1 00:00:12,720 --> 00:00:17,200 Speaker 1: The show goes on the official show on the Fish 2 00:00:17,200 --> 00:00:22,479 Speaker 1: Stripes podcast channel, with me Eli Sussman speaking to you 3 00:00:22,760 --> 00:00:25,880 Speaker 1: from the parking lot of a Publix in West Palm 4 00:00:25,880 --> 00:00:30,560 Speaker 1: Beach with about sixty nine percent of my voice gone 5 00:00:30,680 --> 00:00:33,960 Speaker 1: after attending the past few Marlins games here in Florida. 6 00:00:34,000 --> 00:00:35,960 Speaker 1: I'll talk more about that trip at the end of 7 00:00:36,040 --> 00:00:39,240 Speaker 1: the pod. This is where we cover your Miami Marlins 8 00:00:39,600 --> 00:00:42,919 Speaker 1: every day in our own way. I guess it could 9 00:00:42,960 --> 00:00:45,560 Speaker 1: have been justifiable for me to take a Monday off 10 00:00:45,640 --> 00:00:48,880 Speaker 1: on recording the pod while I'm still finishing up this trip. 11 00:00:49,440 --> 00:00:50,559 Speaker 2: But there's a lot going on. 12 00:00:50,760 --> 00:00:53,760 Speaker 1: This is the unofficial midpoint of the twenty twenty two 13 00:00:54,040 --> 00:00:57,680 Speaker 1: Grapefruit League schedule. I wanted to go through a whole 14 00:00:57,680 --> 00:01:00,800 Speaker 1: bunch of takeaways and of course you up to date 15 00:01:00,880 --> 00:01:03,280 Speaker 1: on the latest of what's going on in camp with 16 00:01:03,320 --> 00:01:08,000 Speaker 1: this Marlins team, just eleven days away from their opening 17 00:01:08,080 --> 00:01:11,120 Speaker 1: day game of the twenty twenty two regular season, the 18 00:01:11,280 --> 00:01:15,639 Speaker 1: most anticipated regular season for sure of this team since 19 00:01:15,760 --> 00:01:20,000 Speaker 1: the ownership change under Bruce Sherman. To start with a 20 00:01:20,160 --> 00:01:24,560 Speaker 1: very general overview, eight games into the fifteen game Grapefruit 21 00:01:24,640 --> 00:01:27,920 Speaker 1: League slate, the Marlins have a five and three record 22 00:01:28,480 --> 00:01:32,760 Speaker 1: as usual Underdi Mattingly performing well as a group, and 23 00:01:32,840 --> 00:01:35,440 Speaker 1: more of that goes to the pitching staff's credit. Only 24 00:01:35,520 --> 00:01:39,360 Speaker 1: one game all spring where they've allowed more than four 25 00:01:39,440 --> 00:01:43,760 Speaker 1: runs to an opposing team. It just shows with both 26 00:01:43,800 --> 00:01:47,600 Speaker 1: the major leaguers the NRIs that they always seem to 27 00:01:47,640 --> 00:01:50,640 Speaker 1: have very good luck with plucking on minor league deals 28 00:01:51,000 --> 00:01:53,400 Speaker 1: and even some of the prospects that we've seen that 29 00:01:53,480 --> 00:01:56,360 Speaker 1: are outside the forty man getting a chance occasionally to 30 00:01:56,440 --> 00:01:59,480 Speaker 1: contribute in collectively, they do a good job. You can 31 00:01:59,480 --> 00:02:02,280 Speaker 1: put in all the caveats who want about the quality 32 00:02:02,280 --> 00:02:05,960 Speaker 1: of competition they face, you know certain times where they 33 00:02:06,000 --> 00:02:09,320 Speaker 1: go against The example that sticks out is the first 34 00:02:09,320 --> 00:02:12,800 Speaker 1: game against the Astros in the spring where Houston really 35 00:02:13,000 --> 00:02:16,520 Speaker 1: did their absolute best to comprise an entire unit of 36 00:02:16,600 --> 00:02:21,280 Speaker 1: baseball players that were frankly nobody's going as far as 37 00:02:21,280 --> 00:02:25,520 Speaker 1: they possibly could to leave away recognizable players that there 38 00:02:25,560 --> 00:02:27,720 Speaker 1: have been a few of those this spring for the Marlins, 39 00:02:27,760 --> 00:02:30,480 Speaker 1: and they have taken advantage of them. But I think 40 00:02:30,520 --> 00:02:33,200 Speaker 1: even when you adjust for all the caveats, that they've 41 00:02:33,200 --> 00:02:35,440 Speaker 1: performed about as well as any other team in this 42 00:02:36,160 --> 00:02:39,440 Speaker 1: South Florida pod that they're in that also includes the Astros, 43 00:02:39,600 --> 00:02:46,960 Speaker 1: the Nationals, the Cardinals, the Mets, and the Marlins themselves Marlins, Nationals, Astros, Mets, Cardinals. 44 00:02:47,200 --> 00:02:50,519 Speaker 1: Those five teams, so seven games remaining on this great 45 00:02:50,520 --> 00:02:53,680 Speaker 1: for League slate, and some of the players that have 46 00:02:53,800 --> 00:02:56,440 Speaker 1: been contributors so far this spring are not going to 47 00:02:56,680 --> 00:02:59,720 Speaker 1: really be involved much as they try to divvy up 48 00:03:00,080 --> 00:03:03,360 Speaker 1: what the shreds of playing time that remains. When you 49 00:03:03,440 --> 00:03:07,400 Speaker 1: really boil it down, it's a maximum of GUS sixty 50 00:03:07,440 --> 00:03:10,600 Speaker 1: three innings that we have left in spring training to 51 00:03:11,800 --> 00:03:13,119 Speaker 1: make decisions about this team. 52 00:03:13,120 --> 00:03:14,040 Speaker 2: And that's why the team has. 53 00:03:13,919 --> 00:03:19,079 Speaker 1: Already been busy formally optioning players, reassigning players to make 54 00:03:19,120 --> 00:03:23,560 Speaker 1: it clear that they are whittling it down to what 55 00:03:23,600 --> 00:03:27,160 Speaker 1: will be a twenty eight man opening day roster, to 56 00:03:27,280 --> 00:03:31,239 Speaker 1: react to some of those internal roster machinations and a 57 00:03:31,320 --> 00:03:33,160 Speaker 1: couple external moves as well. 58 00:03:33,760 --> 00:03:34,280 Speaker 2: Recently. 59 00:03:35,400 --> 00:03:39,120 Speaker 1: Really it is now that we've seen given a few 60 00:03:39,200 --> 00:03:43,000 Speaker 1: days removal from the decision to cut ties with Monte Harrison. 61 00:03:43,360 --> 00:03:46,440 Speaker 1: Remember he was designated for assignment so that the Marlins 62 00:03:46,560 --> 00:03:50,800 Speaker 1: could claim a right handed pitcher Joan Lopez, who, when 63 00:03:50,800 --> 00:03:53,960 Speaker 1: you dive into it, was a semi intriguing bullpen arm 64 00:03:53,960 --> 00:03:56,920 Speaker 1: who had considerable major league experience, even though not a 65 00:03:56,920 --> 00:04:01,360 Speaker 1: whole lot of success, and as it turns out, as 66 00:04:01,400 --> 00:04:06,440 Speaker 1: I'm recording this on Sunday, Lopez was barely a week 67 00:04:06,600 --> 00:04:10,280 Speaker 1: after being claimed by the Marlins and squeezing off Monte 68 00:04:10,320 --> 00:04:13,080 Speaker 1: Harrison For all the potential that he used to have 69 00:04:13,160 --> 00:04:16,680 Speaker 1: and maybe still does have, Lopez himself has been designated 70 00:04:16,720 --> 00:04:20,080 Speaker 1: for assignment with the Marlins instead giving that roster spot 71 00:04:20,120 --> 00:04:21,719 Speaker 1: to right hander Tommy Nance. 72 00:04:22,800 --> 00:04:25,160 Speaker 2: This is one that I'm kind of fine with. 73 00:04:25,279 --> 00:04:28,400 Speaker 1: Tommy Nance was very effective at the start of the 74 00:04:28,400 --> 00:04:31,960 Speaker 1: twenty twenty one season came. He has a really interesting story, 75 00:04:32,440 --> 00:04:36,520 Speaker 1: having gone through the independent ball ranks and just debuting 76 00:04:36,839 --> 00:04:39,480 Speaker 1: in twenty twenty one when he was a thirty year old, 77 00:04:39,960 --> 00:04:44,240 Speaker 1: very unusual. Some parallels to Lewis Head, for example, who 78 00:04:44,279 --> 00:04:47,719 Speaker 1: the Marlins of course traded for towards the beginning of 79 00:04:47,760 --> 00:04:50,320 Speaker 1: the offseason. This is a guy kind of in that 80 00:04:50,360 --> 00:04:54,760 Speaker 1: same vein, except his overall stats are more underwhelming than 81 00:04:54,800 --> 00:04:57,520 Speaker 1: Heads are. For sure, Nance had I believe it was 82 00:04:57,560 --> 00:05:00,200 Speaker 1: a twelve ending scoreless streak to begin his man major 83 00:05:00,279 --> 00:05:03,640 Speaker 1: league career last year, and then the wheels really fell 84 00:05:03,680 --> 00:05:08,919 Speaker 1: off almost precisely when Major League Baseball began checking and 85 00:05:09,120 --> 00:05:13,360 Speaker 1: enforcing sticky substances that pitchers were using to grip the ball. 86 00:05:14,480 --> 00:05:16,920 Speaker 1: Without those, his spin rates dropped off a little bit 87 00:05:16,960 --> 00:05:21,400 Speaker 1: and his effectiveness really took a nose dive as well. 88 00:05:21,720 --> 00:05:22,840 Speaker 2: With Tommy Nance. 89 00:05:23,240 --> 00:05:25,680 Speaker 1: So it turns out in this situation with a Cubs 90 00:05:25,680 --> 00:05:30,039 Speaker 1: team that is way more pitcher needy than the Marlins 91 00:05:30,040 --> 00:05:33,359 Speaker 1: are if they were willing to dfa him, then it 92 00:05:33,480 --> 00:05:36,600 Speaker 1: just shows that there's a big question about exactly how 93 00:05:36,640 --> 00:05:40,560 Speaker 1: he adjusts, not only of course seeing competition again, but 94 00:05:40,600 --> 00:05:44,200 Speaker 1: whether if his pitch characteristics are a little bit different, 95 00:05:44,240 --> 00:05:46,680 Speaker 1: will they still be as effective. Does it put more 96 00:05:46,720 --> 00:05:50,520 Speaker 1: pressure on the rest of his repertoire to pick up 97 00:05:50,520 --> 00:05:55,000 Speaker 1: the slack if his breaking balls themselves aren't doing as 98 00:05:55,080 --> 00:05:57,840 Speaker 1: much damage as they used to too. 99 00:06:00,160 --> 00:06:04,239 Speaker 2: Side corner ball game, Nice work, Tommy Nance. 100 00:06:04,320 --> 00:06:09,400 Speaker 1: Cubs win with Nancy still has a couple of minor 101 00:06:09,480 --> 00:06:11,960 Speaker 1: league options remaining for him to be claimed on this 102 00:06:12,160 --> 00:06:15,560 Speaker 1: short notice before opening day, it does not seem that 103 00:06:15,600 --> 00:06:20,280 Speaker 1: he's in contention for that job. In particular, among the 104 00:06:20,360 --> 00:06:23,240 Speaker 1: internal moves, the guys that we've seen option down a 105 00:06:23,440 --> 00:06:27,520 Speaker 1: drawer in cronassion unsurprising. He still needs to kind of 106 00:06:27,680 --> 00:06:30,400 Speaker 1: prove himself at the Triple A level for sure, and 107 00:06:30,480 --> 00:06:32,039 Speaker 1: really the Double A level as well. 108 00:06:32,440 --> 00:06:35,080 Speaker 2: Laywin Diaz. People have been. 109 00:06:36,760 --> 00:06:39,880 Speaker 1: Irritated that Laywin was hyped up as much as he 110 00:06:40,040 --> 00:06:43,720 Speaker 1: was two full years ago and now just still does 111 00:06:43,800 --> 00:06:47,400 Speaker 1: not have a spot at all on this Marlins team 112 00:06:47,480 --> 00:06:50,000 Speaker 1: because they are holding on to there are other first 113 00:06:50,040 --> 00:06:52,719 Speaker 1: base only guys. We've talked about this particular subject before, 114 00:06:53,160 --> 00:06:58,720 Speaker 1: about choosing between Aguilar, Cooper, and Laywin Diaz. No more 115 00:06:58,760 --> 00:07:00,719 Speaker 1: than two out of three really makes sense on the 116 00:07:00,760 --> 00:07:05,760 Speaker 1: roster at any one time. Then the Marlins seem fully 117 00:07:05,800 --> 00:07:10,200 Speaker 1: intending to have it be Aguilar and Cooper be those 118 00:07:10,200 --> 00:07:14,840 Speaker 1: two on their active roster, and having Leywin just wait 119 00:07:14,920 --> 00:07:18,320 Speaker 1: his turn until an injury arises between one of those two. 120 00:07:20,120 --> 00:07:24,200 Speaker 1: It's a very curious situation considering how hyped up Laywan 121 00:07:24,440 --> 00:07:27,080 Speaker 1: was and how this is going to be his final 122 00:07:27,200 --> 00:07:31,920 Speaker 1: minor league option year, so as this year goes on, 123 00:07:33,320 --> 00:07:36,160 Speaker 1: he better be fully ready to seize a full time 124 00:07:36,240 --> 00:07:39,200 Speaker 1: job in twenty twenty three. Otherwise, this is kind of 125 00:07:39,240 --> 00:07:43,200 Speaker 1: the circumstances where very good prospects just don't pan out 126 00:07:43,280 --> 00:07:46,880 Speaker 1: if they are handled in such a way to like 127 00:07:47,000 --> 00:07:50,840 Speaker 1: not getting the appropriate mix of reps at the major 128 00:07:50,920 --> 00:07:54,680 Speaker 1: league level at the appropriate time that there it just 129 00:07:54,680 --> 00:07:57,960 Speaker 1: comes a point where, once those players are in the 130 00:07:57,960 --> 00:08:01,240 Speaker 1: big leagues, if they are out of options, you just 131 00:08:01,240 --> 00:08:04,240 Speaker 1: do not have the flexibility to guide them through those 132 00:08:04,360 --> 00:08:09,160 Speaker 1: rough patches. The marlin's better be extremely confident that he 133 00:08:09,280 --> 00:08:12,240 Speaker 1: is that he's going to be able to handle this 134 00:08:12,360 --> 00:08:16,240 Speaker 1: the right way. Not everybody does, both in terms of 135 00:08:16,280 --> 00:08:19,600 Speaker 1: the actual preparation they put in and the psychology of it. 136 00:08:19,760 --> 00:08:22,160 Speaker 1: Knowing that he was playing almost on a daily basis 137 00:08:22,720 --> 00:08:25,440 Speaker 1: last September in the big leagues and he has already 138 00:08:25,520 --> 00:08:29,080 Speaker 1: performed very well at the Triple A level, it's a 139 00:08:29,120 --> 00:08:32,080 Speaker 1: tough spot for him, it really is. But on a 140 00:08:32,120 --> 00:08:35,520 Speaker 1: similar note, we also need to mention Nick Fortes and 141 00:08:35,600 --> 00:08:38,600 Speaker 1: Brian de la Cruz. Now Fortes it was a tiny 142 00:08:38,640 --> 00:08:40,760 Speaker 1: sample at the end of last year in the major 143 00:08:40,840 --> 00:08:43,640 Speaker 1: leagues on the heels of what was a fairly large 144 00:08:43,679 --> 00:08:46,240 Speaker 1: sample though at Double A and Triple A, of him 145 00:08:46,320 --> 00:08:50,040 Speaker 1: just being a really good overall hitter, a catcher that 146 00:08:50,160 --> 00:08:53,559 Speaker 1: has good bat to ball skills and who draws rave 147 00:08:53,640 --> 00:08:56,600 Speaker 1: reviews from the pitchers that have been throwing to him 148 00:08:56,760 --> 00:08:59,480 Speaker 1: in terms of all the intangibles that he brings behind 149 00:08:59,480 --> 00:09:04,120 Speaker 1: the plate. He is one of the final twenty eighteen draftees, 150 00:09:04,160 --> 00:09:08,120 Speaker 1: the first draft class after the ownership change that still 151 00:09:08,200 --> 00:09:11,080 Speaker 1: really has a viable shot of being a. 152 00:09:10,960 --> 00:09:12,560 Speaker 2: Good big leaguer. 153 00:09:13,080 --> 00:09:16,360 Speaker 1: And as the team is set up, of course, all 154 00:09:16,400 --> 00:09:18,600 Speaker 1: that's open on the catching front of the Majors is 155 00:09:18,600 --> 00:09:22,480 Speaker 1: the backup job. Jacob Stallings is undoubtedly the number one 156 00:09:22,520 --> 00:09:28,520 Speaker 1: option there, but Fortes, in my mind, seems like at 157 00:09:28,559 --> 00:09:30,720 Speaker 1: the very least, you know, the runner up for that 158 00:09:30,800 --> 00:09:34,760 Speaker 1: backup job behind Alex Jackson. Instead, the Marlins send down 159 00:09:34,960 --> 00:09:38,440 Speaker 1: both Jackson, which will be his final option year, and 160 00:09:38,800 --> 00:09:42,760 Speaker 1: Fortes to Triple A. That is unusual to have two 161 00:09:42,760 --> 00:09:47,359 Speaker 1: guys that you are semi invested in to be successful. 162 00:09:47,600 --> 00:09:51,080 Speaker 1: Kind of splitting time at Triple A I suppose between 163 00:09:51,160 --> 00:09:53,720 Speaker 1: catcher and DH, but really most of that time you 164 00:09:53,920 --> 00:09:56,959 Speaker 1: think as the starting catcher if you want to give 165 00:09:57,000 --> 00:10:01,200 Speaker 1: them any shots to develop as actually well rounded play. 166 00:10:01,480 --> 00:10:02,880 Speaker 2: It's a curious handling of it. 167 00:10:02,960 --> 00:10:05,360 Speaker 1: They went all throughout this offseason with four catchers on 168 00:10:05,440 --> 00:10:09,800 Speaker 1: the forty man roster, between Stallings and Fortes, Jackson and 169 00:10:10,520 --> 00:10:13,720 Speaker 1: the winner. You could say of that group. Peydon Henry, 170 00:10:13,920 --> 00:10:15,360 Speaker 1: he is the one that is still with the big 171 00:10:15,480 --> 00:10:19,560 Speaker 1: league team recently biased, but watching him on Sunday, he 172 00:10:19,600 --> 00:10:22,600 Speaker 1: had a lot of trouble receiving the ball on Sunday. 173 00:10:23,679 --> 00:10:24,559 Speaker 2: I'm not even gonna. 174 00:10:24,360 --> 00:10:27,559 Speaker 1: Look at the official stats, but there were two what 175 00:10:27,720 --> 00:10:31,760 Speaker 1: seem to be very egregious past balls and one other 176 00:10:31,960 --> 00:10:35,800 Speaker 1: wild pitch. But I know that otherwise, his defensive game 177 00:10:36,120 --> 00:10:39,120 Speaker 1: is pretty well regarded, as well as his kind of 178 00:10:39,120 --> 00:10:42,240 Speaker 1: offensive ceiling as somebody that is a fairly disciplined hitter 179 00:10:42,280 --> 00:10:44,840 Speaker 1: as well. That was one reason why the Marlins targeted 180 00:10:44,880 --> 00:10:48,560 Speaker 1: him in the first place, trading him acquiring him in 181 00:10:48,559 --> 00:10:51,840 Speaker 1: a trade from the Brewers last July. So interesting to 182 00:10:51,880 --> 00:10:53,680 Speaker 1: see that Henry is going to get his first crack 183 00:10:53,720 --> 00:10:56,760 Speaker 1: at the backup job and that really all those catchers 184 00:10:56,800 --> 00:11:00,720 Speaker 1: are still there. I was somewhat wondering whether that would 185 00:11:00,760 --> 00:11:02,160 Speaker 1: be the case once we got to the start of 186 00:11:02,200 --> 00:11:05,800 Speaker 1: the regular season, whether one of those forty man catchers 187 00:11:05,960 --> 00:11:08,959 Speaker 1: would be more appealing to another organization that actually sees 188 00:11:09,000 --> 00:11:12,559 Speaker 1: them as being part of their current solution, whereas the 189 00:11:12,559 --> 00:11:15,400 Speaker 1: Marlins kind of again having three guys that are essentially 190 00:11:15,440 --> 00:11:19,079 Speaker 1: in the exact same stage of their careers seems redundant. 191 00:11:19,760 --> 00:11:22,840 Speaker 1: Going back to Dela Cruz, this was one of the 192 00:11:22,880 --> 00:11:28,120 Speaker 1: most dispiriting developments for myself and several of our others 193 00:11:28,120 --> 00:11:31,040 Speaker 1: on the Fish Stripe staff. Dela Cruz is very popular 194 00:11:31,480 --> 00:11:35,080 Speaker 1: among us for a good reason. He did perform great 195 00:11:35,480 --> 00:11:38,080 Speaker 1: in his rookie year, just those final two months of 196 00:11:38,120 --> 00:11:41,120 Speaker 1: the twenty twenty one regular season after coming over from 197 00:11:41,200 --> 00:11:44,080 Speaker 1: the Astros, and this is unusual. Just any way you 198 00:11:44,160 --> 00:11:47,520 Speaker 1: slice it, he was an above average major league hitter 199 00:11:48,080 --> 00:11:51,679 Speaker 1: when he was given the chance last year. Overall, if 200 00:11:51,679 --> 00:11:53,800 Speaker 1: you want to go one way, I sorted it was 201 00:11:53,840 --> 00:11:59,000 Speaker 1: by ops plus, so ADJUSTINGPS one, accounting for a park 202 00:11:59,080 --> 00:12:02,880 Speaker 1: factor and your league in your era, he was at 203 00:12:03,000 --> 00:12:08,240 Speaker 1: one thirteen last season, almost the same as Haysiu Sanchez 204 00:12:08,400 --> 00:12:12,760 Speaker 1: one sixteen. Whereas Haysiu Sanchez is on track to be 205 00:12:13,280 --> 00:12:16,760 Speaker 1: an everyday player, pretty much the main center fielder for 206 00:12:16,800 --> 00:12:20,480 Speaker 1: the Marlins to open the season, Dela Cruz is not. 207 00:12:21,080 --> 00:12:23,800 Speaker 1: So some of that is about the roster flexibility. Where 208 00:12:23,880 --> 00:12:27,079 Speaker 1: Sanchez has no minor league options left, de la Cruz 209 00:12:27,120 --> 00:12:31,160 Speaker 1: has all three. And that's the point where I'm not 210 00:12:31,320 --> 00:12:33,600 Speaker 1: totally shocked by the way that the Marlins went about 211 00:12:33,600 --> 00:12:35,560 Speaker 1: this when you just looked at the way that they 212 00:12:35,600 --> 00:12:40,160 Speaker 1: went about their offseason acquiring both avase El Garcia and 213 00:12:40,240 --> 00:12:44,240 Speaker 1: Jorge Soilaire, guys that he really can't expect much of 214 00:12:44,280 --> 00:12:47,080 Speaker 1: at all in terms of playing center field, and with Solaire, 215 00:12:47,120 --> 00:12:50,040 Speaker 1: you can't really expect him to even be an athletic 216 00:12:50,120 --> 00:12:55,520 Speaker 1: option in either corner outfield spots. To make a complimentary team, 217 00:12:55,920 --> 00:13:00,000 Speaker 1: it does behoove the Marlins to have a strong defense 218 00:13:00,120 --> 00:13:02,920 Speaker 1: to v outfielder in the middle of them at least some. 219 00:13:02,920 --> 00:13:03,640 Speaker 2: Part of the time. 220 00:13:04,360 --> 00:13:07,040 Speaker 1: That seems to be what the next step is that 221 00:13:07,120 --> 00:13:10,280 Speaker 1: they will elevate one of their non roster invitees. There 222 00:13:10,280 --> 00:13:16,440 Speaker 1: are a few options, Roman Quinn, Delino Deshields, Brian Miller, 223 00:13:16,640 --> 00:13:19,440 Speaker 1: who we saw a tiny bit in the Majors last year. 224 00:13:19,520 --> 00:13:23,120 Speaker 1: Of those three, Roman Quinn seems to be the most 225 00:13:23,200 --> 00:13:26,800 Speaker 1: likely solution. He was the one that, I mean, they 226 00:13:26,840 --> 00:13:28,920 Speaker 1: got the best head to head looks at him when 227 00:13:28,920 --> 00:13:30,840 Speaker 1: the Marlins played the Phillies in recent years. He was 228 00:13:30,840 --> 00:13:34,360 Speaker 1: the one that signed before Deshields did this spring training, 229 00:13:34,960 --> 00:13:38,559 Speaker 1: and also Brian Miller was not a formal non roster 230 00:13:38,640 --> 00:13:41,280 Speaker 1: invite to the spring training this year. If he was 231 00:13:41,440 --> 00:13:46,319 Speaker 1: under serious consideration, you know, to be one an option 232 00:13:46,480 --> 00:13:48,959 Speaker 1: for the opening day roster, then they would have taken 233 00:13:48,960 --> 00:13:52,760 Speaker 1: that step. The idea that Dela Cruz needs consistent reps 234 00:13:52,800 --> 00:13:55,760 Speaker 1: at Triple A over being a part time player in 235 00:13:55,760 --> 00:13:57,839 Speaker 1: the big leagues, I don't really buy that when he's 236 00:13:57,840 --> 00:14:02,040 Speaker 1: already had success, when he has, above all els a 237 00:14:02,080 --> 00:14:07,280 Speaker 1: really steady hit tool. That is something that I don't 238 00:14:07,360 --> 00:14:11,040 Speaker 1: really think that he's in this situation where it serves 239 00:14:11,080 --> 00:14:13,720 Speaker 1: his purposes in any way to get sent down. This 240 00:14:13,760 --> 00:14:16,439 Speaker 1: is about the Marlins retaining as much talent as they can, 241 00:14:17,320 --> 00:14:19,760 Speaker 1: whether assuming it is one of those free agent and 242 00:14:19,840 --> 00:14:23,040 Speaker 1: oriys that squeeze onto the roster as a defensive minded 243 00:14:23,080 --> 00:14:26,640 Speaker 1: center fielder. Perhaps those guys had opt outs in their 244 00:14:26,640 --> 00:14:29,720 Speaker 1: contract early in the regular season if they weren't already 245 00:14:29,720 --> 00:14:30,320 Speaker 1: on the roster. 246 00:14:30,520 --> 00:14:33,520 Speaker 2: That's a kind of a common practice for. 247 00:14:33,800 --> 00:14:36,720 Speaker 1: Veteran major leaguers on minor league deals, is that they 248 00:14:36,760 --> 00:14:40,320 Speaker 1: get an opportunity to explore other teams if the one 249 00:14:40,360 --> 00:14:43,160 Speaker 1: that they signed with originally is not going to give 250 00:14:43,200 --> 00:14:48,440 Speaker 1: them that opportunity. I don't mind it, but this really 251 00:14:48,480 --> 00:14:50,600 Speaker 1: just traces back to the moves that they didn't make 252 00:14:51,080 --> 00:14:51,800 Speaker 1: this offseason. 253 00:14:52,280 --> 00:14:54,160 Speaker 2: How they insisted. 254 00:14:53,800 --> 00:14:56,560 Speaker 1: Again and again and again that they were going to 255 00:14:56,600 --> 00:14:59,360 Speaker 1: go after like an everyday caliber center field or somebody 256 00:14:59,360 --> 00:15:02,720 Speaker 1: that would have made it a lot more understandable to 257 00:15:04,600 --> 00:15:08,360 Speaker 1: make Dela Cruz more of a depth piece for you. Instead, 258 00:15:08,560 --> 00:15:12,600 Speaker 1: they ended up doing what can only be explained as settling, 259 00:15:12,720 --> 00:15:15,320 Speaker 1: you know, a plan B. When they went with so Laire. 260 00:15:15,400 --> 00:15:19,280 Speaker 1: He was not top of mind for them, and it'll 261 00:15:19,280 --> 00:15:23,360 Speaker 1: be interesting to there's some pressure on him to really 262 00:15:23,880 --> 00:15:29,120 Speaker 1: validate that decision there is. So far, we've had just 263 00:15:29,240 --> 00:15:32,000 Speaker 1: one major league game of Solaire that was on Saturday, 264 00:15:32,000 --> 00:15:34,400 Speaker 1: where he got four at bats in in the early innings. 265 00:15:34,720 --> 00:15:39,440 Speaker 1: On Sunday, he had additional reps on the backfields facing 266 00:15:39,600 --> 00:15:42,440 Speaker 1: Cardinals prospects. By all accounts, he is going to be 267 00:15:42,480 --> 00:15:45,480 Speaker 1: on the opening day roster. Even signing as late as 268 00:15:45,520 --> 00:15:49,160 Speaker 1: he did into March, it is going to be enough time, 269 00:15:49,200 --> 00:15:51,320 Speaker 1: it seems, to get him up to speed and get 270 00:15:51,400 --> 00:15:53,640 Speaker 1: him into the lineup. I'm sure that's going to be 271 00:15:53,640 --> 00:15:55,760 Speaker 1: a hot topic to talk about over this final week 272 00:15:55,760 --> 00:15:58,400 Speaker 1: and a half, is exactly what the Marlins lineup is 273 00:15:58,840 --> 00:16:02,040 Speaker 1: is going to look like. So what I did is 274 00:16:02,040 --> 00:16:04,400 Speaker 1: I jotted down the lineups that they've used so far 275 00:16:04,840 --> 00:16:08,480 Speaker 1: in spring training that frankly aren't all that instructive because 276 00:16:08,520 --> 00:16:10,440 Speaker 1: Solaire has only been in one of them, right on 277 00:16:10,600 --> 00:16:15,800 Speaker 1: March twenty six. In these eight games so far, the 278 00:16:15,840 --> 00:16:18,240 Speaker 1: one inconsistency is Miguel Rojas. 279 00:16:18,280 --> 00:16:19,360 Speaker 2: He is a very. 280 00:16:21,200 --> 00:16:23,480 Speaker 1: Critical piece if you're trying to project exactly what this 281 00:16:23,600 --> 00:16:26,320 Speaker 1: roster looks like. Rohas for a lot of last year 282 00:16:26,360 --> 00:16:30,760 Speaker 1: was batting near the top of the lineup, particularly against 283 00:16:30,960 --> 00:16:34,280 Speaker 1: left handed pitchers. So far this spring, Miggy row has 284 00:16:34,320 --> 00:16:38,680 Speaker 1: been used in the number one spot, number two, number five, 285 00:16:39,840 --> 00:16:44,960 Speaker 1: number seven it looks like, and number nine as well, 286 00:16:45,000 --> 00:16:48,080 Speaker 1: five different spots in the lineup in what I believe 287 00:16:48,200 --> 00:16:52,760 Speaker 1: was only six games started. That's an unusual type of 288 00:16:52,880 --> 00:16:57,640 Speaker 1: versatility there. It is a roster that does not have 289 00:16:57,720 --> 00:17:00,760 Speaker 1: much high end speed in it. Right it had Jazz 290 00:17:01,000 --> 00:17:04,960 Speaker 1: and his athleticism, but he's the one that now that 291 00:17:05,040 --> 00:17:07,280 Speaker 1: they have kind of revamped this roster a little bit. 292 00:17:08,359 --> 00:17:11,080 Speaker 1: What holds Jazz back from being an obvious answer at 293 00:17:11,080 --> 00:17:12,840 Speaker 1: the top of the lineup is his on bas skills. 294 00:17:12,920 --> 00:17:16,120 Speaker 1: This is the guy that, for his career so far 295 00:17:16,280 --> 00:17:19,840 Speaker 1: in the big leagues a two ninety six on base percentage. 296 00:17:20,359 --> 00:17:22,199 Speaker 1: Now that that's kind of the kind of number that 297 00:17:22,320 --> 00:17:25,439 Speaker 1: was typical of all the Marlins hitters in recent years. 298 00:17:25,760 --> 00:17:28,399 Speaker 1: For this current Marlins team, it is a lower career 299 00:17:28,600 --> 00:17:32,439 Speaker 1: mark than anybody else that is lined up to be 300 00:17:32,520 --> 00:17:36,480 Speaker 1: a regular for them right now. Doesn't make sense to 301 00:17:36,600 --> 00:17:38,360 Speaker 1: have him at the top of the lineup just because 302 00:17:38,680 --> 00:17:41,879 Speaker 1: he is speedy and he is makes aggressive base running 303 00:17:41,920 --> 00:17:47,159 Speaker 1: decisions and to satisfy his ego in all that, I 304 00:17:47,200 --> 00:17:49,960 Speaker 1: don't know, you know, based on the most recent couple games, 305 00:17:49,960 --> 00:17:54,360 Speaker 1: apparently not, because Jazz did that ninth and eighth, respectively, 306 00:17:54,520 --> 00:17:58,280 Speaker 1: on the twenty sixth and on the twenty seventh. Another 307 00:17:58,400 --> 00:17:59,760 Speaker 1: interesting wrinkle in. 308 00:17:59,720 --> 00:18:00,480 Speaker 2: There with him. 309 00:18:00,840 --> 00:18:06,639 Speaker 1: And yet Joey Wendel is another like interesting player, a 310 00:18:06,720 --> 00:18:09,440 Speaker 1: one that is very malleable and could go into different 311 00:18:09,480 --> 00:18:12,119 Speaker 1: parts of this lineup. He has been hitting fairly well 312 00:18:12,720 --> 00:18:16,280 Speaker 1: this spring, and I was surprised to see how his 313 00:18:16,359 --> 00:18:19,480 Speaker 1: athleticism has been graded through the years when he was 314 00:18:19,480 --> 00:18:22,480 Speaker 1: with the Rays, both as a someone that takes extra 315 00:18:22,520 --> 00:18:26,359 Speaker 1: bases in general, his top end sprint speed, the athleticism 316 00:18:26,560 --> 00:18:29,360 Speaker 1: isn't far off what we see from somebody like Brian Anderson. 317 00:18:29,760 --> 00:18:32,320 Speaker 1: And in fact, in some certain ways, he is a 318 00:18:32,400 --> 00:18:35,680 Speaker 1: more valuable base runner than ba is, so if he 319 00:18:35,720 --> 00:18:37,880 Speaker 1: is hitting as well as he is at the start 320 00:18:37,920 --> 00:18:40,359 Speaker 1: of the season. He got off to a really awesome 321 00:18:40,359 --> 00:18:44,440 Speaker 1: start last year. For what it's worth, with Tampa Bay, 322 00:18:44,800 --> 00:18:47,679 Speaker 1: he might be somebody that jumps all the way to 323 00:18:47,720 --> 00:18:50,080 Speaker 1: the very top of the lineup just because they can 324 00:18:50,119 --> 00:18:53,400 Speaker 1: trust his on base skills a little bit more those 325 00:18:53,440 --> 00:18:56,280 Speaker 1: other The rest of his offensive skill set is yeah, 326 00:18:56,480 --> 00:19:00,000 Speaker 1: surprisingly decent, even though the one obvious element that's missed 327 00:19:00,480 --> 00:19:03,240 Speaker 1: is the raw power and the ability to go deep 328 00:19:03,440 --> 00:19:07,320 Speaker 1: to all fields that isn't there, but otherwise. Craig Mish 329 00:19:07,480 --> 00:19:11,680 Speaker 1: pointed it out on Twitter of course, that he's gone 330 00:19:11,760 --> 00:19:13,560 Speaker 1: under the radar, that he does not get talked about 331 00:19:13,680 --> 00:19:17,399 Speaker 1: quite enough for how important he is and for what 332 00:19:17,440 --> 00:19:21,440 Speaker 1: that move signified to trade away Cameron Meisner and all 333 00:19:21,480 --> 00:19:24,000 Speaker 1: his tools and all his potential to get somebody in 334 00:19:24,040 --> 00:19:27,560 Speaker 1: Wendell who was coming off arguably the best year of 335 00:19:27,600 --> 00:19:30,960 Speaker 1: his career and is still pretty much in the prime 336 00:19:31,040 --> 00:19:35,960 Speaker 1: of his career, who has the really deep skill set 337 00:19:36,000 --> 00:19:40,040 Speaker 1: both offensively and defensively to affect the game in a 338 00:19:40,119 --> 00:19:42,040 Speaker 1: lot of different ways no matter who the rest of 339 00:19:42,080 --> 00:19:46,120 Speaker 1: your personnel is to this point in the spring, knock 340 00:19:46,200 --> 00:19:49,199 Speaker 1: on Wood, their position player core has been very healthy. 341 00:19:50,000 --> 00:19:51,880 Speaker 2: Jose Devers really. 342 00:19:51,600 --> 00:19:54,080 Speaker 1: The only one on the forty man roster with a 343 00:19:54,160 --> 00:19:58,080 Speaker 1: significant setback with him still recovering from his shoulder surgery. 344 00:19:58,560 --> 00:20:00,400 Speaker 1: He was not really a candidate for the being day 345 00:20:00,440 --> 00:20:04,200 Speaker 1: roster anyway, though the rest of that group, it's created 346 00:20:04,560 --> 00:20:07,960 Speaker 1: what is As I've always mentioned, you know a good 347 00:20:08,040 --> 00:20:13,000 Speaker 1: problem when you have more than nine starting caliber position players. 348 00:20:13,600 --> 00:20:15,960 Speaker 1: So they're in a good spot with their depth of 349 00:20:16,000 --> 00:20:18,719 Speaker 1: their lineup in a way that obviously we have not 350 00:20:18,760 --> 00:20:21,240 Speaker 1: been used to following this Marlins team, not just on 351 00:20:21,240 --> 00:20:23,840 Speaker 1: the active rostervielt as I mentioned, you know that next 352 00:20:23,960 --> 00:20:29,040 Speaker 1: way below with Dela Cruz as outfield depth, and even 353 00:20:29,080 --> 00:20:32,199 Speaker 1: at the catcher position with Nick Fortes, the way that 354 00:20:32,600 --> 00:20:36,640 Speaker 1: he played throughout several different levels last year, I think 355 00:20:36,680 --> 00:20:41,320 Speaker 1: there's some real upside there with his offense that the 356 00:20:41,359 --> 00:20:44,240 Speaker 1: Marlins need at the catcher position that they were sorely 357 00:20:44,440 --> 00:20:48,840 Speaker 1: lacking at the position last year. So whether he eventually 358 00:20:48,880 --> 00:20:50,760 Speaker 1: gets a shot as a backup role or if he's 359 00:20:50,800 --> 00:20:53,440 Speaker 1: needed to fill in as their primary catcher for any 360 00:20:53,520 --> 00:20:57,919 Speaker 1: length of time, the team is pretty well prepared for that. 361 00:21:00,119 --> 00:21:01,480 Speaker 2: The lingering position. 362 00:21:01,200 --> 00:21:03,640 Speaker 1: Battles that we do still have is just to fill 363 00:21:03,640 --> 00:21:06,240 Speaker 1: out this the bullpen of this team. The rotation is 364 00:21:06,600 --> 00:21:10,200 Speaker 1: clear cut at this point with Sandy Alcntra, Pablo Lopez, 365 00:21:10,240 --> 00:21:15,359 Speaker 1: Trevor Rodgers, Eliezer Hernandez in Hasius Lozardo, who is raising 366 00:21:15,640 --> 00:21:18,320 Speaker 1: a lot of eyebrows this spring with the way that 367 00:21:18,560 --> 00:21:22,159 Speaker 1: his velocity is better than ever he is. If he 368 00:21:22,240 --> 00:21:25,159 Speaker 1: keeps us up, he is the hardest throwing left handed 369 00:21:25,200 --> 00:21:26,520 Speaker 1: starting pitcher in baseball? 370 00:21:26,560 --> 00:21:26,919 Speaker 2: Is he not? 371 00:21:27,200 --> 00:21:30,919 Speaker 1: If he's sitting ninety eight miles per hour with his 372 00:21:31,040 --> 00:21:37,480 Speaker 1: fastball velocity and particularly in this most recent game, using 373 00:21:37,480 --> 00:21:42,480 Speaker 1: his curveball at an alarming frequency and getting still good 374 00:21:42,520 --> 00:21:47,560 Speaker 1: results on it, that being his real putaway pitch, that fastball. 375 00:21:47,960 --> 00:21:48,600 Speaker 2: To be able to. 376 00:21:48,600 --> 00:21:53,080 Speaker 1: Create that differential in Villa between those pitches and sinking 377 00:21:53,200 --> 00:21:56,600 Speaker 1: up the release point just a well to disguise that curveball, 378 00:21:57,359 --> 00:22:00,080 Speaker 1: the results are going to be there. Again, I'm not 379 00:22:00,119 --> 00:22:03,439 Speaker 1: going to reference his spring training results, but just the 380 00:22:03,440 --> 00:22:06,919 Speaker 1: fact that he is throwing. He's healthy, He's fully healthy, 381 00:22:06,960 --> 00:22:08,800 Speaker 1: There's no question about that. That is something that did 382 00:22:08,880 --> 00:22:12,040 Speaker 1: hold him back at sometimes early in his professional career 383 00:22:12,320 --> 00:22:15,440 Speaker 1: when he was in the minors. It's a big question 384 00:22:15,480 --> 00:22:18,560 Speaker 1: of how many innings he can realistically be expected to handle, 385 00:22:18,600 --> 00:22:22,000 Speaker 1: even if he is super effective this season. 386 00:22:22,359 --> 00:22:24,560 Speaker 2: What is clear is that they're going to give. 387 00:22:24,480 --> 00:22:28,040 Speaker 1: Him a long leash as a starting pitcher before calling 388 00:22:28,119 --> 00:22:31,879 Speaker 1: up any of that depth. That's why Nick Knightdert was 389 00:22:31,920 --> 00:22:35,800 Speaker 1: already optioned down to the miners. They originally optioned Braxton 390 00:22:35,840 --> 00:22:39,199 Speaker 1: Garrett and Daniel Castano before bringing them back up, but 391 00:22:39,560 --> 00:22:42,160 Speaker 1: it seems pretty likely that both of them are inevitably 392 00:22:42,200 --> 00:22:45,639 Speaker 1: going to go back down. There's still some decisions to 393 00:22:45,720 --> 00:22:48,920 Speaker 1: be made on this pitching staff based on the guys 394 00:22:48,960 --> 00:22:52,639 Speaker 1: that are currently in camp, especially if Dylan Floro starts 395 00:22:52,640 --> 00:22:54,679 Speaker 1: the year on the injured list, and that seems to 396 00:22:54,680 --> 00:22:56,960 Speaker 1: be the case just because he's not close yet to 397 00:22:56,960 --> 00:23:01,600 Speaker 1: even appearing in these spring training games, much less showing 398 00:23:01,600 --> 00:23:04,600 Speaker 1: that he could pitch on back to back days, as 399 00:23:04,600 --> 00:23:07,640 Speaker 1: he just is dealing with some general soreness as he's 400 00:23:07,760 --> 00:23:12,359 Speaker 1: ramping up his arm for the season. Most of the 401 00:23:12,359 --> 00:23:16,320 Speaker 1: bullpen names are familiar to last year, with Bass and 402 00:23:16,400 --> 00:23:21,240 Speaker 1: Bender and Blier, and even without Floro, who do we 403 00:23:21,280 --> 00:23:23,720 Speaker 1: got Probably Zach Popp seems like a lot to be 404 00:23:23,760 --> 00:23:27,840 Speaker 1: in there. It is nice to see that several of 405 00:23:27,840 --> 00:23:30,920 Speaker 1: the Marlin starters are fairly well stretched out, mainly Sandy 406 00:23:31,000 --> 00:23:34,399 Speaker 1: and Lozardo, so that the team doesn't necessarily need to 407 00:23:34,480 --> 00:23:37,600 Speaker 1: use what could be up to fifteen pitching spots to 408 00:23:37,640 --> 00:23:40,920 Speaker 1: open the season. They have a decision to make there 409 00:23:41,040 --> 00:23:44,320 Speaker 1: between whether they want to balance at fourteen and fourteen 410 00:23:45,320 --> 00:23:48,920 Speaker 1: and squeeze on an extra position player in that group. 411 00:23:49,040 --> 00:23:52,680 Speaker 1: That is an option there as well, because both Sandy 412 00:23:52,760 --> 00:23:56,800 Speaker 1: and Lozardo are fairly stretched out for regular duty, Pablo 413 00:23:57,040 --> 00:24:00,280 Speaker 1: and Trevor and Eliezer are only slightly behind them, but 414 00:24:01,359 --> 00:24:03,800 Speaker 1: not quite as much as I may have feared entering 415 00:24:03,800 --> 00:24:06,000 Speaker 1: the season in terms of guys actually getting stretched out 416 00:24:06,280 --> 00:24:08,960 Speaker 1: and ready to go. So my previous roster projection I 417 00:24:08,960 --> 00:24:11,399 Speaker 1: put it out on Thursday was under the premise of 418 00:24:11,560 --> 00:24:15,400 Speaker 1: using fifteen pitchers on the active roster. Not so sure 419 00:24:15,400 --> 00:24:19,440 Speaker 1: about that. That's going to go down to the wire again. 420 00:24:19,680 --> 00:24:22,760 Speaker 1: Just hinges on whether everybody stays healthy at this very 421 00:24:22,840 --> 00:24:26,320 Speaker 1: end of camp, and if they do, I think they 422 00:24:26,800 --> 00:24:31,600 Speaker 1: could go with a balanced roster. I should say between 423 00:24:31,640 --> 00:24:37,840 Speaker 1: fourteen pitchers fourteen position players. Maybe Williams Astadillo sneaks onto there. 424 00:24:38,119 --> 00:24:40,600 Speaker 1: I think a lot of US content creators are rooting 425 00:24:40,640 --> 00:24:44,560 Speaker 1: for that, with the way that he brings such a 426 00:24:44,880 --> 00:24:49,119 Speaker 1: unique esthetic to the game, both offensively and defensively. His 427 00:24:49,240 --> 00:24:51,600 Speaker 1: defense has not been good this spring. I finally got 428 00:24:51,640 --> 00:24:55,440 Speaker 1: the seed up close here in Jupiter the past few days, 429 00:24:55,480 --> 00:24:57,320 Speaker 1: and yeah. 430 00:24:57,200 --> 00:24:59,520 Speaker 2: Not impressed on that side of it. 431 00:25:00,080 --> 00:25:02,119 Speaker 1: But if he is somebody that you can certainly trust 432 00:25:02,119 --> 00:25:04,359 Speaker 1: to put the ball in play, and as long as 433 00:25:04,400 --> 00:25:08,439 Speaker 1: he has good camaraderie with his fellow Venezuelan's in the 434 00:25:08,480 --> 00:25:12,280 Speaker 1: Marlins clubhouse, that maybe that counts for something as well. 435 00:25:12,760 --> 00:25:14,080 Speaker 2: What else do we want to get to? 436 00:25:14,480 --> 00:25:18,720 Speaker 1: Well, it was on these spring takeaways, the team is 437 00:25:19,040 --> 00:25:22,560 Speaker 1: you know, I think the floor of this team just 438 00:25:22,600 --> 00:25:26,200 Speaker 1: having conversations with people is so much higher than last year. 439 00:25:26,240 --> 00:25:29,600 Speaker 1: With the floor, there's no way this team loses ninety 440 00:25:29,640 --> 00:25:34,359 Speaker 1: five games again. They are going to be, you know, 441 00:25:34,960 --> 00:25:38,840 Speaker 1: relevant all season long in a league that has twelve 442 00:25:38,880 --> 00:25:42,320 Speaker 1: postseason spots, six in the National League. I think people 443 00:25:42,320 --> 00:25:44,680 Speaker 1: should be prepared for that and they should be bitterly 444 00:25:44,680 --> 00:25:49,199 Speaker 1: disappointed if they are not relevant all season long. That 445 00:25:49,280 --> 00:25:52,400 Speaker 1: extra playoffs spot really does a whole lot of difference, 446 00:25:52,920 --> 00:25:55,480 Speaker 1: and as long as they're able to be even mildly 447 00:25:55,520 --> 00:26:00,760 Speaker 1: competitive against these other teams in their own division, this 448 00:26:00,840 --> 00:26:04,000 Speaker 1: team is going to be better than any full season 449 00:26:04,040 --> 00:26:08,040 Speaker 1: team that we've seen in these past few years. With 450 00:26:08,080 --> 00:26:10,760 Speaker 1: the depth that they have both in their lineup and 451 00:26:11,040 --> 00:26:15,280 Speaker 1: in their pitching staff, there will be constantly a lot 452 00:26:15,320 --> 00:26:19,440 Speaker 1: of close games that over the course of a full year. 453 00:26:20,800 --> 00:26:23,520 Speaker 1: For as much as we can critique the way that 454 00:26:23,640 --> 00:26:27,840 Speaker 1: Don Mattingly does certain things, he is at this point 455 00:26:27,880 --> 00:26:31,160 Speaker 1: one of the more experienced managers in all of baseball, 456 00:26:31,440 --> 00:26:33,640 Speaker 1: all of Major League Baseball, and the one that has 457 00:26:34,000 --> 00:26:37,280 Speaker 1: great continuity with a lot of players on his team. 458 00:26:37,640 --> 00:26:38,720 Speaker 2: For what that accounts for. 459 00:26:39,240 --> 00:26:44,560 Speaker 1: Yeah, the problem is again the lack of upside, the 460 00:26:44,600 --> 00:26:48,960 Speaker 1: failure to acquire that starting caliber center fielder that we 461 00:26:49,040 --> 00:26:53,720 Speaker 1: know the team has coveted, the inactivity regarding the back 462 00:26:53,800 --> 00:26:55,919 Speaker 1: end of their bullpen. You know, they have now cycled 463 00:26:55,920 --> 00:26:59,919 Speaker 1: through a couple fringy guys for middle relief, first On 464 00:27:00,080 --> 00:27:03,240 Speaker 1: Lopez and now Tommy Nance. All right, all right, all right, 465 00:27:03,640 --> 00:27:05,360 Speaker 1: I mean, and they do have a lot of options 466 00:27:05,400 --> 00:27:09,360 Speaker 1: for middle relief that will allow them to I think, 467 00:27:09,480 --> 00:27:13,399 Speaker 1: preserve some of their pitching staff in those few games 468 00:27:13,440 --> 00:27:17,399 Speaker 1: where they're actually out of it, that they have done 469 00:27:17,800 --> 00:27:21,199 Speaker 1: a good job at, you know, acquiring and developing a 470 00:27:21,200 --> 00:27:24,120 Speaker 1: lot of those bottom of the forty man roster kind 471 00:27:24,119 --> 00:27:27,720 Speaker 1: of arms who have a role to play over the 472 00:27:27,720 --> 00:27:31,119 Speaker 1: course of a long season to keep things going. They 473 00:27:31,160 --> 00:27:34,600 Speaker 1: would be in a much better position if they did acquire, 474 00:27:34,840 --> 00:27:38,800 Speaker 1: you know, a legitimately good relief pitcher instead of just 475 00:27:39,000 --> 00:27:42,399 Speaker 1: taking flyers on their own development cases and on the 476 00:27:42,400 --> 00:27:46,199 Speaker 1: waiver wire. That lack of investment in the back end 477 00:27:46,240 --> 00:27:49,919 Speaker 1: of their bullpen has been bizarre considering the way that 478 00:27:50,000 --> 00:27:53,879 Speaker 1: last year went, some of last year's bad luck in 479 00:27:53,960 --> 00:27:59,000 Speaker 1: clutch situations could even out this upcoming year. Maybe it 480 00:27:59,200 --> 00:28:02,840 Speaker 1: just seems like, especially with the options available on short 481 00:28:02,920 --> 00:28:07,400 Speaker 1: term deals, either via free agency or via trade. I mean, 482 00:28:07,440 --> 00:28:12,399 Speaker 1: the name, the very aspirational name still out there on 483 00:28:12,440 --> 00:28:15,280 Speaker 1: the trademark it would be Craig Kimprel. But even via 484 00:28:15,359 --> 00:28:17,840 Speaker 1: free agency, all the names that we've seen come off 485 00:28:17,840 --> 00:28:22,640 Speaker 1: the board, a lot of veterans, those who have been 486 00:28:22,760 --> 00:28:26,520 Speaker 1: in a variety of roles before that could make the 487 00:28:26,560 --> 00:28:31,119 Speaker 1: team better without really any long term risk whatsoever. All 488 00:28:31,119 --> 00:28:33,520 Speaker 1: of them signed with other teams. A lot of them 489 00:28:33,560 --> 00:28:40,240 Speaker 1: signed in the division. The Marlins, they'll have to live 490 00:28:40,280 --> 00:28:43,040 Speaker 1: with that. If they really believe that those guys with 491 00:28:43,080 --> 00:28:44,600 Speaker 1: their track records. 492 00:28:46,120 --> 00:28:47,160 Speaker 2: Weren't going to move the. 493 00:28:47,120 --> 00:28:50,840 Speaker 1: Need for them, well, good luck to them in trying 494 00:28:50,880 --> 00:28:55,280 Speaker 1: to go with a more efficient route, I guess, and 495 00:28:55,440 --> 00:29:00,800 Speaker 1: just trusting your own process with all that, I guess. 496 00:29:00,920 --> 00:29:03,880 Speaker 1: The final internal move I should mention and one that 497 00:29:03,960 --> 00:29:05,600 Speaker 1: was never going to have any bearing on the opening 498 00:29:05,680 --> 00:29:09,280 Speaker 1: day roster, but Max Meyer officially was reassigned to minor 499 00:29:09,360 --> 00:29:14,160 Speaker 1: league camp as well this weekend after his one and 500 00:29:14,240 --> 00:29:19,880 Speaker 1: only grape Fruit League appearance went perfect, absolutely perfectly. 501 00:29:20,880 --> 00:29:21,680 Speaker 2: A few days ago. 502 00:29:22,040 --> 00:29:24,200 Speaker 1: And he's not going to get an encore performance of 503 00:29:24,240 --> 00:29:26,880 Speaker 1: that against major league hitters as he starts his season 504 00:29:27,160 --> 00:29:30,160 Speaker 1: in Triple A, and he's going to be groomed as 505 00:29:30,200 --> 00:29:32,680 Speaker 1: a starter. He's going to be carefully watched for the 506 00:29:32,720 --> 00:29:37,200 Speaker 1: developments of his change up. And there are still some 507 00:29:37,400 --> 00:29:41,280 Speaker 1: mixed opinions out there about Max, but not quite as 508 00:29:41,280 --> 00:29:44,560 Speaker 1: many as there were just a few weeks ago. People 509 00:29:44,600 --> 00:29:48,080 Speaker 1: see that his fastball seems to be playing better than 510 00:29:48,120 --> 00:29:50,959 Speaker 1: it was for a big chunk of last year, and 511 00:29:51,000 --> 00:29:52,880 Speaker 1: that he is more willing to throw his change up 512 00:29:52,920 --> 00:29:55,880 Speaker 1: than he had previously been watching him in games, you 513 00:29:55,960 --> 00:29:58,480 Speaker 1: really see a lot of the intangibles that he brings 514 00:29:58,920 --> 00:30:04,160 Speaker 1: as well, his ability to just refocus in situation in 515 00:30:04,320 --> 00:30:09,000 Speaker 1: key situations, the athleticism he has on the mound to 516 00:30:09,040 --> 00:30:12,200 Speaker 1: help his own cause as a fielder and to control 517 00:30:12,240 --> 00:30:18,360 Speaker 1: the running game, things like that. He really does have 518 00:30:18,720 --> 00:30:22,360 Speaker 1: a great attitude and approach to the game, and he 519 00:30:22,520 --> 00:30:26,560 Speaker 1: knows that he's close being big League ready for this team. 520 00:30:26,880 --> 00:30:30,240 Speaker 1: So we'll be seeing him, i think, almost certainly in 521 00:30:30,320 --> 00:30:34,000 Speaker 1: the first half of the season, and I'm really excited 522 00:30:34,400 --> 00:30:38,920 Speaker 1: for that too. After I record this, I'll be watching 523 00:30:39,240 --> 00:30:42,360 Speaker 1: one final spring game up close between the Marlins and Nationals. 524 00:30:42,360 --> 00:30:45,280 Speaker 1: I'll be meeting probably a couple more people there. But 525 00:30:45,840 --> 00:30:49,160 Speaker 1: I did want to say how enjoyable these past few 526 00:30:49,240 --> 00:30:51,600 Speaker 1: days have been for me in Florida as somebody based 527 00:30:51,640 --> 00:30:54,440 Speaker 1: in New York, just coming down to visit for a 528 00:30:54,440 --> 00:30:57,480 Speaker 1: few days and see games up close, and to meet 529 00:30:57,520 --> 00:31:01,280 Speaker 1: people up close that I've only known virtue through the 530 00:31:01,320 --> 00:31:05,960 Speaker 1: screens through social media. To actually get to know them 531 00:31:06,120 --> 00:31:09,400 Speaker 1: up close and personal has been such a blessing. Both 532 00:31:09,440 --> 00:31:12,720 Speaker 1: people on my own staff and fans of Fish Stripes 533 00:31:13,040 --> 00:31:14,479 Speaker 1: and colleagues of ours. 534 00:31:14,640 --> 00:31:16,120 Speaker 2: In the media as well. 535 00:31:16,480 --> 00:31:18,840 Speaker 1: Really just too many to count that I've been able 536 00:31:18,880 --> 00:31:21,680 Speaker 1: to meet for the first time and have greeted me 537 00:31:21,800 --> 00:31:26,160 Speaker 1: very warmly and have just given me great conversations and 538 00:31:26,240 --> 00:31:31,760 Speaker 1: experiences while I've been down there, down here in the 539 00:31:31,880 --> 00:31:36,000 Speaker 1: Jupiter West Palm Beach area. For anybody that does live 540 00:31:36,840 --> 00:31:39,880 Speaker 1: like within reasonable driving distance of here and hasn't experienced 541 00:31:39,880 --> 00:31:42,880 Speaker 1: many of these spring training games, I give it my 542 00:31:43,000 --> 00:31:46,680 Speaker 1: highest possible recommendation. It is such a great place to go, 543 00:31:46,800 --> 00:31:49,200 Speaker 1: especially if the weather lines up the way that it 544 00:31:49,240 --> 00:31:53,520 Speaker 1: did in my particular case. There's really no place better 545 00:31:53,560 --> 00:31:57,719 Speaker 1: to spend half a day singing game, hanging around in 546 00:31:57,760 --> 00:32:03,200 Speaker 1: that greater community around Roger Dean Everlea Stadium, utilizing the backfields, 547 00:32:03,400 --> 00:32:06,680 Speaker 1: especially on weekends where it is open even to the 548 00:32:06,680 --> 00:32:09,520 Speaker 1: public as well to see what's going on on the 549 00:32:09,520 --> 00:32:10,560 Speaker 1: minor league side. 550 00:32:11,480 --> 00:32:12,520 Speaker 2: It was such a good. 551 00:32:12,320 --> 00:32:17,160 Speaker 1: Time that I'm having a hard time imagining letting any 552 00:32:17,160 --> 00:32:19,800 Speaker 1: other spring in future years go by without me making 553 00:32:20,160 --> 00:32:22,880 Speaker 1: a little bit of a visit to this area and 554 00:32:23,440 --> 00:32:28,080 Speaker 1: seeing it myself, experience, understanding the team in a more 555 00:32:28,120 --> 00:32:30,720 Speaker 1: intimate way than I could from Afar, and of course 556 00:32:30,840 --> 00:32:34,600 Speaker 1: just being able to enjoy this time of year when 557 00:32:34,840 --> 00:32:38,880 Speaker 1: still every possibility is on the table for every team, 558 00:32:39,240 --> 00:32:43,080 Speaker 1: everybody is in a mostly good mood that too, as 559 00:32:43,120 --> 00:32:46,680 Speaker 1: a big part of it. Really is a wonderful time 560 00:32:46,720 --> 00:32:50,840 Speaker 1: of year, a much needed semi break for me to 561 00:32:50,960 --> 00:32:55,920 Speaker 1: kind of disconnect from the usual grind of preparing content 562 00:32:56,240 --> 00:33:00,880 Speaker 1: and you know, following all the observations from a this 563 00:33:00,960 --> 00:33:04,440 Speaker 1: is really, I think a good decision on my part 564 00:33:04,480 --> 00:33:07,840 Speaker 1: to come down here, and ultimately that just goes down 565 00:33:07,880 --> 00:33:11,360 Speaker 1: to everybody that has made me feel very comfortable in 566 00:33:11,480 --> 00:33:14,480 Speaker 1: making this trip. So thank you all for that, and 567 00:33:14,800 --> 00:33:18,640 Speaker 1: thank you to the audience for understanding me recording this 568 00:33:18,800 --> 00:33:23,640 Speaker 1: on the phone and again with losing a bit of 569 00:33:23,640 --> 00:33:28,480 Speaker 1: my voice in the process that I think ultimately this 570 00:33:28,520 --> 00:33:30,400 Speaker 1: is going to do put me in a better position 571 00:33:30,440 --> 00:33:32,680 Speaker 1: to cover the team throughout the twenty twenty two season 572 00:33:33,080 --> 00:33:35,800 Speaker 1: with what I've been able to gather from the time 573 00:33:35,840 --> 00:33:40,160 Speaker 1: put in on the ground at spring training itself. This 574 00:33:40,200 --> 00:33:43,960 Speaker 1: has been Eli Susman, managing editor of Fish Stripes, for 575 00:33:44,080 --> 00:33:48,800 Speaker 1: the official show coming at you all throughout this baseball 576 00:33:48,840 --> 00:33:53,160 Speaker 1: season and this final week and a half of spring training, 577 00:33:53,680 --> 00:33:57,640 Speaker 1: getting tantalizingly close to the real thing. Be sure to 578 00:33:57,640 --> 00:34:01,080 Speaker 1: subscribe to the pod wherever you get at it, and 579 00:34:01,200 --> 00:34:05,280 Speaker 1: please consider recommending it to any Marlins fan friends in 580 00:34:05,320 --> 00:34:09,880 Speaker 1: your life that want this extra dimension of specificity in 581 00:34:10,040 --> 00:34:13,080 Speaker 1: breaking down all aspects of. 582 00:34:12,680 --> 00:34:15,680 Speaker 2: The Miami Marlins. I appreciate the support. 583 00:34:16,320 --> 00:34:28,400 Speaker 1: As always, Go Fish