platoon with Mike Jacobs at first base, spell Miguel Cabrera at third base or be a corner outfield backup.
Before signing, Helms spoke with general manager Larry Beinfest, who told him the team was looking for a veteran leader who could play multiple positions.
"My first decision came when the general manager told me, 'We want you to kind of be the Jeff Conine of the team. We want you to [be the] kind of [player who can] do everything, play first, play third, play outfield. We also want you to have that veteran leadership, so they see how you work, see how you handle yourself, and be a help to these young guys,'" Helms said.
Conine, an original Marlin who was on the club's two World Series title teams, signed in the offseason with Baltimore. Helms' second reason for choosing the Marlins was because he wanted to play for manager Joe Girardi.
"I liked Joe as a player," said Helms, who spent last season with the Brewers. "I liked that classy attitude he had as a player. I've been in the batter's box when he was with the Cubs. I'm a big 'old school' guy -- put the uniform on, play hard and then you go home. And Joe did that. Joe respected the game. You see a guy do that for 15 years, then you know he's going to do that as a manager. Already in camp a week, you see that. He's intense. I was big on signing here, because I wanted to play for him."
On such a young team, Helms says he isn't out to take anyone's job. He's around to offer insights. He's been on winners in the past, beginning his career with the Braves.
"I'm not looking to come in here and push anybody out," Helms said. "I'm coming in here to help the team win any way they want me to. Whether that is to play against lefties at first, or spell Cabrera at third, play some left field, get 300 at-bats. If that's what they want me to do, I'm going to do it to the best of my ability.
"I compare this [camp] to Atlanta. [Braves manager] Bobby Cox runs a great camp. It's organized. You get in, boom, boom, boom and you get out. I compare it to that. You get everything done. You're not overdoing it, and you get out."
Early rotation: Girardi has lined up his starters for the first three exhibition games.
Starting against the University of Miami at 3:05 p.m. ET on Wednesday in Jupiter will be Jason Vargas, who will pitch two innings. Other pitchers scheduled to throw that day are Allen Baxter, Harvey Garcia, Jose Garcia, Carlos Martinez, Scott Tyler, Taylor Tankersley and Jesus Delgado.
For the first Grapefruit League game, set for Thursday against the Orioles in Fort Lauderdale, Dontrelle Willis will start and throw three innings, or 50 pitches. Josh Johnson will follow, then Buddy Carlyle, Joe Borowski, Chris Resop and Randy Messenger.
On Friday at Jupiter against Baltimore, Brian Moehler will start.
Pokey's way: As a young player being groomed in the Reds system, Pokey Reese picked up pointers watching then shortstop Barry Larkin and second baseman Bret Boone.
Now a veteran on a young Marlins squad, Reese is offering an example to the new players.
Working mostly at second base, Reese is setting an example for Dan Uggla, and shortstop candidates Robert Andino and Hanley Ramirez are seeing what Reese has to offer.
"I tell them to keep working hard, go out and get all the extra work you can, and don't take anything for granted," said Reese, a two-time Gold Glove Award winner. "This is a great opportunity for these guys. Coming up, I didn't have that opportunity."
Reese didn't have that early chance because of Larkin and Boone.
"I pretty much watched those two," he said. "Just little things here and there, you pick up. How deep to play certain hitters. You've got to know the hitters. These guys are young. It's going to take a while to know the hitters."
Reese adds players should stay focused, even when they're watching.
"When you're not playing, still be into the game," he said. "That's how you learn. You don't have to be out there playing all the time to learn. Larkin is a future Hall of Famer and Bret Boone was one of the best in the game. That's how I kind of learned. I just watched them. If I wanted to know something, I'd go up and ask them. But I just mostly watched them."
Happy for Jones: Pitching for the United States in the World Baseball Classic will give Willis a chance to reunite with former Marlins closer Todd Jones, who is now with the Tigers.
Like Willis, Jones was eager to represent the United States in the upcoming Classic. Willis will join Team USA on March 3.
Willis notes that so much media focus on the Classic is on the players who do not want to participate. The D-Train says there are a number of players who pushed hard to be included. Jones, who saved 40 games for the Marlins last year, is one of them.
"I'm happy he's on the team. He was huge last year for us," Willis said. "He is riding high. He's playing with a lot of confidence. He wants to represent his country. It's good to see everybody having good years and being eager to represent your country. You hear a lot of negative stuff, but you don't hear about Todd Jones calling and insisting that he wanted to be on the team. That's the flip side, though. You don't hear about that."
Seven more sign: Seven more Marlins signed contracts on Monday: outfielder Reggie Abercrombie, Andino, Jacobs, Messenger, pitcher Renyel Pinto, first baseman Jason Stokes and Tyler.
Fish bites: There is no front-runner at the shortstop spot, as rookies Ramirez and Andino are neck-and-neck. Reese is a fallback option. ... Chris Aguila is impressing in camp and will be used in games in left field, center and right. ... Tuesday's workouts will begin about 10 a.m. ET on the back fields at Roger Dean Stadium.

Source: http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/

Notes: Girardi tinkers with lineup

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Sun, 12 Mar 2006 16:08:00 +0000

03/01/2006
JUPITER, Fla. -- Exhibition season is a time to experiment.
Marlins manager Joe Girardi faces a lot of uncertainty piecing together his young roster. But one thing that appears certain is that the first-year skipper will present a variety of different looks with his lineup.
In Wednesday's 9-8 comeback win over the University of Miami, Girardi used a lineup that included shortstop Robert Andino leading off, with right fielder Jeremy Hermida batting second and Dan Uggla hitting third. Cleanup hitter Mike Jacobs delivered a two-run double in the first inning.
"We have to figure out how it's going to work out," Girardi said. "Guys are going to get chances to hit all over in the order."
All-Star third baseman Miguel Cabrera was held out Wednesday.
"Miguel can't afford to get hurt in a game like this," Girardi said. "Not if I want to continue to manage."
Hermida went 1-for-2 and hit the ball hard both times.
"I'm just taking each at-bat for what it's worth," said the rookie right fielder. "I'm taking one at-bat at a time. I'm trying to learn some things. I'm just staying with the approach -- just trying to get ready for some games. Of course we want to win, but these first couple of games, you're trying to get your timing down and get ready to go."
Uggla had a solid day batting third and playing second base. In three at-bats, he had two hits and an RBI. His lone out was a drive caught on the warning track in center field.
"Joe will have a lot of different lineups in Spring Training, I presume," said Jacobs, who was 1-for-3. "I think it will play itself out. Joe knows what he's doing."
Girardi called his first actual game managing "fun." But there were some anxious moments. The Marlins trailed, 8-5, and rallied with three runs in the ninth inning. Jason Stokes belted a homer, and with two outs, Matt Cepicky laced a two-out double to win it.
"I'm not going to lie, I was upset when we were losing," Girardi said. "Even though it's an exhibition game, I'm not real happy when we're losing. I was very proud of our guys the way we came back."
After the game, Girardi spoke to the Miami Hurricanes for about 15 minutes.
"I gave them the same message I gave our team," Girardi said. "Be accountable to each other, push each other. It's a great four years of your life. The college experience is a great experience. Enjoy it. Just remember, education comes first."
Fine first showing: Two innings and 31 pitches is a small sampling of what to expect. But left-hander Jason Vargas accomplished what he set out to do in Wednesday's exhibition against Miami. In two scoreless innings, the left-hander allowed one hit and walked one while striking out four.
Vargas used his first appearance to work on keeping the ball down in the zone, along with mixing in some offspeed pitches. Of his 31 pitches, he tossed about four sliders and seven changeups.
The fact he was working against college players wasn't a big difference for a first tuneup. About the most noticeable change is the fact Miami players used aluminum bats.
"Those guys are good athletes out there," Vargas said. "They're one of the best teams in the country. They are there for a reason. Hitters are hitters. No matter what level you're at, if you leave it up, they're going to hit it. If you get it down, they're not."
During his days in college, Vargas never faced a big-league club. But when he was at LSU before transferring to Long Beach State, he played against the Triple-A New Orleans Zephyrs.
Ready for Classic: Cabrera will be in the lineup Thursday when the Marlins face the Orioles at Fort Lauderdale Stadium. Then on Friday, the two-time All-Star third baseman will join the Venezuelan squad for the upcoming World Baseball Classic.
A few days ago, Baltimore's Melvin Mora said he was withdrawing from the Classic because Cabrera is slated to play third base.
On Wednesday, Cabrera said: "I'll play where they want me to play."
A natural third baseman, Cabrera has primarily played left field since being called up from Double-A in 2003. He's now returning to third base, the position he is most comfortable playing.
Thursday is the day Cabrera's contract status for the 2006 season will be resolved. Still under club control, Cabrera may have his contract renewed at about $450,000. Over the past few days, the Marlins have had discussions with Cabrera's agent about a deal that could be for more than one season.
Amezaga joining Mexico: Alfredo Amezaga, competing for a middle-infield spot, will be packing up and heading to the World Baseball Classic on Thursday. Amezaga is headed to Tucson, Ariz., to hook up with the Mexican squad.
"This is one of the best things to happen to me, to represent my country," he said.
The Marlins will have three players participating in the Classic: Dontrelle Willis (USA), Cabrera (Venezuela) and Amezaga.
"Every country is going to watch their players, and they are going to see how much pride they have playing for their country," Amezaga said. "In Mexico, they have two leagues. We're going to try to play hard like all the other teams."
Amezaga is battling for a backup spot with the Marlins. But being away shouldn't hurt his chances of making the team.
"[Girardi] said just go there and keep working on the stuff you're working on here," he said. "Everything we're working on here, I'm bringing to me when I work out with Mexico."
Upcoming pitchers: Willis will start Thursday against the Orioles at Fort Lauderdale Stadium. The D-Train will toss about 50 pitches or three innings. Brian Moehler will start on Friday against the Orioles, and left-hander Scott Olsen will start on Saturday against the Cardinals at Roger Dean Stadium.

Source: http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/