Florida Marlins Centerfielder and Closer

by faketeams on Jan 14, 2007 11:51 AM EST in Baseball

This morning's Miami Herald has a nice update on the glaring holes in the Marlin's roster - centerfielder and closer. Marlin's GM Larry Beinfest is quoted expressing his confidence in NRI Alex Sanchez's ability to win the CF job

He's had a lot of success in the big leagues. We like his speed. He can bunt. He can do a lot of things that put pressure on people.

I saw Sanchez run past some fly balls when he was with the Giants so color me unconvinced.

The article also mentions the Giants wanted Fives-Years-Under-Control LHR Taylor Tankersley in exchange for $7MM free-agent-to-be Armando Benitez - a plyer who doesn't want to be in San Fran and who the fans dislike. When I get offers similar to this in fantasy baseball, I interpret them as a signal the other team doesn't want to trade. yet, the Giants clearly want to get rid of AB. Go figure.

Beifest is also pleased with their bullpen-bolstering off-season moves - Kevin Gregg, Henry Owens and Matt Lindstrom. He sees Gregg as a 7th/8th inning guy, and the 8th inning is one step from the closer's role.

More interesting, though is this:

The Marlins await the return of...potential closer Carlos Martinez from elbow surgeries. ''Before the All-Star break is realistic for Martinez,'' Beinfest said.

(I drafted CMart last year for a $1. Now I have to devote some energy to protecting him as a DL player.)

When Gregg was acquired I wrote that I liked him as a sleeper to close. Fish Stripes has a poll up asking who his readers think will win the role.

What do you think (poll inside Comment)?

Poll

Who will close in Florida

Taylor Tankersley

2 votes

Kevin Gregg

2 votes

Armando Benitez

2 votes

Someone Else

6 votes

12 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 4 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

You mean Amezaga is not the starting CF!?

I just heard he was. You mean I shouldn't believe everything I read? :)

by PCoh on Jan 14, 2007 12:01 PM EST reply actions

Marlins CF

From an interview with PRoJo's Sean McAdam at Over the Monster:

OTM: There are rumors circulating that the Marlins would like David Murphy to be their center fielder in 2007. Would the Red Sox be willing to trade Murphy? What or who do you think they'd look for if he were to be dealt?

McAdam: To tell you the truth, I haven't heard the Marlins much in relation to Murphy. I know Florida is searching for a center fielder, but I think they're looking for someone a little more established. They were talking to Tampa Bay about Rocco Baldelli. The Marlins might be willing to move one of their many young starters, but not Murphy, who doesn't have that value. Murphy's path in Boston would seem to be blocked. Coco Crisp is signed for three more years and Jacoby Ellsbury is rising quickly through the organization. I've heard Texas has some interest, but I'm not sure if anyone believes he's ready to play every day in the big leagues.

by faketeams on Jan 15, 2007 3:26 PM EST up reply actions

Is Larry Beinfest on Crack?

He's had a lot of success in the big leagues. We like his speed. He can bunt. He can do a lot of things that put pressure on people.

Um, what? He's had success? Someone must have a pretty low standard for success if a .702 OPS is their definition of success. I watched this guy in center field at the Trop and for all of the speed of which the article writer speaks, he took horrible routes to fly balls and had a noodle arm. He was surprisingly decent with the bat, but that was the exception rather than the rule. I can't even imagine him trying to patrol CF in Joe Robbie.

www.draysbay.com

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Jan 14, 2007 2:57 PM EST reply actions

Nolasco

I heard Ricky Nolasco is one of the two big candidates with Tankersley to get the save opportunities and then they would use petit as the fifth starter

by was385 on Jan 14, 2007 7:32 PM EST reply actions