1 00:00:13,000 --> 00:00:16,960 Speaker 1: The show goes on. This is the official show on 2 00:00:17,000 --> 00:00:21,119 Speaker 1: the fish Stripes podcast channel with me Eli Sussman, the 3 00:00:21,239 --> 00:00:24,960 Speaker 1: managing editor of fish Stripes, where we cover your Miami 4 00:00:25,040 --> 00:00:30,040 Speaker 1: Marlins every day in our own way, even when they stink, 5 00:00:30,560 --> 00:00:33,720 Speaker 1: and boy are they in a stinky situation. As of 6 00:00:33,760 --> 00:00:36,159 Speaker 1: this recording, I had to re record the start of 7 00:00:36,200 --> 00:00:39,920 Speaker 1: this pod because nearby fireworks were going off. To everybody 8 00:00:39,960 --> 00:00:42,880 Speaker 1: out there that has gone to a very early start 9 00:00:43,040 --> 00:00:47,120 Speaker 1: of the fourth of July, Happy Independence Day, to several 10 00:00:47,159 --> 00:00:49,159 Speaker 1: days in advance, I'm gonna have another episode of the 11 00:00:49,200 --> 00:00:52,640 Speaker 1: show actually on the fourth of July anyway, just getting 12 00:00:52,760 --> 00:00:56,200 Speaker 1: that out there for anybody on vacation or doing whatever. 13 00:00:56,960 --> 00:00:58,640 Speaker 1: I hope things are going well, and I hope you 14 00:00:58,720 --> 00:01:01,800 Speaker 1: find things that are bringing you joy outside of the Marlins, 15 00:01:01,800 --> 00:01:06,560 Speaker 1: because the Marlins themselves are not a bowl of kittens 16 00:01:06,560 --> 00:01:11,200 Speaker 1: and rainbows. At this particular moment, I assume about ninety 17 00:01:11,319 --> 00:01:13,319 Speaker 1: seven percent of you, give or take, have come to 18 00:01:13,360 --> 00:01:16,280 Speaker 1: the dark side with me. You have accepted that the 19 00:01:16,319 --> 00:01:20,440 Speaker 1: Marlins are not a twenty twenty two playoff contender for 20 00:01:20,560 --> 00:01:26,800 Speaker 1: a variety of reasons, some entirely predictable, others unfortunate, but 21 00:01:27,040 --> 00:01:31,120 Speaker 1: nonetheless have to be dealt with. Their path to potential 22 00:01:31,240 --> 00:01:34,440 Speaker 1: October birth has been impeded for this year. It is 23 00:01:34,560 --> 00:01:37,039 Speaker 1: not happening, or at the very least, they are not 24 00:01:37,120 --> 00:01:39,840 Speaker 1: going to invest a whole lot of time and energy 25 00:01:39,920 --> 00:01:42,600 Speaker 1: on making a push that they aren't going to be 26 00:01:42,600 --> 00:01:45,080 Speaker 1: able to get to when you're eight games under five 27 00:01:45,160 --> 00:01:48,080 Speaker 1: hundred at this stage of the season, still with some 28 00:01:48,160 --> 00:01:53,360 Speaker 1: critical pieces missing from the equation. Even for the other 29 00:01:53,400 --> 00:01:55,279 Speaker 1: three percent of you, I want you to stick around. 30 00:01:55,320 --> 00:01:59,040 Speaker 1: This show is all encompassing. It is serving everybody's interests 31 00:01:59,080 --> 00:02:03,080 Speaker 1: as we look ahead to the trade deadline barely one 32 00:02:03,120 --> 00:02:05,960 Speaker 1: month away on August second this year instead of July 33 00:02:06,040 --> 00:02:09,040 Speaker 1: thirty first. To keep that in mind for this Marlins team, 34 00:02:09,040 --> 00:02:10,880 Speaker 1: I think we can all agree that just the pieces 35 00:02:10,960 --> 00:02:13,959 Speaker 1: don't fit together. They never did at this start of 36 00:02:14,000 --> 00:02:16,399 Speaker 1: the year. It's not looking any better right now. From 37 00:02:16,400 --> 00:02:19,800 Speaker 1: that standpoint, they need to just rearrange the furniture. At 38 00:02:19,800 --> 00:02:22,800 Speaker 1: the very least with this Marlins team as recently as 39 00:02:22,880 --> 00:02:25,440 Speaker 1: last year, when competitively they were in the same spot. 40 00:02:25,800 --> 00:02:28,359 Speaker 1: They get creative at the deadline. It's not as simple 41 00:02:28,600 --> 00:02:31,600 Speaker 1: as buyer or seller. They get creative. They look for 42 00:02:31,720 --> 00:02:34,800 Speaker 1: value wherever they can find it, looking for deals that 43 00:02:34,840 --> 00:02:38,600 Speaker 1: in the long term will pay off efficiently for them. 44 00:02:38,800 --> 00:02:41,560 Speaker 1: This is always a fun time of year for the Marlins. 45 00:02:42,840 --> 00:02:48,000 Speaker 1: Before we get into the infinite potential options out there 46 00:02:48,080 --> 00:02:50,600 Speaker 1: that they could take to address the team, some targets, 47 00:02:51,000 --> 00:02:55,000 Speaker 1: particular positions of need, likely trade partners, and all that, 48 00:02:55,520 --> 00:02:58,120 Speaker 1: I thought that the easiest pleased to start is about 49 00:02:58,240 --> 00:03:02,000 Speaker 1: who not to trade at the deadline this year. I've 50 00:03:02,080 --> 00:03:05,720 Speaker 1: picked out twelve players in the organization, allot of the 51 00:03:05,840 --> 00:03:09,240 Speaker 1: major leaguers, some of them still prospect eligible, that I 52 00:03:09,280 --> 00:03:11,920 Speaker 1: think it is critical for the Marlins to hold on 53 00:03:11,960 --> 00:03:15,919 Speaker 1: to through this deadline and make decisions on them later on. 54 00:03:17,000 --> 00:03:19,280 Speaker 1: I'll go into why I divided up these twelve players 55 00:03:19,320 --> 00:03:22,560 Speaker 1: into five you can say, five and a half separate 56 00:03:22,639 --> 00:03:26,600 Speaker 1: groups or categories, reasons why they should be held onto, 57 00:03:26,760 --> 00:03:30,600 Speaker 1: why their names should not be anywhere near these rumors, 58 00:03:30,880 --> 00:03:34,280 Speaker 1: and why the Marls should use the other couple hundred 59 00:03:34,480 --> 00:03:38,920 Speaker 1: organizational players to explore how they can improve the team 60 00:03:38,960 --> 00:03:41,760 Speaker 1: in the near term and the long term. So, without 61 00:03:41,800 --> 00:03:44,400 Speaker 1: further ado, on the other side of the break, we'll 62 00:03:44,440 --> 00:03:46,960 Speaker 1: hop right into it. I do not trade a list 63 00:03:47,280 --> 00:03:51,280 Speaker 1: here on the official show stick with us. Most of 64 00:03:51,320 --> 00:03:55,400 Speaker 1: these players are not quote unquote untouchables. I'd say it's 65 00:03:55,400 --> 00:03:57,840 Speaker 1: really these first three that kind of fall into that 66 00:03:57,920 --> 00:04:04,280 Speaker 1: category controllable corner stones. And really this category could be 67 00:04:04,280 --> 00:04:09,520 Speaker 1: subdivided into two separate categories themselves, because Sandy Alcntra is 68 00:04:09,800 --> 00:04:13,000 Speaker 1: one of one. He is, as I've said on several 69 00:04:13,040 --> 00:04:17,479 Speaker 1: platforms this year, he is a unicorn. His combination of 70 00:04:17,520 --> 00:04:22,679 Speaker 1: effectiveness and volume of pitching that he provides unlike anybody 71 00:04:22,680 --> 00:04:25,760 Speaker 1: else in baseball. The Marlins were a stude enough to 72 00:04:25,839 --> 00:04:28,920 Speaker 1: sign him to a long term extension all the way 73 00:04:28,960 --> 00:04:32,239 Speaker 1: through twenty twenty six, with a club option for twenty 74 00:04:32,320 --> 00:04:35,479 Speaker 1: twenty seven, and only in that club option does it 75 00:04:35,560 --> 00:04:38,960 Speaker 1: come even remotely close to his market value that will 76 00:04:39,000 --> 00:04:42,159 Speaker 1: be twenty one million dollars that year. In the near term, 77 00:04:42,320 --> 00:04:47,400 Speaker 1: he's still earning seven figures to be perhaps the best 78 00:04:47,520 --> 00:04:51,840 Speaker 1: pitcher in baseball. With no hyperbole, it has been just 79 00:04:51,960 --> 00:04:53,400 Speaker 1: a magical first. 80 00:04:53,120 --> 00:04:56,839 Speaker 2: Half from him, Sandy al Contra on the bump, he 81 00:04:56,920 --> 00:04:59,000 Speaker 2: has been the ace of the staff, he has been 82 00:04:59,040 --> 00:05:01,200 Speaker 2: the horse of the rotain, and he's been the best 83 00:05:01,200 --> 00:05:06,400 Speaker 2: pitcher in the National League this year. Swigging amiss that 84 00:05:06,400 --> 00:05:08,840 Speaker 2: one at ninety eight miles an hour, a one two 85 00:05:08,960 --> 00:05:11,920 Speaker 2: three first inning for Sandy. What kind of special night 86 00:05:12,000 --> 00:05:12,640 Speaker 2: is in store? 87 00:05:13,279 --> 00:05:16,320 Speaker 1: Getting better every single year. I'm recording this on Wednesday 88 00:05:16,400 --> 00:05:19,200 Speaker 1: night as he is finishing up. Will be yet another 89 00:05:19,240 --> 00:05:22,600 Speaker 1: complete game, even if it's in a likely losing effort. 90 00:05:23,000 --> 00:05:25,560 Speaker 1: He is special. As confident as the Marlins feel about 91 00:05:25,560 --> 00:05:29,839 Speaker 1: their pitching development apparatus, there is not another Sandy coming 92 00:05:29,880 --> 00:05:33,520 Speaker 1: anytime soon. He is This is him, This is him, 93 00:05:33,760 --> 00:05:36,279 Speaker 1: and they need to enjoy it and make the most 94 00:05:36,360 --> 00:05:39,960 Speaker 1: of his next half decade, hopefully, if not longer. With 95 00:05:40,080 --> 00:05:43,120 Speaker 1: the Marlins organization, he is staying put. No matter how 96 00:05:43,160 --> 00:05:47,359 Speaker 1: negative you feel about the present Sandy, the only answer 97 00:05:47,680 --> 00:05:49,840 Speaker 1: is holding on to him and letting him do his 98 00:05:49,880 --> 00:05:53,080 Speaker 1: thing as the ace of the Marlins. In the same 99 00:05:53,800 --> 00:05:58,960 Speaker 1: cornerstone category, Jazz Chishom Junior, the one who really, unfortunately 100 00:05:59,160 --> 00:06:02,120 Speaker 1: is now headed to the injured list with a lower backstrain. 101 00:06:02,680 --> 00:06:04,560 Speaker 1: He can take all the time he needs to get 102 00:06:04,600 --> 00:06:07,919 Speaker 1: back because of the reality of the situation here in 103 00:06:07,920 --> 00:06:11,160 Speaker 1: twenty twenty two. As high as the expectations were for 104 00:06:11,240 --> 00:06:13,800 Speaker 1: Jazz this year, I'd say he's exceeded them a little bit. 105 00:06:13,839 --> 00:06:18,279 Speaker 1: This has been a breakout from being a promising rookie 106 00:06:18,400 --> 00:06:21,040 Speaker 1: to being one of the best players at his position. 107 00:06:21,120 --> 00:06:25,599 Speaker 1: He is an amazing everyday second basement one forty weighted 108 00:06:25,680 --> 00:06:28,240 Speaker 1: runs created plus one hundred is a league average two 109 00:06:28,320 --> 00:06:33,600 Speaker 1: and a half wins above replacement in sixty games, unreal 110 00:06:33,839 --> 00:06:37,720 Speaker 1: slugging five thirty five, fourteen home runs, twelve stolen bases 111 00:06:37,760 --> 00:06:40,839 Speaker 1: this year. It doesn't look fluky. It doesn't look fluky. 112 00:06:41,360 --> 00:06:43,200 Speaker 1: Even if this is the best version of himself. This 113 00:06:43,279 --> 00:06:48,520 Speaker 1: is a player that is huge that you just don't 114 00:06:48,560 --> 00:06:54,320 Speaker 1: find these guys anywhere. It's he's delivered on what they 115 00:06:54,320 --> 00:06:56,760 Speaker 1: hoped he would be. The last thing with him is 116 00:06:56,800 --> 00:06:59,960 Speaker 1: his durability, and we'll see how that goes through the year. 117 00:07:00,520 --> 00:07:03,400 Speaker 1: In the meantime, just like Sandy under club control for 118 00:07:03,440 --> 00:07:07,600 Speaker 1: another half decade and he helps you win games in 119 00:07:07,680 --> 00:07:12,160 Speaker 1: so many ways without even going into all the intangibles 120 00:07:12,280 --> 00:07:14,920 Speaker 1: and off the field benefits that it comes with having 121 00:07:15,280 --> 00:07:21,280 Speaker 1: such a dynamic person, such an effervescent personality he has been. 122 00:07:21,480 --> 00:07:24,240 Speaker 1: This has been a really amazing first half for him, 123 00:07:24,280 --> 00:07:26,720 Speaker 1: and I think he deserves every bit of the love 124 00:07:26,760 --> 00:07:30,720 Speaker 1: that he gets both from Marlins fans and nationally and internationally. 125 00:07:31,320 --> 00:07:35,120 Speaker 1: He is. He has ascended. He is blown up into 126 00:07:35,240 --> 00:07:36,800 Speaker 1: the kind of star that they hoped he would be 127 00:07:36,840 --> 00:07:39,600 Speaker 1: when they traded for him at the trade deadline three 128 00:07:39,680 --> 00:07:44,040 Speaker 1: years ago from the Diamondbacks and lastly, in this cornerstone category, 129 00:07:44,720 --> 00:07:48,440 Speaker 1: only nineteen years old, only half a season at Double A. 130 00:07:48,560 --> 00:07:52,880 Speaker 1: To this point, Uri Perez, he has gradually grown on me. 131 00:07:52,960 --> 00:07:55,800 Speaker 1: I was hyped about him early on last year, but 132 00:07:55,920 --> 00:07:57,880 Speaker 1: it's reached another level where not only so he emerges 133 00:07:58,000 --> 00:08:01,600 Speaker 1: the best prospect in this Marlins organization, but one of 134 00:08:01,640 --> 00:08:05,120 Speaker 1: the most special prospects they've ever had. You know he is. 135 00:08:06,200 --> 00:08:09,280 Speaker 1: He's showing more upside as a prospect than Sandy ever did. 136 00:08:09,400 --> 00:08:13,760 Speaker 1: I'll tell you that much, such a complete picture in 137 00:08:13,840 --> 00:08:17,800 Speaker 1: a frame that you can dream on. As good as 138 00:08:17,840 --> 00:08:20,200 Speaker 1: he is right now, there's still a room to get stronger. 139 00:08:20,560 --> 00:08:23,600 Speaker 1: There's still a room to learn even more as a pitcher. 140 00:08:23,720 --> 00:08:26,520 Speaker 1: For a guy that is so young, it's hard to 141 00:08:26,520 --> 00:08:29,520 Speaker 1: see a scenario where he's not extremely successful at the 142 00:08:29,520 --> 00:08:31,880 Speaker 1: big league level, where he could get to the big 143 00:08:31,960 --> 00:08:35,800 Speaker 1: league level very easily at some point during the twenty 144 00:08:35,840 --> 00:08:40,520 Speaker 1: twenty three season. I am I hesitate to put any 145 00:08:40,559 --> 00:08:43,559 Speaker 1: pitcher into this kind of tier of being a cornerstone, 146 00:08:43,920 --> 00:08:48,080 Speaker 1: knowing the injury rate, knowing the inconsistencies that can come 147 00:08:48,120 --> 00:08:51,160 Speaker 1: with throwing that usually don't come on the position player side. 148 00:08:51,320 --> 00:08:53,079 Speaker 1: I think he is an exception. I think he is 149 00:08:53,120 --> 00:08:55,880 Speaker 1: the one type of player. Where As tempting as it 150 00:08:55,960 --> 00:08:59,200 Speaker 1: might be to sell high at this situation, this is 151 00:08:59,240 --> 00:09:01,600 Speaker 1: pretty close to a high as his value will get 152 00:09:01,840 --> 00:09:05,040 Speaker 1: between now and when he actually reaches the big leagues. 153 00:09:05,600 --> 00:09:08,319 Speaker 1: With the Marlins, there's no reason to rush. I mean, 154 00:09:08,360 --> 00:09:10,760 Speaker 1: they've done such a great job at identifying this player 155 00:09:11,360 --> 00:09:16,360 Speaker 1: and of betting on his projection and betting on him 156 00:09:16,480 --> 00:09:19,240 Speaker 1: just to get better, and he has. He has. He 157 00:09:19,440 --> 00:09:24,200 Speaker 1: is really extraordinary player, one of the best pitchers in 158 00:09:24,240 --> 00:09:27,079 Speaker 1: Double A baseball, despite also being one of the youngest 159 00:09:27,080 --> 00:09:30,120 Speaker 1: players at double A baseball. And we'll be seeing him 160 00:09:30,120 --> 00:09:32,080 Speaker 1: in the majors real soon, and we'll be seeing him 161 00:09:32,080 --> 00:09:35,840 Speaker 1: with the Marlins. They are not moving him whatsoever. A 162 00:09:35,880 --> 00:09:39,480 Speaker 1: new category here, a tick down from cornerstones, but still 163 00:09:40,040 --> 00:09:43,440 Speaker 1: untradable in my opinion at this particular deadline. I'll call 164 00:09:43,480 --> 00:09:47,880 Speaker 1: this the precious bats category. This Marlins team the reason 165 00:09:47,920 --> 00:09:50,360 Speaker 1: why they lose as many sandy starts as they do 166 00:09:50,400 --> 00:09:53,360 Speaker 1: while they're in their disposition mainly is because they do 167 00:09:53,440 --> 00:09:57,120 Speaker 1: not score enough runs on a consistent basis. They do 168 00:09:57,200 --> 00:10:02,000 Speaker 1: not generate runs when they absolutely need to. So you 169 00:10:02,080 --> 00:10:04,959 Speaker 1: need to be really reluctant to move any of these 170 00:10:05,000 --> 00:10:08,680 Speaker 1: guys that are very great major league hitters right now. 171 00:10:09,000 --> 00:10:12,880 Speaker 1: That starts with Garrett Cooper. Cooper, who is at this point, 172 00:10:12,920 --> 00:10:15,640 Speaker 1: he's top five in the National League batting race. He's 173 00:10:15,679 --> 00:10:17,559 Speaker 1: been a different type of hitter this year than we 174 00:10:17,640 --> 00:10:20,360 Speaker 1: probably thought he was earlier in his career, not hitting 175 00:10:20,440 --> 00:10:23,160 Speaker 1: for as much home run power, but as an overall hitter, 176 00:10:23,160 --> 00:10:25,520 Speaker 1: I think he's just as valuable, not a little more 177 00:10:25,520 --> 00:10:28,640 Speaker 1: so than he's ever been before. In his age thirty 178 00:10:28,640 --> 00:10:33,439 Speaker 1: one season. He's really on the fringe of All Star consideration. 179 00:10:33,480 --> 00:10:36,160 Speaker 1: We'll see if he gets named as a reserve. He 180 00:10:36,200 --> 00:10:39,480 Speaker 1: deserves to be. He's like thirty five percent better than 181 00:10:39,640 --> 00:10:42,880 Speaker 1: league average by w RC plus. He's been the everyday 182 00:10:42,960 --> 00:10:45,880 Speaker 1: number two hitter in this Marlins lineup. He has to 183 00:10:45,920 --> 00:10:50,320 Speaker 1: this point knock on wood, avoided injury. He's a guy 184 00:10:50,520 --> 00:10:53,319 Speaker 1: that I think understandably this will be a tempting opportunity 185 00:10:53,360 --> 00:10:56,680 Speaker 1: to sell high for a team that, as most of 186 00:10:56,679 --> 00:10:59,000 Speaker 1: you agree on is not in contention right now, but 187 00:10:59,080 --> 00:11:01,160 Speaker 1: you do have one more year of club control on 188 00:11:01,280 --> 00:11:04,560 Speaker 1: Cooper for twenty twenty three, and it's going to be 189 00:11:04,559 --> 00:11:07,000 Speaker 1: in an affordable number. I'll get a raise over his 190 00:11:07,040 --> 00:11:08,920 Speaker 1: two and a half million this year, but it's still 191 00:11:08,960 --> 00:11:12,880 Speaker 1: going to be in the seven figures. It's it's not 192 00:11:12,960 --> 00:11:16,000 Speaker 1: going to be prohibitive for somebody that you can trust 193 00:11:16,040 --> 00:11:19,640 Speaker 1: to be great whenever he is healthy. And now that 194 00:11:19,679 --> 00:11:22,520 Speaker 1: there's a universal DH, there's just no rush to move 195 00:11:22,520 --> 00:11:24,560 Speaker 1: on from him. And he's that type of player that 196 00:11:24,600 --> 00:11:27,600 Speaker 1: even when he reaches free agency entering twenty twenty four, 197 00:11:28,240 --> 00:11:30,600 Speaker 1: like this is a guy that's very happy in Miami, 198 00:11:31,120 --> 00:11:32,760 Speaker 1: and this is one of those type of players that 199 00:11:32,840 --> 00:11:36,640 Speaker 1: you can actually retain as a small market team in 200 00:11:36,720 --> 00:11:39,960 Speaker 1: free agency because of his limitations. And if other teams 201 00:11:40,000 --> 00:11:42,559 Speaker 1: don't appreciate you know that he does the most important 202 00:11:42,559 --> 00:11:46,040 Speaker 1: things well as an offensive player, then I think the 203 00:11:46,040 --> 00:11:49,560 Speaker 1: Marlins should know better. They should know how important Cooper is. 204 00:11:50,720 --> 00:11:54,040 Speaker 1: He does so many things. I'd help with manufacturing runs 205 00:11:54,120 --> 00:11:56,600 Speaker 1: on this team, and that is what they're going to 206 00:11:56,640 --> 00:12:00,280 Speaker 1: need more of in twenty twenty three, and even POPI 207 00:12:00,400 --> 00:12:02,760 Speaker 1: beyond that. So I would not move Cooper. I think 208 00:12:02,760 --> 00:12:05,559 Speaker 1: he is a really important piece to have as your 209 00:12:05,559 --> 00:12:10,520 Speaker 1: primary DH, an occasional first baseman, even an emergency corner outfielder. 210 00:12:11,120 --> 00:12:15,640 Speaker 1: This player is another like not I won't say player 211 00:12:15,679 --> 00:12:20,760 Speaker 1: development success story, but certainly somebody that has really gotten 212 00:12:20,760 --> 00:12:23,160 Speaker 1: even better since he arrived in Miami four and a 213 00:12:23,200 --> 00:12:26,320 Speaker 1: half years ago. There should be in no hurry to 214 00:12:26,360 --> 00:12:30,439 Speaker 1: deplete some of the little trustee run prevention that they 215 00:12:30,440 --> 00:12:34,680 Speaker 1: have on this team. Nick fortes very different situation where 216 00:12:34,720 --> 00:12:38,040 Speaker 1: he still has a half dozen years of club control 217 00:12:38,080 --> 00:12:41,160 Speaker 1: a go, this being his second cup of coffee in 218 00:12:41,200 --> 00:12:43,160 Speaker 1: the majors. I'm not going to put him on the 219 00:12:43,200 --> 00:12:46,800 Speaker 1: same level as Cooper in terms of what you can 220 00:12:46,880 --> 00:12:49,880 Speaker 1: realistically expect from this bad moving forward. The track record 221 00:12:49,920 --> 00:12:51,720 Speaker 1: is a lot smaller, but I talked about him a 222 00:12:51,720 --> 00:12:55,600 Speaker 1: lot on the previous pod on Monday that all the 223 00:12:55,720 --> 00:12:59,240 Speaker 1: indications about his approach and his bat at ball quality 224 00:12:59,360 --> 00:13:03,760 Speaker 1: are very exciting. This is one of the few guys 225 00:13:03,880 --> 00:13:08,320 Speaker 1: that they have completely homegrown, drafted and developed him and 226 00:13:08,400 --> 00:13:11,120 Speaker 1: turned him into what seems to be, at least by 227 00:13:11,160 --> 00:13:14,760 Speaker 1: catcher standards, a great offensive player, and he does well 228 00:13:14,840 --> 00:13:19,600 Speaker 1: enough I think actual defensive catcher stuff that there's no 229 00:13:19,679 --> 00:13:22,520 Speaker 1: reason to be in a hurry to move on from 230 00:13:22,559 --> 00:13:25,640 Speaker 1: him or seek another option. This is something that needs 231 00:13:25,640 --> 00:13:28,680 Speaker 1: to be I guess reevaluated during the offseason this catcher position. 232 00:13:30,520 --> 00:13:32,960 Speaker 1: Perhaps by then, if Forotes is anywhere close to the 233 00:13:33,000 --> 00:13:35,920 Speaker 1: production that we've seen so far, being a three hundred 234 00:13:35,960 --> 00:13:39,640 Speaker 1: hitter with power with as many walks as strikeouts this year, 235 00:13:40,160 --> 00:13:43,840 Speaker 1: that he's not going anywhere. So still wait to be 236 00:13:43,960 --> 00:13:47,600 Speaker 1: determined exactly whether he is the true primary catcher for 237 00:13:47,640 --> 00:13:52,080 Speaker 1: a team or just an important piece. These guys don't 238 00:13:52,080 --> 00:13:56,640 Speaker 1: grow on trees. Catchers, Legitimate major league catchers who can 239 00:13:56,679 --> 00:14:01,200 Speaker 1: also hit to the level that Fortes does. He's sticking around. 240 00:14:01,320 --> 00:14:06,480 Speaker 1: I think there are interesting catchers in this pipeline, but 241 00:14:06,640 --> 00:14:10,240 Speaker 1: this Marlins team finally has for the first time in 242 00:14:10,320 --> 00:14:13,719 Speaker 1: several years, really for the first time since you could 243 00:14:13,760 --> 00:14:16,360 Speaker 1: say Alfaro's hot streak, but more so since Real Muto, 244 00:14:16,440 --> 00:14:21,520 Speaker 1: they have an exciting, homegrown, extremely affordable catching option in 245 00:14:21,600 --> 00:14:25,360 Speaker 1: Nick Fourtes. Moving to another category, this is the don't 246 00:14:25,560 --> 00:14:29,600 Speaker 1: sell low category. So these are players that you do 247 00:14:29,680 --> 00:14:34,160 Speaker 1: not feel as fondly about as you would Sandy jazz Uri, 248 00:14:34,720 --> 00:14:38,440 Speaker 1: Cooper and Fortes. These are guys that are all having 249 00:14:38,520 --> 00:14:42,120 Speaker 1: bad seasons, and because they're having bad seasons, I feel 250 00:14:42,200 --> 00:14:45,720 Speaker 1: like that makes them untradable at this moment for a 251 00:14:45,760 --> 00:14:50,040 Speaker 1: team that should not be panicking to move these guys 252 00:14:50,080 --> 00:14:52,680 Speaker 1: because they are better than what their performance has shown 253 00:14:53,040 --> 00:14:56,320 Speaker 1: here in twenty twenty two, the obvious place to start 254 00:14:56,480 --> 00:15:00,360 Speaker 1: is Avasel Garcia, first year of a four year, fifty 255 00:15:00,360 --> 00:15:04,880 Speaker 1: three million dollar contract, has been pretty much a realistic 256 00:15:04,920 --> 00:15:06,800 Speaker 1: worst case scenario. The only thing you could say is 257 00:15:06,800 --> 00:15:08,960 Speaker 1: that he's been on the field for the most part 258 00:15:09,600 --> 00:15:12,600 Speaker 1: very little mistime due to injury. It's just that when 259 00:15:12,640 --> 00:15:18,000 Speaker 1: he's been healthy, it's been disgusting, hitting a lot of 260 00:15:18,040 --> 00:15:21,520 Speaker 1: ground balls, But more so, the problem is just chasing 261 00:15:21,640 --> 00:15:26,640 Speaker 1: and missing on so many pitches, not showing. For somebody 262 00:15:26,680 --> 00:15:30,360 Speaker 1: that always had issues with offering at the right pitches, 263 00:15:30,360 --> 00:15:34,080 Speaker 1: of being disciplined and selective, this has been taken to 264 00:15:34,160 --> 00:15:36,480 Speaker 1: an extreme and it's a head scratcher for somebody that 265 00:15:36,520 --> 00:15:40,360 Speaker 1: has so much major league experience as Garcia does. It 266 00:15:40,480 --> 00:15:42,560 Speaker 1: looks like he was heating up earlier in June, and 267 00:15:42,600 --> 00:15:45,200 Speaker 1: now as of this recording, I think he is as 268 00:15:45,200 --> 00:15:48,360 Speaker 1: I'm watching him take what will be potentially is the 269 00:15:48,400 --> 00:15:51,800 Speaker 1: final at bat in a Wednesday's game. Just a couple 270 00:15:51,880 --> 00:15:54,600 Speaker 1: singles over the last week, so things are not trending 271 00:15:54,640 --> 00:15:57,640 Speaker 1: in the right direction. But you need to realize how 272 00:15:57,680 --> 00:16:01,160 Speaker 1: long even one season is, much less four years. I 273 00:16:01,160 --> 00:16:03,640 Speaker 1: still have confidence in the tools and the track record 274 00:16:03,760 --> 00:16:07,400 Speaker 1: enough that he could contribute to this team in a 275 00:16:07,440 --> 00:16:11,760 Speaker 1: positive way eventually. So you're not gonna panic. Oh my god, 276 00:16:11,800 --> 00:16:16,320 Speaker 1: And as of this recording unbelievable, Just like that perfect 277 00:16:16,320 --> 00:16:19,400 Speaker 1: time in Garcia with the go ahead to run home 278 00:16:19,480 --> 00:16:21,640 Speaker 1: run as the Marlins are down to the final out. 279 00:16:21,680 --> 00:16:25,320 Speaker 1: And doesn't that perfectly reinforce where I was going with this. 280 00:16:26,480 --> 00:16:29,720 Speaker 2: Not going as Abby goes after the first one, since 281 00:16:29,760 --> 00:16:33,080 Speaker 2: one high and deep center field, bank goes Carlson. 282 00:16:32,760 --> 00:16:34,640 Speaker 1: At the wall, but it's gone. 283 00:16:36,680 --> 00:16:40,440 Speaker 2: Want to run home run for Abby? Garcia put the 284 00:16:40,520 --> 00:16:45,280 Speaker 2: Martins down to their last out, they take a four 285 00:16:45,320 --> 00:16:45,960 Speaker 2: to three lead. 286 00:16:47,480 --> 00:16:50,360 Speaker 1: Don't panic, don't panic, We'll leave it right there. Don't 287 00:16:50,400 --> 00:16:54,480 Speaker 1: panic about Garcia. To a lesser extent, Jacob Stallings. They're 288 00:16:54,560 --> 00:16:57,800 Speaker 1: very excited to acquire him via trade. They thought he 289 00:16:58,000 --> 00:17:00,400 Speaker 1: for sure was going to be the primary catcher this year, 290 00:17:00,400 --> 00:17:03,360 Speaker 1: if not in twenty twenty three as well. Stallings is 291 00:17:03,480 --> 00:17:06,800 Speaker 1: under control for two additional years beyond this year through 292 00:17:06,840 --> 00:17:10,960 Speaker 1: twenty twenty four, and his hitting has been even worse 293 00:17:11,200 --> 00:17:14,639 Speaker 1: than avasals to this point this season, hitting two zho one, 294 00:17:15,119 --> 00:17:17,800 Speaker 1: he's one of the slowest runners in Major League Baseball, 295 00:17:18,600 --> 00:17:21,760 Speaker 1: not hitting the ball with any impact. And also, really 296 00:17:21,840 --> 00:17:25,399 Speaker 1: the bigger thing is defensively. They thought Stallings, the reigning 297 00:17:25,560 --> 00:17:30,440 Speaker 1: NL Goal Glove Award winner, would be the ideal option 298 00:17:30,640 --> 00:17:32,960 Speaker 1: behind the plate for them, that he would do all 299 00:17:33,000 --> 00:17:37,720 Speaker 1: the little things from receiving to pitch calling to the 300 00:17:37,800 --> 00:17:41,159 Speaker 1: even more intangible things well in order to improve the 301 00:17:41,160 --> 00:17:44,000 Speaker 1: Marlins run prevention, and he has been a bit of 302 00:17:44,040 --> 00:17:47,600 Speaker 1: a disappointment on that front, more or less an average 303 00:17:47,600 --> 00:17:52,080 Speaker 1: defensive catcher this year, which is hard to understand. And 304 00:17:52,440 --> 00:17:55,680 Speaker 1: that being said, he said he had a couple of 305 00:17:55,760 --> 00:17:59,159 Speaker 1: years with the Pirates that make you more confident in 306 00:17:59,200 --> 00:18:01,000 Speaker 1: what he can do moving forward. I think, at the 307 00:18:01,080 --> 00:18:04,639 Speaker 1: very least offensively, there's more on base potential than he 308 00:18:04,760 --> 00:18:07,679 Speaker 1: is shown to this point in the season. I really 309 00:18:07,720 --> 00:18:10,840 Speaker 1: like the idea of Fortes and Stallings potentially being that 310 00:18:11,119 --> 00:18:13,960 Speaker 1: catcher tandem for the Marlins in the near future. The 311 00:18:14,000 --> 00:18:16,920 Speaker 1: exact playing time split between those two to be determined. 312 00:18:16,960 --> 00:18:19,840 Speaker 1: As of this moment, Stalling's getting about sixty percent of 313 00:18:19,880 --> 00:18:23,480 Speaker 1: the starts and Fortes about forty percent. I think, regardless, 314 00:18:23,560 --> 00:18:26,800 Speaker 1: for the same reason why you don't want to get 315 00:18:26,920 --> 00:18:29,280 Speaker 1: you don't want to cash in on Fortes. If he 316 00:18:29,280 --> 00:18:31,679 Speaker 1: can actually sustain this, I don't think you want to 317 00:18:32,440 --> 00:18:36,639 Speaker 1: panic about Stallings in case he bounces back, not just 318 00:18:36,720 --> 00:18:39,320 Speaker 1: later this year, but more so in twente twenty three 319 00:18:39,800 --> 00:18:43,080 Speaker 1: as well. It's it's hard to teach all the defensive 320 00:18:43,080 --> 00:18:45,120 Speaker 1: things that he does well, even if they haven't all 321 00:18:45,160 --> 00:18:49,960 Speaker 1: come together for him to this point in twenty twenty two. 322 00:18:50,160 --> 00:18:53,240 Speaker 1: And also in this category that don't sell low category, 323 00:18:53,600 --> 00:18:56,840 Speaker 1: I have Trevor Rogers, I mean Trevor Rodgers. We were 324 00:18:56,840 --> 00:18:59,480 Speaker 1: talking about him entering this year as one of the 325 00:18:59,480 --> 00:19:04,119 Speaker 1: most valuable players in this entire organization. We know how 326 00:19:04,119 --> 00:19:05,960 Speaker 1: he dropped off in the second half of last year. 327 00:19:06,000 --> 00:19:08,520 Speaker 1: I think there was quite a few people that figured, 328 00:19:08,760 --> 00:19:14,399 Speaker 1: with an offseason to mentally refocus, to work on several adjustments, 329 00:19:14,400 --> 00:19:18,000 Speaker 1: mainly improving it slider, that he could be as one 330 00:19:18,040 --> 00:19:21,320 Speaker 1: of the very best lefty starting pitchers in baseball. This 331 00:19:21,440 --> 00:19:25,520 Speaker 1: year it has gone. It's gone worse than I think 332 00:19:25,560 --> 00:19:28,480 Speaker 1: anybody could have feared with Trevor this year, where he's 333 00:19:28,520 --> 00:19:30,720 Speaker 1: just not finishing off hitters the way that he's supposed 334 00:19:30,720 --> 00:19:32,240 Speaker 1: to be. He's not setting them up the right way 335 00:19:32,280 --> 00:19:34,680 Speaker 1: with his fastball command has taken a big step back, 336 00:19:34,960 --> 00:19:37,240 Speaker 1: and therefore he's not able to use his secondary pitches 337 00:19:37,280 --> 00:19:40,760 Speaker 1: to put batters away the way that I guess you 338 00:19:40,760 --> 00:19:43,560 Speaker 1: took for granted last year. So a five to eight 339 00:19:43,600 --> 00:19:46,880 Speaker 1: to six ERA through fourteen starts a four point eighty 340 00:19:46,920 --> 00:19:51,000 Speaker 1: eight FIP, which is well below average, even if you're 341 00:19:51,040 --> 00:19:53,399 Speaker 1: being generous for somebody that did so well keeping the 342 00:19:53,400 --> 00:19:55,960 Speaker 1: ball in the ballpark last year that has gone away. 343 00:19:55,960 --> 00:19:59,879 Speaker 1: He's ready allowed ten home runs in sixty three dings pitched. 344 00:20:00,320 --> 00:20:02,600 Speaker 1: I think this just goes without saying that how well 345 00:20:02,640 --> 00:20:06,760 Speaker 1: he pitched last year, the teams would be lining up 346 00:20:06,800 --> 00:20:10,120 Speaker 1: to quote unquote fix Trevor. But who better to fix 347 00:20:10,200 --> 00:20:13,199 Speaker 1: him than the organization that drafted and developed him and 348 00:20:13,240 --> 00:20:17,680 Speaker 1: saw him had that big league's success in twenty twenty one. 349 00:20:17,920 --> 00:20:21,280 Speaker 1: So for the Marlins, he can be about as good 350 00:20:21,400 --> 00:20:24,080 Speaker 1: as anybody. He could be the second best starting pitcher 351 00:20:24,119 --> 00:20:27,520 Speaker 1: on this team. That potential is still there. I don't 352 00:20:27,520 --> 00:20:30,840 Speaker 1: see why he can't recapture it. It has been concerning 353 00:20:30,880 --> 00:20:34,480 Speaker 1: that he's gone almost a full half season without recapturing it. 354 00:20:35,280 --> 00:20:37,760 Speaker 1: Just stay patient with Trevor. He still is under club 355 00:20:37,800 --> 00:20:40,800 Speaker 1: control potentially through twenty twenty six. He still has minor 356 00:20:40,880 --> 00:20:43,840 Speaker 1: league options remaining if the Marlins feel that whatever is 357 00:20:44,280 --> 00:20:47,080 Speaker 1: illing him would best be addressed at Triple A. So 358 00:20:47,080 --> 00:20:49,600 Speaker 1: I wouldn't totally rule that out him spending some time 359 00:20:49,640 --> 00:20:53,080 Speaker 1: in Triple A to make room for some other highly 360 00:20:53,119 --> 00:20:56,600 Speaker 1: regarded Marlins pitching prospects. It's not the craziest thing, but 361 00:20:56,600 --> 00:20:58,440 Speaker 1: I think the craziest thing would be to trade him 362 00:20:58,440 --> 00:21:01,960 Speaker 1: at this deadline for any variety of reasons for this 363 00:21:02,160 --> 00:21:05,280 Speaker 1: Marlins rotation to reach its ultimate potential. I think that 364 00:21:05,320 --> 00:21:08,280 Speaker 1: includes Trevor getting back on track to what we saw 365 00:21:08,359 --> 00:21:11,320 Speaker 1: in twenty twenty one. Yeah, one other guy I want 366 00:21:11,320 --> 00:21:13,359 Speaker 1: to throw into this category all the way down on 367 00:21:13,400 --> 00:21:17,280 Speaker 1: the farm in Low A, the Marlins twenty twenty one 368 00:21:17,359 --> 00:21:21,119 Speaker 1: first round draft pick Khalil Watson. I was on the 369 00:21:21,160 --> 00:21:25,200 Speaker 1: first to point out with Khalil that there were concerning 370 00:21:25,400 --> 00:21:29,200 Speaker 1: underlying traits to how he was performing with Low A Jupiter, 371 00:21:29,680 --> 00:21:33,720 Speaker 1: that his plate discipline and his simple contact skills were 372 00:21:34,080 --> 00:21:36,320 Speaker 1: nonexistent to this point. 373 00:21:36,080 --> 00:21:36,439 Speaker 2: In the year. 374 00:21:36,480 --> 00:21:39,520 Speaker 1: If you haven't been keeping track, he's been just a 375 00:21:39,560 --> 00:21:43,639 Speaker 1: well below average hitter, but he's only nineteen years old 376 00:21:44,080 --> 00:21:48,720 Speaker 1: at that stage. The strikeout rate is astronomical this year, 377 00:21:48,880 --> 00:21:52,960 Speaker 1: striking out geez well over forty percent of the time. 378 00:21:53,000 --> 00:21:55,080 Speaker 1: It has been coming down recently, so it drops no 379 00:21:55,160 --> 00:21:57,639 Speaker 1: longer in the forties, but still in the high thirties 380 00:21:58,320 --> 00:22:01,159 Speaker 1: at low A right now, we'll hit a lot for 381 00:22:01,440 --> 00:22:02,919 Speaker 1: a lot of power early in the year, and that 382 00:22:02,960 --> 00:22:06,080 Speaker 1: hasn't really been there. You just need to take a 383 00:22:06,080 --> 00:22:09,240 Speaker 1: step back understand what a challenging assignment this is for Watson, 384 00:22:09,680 --> 00:22:11,960 Speaker 1: only one year out of high school to be playing 385 00:22:11,960 --> 00:22:14,239 Speaker 1: at full season ball, a couple of years younger than 386 00:22:14,320 --> 00:22:19,119 Speaker 1: the league average in the Southeast League. His offensive potential 387 00:22:19,800 --> 00:22:23,040 Speaker 1: is I think unmatched among any prospects in this organization 388 00:22:23,720 --> 00:22:26,840 Speaker 1: right now. He can do a little bit of absolutely 389 00:22:26,840 --> 00:22:30,760 Speaker 1: everything offensively, and even if he doesn't stick at shortstop, 390 00:22:30,840 --> 00:22:34,119 Speaker 1: I think there is some way that he can be 391 00:22:34,160 --> 00:22:38,320 Speaker 1: a passable second baseman at higher levels this year. Another 392 00:22:38,359 --> 00:22:40,680 Speaker 1: player to just reassess at the end of the year. 393 00:22:41,160 --> 00:22:43,360 Speaker 1: If he doesn't make it out of Loway this year 394 00:22:43,400 --> 00:22:48,239 Speaker 1: and if the numbers don't improve considerably, then leg will 395 00:22:48,280 --> 00:22:51,760 Speaker 1: look at making some pretty significant adjustments with him. I 396 00:22:51,800 --> 00:22:54,280 Speaker 1: think either way, they got such a great value that 397 00:22:54,280 --> 00:22:56,119 Speaker 1: he fell into their laps in the first place. I 398 00:22:56,160 --> 00:22:59,320 Speaker 1: don't think they're going to be out on him this soon. 399 00:22:59,359 --> 00:23:01,879 Speaker 1: It'd be selling because other teams can obviously see what 400 00:23:01,880 --> 00:23:07,080 Speaker 1: we see publicly with his offensive approach issues, and so 401 00:23:07,119 --> 00:23:09,399 Speaker 1: the Marlins would not be getting the same value in 402 00:23:09,480 --> 00:23:13,320 Speaker 1: return as they would had they could potentially consider dealing 403 00:23:13,359 --> 00:23:15,960 Speaker 1: him prior to the season. I don't think it's worth it. 404 00:23:16,000 --> 00:23:17,680 Speaker 1: I don't think it's worth it and having him haunt 405 00:23:17,760 --> 00:23:20,760 Speaker 1: you from Afar several years down the road. Just sit 406 00:23:20,840 --> 00:23:24,400 Speaker 1: tight on Khalil. He should get better, and if he doesn't, 407 00:23:24,400 --> 00:23:30,200 Speaker 1: that's something to evaluate further down the road. This will 408 00:23:30,200 --> 00:23:34,639 Speaker 1: be our fourth category called let's get him healthy. Let 409 00:23:34,720 --> 00:23:37,280 Speaker 1: him get healthy. Let him get healthy. Yeah, let him 410 00:23:37,320 --> 00:23:41,080 Speaker 1: get healthy. Two guys in here, two lefty pitchers that 411 00:23:41,359 --> 00:23:43,560 Speaker 1: I think have a lot in common, Hey sous Lozardo 412 00:23:43,720 --> 00:23:47,040 Speaker 1: and Jake Eder Eater working his way back from Tommy 413 00:23:47,119 --> 00:23:51,120 Speaker 1: John surgery that he had last August, and Lozardo, who 414 00:23:51,160 --> 00:23:52,800 Speaker 1: has been out for the last several months due to 415 00:23:52,840 --> 00:23:56,640 Speaker 1: a four arm strain, which in the worst cases does 416 00:23:57,440 --> 00:24:00,480 Speaker 1: tend to relate to UCL damage in record wire that 417 00:24:00,600 --> 00:24:04,640 Speaker 1: type of ligament repair. To this point, optimism that Lozardo 418 00:24:04,720 --> 00:24:08,000 Speaker 1: is going to make it back without surgery. He's slowly progressing. 419 00:24:08,040 --> 00:24:10,960 Speaker 1: We should see him as a starter for the Marlins 420 00:24:11,880 --> 00:24:14,800 Speaker 1: in September and hopefully for a good chunk of August 421 00:24:14,840 --> 00:24:17,560 Speaker 1: as well. With Lozardo, we've seen him in the big 422 00:24:17,640 --> 00:24:20,040 Speaker 1: leagues a lot of ups and downs. I was skeptical 423 00:24:20,720 --> 00:24:22,960 Speaker 1: of what he would do for this Marlin steam entering 424 00:24:22,960 --> 00:24:25,879 Speaker 1: twenty twenty two, but I think anybody that's watched his 425 00:24:25,920 --> 00:24:28,520 Speaker 1: starts could see the numbers don't even do it justice 426 00:24:28,560 --> 00:24:31,200 Speaker 1: for him to have kind of a four ish er 427 00:24:31,720 --> 00:24:34,720 Speaker 1: and not working two deep into games. But the swing 428 00:24:34,800 --> 00:24:41,960 Speaker 1: and miss potential is immense for Lozardo, and I think 429 00:24:42,000 --> 00:24:44,640 Speaker 1: that if he does have a larger sample pitching anything 430 00:24:44,680 --> 00:24:47,560 Speaker 1: like he did in spring training and in April and 431 00:24:47,600 --> 00:24:50,399 Speaker 1: in early May before his injury, that he could stick 432 00:24:50,520 --> 00:24:53,280 Speaker 1: as a starting pitcher, and he is somebody that they 433 00:24:54,480 --> 00:24:56,159 Speaker 1: is part of the solution for this team, even if 434 00:24:56,160 --> 00:25:00,560 Speaker 1: he eventually moves into the bullpen. I think bottom line 435 00:25:00,600 --> 00:25:02,679 Speaker 1: is that he's working his way back from injury. If 436 00:25:02,720 --> 00:25:05,359 Speaker 1: they do when the trade deadline comes on August second, 437 00:25:05,400 --> 00:25:07,680 Speaker 1: I'm not even sure if he'll be fully through his 438 00:25:07,840 --> 00:25:12,399 Speaker 1: rehab start portion of coming back. It just would be 439 00:25:12,480 --> 00:25:16,919 Speaker 1: really messy. It would not be wise to cut the 440 00:25:16,920 --> 00:25:20,720 Speaker 1: cord with somebody that has made some really exciting adjustments 441 00:25:21,119 --> 00:25:25,760 Speaker 1: to both his sequencing and his pitch mix. The fact 442 00:25:25,760 --> 00:25:28,119 Speaker 1: that his stuff simply ticked up from even where it 443 00:25:28,200 --> 00:25:33,240 Speaker 1: was before. I think you just need to be patient 444 00:25:33,280 --> 00:25:36,399 Speaker 1: with his rehab and hope to see him back in 445 00:25:36,440 --> 00:25:39,520 Speaker 1: the majors before the end of the year. With Eater, 446 00:25:39,800 --> 00:25:42,960 Speaker 1: he's already been ruled out from this minor league season 447 00:25:43,000 --> 00:25:45,800 Speaker 1: in twenty twenty two. I did believe I brought up 448 00:25:45,800 --> 00:25:48,480 Speaker 1: his name as somebody to throw around in trade package 449 00:25:48,520 --> 00:25:51,159 Speaker 1: his last offseason. That was under the premise that the 450 00:25:51,160 --> 00:25:54,120 Speaker 1: Marlins could be a potential contender here in twenty twenty two, 451 00:25:54,680 --> 00:25:58,080 Speaker 1: and that Eater being ruled out for the year wouldn't 452 00:25:58,080 --> 00:26:02,160 Speaker 1: make sense to coddle him when you could flip him 453 00:26:02,160 --> 00:26:06,440 Speaker 1: for a more win now piece to this team. Now 454 00:26:06,560 --> 00:26:09,640 Speaker 1: understanding the reality that obviously doesn't make sense, I think 455 00:26:09,640 --> 00:26:13,320 Speaker 1: you guys need a reminder about how dominant Eater was 456 00:26:13,840 --> 00:26:16,639 Speaker 1: last year. I don't use that word lightly, but in 457 00:26:16,720 --> 00:26:20,119 Speaker 1: Double A sens straight to Double A to begin his 458 00:26:20,160 --> 00:26:24,240 Speaker 1: minor league career a one seven seven ERA in fifteen starts, 459 00:26:24,720 --> 00:26:27,920 Speaker 1: ninety nine strikeouts and seventy one in a third innings 460 00:26:28,880 --> 00:26:35,000 Speaker 1: at He has this two pitch mix that is almost impeccable, 461 00:26:35,040 --> 00:26:38,120 Speaker 1: with his fastball the way he commands it, and his 462 00:26:38,200 --> 00:26:41,639 Speaker 1: breaking ball that is good for both cald strikes and 463 00:26:41,720 --> 00:26:45,320 Speaker 1: whiffs against lefties and against righty's, especially against lefties, so 464 00:26:46,040 --> 00:26:48,359 Speaker 1: that his floor is pretty high as long as he 465 00:26:48,359 --> 00:26:51,679 Speaker 1: gets healthy, this being Tommy John surgery instead of something 466 00:26:51,840 --> 00:26:54,320 Speaker 1: a little bit more exotic. I think he just need 467 00:26:54,320 --> 00:26:57,760 Speaker 1: to be patient with Eeter as well. So give him 468 00:26:57,800 --> 00:27:01,080 Speaker 1: time to get healthy to get back, let him pitch 469 00:27:01,760 --> 00:27:06,040 Speaker 1: go into twenty twenty three, probably with him at Triple A, 470 00:27:06,600 --> 00:27:10,080 Speaker 1: and then you see where it goes from there. I 471 00:27:10,080 --> 00:27:12,359 Speaker 1: would not sell low on him. For as much as 472 00:27:12,840 --> 00:27:15,720 Speaker 1: they're excited about the other pitching talents in this organization, 473 00:27:16,080 --> 00:27:19,280 Speaker 1: Eater is still, in my opinion, right near the top 474 00:27:19,280 --> 00:27:21,280 Speaker 1: of the list of their best pitching prospects. It goes 475 00:27:21,520 --> 00:27:25,000 Speaker 1: Uri Perez, Max Meyer, and then you have some guys 476 00:27:25,040 --> 00:27:28,280 Speaker 1: that graduated like Edward Cabrera, He's no longer a prospect anymore. 477 00:27:28,600 --> 00:27:31,800 Speaker 1: And frankly, Max is probably gonna graduate from eligibility later 478 00:27:31,840 --> 00:27:35,280 Speaker 1: this year. So then you have Eater. Eater is at 479 00:27:35,280 --> 00:27:38,520 Speaker 1: the top of the list of lefty pitching prospects in 480 00:27:38,560 --> 00:27:42,560 Speaker 1: this organization right now. So take your time with him 481 00:27:42,840 --> 00:27:46,840 Speaker 1: and don't panic, because he's gonna be hard to replace, 482 00:27:47,520 --> 00:27:50,600 Speaker 1: and fingers crossed that he comes back looking the same 483 00:27:50,640 --> 00:27:54,399 Speaker 1: way that he did in twenty twenty one. Finally, this 484 00:27:54,480 --> 00:27:56,800 Speaker 1: will be the twelfth player we feature here in a 485 00:27:56,880 --> 00:28:03,440 Speaker 1: category all to himself, the loyal Bucket. It is Miguel Rojas. 486 00:28:04,520 --> 00:28:07,159 Speaker 1: Things got a little spicy between this fan base and 487 00:28:07,359 --> 00:28:10,200 Speaker 1: Rojas earlier this year. He got off to a dreadful 488 00:28:10,200 --> 00:28:14,000 Speaker 1: start to the season. They were seeing him play shortstop 489 00:28:14,040 --> 00:28:17,840 Speaker 1: every single day and reminded about the team's missed opportunities 490 00:28:17,880 --> 00:28:21,800 Speaker 1: to upgrade at shortstop during the off season. And he 491 00:28:21,880 --> 00:28:25,040 Speaker 1: has steadily come out of it. I mean to this point. Offensively, 492 00:28:25,160 --> 00:28:28,160 Speaker 1: he is nearly a carving copy of his career numbers, 493 00:28:28,880 --> 00:28:32,760 Speaker 1: with awaighted runs created plus in the high eighties, and 494 00:28:33,520 --> 00:28:38,560 Speaker 1: especially his defense has been wonderful recently. I mean it 495 00:28:38,640 --> 00:28:40,760 Speaker 1: was fine, I guess early in the year, but he 496 00:28:40,840 --> 00:28:45,200 Speaker 1: is playing as well as ever defensively at age thirty three, 497 00:28:46,000 --> 00:28:48,600 Speaker 1: and he's hitting for as much power as he ever 498 00:28:48,640 --> 00:28:50,760 Speaker 1: has too. I think I've brought this up several times 499 00:28:51,040 --> 00:28:53,200 Speaker 1: on pace for a career high in home runs this 500 00:28:53,320 --> 00:28:57,760 Speaker 1: year as well. He still makes a ton of contact 501 00:28:58,040 --> 00:28:59,880 Speaker 1: for a team that has had a lot of frustration 502 00:29:00,440 --> 00:29:04,200 Speaker 1: with strikeouts and unproductive outs at the worst possible times, 503 00:29:04,280 --> 00:29:09,080 Speaker 1: Rojas is not a concern in that particular way. So 504 00:29:09,160 --> 00:29:11,400 Speaker 1: as we wrap this up as the Marlins wrap up 505 00:29:11,400 --> 00:29:15,840 Speaker 1: and improbable come back win Sandy going the distance, I'm 506 00:29:15,840 --> 00:29:18,240 Speaker 1: sure you'll hear a whole lot about that on coverage 507 00:29:18,280 --> 00:29:22,520 Speaker 1: on our website as well as our other platforms here 508 00:29:22,560 --> 00:29:26,560 Speaker 1: on Fish Drives. But going back to Miguel Rojas, some 509 00:29:26,600 --> 00:29:29,000 Speaker 1: players just are not meant to be traded. Some players 510 00:29:29,000 --> 00:29:31,520 Speaker 1: aren't meant to be sold at the highest value. Some 511 00:29:31,560 --> 00:29:36,200 Speaker 1: players are just meant to stick around. They're just part 512 00:29:36,280 --> 00:29:40,880 Speaker 1: of the fabric of your organization. This Marlins team, they've 513 00:29:40,920 --> 00:29:45,760 Speaker 1: been so long missing this kind of steady presence in 514 00:29:45,800 --> 00:29:50,440 Speaker 1: their organization, and I think Miggey has gone through the 515 00:29:50,480 --> 00:29:53,800 Speaker 1: worst of the turbulence earlier this year. On and off 516 00:29:53,800 --> 00:29:56,720 Speaker 1: the field, he's still part of putting together the best 517 00:29:56,720 --> 00:30:00,600 Speaker 1: possible team for twenty twenty three. As long as he 518 00:30:00,640 --> 00:30:02,200 Speaker 1: wants to be in the majors, I think there's a 519 00:30:02,240 --> 00:30:05,720 Speaker 1: role for him on the Marlins. He is aging pretty 520 00:30:05,760 --> 00:30:08,200 Speaker 1: smoothly overall, when you take a step back from the 521 00:30:08,240 --> 00:30:13,760 Speaker 1: slumps that are natural in a season. Overall, Wow, Niggee 522 00:30:13,800 --> 00:30:17,680 Speaker 1: is still a big part of this team. And the 523 00:30:17,680 --> 00:30:20,040 Speaker 1: fact that his defense is what it is at this 524 00:30:20,160 --> 00:30:23,680 Speaker 1: age at shortstop, I think the realistic expectation that he 525 00:30:23,720 --> 00:30:26,920 Speaker 1: won't be relied on as the everyday shortstop beyond this year, 526 00:30:28,000 --> 00:30:31,120 Speaker 1: the way that he has produced historically against left handed pitching, 527 00:30:31,720 --> 00:30:34,280 Speaker 1: and just all the fundamental things that he does well 528 00:30:34,440 --> 00:30:36,880 Speaker 1: that he imparts to others. I don't think he could 529 00:30:36,880 --> 00:30:39,040 Speaker 1: put a price on that. I don't think you'd be 530 00:30:39,080 --> 00:30:43,360 Speaker 1: satisfied flipping that for minor leaguers and just hoping that 531 00:30:43,400 --> 00:30:46,440 Speaker 1: they turn into something. That he is more valuable to 532 00:30:46,480 --> 00:30:50,360 Speaker 1: the Marlins than he can be anywhere else, And as 533 00:30:51,320 --> 00:30:53,400 Speaker 1: tempting as it will be at this deadline, I think 534 00:30:53,440 --> 00:30:57,280 Speaker 1: to get something of value for him in exchange, I 535 00:30:57,280 --> 00:31:01,440 Speaker 1: think they should pass on that. And I think he 536 00:31:01,520 --> 00:31:04,560 Speaker 1: belongs in the same conversation, believe it or not as 537 00:31:04,600 --> 00:31:07,640 Speaker 1: Sandy and Jazz and Yuri, not saying they're on the 538 00:31:07,640 --> 00:31:11,720 Speaker 1: same level talent wise, not saying that their future value 539 00:31:12,200 --> 00:31:16,960 Speaker 1: is in the same stratosphere with those guys and with Miggy. Nonetheless, 540 00:31:17,280 --> 00:31:20,120 Speaker 1: there are certain players that they need to hold on 541 00:31:20,160 --> 00:31:24,400 Speaker 1: to through this deadline that still have a place in 542 00:31:24,440 --> 00:31:28,400 Speaker 1: this organization, even in a season that has been for 543 00:31:28,440 --> 00:31:31,760 Speaker 1: the most part underwhelming. And I think Miggie Rowe is 544 00:31:31,800 --> 00:31:34,800 Speaker 1: still a Marlin for the rest of twenty twenty two 545 00:31:34,920 --> 00:31:38,400 Speaker 1: and hopefully well beyond that as well. So that's my list. 546 00:31:39,120 --> 00:31:41,040 Speaker 1: I think you'll see them in the episode description. I'll 547 00:31:41,040 --> 00:31:43,960 Speaker 1: put together a funny graphic about as well. I'm curious 548 00:31:44,120 --> 00:31:47,840 Speaker 1: who is on your do not trade at the deadline 549 00:31:47,920 --> 00:31:50,680 Speaker 1: list for whatever variety of reasons. I think I covered 550 00:31:50,840 --> 00:31:53,160 Speaker 1: a lot of different types of players that you'd appreciate. 551 00:31:54,400 --> 00:31:57,280 Speaker 1: My thoughts on Gary Denbow's departure. You can hear that 552 00:31:57,360 --> 00:31:59,320 Speaker 1: on the Small Pod here on this channel. We have 553 00:31:59,360 --> 00:32:02,120 Speaker 1: a couple more live streams coming up in consecutive days, 554 00:32:02,160 --> 00:32:06,040 Speaker 1: a Jeopardy Show on Thursday and our series preview of 555 00:32:06,080 --> 00:32:09,160 Speaker 1: the Nationals on Friday. You can find those on YouTube 556 00:32:09,440 --> 00:32:12,080 Speaker 1: and Twitter and Facebook, and of course all of our 557 00:32:12,240 --> 00:32:17,800 Speaker 1: analysis and news coverage, opinions, etc. On fish stripes dot com. 558 00:32:18,120 --> 00:32:20,840 Speaker 1: It's going to be such an exhausting month plus for sure. 559 00:32:21,680 --> 00:32:24,200 Speaker 1: This is what we build up for every year, regardless 560 00:32:24,200 --> 00:32:27,200 Speaker 1: of how the team performs. Marlon to keep it super 561 00:32:27,280 --> 00:32:30,600 Speaker 1: duper interesting, don't they. So. I've been Eli Susman the 562 00:32:30,640 --> 00:32:34,440 Speaker 1: official show on the Fish Stripes podcast channel. Thanks as 563 00:32:34,480 --> 00:32:45,960 Speaker 1: always for the support and go fish