1 00:00:24,520 --> 00:00:28,360 Speaker 1: New Fish Bites with new theme music. Eli Sussman here, 2 00:00:28,600 --> 00:00:32,200 Speaker 1: managing editor of Fish Stripes, with an earlier than usual 3 00:00:32,320 --> 00:00:35,320 Speaker 1: release of the podcast this week to digest all the 4 00:00:35,360 --> 00:00:38,800 Speaker 1: recent Miami Marlins moves and to preview the twenty eighteen 5 00:00:39,040 --> 00:00:43,400 Speaker 1: MLB Winter Meetings beginning Sunday night in San Diego. The 6 00:00:43,479 --> 00:00:46,559 Speaker 1: Marlins got a lot of their business started prematurely this 7 00:00:46,600 --> 00:00:49,440 Speaker 1: week heading into the Winter meetings, acquiring a couple of 8 00:00:49,479 --> 00:00:52,760 Speaker 1: new players, getting rid of a couple familiar faces, and 9 00:00:52,800 --> 00:00:56,920 Speaker 1: making some interesting changes off the field. But nonetheless, when 10 00:00:56,920 --> 00:00:58,800 Speaker 1: you get to the Winter Meetings, you have all the 11 00:00:58,840 --> 00:01:02,360 Speaker 1: significant people well in the baseball industry under one roof. 12 00:01:03,320 --> 00:01:05,440 Speaker 1: It's a recipe for a lot of action and at 13 00:01:05,480 --> 00:01:09,480 Speaker 1: the very least a lot of very compelling rumors, negotiating 14 00:01:09,959 --> 00:01:13,280 Speaker 1: head to head bidding for the services of the top 15 00:01:13,319 --> 00:01:17,240 Speaker 1: available players. And it's ideal time to throw really crazy 16 00:01:17,280 --> 00:01:20,800 Speaker 1: ideas against the wall, either in privately or to leak 17 00:01:20,840 --> 00:01:23,720 Speaker 1: it to the public, just to get their sentiment by 18 00:01:23,920 --> 00:01:27,840 Speaker 1: going through insider reporters. It's a fun time. It's a 19 00:01:27,840 --> 00:01:30,800 Speaker 1: fun few days of the Winter meetings coming up, and 20 00:01:30,840 --> 00:01:34,040 Speaker 1: we wanted to set the stage for those meetings. The 21 00:01:34,080 --> 00:01:36,000 Speaker 1: Marlins have a lot of business still left to do 22 00:01:36,400 --> 00:01:39,560 Speaker 1: for their building their best possible roster for twenty twenty 23 00:01:39,959 --> 00:01:42,840 Speaker 1: and setting things up beyond that. Some of that stuff 24 00:01:42,880 --> 00:01:45,000 Speaker 1: could happen during the winter meetings, they may not wait 25 00:01:45,080 --> 00:01:48,840 Speaker 1: until after the new year. If you're not already, please 26 00:01:48,840 --> 00:01:54,960 Speaker 1: subscribe to fish Stripes on your preferred podcast provider, Apple, Google, Spotify, 27 00:01:55,640 --> 00:01:59,559 Speaker 1: anything else. We're available there all the episodes of fish Bites, 28 00:01:59,600 --> 00:02:03,160 Speaker 1: as well as earning their Stripes, our minor league specific show. 29 00:02:03,640 --> 00:02:06,559 Speaker 1: I'm already mulling around the idea of adding yet another 30 00:02:06,640 --> 00:02:10,000 Speaker 1: show to the same podcast feed for twenty twenty. As 31 00:02:10,000 --> 00:02:12,440 Speaker 1: I get closer to a decision on that, I'll be 32 00:02:12,480 --> 00:02:14,600 Speaker 1: sure to clue you guys in. But that stuff will 33 00:02:14,600 --> 00:02:16,800 Speaker 1: all be available in the same usual places on the 34 00:02:16,840 --> 00:02:20,760 Speaker 1: podcast feed, on the website fishstripes dot com. Everything published 35 00:02:20,760 --> 00:02:27,120 Speaker 1: there with some additional analysis and context for those new episodes. 36 00:02:27,320 --> 00:02:30,040 Speaker 1: You can find all that on the website, promoted on 37 00:02:30,080 --> 00:02:34,160 Speaker 1: our social media feeds at fish Stripes on Twitter, Instagram, 38 00:02:34,200 --> 00:02:37,600 Speaker 1: and Facebook. So however you choose to engage with us, 39 00:02:37,800 --> 00:02:40,800 Speaker 1: I greatly appreciate it. Two new faces that are going 40 00:02:40,840 --> 00:02:43,520 Speaker 1: to figure very prominently in what the team does this 41 00:02:43,600 --> 00:02:47,760 Speaker 1: next season. Hey, sus Aguie lar Jonathan Vr acquired on 42 00:02:47,919 --> 00:02:52,160 Speaker 1: Monday by the Marlins from the Rays and the Orioles, respectively. 43 00:02:52,560 --> 00:02:56,600 Speaker 1: Both those guys veteran players. They've had success in the 44 00:02:56,639 --> 00:03:01,720 Speaker 1: major leagues very recently, and both of them charismatic on 45 00:03:01,760 --> 00:03:04,560 Speaker 1: the field and in the clubhouse. Players that will make 46 00:03:04,560 --> 00:03:07,919 Speaker 1: this team better. Players that are more expensive than most 47 00:03:07,960 --> 00:03:11,040 Speaker 1: of the guys that were already under contract, and let's 48 00:03:11,040 --> 00:03:13,839 Speaker 1: talk about how they fit in with this Marlins team 49 00:03:13,840 --> 00:03:18,520 Speaker 1: moving forward. Aguilar claimed off waivers from the Rays. He's 50 00:03:18,560 --> 00:03:20,720 Speaker 1: going to be arbitration eligible for the first time this 51 00:03:20,760 --> 00:03:24,480 Speaker 1: coming season. Projected by MLB trade rumors to earn about 52 00:03:24,480 --> 00:03:27,840 Speaker 1: two point five million dollars in salary in twenty twenty. 53 00:03:28,120 --> 00:03:31,760 Speaker 1: He's coming off a pretty disappointing year. He got off 54 00:03:31,760 --> 00:03:34,600 Speaker 1: to a very deep slump with the Brewers early in 55 00:03:34,639 --> 00:03:37,800 Speaker 1: twenty nineteen. I remember pretty vividly that being one of 56 00:03:37,840 --> 00:03:40,920 Speaker 1: the bigger conversations is what's wrong with Aguilar. It was 57 00:03:40,960 --> 00:03:44,240 Speaker 1: a combination of some very bad luck and some simple 58 00:03:44,280 --> 00:03:47,080 Speaker 1: regression from where he was in twenty eighteen, that was 59 00:03:47,160 --> 00:03:50,240 Speaker 1: his All Star year. Got entered into the All Star 60 00:03:50,320 --> 00:03:53,680 Speaker 1: Game as one of the leading power hitters in baseball 61 00:03:53,680 --> 00:03:56,600 Speaker 1: with the Brewers got in as a final vote candidate. 62 00:03:56,920 --> 00:03:59,720 Speaker 1: They had a very memorable campaign with the team we 63 00:03:59,760 --> 00:04:03,920 Speaker 1: believe in Hayesus and that was able to energize the fans, 64 00:04:03,960 --> 00:04:06,720 Speaker 1: the votamins the All Star Game that year. That is 65 00:04:06,960 --> 00:04:09,720 Speaker 1: probably just ceiling as a player, and Marlin's acquiring him 66 00:04:09,880 --> 00:04:12,800 Speaker 1: thinking there's the potential that he's a really premium power hitter. 67 00:04:13,320 --> 00:04:16,400 Speaker 1: And meanwhile, last year is probably a little bit less 68 00:04:16,560 --> 00:04:19,600 Speaker 1: than you would expect because the two thirty six batting average, 69 00:04:19,600 --> 00:04:23,920 Speaker 1: three twenty five on base three eighty nine slugging when 70 00:04:23,960 --> 00:04:26,560 Speaker 1: you adjust for the era he plays in and the 71 00:04:26,560 --> 00:04:31,720 Speaker 1: ballparks moving between leagues. Putting it all together, it's an 72 00:04:31,760 --> 00:04:35,359 Speaker 1: eighty eight weighted runs created plus, where one hundred is 73 00:04:35,360 --> 00:04:38,560 Speaker 1: a league average. A significantly below average hitter for a 74 00:04:38,600 --> 00:04:41,600 Speaker 1: guy that is limited defensively to first base. Tipping the 75 00:04:41,600 --> 00:04:44,240 Speaker 1: scales at about two hundred and fifty pounds makes it 76 00:04:44,240 --> 00:04:46,520 Speaker 1: difficult for him to run the bases. So if you're 77 00:04:46,520 --> 00:04:49,560 Speaker 1: a below average hitter and with those other limitations, it 78 00:04:49,640 --> 00:04:52,960 Speaker 1: should not be surprising that he was a replacement level 79 00:04:52,960 --> 00:04:57,839 Speaker 1: player overall, negative zero point one wins above replacement according 80 00:04:57,839 --> 00:05:01,320 Speaker 1: to Fangrafts in twenty nineteen. What the Marlins are hoping 81 00:05:01,320 --> 00:05:04,359 Speaker 1: for is somewhere in between, somewhere in between replacement level 82 00:05:04,640 --> 00:05:08,080 Speaker 1: and a three war player. He's only had that one 83 00:05:08,160 --> 00:05:11,839 Speaker 1: season in twenty eighteen as a true everyday starter at 84 00:05:11,920 --> 00:05:14,560 Speaker 1: first base. That's not necessarily what they're going to be 85 00:05:14,560 --> 00:05:17,520 Speaker 1: committing to to him with the Marlins this year. He's 86 00:05:17,560 --> 00:05:20,960 Speaker 1: certainly going to come into spring training as a shoe 87 00:05:21,040 --> 00:05:23,480 Speaker 1: in for the opening day roster, assuming he's not heard. 88 00:05:24,040 --> 00:05:28,320 Speaker 1: Remember that active rosters have expanded coming into this next 89 00:05:28,320 --> 00:05:31,880 Speaker 1: season from twenty five to twenty six players, which gives 90 00:05:32,640 --> 00:05:35,240 Speaker 1: and that will mean an extra position player on the 91 00:05:35,320 --> 00:05:40,080 Speaker 1: roster compared to last year. Last year, pretty much every 92 00:05:40,240 --> 00:05:44,240 Speaker 1: segment of the season they had a twelve active position 93 00:05:44,320 --> 00:05:47,440 Speaker 1: player limit. There were some there were brief stretches where 94 00:05:47,440 --> 00:05:50,800 Speaker 1: the Marlins were limited to eleven position players. And now 95 00:05:50,960 --> 00:05:53,880 Speaker 1: Don manningly is going to have more flexibility moving forward. 96 00:05:53,920 --> 00:05:55,800 Speaker 1: You don't necessarily need to have all these guys that 97 00:05:55,839 --> 00:05:59,640 Speaker 1: are perfectly well rounded. And that's good for Aguilar because 98 00:05:59,680 --> 00:06:02,640 Speaker 1: he is a very exciting player to watch. When he 99 00:06:02,720 --> 00:06:05,560 Speaker 1: squares up the ball, he really crushes it. Some of 100 00:06:05,560 --> 00:06:16,360 Speaker 1: the stuff that kind of sneaks under the radar. Secular 101 00:06:17,440 --> 00:06:23,120 Speaker 1: has melted a high home brunt of the year. One 102 00:06:23,120 --> 00:06:26,000 Speaker 1: thing that is somewhat surprising in a good way based 103 00:06:26,040 --> 00:06:29,200 Speaker 1: on my perception of Aguilar versus the reality is that 104 00:06:29,240 --> 00:06:33,200 Speaker 1: he's a really adequate defensive first baseman. Despite being pretty 105 00:06:33,240 --> 00:06:38,720 Speaker 1: heavy set and limiting his flexibility, he is very sure 106 00:06:38,800 --> 00:06:42,720 Speaker 1: handed at first base, and consistently over the past couple 107 00:06:42,720 --> 00:06:46,080 Speaker 1: of years, in the eyes of defensive runs saved, he's 108 00:06:46,160 --> 00:06:50,000 Speaker 1: been average or slightly better than average as a first baseman, 109 00:06:50,640 --> 00:06:54,400 Speaker 1: regardless of the shape of his body. He's fundamentally sound 110 00:06:54,760 --> 00:06:57,280 Speaker 1: at first base, and even though he doesn't give you 111 00:06:57,279 --> 00:07:01,440 Speaker 1: that flexibility. Again, you don't necesscessarily need everybody to be 112 00:07:01,520 --> 00:07:04,800 Speaker 1: flexible on this roster moving forward, considering the change in 113 00:07:04,880 --> 00:07:08,160 Speaker 1: rules where you're able to carry one more position player 114 00:07:08,440 --> 00:07:11,840 Speaker 1: than in years past. And he is a guy though 115 00:07:11,840 --> 00:07:14,440 Speaker 1: that on days where he's in the starting lineup, you're 116 00:07:14,480 --> 00:07:17,040 Speaker 1: not going to really remove him for a defensive replacement. 117 00:07:17,960 --> 00:07:20,880 Speaker 1: Just looking at the Marlins projected roster as it stands 118 00:07:20,960 --> 00:07:24,160 Speaker 1: right now, he is the best defensive first baseman on 119 00:07:24,200 --> 00:07:28,120 Speaker 1: the roster they gave Austin Dean some opportunities at adjusting 120 00:07:28,160 --> 00:07:30,680 Speaker 1: to that in down the stretch last year in September, 121 00:07:31,120 --> 00:07:34,160 Speaker 1: Garrett Cooper played a lot of first base this past season. 122 00:07:34,160 --> 00:07:39,120 Speaker 1: That is his primary position. But Cooper is not necessarily 123 00:07:39,920 --> 00:07:43,320 Speaker 1: as good as Aguilar is defensively. That may surprise you. 124 00:07:43,400 --> 00:07:47,440 Speaker 1: Even though Cooper is a slimmer down person, he is 125 00:07:47,760 --> 00:07:52,160 Speaker 1: slightly more ranged by virtue of being taller, but Aguilar 126 00:07:52,280 --> 00:07:55,520 Speaker 1: is perfectly fine at that position. As mentioned before, the 127 00:07:55,600 --> 00:07:58,480 Speaker 1: drawback is going to be in his base running, where 128 00:07:58,640 --> 00:08:01,400 Speaker 1: in terms of sprint speed, one of the slower players 129 00:08:01,760 --> 00:08:05,640 Speaker 1: in the league, he's not going to be stealing bases whatsoever. 130 00:08:06,560 --> 00:08:09,760 Speaker 1: There's some limitations there. So most of it is gonna 131 00:08:09,760 --> 00:08:13,080 Speaker 1: come down to him continuing to being steadied defensively. For 132 00:08:13,120 --> 00:08:16,000 Speaker 1: a guy that turns thirty early next season, that's not 133 00:08:16,040 --> 00:08:19,280 Speaker 1: a sure thing. Defense is a young man's game, and 134 00:08:19,320 --> 00:08:22,320 Speaker 1: you don't know what an extra year may do to 135 00:08:22,760 --> 00:08:25,600 Speaker 1: him in the field, And there is some question as 136 00:08:25,680 --> 00:08:27,360 Speaker 1: to exactly what he's going to be at the plate. 137 00:08:27,840 --> 00:08:30,400 Speaker 1: He should be better than he was this past year, 138 00:08:30,760 --> 00:08:33,120 Speaker 1: but expecting him to be the same player he wasn't 139 00:08:33,120 --> 00:08:35,959 Speaker 1: twenty eighteen as an All Star, I don't think that's 140 00:08:36,160 --> 00:08:39,040 Speaker 1: a high probability of occurring. Otherwise he wouldn't have been 141 00:08:39,440 --> 00:08:43,360 Speaker 1: placed on waivers by the Rays. The Raizar team obviously, 142 00:08:43,440 --> 00:08:45,800 Speaker 1: that has been contending the past couple of years and 143 00:08:45,880 --> 00:08:48,960 Speaker 1: heading into twenty twenty trying to contend, and they had 144 00:08:49,160 --> 00:08:51,760 Speaker 1: agui Lar under control for the next couple of years 145 00:08:52,280 --> 00:08:55,600 Speaker 1: via arbitration, projected to earn just two and a half 146 00:08:55,720 --> 00:08:58,760 Speaker 1: million dollars. That's a very digestible price for a guy 147 00:08:58,800 --> 00:09:02,000 Speaker 1: if you think he is a borderline All Star Calber player. 148 00:09:02,280 --> 00:09:05,480 Speaker 1: But clearly that was not the view around the league. 149 00:09:05,600 --> 00:09:07,400 Speaker 1: This is a guy that was not claimed by some 150 00:09:07,520 --> 00:09:09,720 Speaker 1: other American League teams. That was what he was able 151 00:09:09,760 --> 00:09:12,440 Speaker 1: to get to the Marlins in the first place. So 152 00:09:12,679 --> 00:09:15,000 Speaker 1: those should give you some pause. The fact that a 153 00:09:15,040 --> 00:09:18,480 Speaker 1: smart organization like the Rays that is in the middle 154 00:09:18,520 --> 00:09:21,840 Speaker 1: of contending and had him under control, felt that he 155 00:09:21,880 --> 00:09:24,680 Speaker 1: was expendable, that is somewhat of a red flag to 156 00:09:24,760 --> 00:09:28,679 Speaker 1: throw up as to what making you reconsider what Aguilar's 157 00:09:28,720 --> 00:09:32,520 Speaker 1: true value is and to try to approximate what he'll 158 00:09:32,559 --> 00:09:34,360 Speaker 1: be at the plate If he's not going to be 159 00:09:34,440 --> 00:09:37,200 Speaker 1: in twenty eighteen form, are we sure he's going to 160 00:09:37,200 --> 00:09:40,960 Speaker 1: bounce back from twenty nineteen. Keep in mind the Marlins 161 00:09:41,000 --> 00:09:43,480 Speaker 1: gave up a lot to get Lewin Diaz in a 162 00:09:43,520 --> 00:09:46,200 Speaker 1: trade from the Twins last July. He's a very well 163 00:09:46,280 --> 00:09:49,800 Speaker 1: rounded first base prospect, had a huge year overall between 164 00:09:49,960 --> 00:09:53,200 Speaker 1: Hi A, Double A and the Dominican Winter League. He 165 00:09:53,240 --> 00:09:56,360 Speaker 1: projects as being a full time player at that position, 166 00:09:57,000 --> 00:09:59,480 Speaker 1: and the message that the Marlins have been sending out 167 00:09:59,559 --> 00:10:02,800 Speaker 1: with the whole offseason plan is to get better for 168 00:10:02,840 --> 00:10:06,760 Speaker 1: twenty twenty without blocking any of these potential impact prospects. 169 00:10:07,040 --> 00:10:10,200 Speaker 1: That includes Diaz. That includes some of their key pitchers 170 00:10:10,280 --> 00:10:12,360 Speaker 1: just added to the forty man roster, like six to 171 00:10:12,520 --> 00:10:18,559 Speaker 1: Sanchez Nick Knider. It includes outfielders Hayesus Sanchez and Monte Harrison, 172 00:10:19,080 --> 00:10:22,880 Speaker 1: the electric shortstop Jazz Chisholm. At almost every position, they 173 00:10:22,880 --> 00:10:26,040 Speaker 1: have really intriguing players that are going to begin twenty 174 00:10:26,120 --> 00:10:30,200 Speaker 1: twenty in the high minor league levels. The small opening 175 00:10:30,280 --> 00:10:32,480 Speaker 1: that they have is at the beginning of the year, 176 00:10:32,960 --> 00:10:35,280 Speaker 1: on opening Day and probably all the way up to 177 00:10:35,360 --> 00:10:39,280 Speaker 1: the trade deadline. That's where they can add some veteran 178 00:10:39,320 --> 00:10:42,000 Speaker 1: players that are still relatively close to their prime, like 179 00:10:42,080 --> 00:10:47,240 Speaker 1: aguilar Is. If, for example, Leywan Diez progresses really well 180 00:10:47,480 --> 00:10:49,760 Speaker 1: in Double A and Triple A to begin the year. 181 00:10:49,840 --> 00:10:52,480 Speaker 1: He makes a very strong case that he's ready for 182 00:10:52,559 --> 00:10:55,720 Speaker 1: the big leagues before twenty twenty is up. Then Aguilar 183 00:10:55,800 --> 00:10:59,440 Speaker 1: becomes a prime trade candidate. He got traded last year 184 00:11:00,160 --> 00:11:01,719 Speaker 1: the Brewers of the middle of the year, and he 185 00:11:01,760 --> 00:11:03,720 Speaker 1: can find himself in the same situation where he gets 186 00:11:03,720 --> 00:11:06,200 Speaker 1: squeezed out by a team that has very good internal 187 00:11:06,200 --> 00:11:09,640 Speaker 1: options and the Marlins recoup whatever they can for him, 188 00:11:09,720 --> 00:11:12,880 Speaker 1: considering that they were able to acquire him for basically 189 00:11:13,040 --> 00:11:17,280 Speaker 1: nothing from the Rays he was placed on waivers and 190 00:11:17,320 --> 00:11:20,560 Speaker 1: getting anything in return should they trade him in the future. 191 00:11:21,240 --> 00:11:25,400 Speaker 1: That puts them in positive overall in terms of assets 192 00:11:25,440 --> 00:11:30,800 Speaker 1: gains and loss surrounding this particular player. With Aguilar, he 193 00:11:30,840 --> 00:11:34,319 Speaker 1: doesn't have any clear platoon splits in his career, very 194 00:11:34,360 --> 00:11:37,839 Speaker 1: similar production against lefties and righties. Gets on base a 195 00:11:37,880 --> 00:11:41,280 Speaker 1: little bit more against lefties, and the peripherals are a 196 00:11:41,320 --> 00:11:45,400 Speaker 1: little better against lefties. So you imagine that there'll be 197 00:11:45,640 --> 00:11:51,560 Speaker 1: a significant platoon situation going on where he starts almost 198 00:11:51,679 --> 00:11:53,920 Speaker 1: across the board every time that they face a left 199 00:11:53,920 --> 00:11:57,760 Speaker 1: handed pitcher occasionally versus righties. But they could use someone 200 00:11:57,800 --> 00:12:01,000 Speaker 1: like Garrett cooper at that position. We'll see if Austin 201 00:12:01,040 --> 00:12:04,040 Speaker 1: Dean even makes the opening day roster, but they have 202 00:12:04,080 --> 00:12:07,200 Speaker 1: other options at first base. Even Miguel Rojas played a 203 00:12:07,240 --> 00:12:09,000 Speaker 1: little bit of first base in each of the last 204 00:12:09,240 --> 00:12:12,760 Speaker 1: couple years, meaning that if Aguilar is not red hot, 205 00:12:12,880 --> 00:12:15,240 Speaker 1: or if early in the year he is showing those 206 00:12:15,240 --> 00:12:18,600 Speaker 1: pretty significant platoon splits, you could keep him in situations 207 00:12:18,640 --> 00:12:21,400 Speaker 1: where he's more likely to succeed, and that would be 208 00:12:21,559 --> 00:12:26,840 Speaker 1: against left handed pitching. During games in which Aguilar isn't 209 00:12:26,840 --> 00:12:29,360 Speaker 1: in the starting lineup, then you have him available off 210 00:12:29,400 --> 00:12:33,360 Speaker 1: the bench for pinch hitting opportunities. Remember last year, a 211 00:12:33,400 --> 00:12:37,679 Speaker 1: lot of those went to Neil Walker, Martin Prado, Curtis Granderson, 212 00:12:38,200 --> 00:12:41,240 Speaker 1: all well respected veterans in the clubhouse who have accomplished 213 00:12:41,280 --> 00:12:43,160 Speaker 1: a lot in this game, but they were just so 214 00:12:43,280 --> 00:12:46,439 Speaker 1: far removed from the primes of their careers that they 215 00:12:46,679 --> 00:12:50,080 Speaker 1: weren't effective players anymore. Granderson the only one of the 216 00:12:50,080 --> 00:12:53,440 Speaker 1: bunch that had some significant power potential, and he wasn't 217 00:12:53,440 --> 00:12:56,400 Speaker 1: able to show it nearly often enough. Aguilar is a 218 00:12:56,440 --> 00:12:59,400 Speaker 1: type of player that they simply didn't have last year 219 00:12:59,679 --> 00:13:03,320 Speaker 1: because he is that intimidating presence to come off the bench, 220 00:13:03,679 --> 00:13:06,720 Speaker 1: someone that when he is locked in, he's useful against 221 00:13:06,840 --> 00:13:11,719 Speaker 1: both lefties and righties. He can handle high velocity, low velocity, 222 00:13:11,800 --> 00:13:15,040 Speaker 1: everything in between, and that's what the Marlins are hoping 223 00:13:15,080 --> 00:13:18,240 Speaker 1: for such a low risk acquisition because they are just 224 00:13:18,280 --> 00:13:23,120 Speaker 1: claiming him. And again, a good scenario for the organization 225 00:13:23,160 --> 00:13:26,320 Speaker 1: would be if Leywin Diaz forces himself up, which would 226 00:13:26,320 --> 00:13:30,280 Speaker 1: force Aguilar out, But the more likely scenario probably is 227 00:13:30,320 --> 00:13:32,480 Speaker 1: that Leywin is not ready until the very end of 228 00:13:32,480 --> 00:13:35,280 Speaker 1: the year and maybe push back into twenty twenty one 229 00:13:35,600 --> 00:13:38,440 Speaker 1: as the Marlins seeks to add team control over him. 230 00:13:39,000 --> 00:13:42,440 Speaker 1: And that makes Aguilar such a great placeholder. And for 231 00:13:42,520 --> 00:13:47,079 Speaker 1: whatever reason, if he exceeds our most optimistic projections, then 232 00:13:47,120 --> 00:13:52,199 Speaker 1: he is retainable via arbitration for another year, which would 233 00:13:52,200 --> 00:13:56,600 Speaker 1: make him either potentially he throws a wrench in all 234 00:13:56,600 --> 00:13:59,040 Speaker 1: the plans that they had moving forward at first base, 235 00:13:59,400 --> 00:14:01,520 Speaker 1: and if not, if everything is lined up well, if 236 00:14:01,520 --> 00:14:04,160 Speaker 1: he plays well and delay when Diaz plays well, then 237 00:14:04,200 --> 00:14:07,160 Speaker 1: Aguilar becomes a very appealing trade option a year from 238 00:14:07,200 --> 00:14:11,800 Speaker 1: now during the next offseason. Either way, it's such an 239 00:14:11,800 --> 00:14:14,439 Speaker 1: easy opportunity for the Marlins to come out ahead. When 240 00:14:14,480 --> 00:14:16,959 Speaker 1: you look at the total assets, considering that they got 241 00:14:17,000 --> 00:14:21,120 Speaker 1: him for virtually nothing and he can positively impact the 242 00:14:21,160 --> 00:14:23,800 Speaker 1: team in more ways than one. Make sure to check 243 00:14:23,840 --> 00:14:26,840 Speaker 1: out a brief interview that we have with Haysius Aguilar 244 00:14:26,920 --> 00:14:31,040 Speaker 1: onfishtripes dot com that was done recently. He seemed very 245 00:14:31,040 --> 00:14:34,560 Speaker 1: excited to join this team, calling it an opportunity that 246 00:14:34,720 --> 00:14:39,840 Speaker 1: every player wants. Aguie lar reunites with his former teammate 247 00:14:39,920 --> 00:14:43,080 Speaker 1: Jonathan Vr. They were together with the Milwaukee Brewers for 248 00:14:43,120 --> 00:14:45,760 Speaker 1: a couple of years, and VR is now a Marlin 249 00:14:45,840 --> 00:14:49,440 Speaker 1: as well, after being acquired via trade from Baltimore in 250 00:14:49,480 --> 00:14:53,600 Speaker 1: exchange for minor league left hander Easton Lucas. Lucas being 251 00:14:53,720 --> 00:14:57,480 Speaker 1: a late round draft pick in twenty nineteen. He played 252 00:14:57,480 --> 00:15:01,960 Speaker 1: the summer at Batavia mid decent impression on folks, but 253 00:15:03,000 --> 00:15:07,040 Speaker 1: he's buried very deep in this pitching rich organization, so 254 00:15:07,400 --> 00:15:11,080 Speaker 1: he was expendable for the Marlins. This is more or 255 00:15:11,160 --> 00:15:15,000 Speaker 1: less a glorified salary dump, considering that Vr was coming 256 00:15:15,000 --> 00:15:19,040 Speaker 1: off a big year for Baltimore, slashing two seventy four, 257 00:15:19,360 --> 00:15:22,280 Speaker 1: three point thirty nine four fifty three a one poh 258 00:15:22,440 --> 00:15:27,480 Speaker 1: seven weighted runs created, plus a great base running and 259 00:15:27,800 --> 00:15:31,400 Speaker 1: a versatile defense up the middle between second base and shortstop. 260 00:15:31,760 --> 00:15:34,360 Speaker 1: He added together, and he was a four win player 261 00:15:34,400 --> 00:15:38,200 Speaker 1: by both Baseball Reference and fangrass. Four wins above replacement 262 00:15:38,520 --> 00:15:41,400 Speaker 1: for a guy that played every single game as well 263 00:15:42,080 --> 00:15:45,160 Speaker 1: and was a really exciting guy to follow. He is 264 00:15:45,200 --> 00:15:48,800 Speaker 1: twenty eight years old and someone in the prime of 265 00:15:48,840 --> 00:15:52,360 Speaker 1: his career with one more year remaining under team control. 266 00:15:53,080 --> 00:15:55,720 Speaker 1: The impetus for the Orioles to trade him just seems 267 00:15:55,720 --> 00:15:57,880 Speaker 1: to be the big pay rays that he was due 268 00:15:58,080 --> 00:16:02,240 Speaker 1: by virtue of playing so much and stealing forty bases. 269 00:16:02,480 --> 00:16:05,920 Speaker 1: Those kind of counting stats really build towards your value 270 00:16:05,960 --> 00:16:08,200 Speaker 1: when you go in front of an arbitration panel. So 271 00:16:08,240 --> 00:16:11,160 Speaker 1: he is due, in the estimation of MLB trade rumors, 272 00:16:11,160 --> 00:16:14,760 Speaker 1: over ten million dollars in salary this coming year before 273 00:16:14,760 --> 00:16:18,320 Speaker 1: potentially going into free agency the following year. I'm going 274 00:16:18,400 --> 00:16:21,280 Speaker 1: to summarize an article that I wrote on Fish Stripes 275 00:16:21,480 --> 00:16:26,240 Speaker 1: published this past Friday, specifically about VR's base running. Already 276 00:16:26,360 --> 00:16:30,080 Speaker 1: just mentioned stole forty bases last year, the Marlins as 277 00:16:30,080 --> 00:16:33,840 Speaker 1: a team only stole fifty five. What I wanted to 278 00:16:33,880 --> 00:16:36,560 Speaker 1: point out in the article is the various different aspects 279 00:16:36,800 --> 00:16:39,520 Speaker 1: of base running that VR provides and what makes them 280 00:16:39,520 --> 00:16:43,680 Speaker 1: different from really anybody that they already had in their organization. 281 00:16:44,960 --> 00:16:48,560 Speaker 1: VR led all of baseball in twenty nineteen with ten 282 00:16:48,600 --> 00:16:52,680 Speaker 1: point five base running runs. Last season, that's compared to 283 00:16:52,760 --> 00:16:56,040 Speaker 1: league average. According to Fangrafts, the Marlins as a team 284 00:16:56,440 --> 00:17:00,400 Speaker 1: had negative twenty three point nine base running runs, which 285 00:17:00,440 --> 00:17:03,160 Speaker 1: is one of the worst team totals in National League 286 00:17:03,360 --> 00:17:06,480 Speaker 1: history base running runs. It takes into account what do 287 00:17:06,480 --> 00:17:09,679 Speaker 1: you do obviously as a base dealer, but also running 288 00:17:09,720 --> 00:17:13,200 Speaker 1: the bases on any live ball in play, how you 289 00:17:13,359 --> 00:17:17,119 Speaker 1: avoid double plays that we sometimes take for granted the 290 00:17:17,119 --> 00:17:20,080 Speaker 1: players that can break up double plays or beat them out, 291 00:17:20,440 --> 00:17:23,439 Speaker 1: So it tries to take all that into consideration compared 292 00:17:23,480 --> 00:17:25,800 Speaker 1: it to league average. With VR being ten and a 293 00:17:25,840 --> 00:17:30,840 Speaker 1: half runs above average, that's approximately a full win for 294 00:17:30,920 --> 00:17:34,240 Speaker 1: a team. So of his four wins above replacement as 295 00:17:34,240 --> 00:17:37,280 Speaker 1: a player, a quarter that comes solely from what he 296 00:17:37,320 --> 00:17:39,879 Speaker 1: did as a base runner once he's already on base. 297 00:17:40,480 --> 00:17:43,600 Speaker 1: Compared to other qualified batters in the league this past year, 298 00:17:43,880 --> 00:17:47,280 Speaker 1: there's such a big chasm between VR and everybody else. 299 00:17:47,320 --> 00:17:49,879 Speaker 1: He was really lapping the field as a base runner 300 00:17:49,960 --> 00:17:54,200 Speaker 1: ten point five BSR. The next closest was maleck Smith 301 00:17:54,359 --> 00:17:57,320 Speaker 1: of the Mariners and old friend Christian Yelich of the 302 00:17:57,320 --> 00:18:00,680 Speaker 1: pre Roots, both of them at eight point five runs 303 00:18:00,720 --> 00:18:03,879 Speaker 1: above average, and the difference between VR and them with 304 00:18:04,119 --> 00:18:07,000 Speaker 1: is two full runs is the same as the distance 305 00:18:07,000 --> 00:18:10,800 Speaker 1: between second place in eighth place in the Major leagues, 306 00:18:11,280 --> 00:18:15,800 Speaker 1: eighth place being Trey Turner at six point five VR 307 00:18:16,000 --> 00:18:18,760 Speaker 1: was just exceptional compared to everybody else. You look back 308 00:18:18,880 --> 00:18:21,800 Speaker 1: historically in the total that he reached at ten point 309 00:18:21,840 --> 00:18:25,120 Speaker 1: five BSR, you only see that about once a year 310 00:18:25,160 --> 00:18:28,280 Speaker 1: on average across baseball, and it was easily a career 311 00:18:28,359 --> 00:18:30,960 Speaker 1: high from him. So I'll preface it by saying that 312 00:18:30,960 --> 00:18:33,440 Speaker 1: that this was a career year for him in several 313 00:18:33,440 --> 00:18:36,159 Speaker 1: different ways, and especially as a base runner, so you 314 00:18:36,200 --> 00:18:41,000 Speaker 1: don't necessarily bet on him replicating that. And it's worth 315 00:18:41,040 --> 00:18:44,960 Speaker 1: noting that the Orioles are run by disciples of the 316 00:18:45,000 --> 00:18:49,120 Speaker 1: Houston Astros organization. Just like the Rays. This is an 317 00:18:49,240 --> 00:18:52,600 Speaker 1: organization that is trying to establish themselves as being smart 318 00:18:52,760 --> 00:18:56,560 Speaker 1: and very efficient, and there should always be some skepticism 319 00:18:56,840 --> 00:18:59,520 Speaker 1: when an an organization run like that is very heavily 320 00:18:59,520 --> 00:19:02,840 Speaker 1: based in analytics. If they find that a player that 321 00:19:03,000 --> 00:19:07,240 Speaker 1: seems valuable, if they find him to be expendable, then 322 00:19:07,400 --> 00:19:09,439 Speaker 1: it just makes you raise your eyebrows a little bit 323 00:19:09,480 --> 00:19:11,639 Speaker 1: about whether maybe the team is just being cheap. I 324 00:19:11,720 --> 00:19:13,760 Speaker 1: think that's been the popular opinion here, that the Orioles 325 00:19:13,760 --> 00:19:15,679 Speaker 1: are just being cheap and being stupid, and the Marlins 326 00:19:15,720 --> 00:19:18,359 Speaker 1: can take advantage of that. But it just gives you 327 00:19:18,359 --> 00:19:21,240 Speaker 1: a little bit of pause that they decided to get 328 00:19:21,359 --> 00:19:24,360 Speaker 1: rid of this guy who was one of their faces 329 00:19:24,440 --> 00:19:28,879 Speaker 1: of the organization as the roster was currently constructed. Anyway, 330 00:19:28,920 --> 00:19:31,359 Speaker 1: getting back to the Marlins, they struggled so much on 331 00:19:31,400 --> 00:19:34,639 Speaker 1: the basis last year, by far the base running value 332 00:19:34,640 --> 00:19:36,920 Speaker 1: of any team in the majors, one of the worst 333 00:19:37,040 --> 00:19:41,200 Speaker 1: National League history, And why that's so incredible is that 334 00:19:41,280 --> 00:19:43,359 Speaker 1: they just didn't get on base very much in the 335 00:19:43,400 --> 00:19:46,640 Speaker 1: first place. How can you be such a historically bad 336 00:19:46,640 --> 00:19:50,080 Speaker 1: base running team if you only got on base with 337 00:19:50,200 --> 00:19:53,320 Speaker 1: a two ninety eight clip. As a team, they are, 338 00:19:53,800 --> 00:19:57,479 Speaker 1: in fact, the only team in Major League Baseball history 339 00:19:57,960 --> 00:20:01,760 Speaker 1: that had a base running value that low while having 340 00:20:01,840 --> 00:20:05,120 Speaker 1: a sub three hundred on base percentage. It's a combination 341 00:20:05,200 --> 00:20:08,560 Speaker 1: that's never happened before. Some of that has to do 342 00:20:08,600 --> 00:20:10,959 Speaker 1: with the personnel that they had. Some of it has 343 00:20:11,000 --> 00:20:13,439 Speaker 1: to do. You have to imagine with the coaching and 344 00:20:13,480 --> 00:20:16,320 Speaker 1: some of the decisions and the signs that they were 345 00:20:16,320 --> 00:20:18,520 Speaker 1: giving to their players, So you got to question that 346 00:20:18,600 --> 00:20:22,800 Speaker 1: judgment as well. Later on in the year, they had 347 00:20:22,840 --> 00:20:26,199 Speaker 1: some very interesting base runners emerged, such as John Birdie. 348 00:20:26,520 --> 00:20:29,520 Speaker 1: He only played about half the season in the major 349 00:20:29,600 --> 00:20:32,560 Speaker 1: leagues and yet accounted for six and a half based 350 00:20:32,600 --> 00:20:37,720 Speaker 1: running runs scaled over an entire season. John Birdy would 351 00:20:37,720 --> 00:20:39,600 Speaker 1: have been right up there with VR as one of 352 00:20:39,640 --> 00:20:43,560 Speaker 1: the best base runners in baseball. We had touched on briefly. 353 00:20:43,720 --> 00:20:46,320 Speaker 1: Monte Harrison is one of the prospects waiting in the 354 00:20:46,320 --> 00:20:49,600 Speaker 1: wings for the Marlins. He has been extremely efficient running 355 00:20:49,640 --> 00:20:52,520 Speaker 1: the bases throughout his minor league career and that's something 356 00:20:52,560 --> 00:20:54,359 Speaker 1: that could translate very well in the major leagues. He 357 00:20:54,400 --> 00:20:57,280 Speaker 1: should be up early in the twenty twenty season, improving 358 00:20:57,320 --> 00:21:00,560 Speaker 1: the Marlins in that category. Magnaris Sierra could be the 359 00:21:00,600 --> 00:21:03,440 Speaker 1: speediest out of all these guys. He is out of 360 00:21:03,520 --> 00:21:06,919 Speaker 1: minor league options and barring a trade, he will be 361 00:21:07,040 --> 00:21:09,600 Speaker 1: on the opening day roster as well. So you consider 362 00:21:09,800 --> 00:21:13,280 Speaker 1: the veterans that departed via free agency, and you have 363 00:21:13,359 --> 00:21:17,560 Speaker 1: these speedy guys that are as currently projected, gonna play 364 00:21:17,640 --> 00:21:20,600 Speaker 1: larger roles in the team than they did last year, 365 00:21:21,080 --> 00:21:23,640 Speaker 1: and there would be a lot of internal improvement from 366 00:21:23,680 --> 00:21:26,480 Speaker 1: the Marlins. Nonetheless, if they want to go from being 367 00:21:27,040 --> 00:21:31,120 Speaker 1: the worst base running team to being having that being 368 00:21:31,119 --> 00:21:34,280 Speaker 1: a strength of the team, they needed to make acquisitions 369 00:21:34,680 --> 00:21:38,080 Speaker 1: like VR. He should have a very substantial individual impact 370 00:21:38,440 --> 00:21:42,000 Speaker 1: because he does things differently. He does things that basically 371 00:21:42,040 --> 00:21:45,679 Speaker 1: nobody else on the Marlins. Due since twenty sixteen, the 372 00:21:45,720 --> 00:21:48,720 Speaker 1: beginning of the down Mattingly era, the Marlins have stolen 373 00:21:49,080 --> 00:21:53,080 Speaker 1: third base thirty different times. Four years. They've only stolen 374 00:21:53,160 --> 00:21:57,320 Speaker 1: third on thirty occasions since twenty sixteen. In that exact 375 00:21:57,400 --> 00:22:02,440 Speaker 1: same timeframe, Jonathan vr All himself has stolen third base 376 00:22:02,880 --> 00:22:06,480 Speaker 1: thirty two times. He has done it more individually than 377 00:22:06,840 --> 00:22:09,359 Speaker 1: the Marlins as a team have done during the same 378 00:22:09,840 --> 00:22:13,840 Speaker 1: time span. Well, so it makes you wonder whether dynamatically 379 00:22:13,880 --> 00:22:17,320 Speaker 1: will reconsider some of his base running philosophies. Could he 380 00:22:17,400 --> 00:22:20,399 Speaker 1: simply just trust VR's track record of being able to 381 00:22:20,400 --> 00:22:23,720 Speaker 1: do this get himself an extra ninety feet Because being 382 00:22:23,720 --> 00:22:27,399 Speaker 1: in quote unquote scoring position, it doesn't have the same 383 00:22:27,560 --> 00:22:30,239 Speaker 1: effect as it used to in baseball, where people are 384 00:22:30,240 --> 00:22:33,280 Speaker 1: striking out more often than ever. You can't necessarily always 385 00:22:33,320 --> 00:22:36,960 Speaker 1: bet on a hit scoring a runner from second base. 386 00:22:37,359 --> 00:22:40,440 Speaker 1: You need more. You sometimes need that guy to make 387 00:22:40,440 --> 00:22:42,560 Speaker 1: some magic happen by himself and get himself all the 388 00:22:42,600 --> 00:22:45,760 Speaker 1: way to third. And the Marlins have been lacking that 389 00:22:45,800 --> 00:22:48,720 Speaker 1: type of player in the past, especially the past two years. 390 00:22:49,160 --> 00:22:51,080 Speaker 1: VR is going to be an exception to that, which 391 00:22:51,080 --> 00:22:57,800 Speaker 1: is very exciting. On Baseball Reference shows extra bases taken percentage, which, 392 00:22:57,800 --> 00:23:00,359 Speaker 1: as they describe it, as the percentage of time runner 393 00:23:00,359 --> 00:23:02,720 Speaker 1: advanced more than one base on a single or more 394 00:23:02,760 --> 00:23:07,000 Speaker 1: than two bases on double when possible. Last season, Jonathan 395 00:23:07,119 --> 00:23:10,560 Speaker 1: VR took the extra base sixty one percent of the time. 396 00:23:10,920 --> 00:23:13,840 Speaker 1: The league average is just forty one percent, and the 397 00:23:13,840 --> 00:23:16,000 Speaker 1: Marlins as a team were one of the worst at 398 00:23:16,000 --> 00:23:20,040 Speaker 1: thirty six percent. There's just another effector right there that 399 00:23:20,080 --> 00:23:23,000 Speaker 1: he's gonna have taking extra bases that you didn't even 400 00:23:23,160 --> 00:23:26,000 Speaker 1: think about that the Marlins were missing out on in 401 00:23:26,040 --> 00:23:29,600 Speaker 1: twenty nineteen. And what makes all this so interesting to 402 00:23:29,600 --> 00:23:33,880 Speaker 1: me is that VR is not actually that fast. He's 403 00:23:34,119 --> 00:23:38,320 Speaker 1: above average according to sprint speed that is tracked by 404 00:23:38,520 --> 00:23:42,000 Speaker 1: stat Cast, he floats between twenty seven point six and 405 00:23:42,080 --> 00:23:46,160 Speaker 1: twenty eight feet per second as a max effort sprinter. 406 00:23:46,560 --> 00:23:49,480 Speaker 1: The league average for sprint speed is about twenty seven 407 00:23:49,800 --> 00:23:53,280 Speaker 1: feed perspective feed per seconds. But if you're comparing VR 408 00:23:53,359 --> 00:23:56,240 Speaker 1: to other players at his position, remember he was at 409 00:23:56,280 --> 00:23:59,320 Speaker 1: second base and shortstop last year. Compared to that, he 410 00:23:59,440 --> 00:24:02,879 Speaker 1: is almost exactly in line with the league average in 411 00:24:02,960 --> 00:24:05,640 Speaker 1: terms of the MAC speed that he's able to get. 412 00:24:06,440 --> 00:24:10,360 Speaker 1: What makes him able to perform so well despite that 413 00:24:10,880 --> 00:24:14,600 Speaker 1: is that he accelerates very well off the base or 414 00:24:14,640 --> 00:24:17,520 Speaker 1: when he's hitting out of the batter's box. You combine 415 00:24:17,560 --> 00:24:19,520 Speaker 1: that with the fact that he's a switch hitter, so 416 00:24:19,560 --> 00:24:21,879 Speaker 1: in most of his plate appearances he's batting left handed, 417 00:24:22,040 --> 00:24:24,200 Speaker 1: which brings them a little bit closer to first base. 418 00:24:24,520 --> 00:24:28,480 Speaker 1: And I did this fun simulation comparing his home to 419 00:24:28,600 --> 00:24:33,040 Speaker 1: first sprinting to Harold Ramirez and Jorge Alfarro. So those 420 00:24:33,040 --> 00:24:35,960 Speaker 1: are two guys that if you watched Marlins last year, 421 00:24:36,160 --> 00:24:37,960 Speaker 1: they are great at getting down the line, but they 422 00:24:38,040 --> 00:24:40,800 Speaker 1: do it as right handed batters. When VR is running 423 00:24:40,800 --> 00:24:44,239 Speaker 1: from the left side, his home to first time is 424 00:24:44,400 --> 00:24:48,280 Speaker 1: exactly in line with theirs. So although he is significantly 425 00:24:48,480 --> 00:24:52,040 Speaker 1: slower at his max, because he's able to accelerate so well, 426 00:24:52,440 --> 00:24:54,520 Speaker 1: and being that he's batting from the left side and 427 00:24:54,560 --> 00:24:56,920 Speaker 1: the Marlins were lacking a lot of quality left handed 428 00:24:56,920 --> 00:24:59,480 Speaker 1: bats last year, that gives him a little bit of 429 00:24:59,520 --> 00:25:01,920 Speaker 1: an advantage as well. Year of the year. He's a 430 00:25:01,960 --> 00:25:04,760 Speaker 1: guy that consistently puts up a very high batting average 431 00:25:04,800 --> 00:25:07,600 Speaker 1: on ground balls because of the ways he's able to 432 00:25:07,600 --> 00:25:09,400 Speaker 1: get out of the box. He beats out a lot 433 00:25:09,400 --> 00:25:12,840 Speaker 1: of infield hits, so the quality of contact that VR 434 00:25:12,920 --> 00:25:17,560 Speaker 1: mix isn't always that exceptional, but it doesn't matter because 435 00:25:17,600 --> 00:25:21,359 Speaker 1: he is very fundamentally sounds with his legs and that's 436 00:25:21,680 --> 00:25:26,240 Speaker 1: just a very convenient addition to the Marlins, which leads 437 00:25:26,280 --> 00:25:28,840 Speaker 1: to the final question with him, which is what position 438 00:25:29,119 --> 00:25:32,400 Speaker 1: is VR going to play? All the Marlins last year 439 00:25:32,440 --> 00:25:35,439 Speaker 1: split time between second base and shortstop. Looking at his 440 00:25:35,480 --> 00:25:39,600 Speaker 1: whole career to date, he's spent the vast majority of 441 00:25:39,640 --> 00:25:43,080 Speaker 1: his defensive endings as just those two positions, three hundred 442 00:25:43,080 --> 00:25:46,560 Speaker 1: and forty eight starts at shortstop, two hundred and seventy 443 00:25:46,600 --> 00:25:50,119 Speaker 1: seven starts at second base, only a few dozen starts 444 00:25:50,119 --> 00:25:54,399 Speaker 1: at any other position. Yet, when President of Baseball Operations 445 00:25:54,440 --> 00:25:59,520 Speaker 1: Michael Hill commented on the signing, publicly, he said that 446 00:25:59,720 --> 00:26:02,440 Speaker 1: the tentative plans for a VR to play a lot 447 00:26:02,440 --> 00:26:05,720 Speaker 1: of third base and a lot of outfield, which made 448 00:26:05,760 --> 00:26:09,400 Speaker 1: me really raise an eyebrow, because third base, he's got 449 00:26:09,400 --> 00:26:13,119 Speaker 1: forty eight career starts there, four hundred plus ennings. For 450 00:26:13,160 --> 00:26:17,680 Speaker 1: whatever reason, he's committed a very high rate of errors 451 00:26:17,800 --> 00:26:20,320 Speaker 1: at that position. I'm not someone that gets stuck on 452 00:26:20,680 --> 00:26:23,360 Speaker 1: errors as any sort of tell as to what your 453 00:26:23,400 --> 00:26:27,120 Speaker 1: defensive value is. But sixteen errors and forty eight starts 454 00:26:27,440 --> 00:26:30,080 Speaker 1: about one every three times that you start at a 455 00:26:30,080 --> 00:26:33,199 Speaker 1: position at the major league level. That's almost unheard of. 456 00:26:33,760 --> 00:26:37,160 Speaker 1: Worth noting that he played that position several years ago, 457 00:26:38,000 --> 00:26:40,560 Speaker 1: most of that playing time from twenty sixteen, a little 458 00:26:40,560 --> 00:26:44,200 Speaker 1: bit from twenty fifteen. The head scratcher is the outfield, 459 00:26:44,520 --> 00:26:47,480 Speaker 1: because he only has eight career outfield starts in the majors, 460 00:26:48,640 --> 00:26:53,240 Speaker 1: those also being several years ago. The Marlins heading into 461 00:26:53,280 --> 00:26:55,600 Speaker 1: the winter meetings, as we're going to discuss further, they 462 00:26:55,600 --> 00:26:59,120 Speaker 1: could use another outfield bat in their lineup, and maybe 463 00:26:59,119 --> 00:27:01,560 Speaker 1: the urgency isn't quite there if they already plan on 464 00:27:01,640 --> 00:27:05,359 Speaker 1: having VR there. But it is fair to question Marlin's 465 00:27:05,400 --> 00:27:08,920 Speaker 1: leadership on this decision and why they have conviction that 466 00:27:09,040 --> 00:27:12,520 Speaker 1: VR will be successful at third base and outfield, despite 467 00:27:12,560 --> 00:27:16,480 Speaker 1: being utilized there so rarely by his previous teams. They 468 00:27:16,480 --> 00:27:20,600 Speaker 1: have this one example, Marlins Dow of Brian Anderson converting 469 00:27:20,760 --> 00:27:24,560 Speaker 1: seamlessly to right field, becoming a good defensive right fielder 470 00:27:24,600 --> 00:27:27,800 Speaker 1: in twenty eighteen and making progress into being a great 471 00:27:27,920 --> 00:27:31,320 Speaker 1: defensive right fielder last year, a position that he had 472 00:27:31,560 --> 00:27:34,880 Speaker 1: barely any background in whatsoever. That was a good adjustment, 473 00:27:35,320 --> 00:27:37,720 Speaker 1: but there have been some flops in that same era, 474 00:27:37,880 --> 00:27:41,840 Speaker 1: in that same I guess the same sort of situation 475 00:27:42,000 --> 00:27:45,320 Speaker 1: as well, where JT. Riddle, who we're going to discuss 476 00:27:45,359 --> 00:27:48,320 Speaker 1: coming up, who is now no longer a Marlin. They 477 00:27:48,359 --> 00:27:51,160 Speaker 1: tried an experiment to stick him in center field after 478 00:27:51,200 --> 00:27:54,200 Speaker 1: a career as an infielder, and that did not go well. 479 00:27:54,359 --> 00:27:57,040 Speaker 1: He had very limited sample size and it hurt that 480 00:27:57,080 --> 00:28:00,840 Speaker 1: he didn't hit during that sample either way. But I mean, 481 00:28:00,960 --> 00:28:04,840 Speaker 1: this doesn't come as easily to every single different player, 482 00:28:05,520 --> 00:28:09,640 Speaker 1: being that they traded to get VR, they didn't sign 483 00:28:09,680 --> 00:28:11,439 Speaker 1: him as a free agent. They weren't really able to 484 00:28:11,480 --> 00:28:15,040 Speaker 1: speak with him directly all that much before bringing him in. 485 00:28:16,000 --> 00:28:18,520 Speaker 1: Who's to say whether he is fully on board with 486 00:28:18,640 --> 00:28:22,600 Speaker 1: switching positions he is now based on his recent history, 487 00:28:22,880 --> 00:28:26,000 Speaker 1: he's a good insurance policy at second base. If East 488 00:28:26,119 --> 00:28:30,200 Speaker 1: and Diez's struggles from late last year carryover for forever 489 00:28:30,280 --> 00:28:34,320 Speaker 1: reason East and Diaz isn't able to fulfill his destiny 490 00:28:34,400 --> 00:28:37,280 Speaker 1: as an everyday second baseman, then you have VR, or 491 00:28:37,800 --> 00:28:41,320 Speaker 1: you have mcguil. Rojas shrift over from shortsop to second base, 492 00:28:41,520 --> 00:28:44,080 Speaker 1: and he sticked VR at shortstop, which is a position 493 00:28:44,120 --> 00:28:47,080 Speaker 1: that he's comfortable in. If I was a betting man, 494 00:28:47,480 --> 00:28:50,360 Speaker 1: I would anticipate that VR is going to play more 495 00:28:50,720 --> 00:28:53,000 Speaker 1: for the Marlins at second base and shortsop than he 496 00:28:53,040 --> 00:28:56,640 Speaker 1: does at third base in the outfield. That's my feeling 497 00:28:56,760 --> 00:29:01,120 Speaker 1: about this, because you can't simply move these guys around 498 00:29:01,280 --> 00:29:03,880 Speaker 1: at will and expected it to be successful in every 499 00:29:03,920 --> 00:29:08,880 Speaker 1: single case. It's somewhat there's a willingness for certain players 500 00:29:08,920 --> 00:29:12,320 Speaker 1: to switch positions, but there are also very tangible skills 501 00:29:12,360 --> 00:29:15,840 Speaker 1: that you need at different positions that can't necessarily be 502 00:29:17,000 --> 00:29:19,880 Speaker 1: acquired through hard work. Some of it is there are 503 00:29:19,960 --> 00:29:23,440 Speaker 1: just tangible things that players have and don't have, and 504 00:29:23,840 --> 00:29:25,320 Speaker 1: the fact that VR has made it this far in 505 00:29:25,360 --> 00:29:28,640 Speaker 1: his career with such a little usage at these positions 506 00:29:28,720 --> 00:29:31,640 Speaker 1: that the Marlins teem intense on using him at it 507 00:29:31,680 --> 00:29:36,120 Speaker 1: makes me very suspicious. Again, my expectation is that East 508 00:29:36,120 --> 00:29:39,960 Speaker 1: San Diaz and Miguil Rojas, if they don't, there is 509 00:29:40,000 --> 00:29:42,080 Speaker 1: a situation where a lot of at bats are going 510 00:29:42,120 --> 00:29:44,440 Speaker 1: to be available for the Marlins middle infield, and that's 511 00:29:44,440 --> 00:29:47,160 Speaker 1: where you have this guy like VR to plug those 512 00:29:47,200 --> 00:29:49,920 Speaker 1: holes in play. The most important thing, of course, is 513 00:29:49,960 --> 00:29:52,120 Speaker 1: to get his legs into the lineup and to get 514 00:29:52,120 --> 00:29:54,240 Speaker 1: his bat into the lineup. Coming off a career year 515 00:29:54,640 --> 00:29:56,760 Speaker 1: at the plate where he was well above league average 516 00:29:56,760 --> 00:29:58,800 Speaker 1: as a hitter, he set a career high with twenty 517 00:29:58,800 --> 00:30:02,320 Speaker 1: four home runs. He's if you just get his bat 518 00:30:02,320 --> 00:30:03,800 Speaker 1: and his legs in the lineup, there's gonna be a 519 00:30:03,840 --> 00:30:07,360 Speaker 1: lot of value there. You just don't want him to 520 00:30:07,480 --> 00:30:12,840 Speaker 1: negate all those contributions because he's put into uncomfortable spots defensively. 521 00:30:18,160 --> 00:30:21,080 Speaker 1: The Marlins entered this past week with a filled up 522 00:30:21,280 --> 00:30:25,000 Speaker 1: forty man roster. That means that in order to bring 523 00:30:25,040 --> 00:30:28,680 Speaker 1: in Hayesiusaguilar and Jonathan Vr, they had to make two 524 00:30:28,800 --> 00:30:33,520 Speaker 1: corresponding moves, and that meant getting rid of JT. Riddle 525 00:30:33,800 --> 00:30:37,800 Speaker 1: in Tyrone Guerrero Riddle was non tendered on Monday. Right 526 00:30:37,840 --> 00:30:40,000 Speaker 1: before that non tender deadline. He was due a slight 527 00:30:40,120 --> 00:30:42,920 Speaker 1: raise that the Marlins weren't interested in paying him, and 528 00:30:43,040 --> 00:30:46,840 Speaker 1: apparently they weren't able to find any trade interest in him. 529 00:30:47,080 --> 00:30:51,800 Speaker 1: Guerrero was designated for assignment and claimed on Friday by 530 00:30:51,800 --> 00:30:55,560 Speaker 1: the Chicago White Sox. Riddle's name has already come up 531 00:30:55,600 --> 00:30:58,320 Speaker 1: a couple times on this podcast, including last week when 532 00:30:58,320 --> 00:31:02,520 Speaker 1: we were anticipating the non tender deadline. It was clear 533 00:31:02,600 --> 00:31:05,200 Speaker 1: at that point that Riddle didn't fit in the Marlins future, 534 00:31:05,520 --> 00:31:07,720 Speaker 1: coming off the season where at the major league level 535 00:31:07,960 --> 00:31:10,520 Speaker 1: a one point eighty nine batting average, two point thirty 536 00:31:10,560 --> 00:31:14,280 Speaker 1: on base three seventy one slugging, just a fifty four 537 00:31:14,320 --> 00:31:18,040 Speaker 1: weighted runs created plus, and he was far below replacement 538 00:31:18,080 --> 00:31:20,640 Speaker 1: level as an overall player. As he was moved off 539 00:31:20,640 --> 00:31:24,600 Speaker 1: of shortstop, tried to learn center field and made some 540 00:31:24,720 --> 00:31:27,480 Speaker 1: good plays of that position, but also botched a lot 541 00:31:27,480 --> 00:31:30,880 Speaker 1: of very routine situations that made the Marlins very difficult 542 00:31:30,880 --> 00:31:34,200 Speaker 1: to watch for a big chunk of the twenty nineteen season. 543 00:31:34,360 --> 00:31:38,400 Speaker 1: He was somewhat of a poster child for that. Throughout 544 00:31:38,400 --> 00:31:41,800 Speaker 1: his career, he's had some troubles just simply getting on base. 545 00:31:42,440 --> 00:31:46,240 Speaker 1: He was a very fundamentally sound shortstop that if he 546 00:31:46,320 --> 00:31:48,920 Speaker 1: was able to hit at all, I think the Marlins 547 00:31:49,560 --> 00:31:52,280 Speaker 1: were planning on giving him a significant look at shortstop 548 00:31:52,360 --> 00:31:56,120 Speaker 1: last season, but aside from a couple of very brief glimpses, 549 00:31:56,520 --> 00:31:58,920 Speaker 1: the offense was not there. It was not enough offense 550 00:31:58,960 --> 00:32:03,720 Speaker 1: to justify starting him with any consistency at any position. 551 00:32:04,200 --> 00:32:06,880 Speaker 1: And now he's a free agent after being non tendered. 552 00:32:07,880 --> 00:32:10,440 Speaker 1: He's a guy that will be entering his age twenty 553 00:32:10,480 --> 00:32:13,520 Speaker 1: eight season, and I'm sure there will be some interest 554 00:32:13,600 --> 00:32:16,840 Speaker 1: in him as a guy that has very decent raw 555 00:32:16,920 --> 00:32:19,840 Speaker 1: power as a player with his left handed swing, and 556 00:32:20,080 --> 00:32:23,600 Speaker 1: there are there's always some need for depth at the 557 00:32:23,600 --> 00:32:26,840 Speaker 1: short stop position. We're at a very rich time in 558 00:32:27,280 --> 00:32:29,920 Speaker 1: major league history where there are a bunch of teams 559 00:32:29,920 --> 00:32:33,120 Speaker 1: at a very desirable players at shortstop position. So he's 560 00:32:33,160 --> 00:32:35,000 Speaker 1: not a guy that's going to get a guaranteed deal 561 00:32:35,240 --> 00:32:37,720 Speaker 1: from anybody. He's going to be a minor league signing 562 00:32:37,760 --> 00:32:40,080 Speaker 1: with an invite to spring training, and if he finds 563 00:32:40,080 --> 00:32:42,960 Speaker 1: the right fit, potentially you could see him sneak onto 564 00:32:42,960 --> 00:32:45,880 Speaker 1: an opening day roster, but more likely he'll be playing 565 00:32:46,600 --> 00:32:50,560 Speaker 1: early next season at the Triple A level. Tyrone Guerrero 566 00:32:50,760 --> 00:32:55,760 Speaker 1: is a more polarizing case in my opinion. The news 567 00:32:55,800 --> 00:32:57,680 Speaker 1: came out on Friday that he was claimed by the 568 00:32:57,680 --> 00:33:01,040 Speaker 1: White Sox. There's that seven day window between being designated 569 00:33:01,080 --> 00:33:04,320 Speaker 1: for assignment and when your situation needs to be resolved, 570 00:33:04,560 --> 00:33:06,520 Speaker 1: so with a few days to go, the Marlins were 571 00:33:06,520 --> 00:33:09,240 Speaker 1: able to find him a team to claim him. The 572 00:33:09,280 --> 00:33:11,520 Speaker 1: Marlins get a little bit of a fee from the 573 00:33:11,520 --> 00:33:14,480 Speaker 1: White Sox. They get paid a little bit for losing 574 00:33:14,600 --> 00:33:18,640 Speaker 1: him on waivers. Guerrero coming off a very bad season 575 00:33:18,640 --> 00:33:21,040 Speaker 1: at the major league level a six point twenty six 576 00:33:21,120 --> 00:33:24,800 Speaker 1: earned run average six point oh six field or independent pitching. 577 00:33:25,440 --> 00:33:27,880 Speaker 1: He struck out less than twenty percent of the batters 578 00:33:27,880 --> 00:33:30,480 Speaker 1: he faced, which is very hard to believe for a 579 00:33:30,520 --> 00:33:33,480 Speaker 1: guy with his kind of raw stuff, and just like Riddle, 580 00:33:33,520 --> 00:33:36,800 Speaker 1: he was below replacement level according to fangrafs in his 581 00:33:36,920 --> 00:33:41,040 Speaker 1: forty six innings pitched at the major league level. So 582 00:33:41,720 --> 00:33:44,480 Speaker 1: a polarizing player, as I said, because a lot of 583 00:33:44,520 --> 00:33:47,360 Speaker 1: the comments that came out after he was claimed were 584 00:33:47,400 --> 00:33:51,000 Speaker 1: applauding the White Sox and saying this is a sneaky 585 00:33:51,040 --> 00:33:53,560 Speaker 1: good move for them. He's a guy in Guerrero that 586 00:33:53,680 --> 00:33:56,840 Speaker 1: is just a couple tweaks away from unlocking his potential 587 00:33:56,880 --> 00:33:59,760 Speaker 1: of being a great pitcher. Of course, last year you 588 00:33:59,800 --> 00:34:03,320 Speaker 1: know about his fastball velocity. He averaged ninety nine miles 589 00:34:03,320 --> 00:34:07,400 Speaker 1: per hour on his fastball and consistently topped one hundred 590 00:34:07,440 --> 00:34:09,760 Speaker 1: miles an hour when he was feeling it on certain nights. 591 00:34:10,120 --> 00:34:13,840 Speaker 1: With Jordan Hicks of the Cardinals being injured injuring his 592 00:34:13,880 --> 00:34:18,040 Speaker 1: elbow and undergoing Tommy John surgery, Guerrero was for a 593 00:34:18,080 --> 00:34:21,880 Speaker 1: time the hardest thrower in major leagues. So there is 594 00:34:21,960 --> 00:34:24,839 Speaker 1: a lot of sex appeal to that happening. But he's 595 00:34:24,840 --> 00:34:27,520 Speaker 1: also going to be entering his age twenty nine season, 596 00:34:27,840 --> 00:34:31,280 Speaker 1: and for his career he's been a below replacement level 597 00:34:31,360 --> 00:34:34,120 Speaker 1: pitcher in the major leagues. So the reason for that 598 00:34:34,239 --> 00:34:38,320 Speaker 1: is he is fastball moves pretty straight. It does not 599 00:34:38,480 --> 00:34:43,399 Speaker 1: have a whole lot of vertical or horizontal life to 600 00:34:43,440 --> 00:34:46,760 Speaker 1: it that would help you miss bats, and he doesn't 601 00:34:47,040 --> 00:34:49,680 Speaker 1: have a secondary pitch that he trusts. He has a 602 00:34:49,680 --> 00:34:51,839 Speaker 1: slider that he used about twenty percent of the time, 603 00:34:52,760 --> 00:34:57,080 Speaker 1: and the raw results against the slider, especially in twenty eighteen, 604 00:34:57,120 --> 00:35:01,120 Speaker 1: were very good. But he doesn't throw it consistently enough, 605 00:35:01,400 --> 00:35:03,399 Speaker 1: and I mean that in two ways. One, he doesn't 606 00:35:03,440 --> 00:35:06,160 Speaker 1: throw it often enough, but he also doesn't get the 607 00:35:06,200 --> 00:35:10,719 Speaker 1: grip on it to be right game to game. There 608 00:35:10,719 --> 00:35:12,919 Speaker 1: are some days where he simply doesn't have that pitch 609 00:35:12,960 --> 00:35:15,239 Speaker 1: at all and is n't able to get it to 610 00:35:15,320 --> 00:35:18,560 Speaker 1: the plate. So there's a little bit of a dis 611 00:35:18,600 --> 00:35:22,400 Speaker 1: disparity in Guerrero's career between his ERA and his FIP. 612 00:35:22,440 --> 00:35:24,760 Speaker 1: Not so much this past year, but especially in twenty eighteen. 613 00:35:25,040 --> 00:35:26,839 Speaker 1: If you looked under the numbers, you thought, hey, there's 614 00:35:26,840 --> 00:35:29,800 Speaker 1: a better pitcher in here than the raw run prevention 615 00:35:30,160 --> 00:35:34,000 Speaker 1: would suggest. My objection to that is that maybe there isn't, 616 00:35:34,440 --> 00:35:38,280 Speaker 1: because he's a guy that just has such extreme control 617 00:35:38,360 --> 00:35:43,520 Speaker 1: issues this past year, issuing almost as any walks as strikeouts, 618 00:35:43,520 --> 00:35:47,000 Speaker 1: including some in situations where they simply couldn't afford to 619 00:35:47,040 --> 00:35:50,359 Speaker 1: put more base runners on bays. It's not about any 620 00:35:50,640 --> 00:35:53,960 Speaker 1: reluctance to throw strikes. It's simply about getting that tall 621 00:35:54,239 --> 00:35:57,680 Speaker 1: six foot eight frame to move exactly the way he 622 00:35:57,680 --> 00:36:00,720 Speaker 1: wants to and to repeat his delivery with both pitches, 623 00:36:00,719 --> 00:36:03,560 Speaker 1: both the fastball and the slider. When you throw as 624 00:36:03,560 --> 00:36:06,759 Speaker 1: hard as he does, just the smallest thing being off 625 00:36:06,800 --> 00:36:09,400 Speaker 1: in your delivery causes the pitch to go in the 626 00:36:09,400 --> 00:36:12,719 Speaker 1: wrong direction, and when you have that slider, which has 627 00:36:12,719 --> 00:36:16,759 Speaker 1: a very big gap differential and velocity between the fastball, 628 00:36:17,760 --> 00:36:21,520 Speaker 1: it can be very difficult to catch. So that's the concern. 629 00:36:21,600 --> 00:36:23,520 Speaker 1: That's why I think there is somewhat of a disparity 630 00:36:23,560 --> 00:36:26,880 Speaker 1: between his run prevention and his field are independent numbers. 631 00:36:26,920 --> 00:36:30,000 Speaker 1: They don't take into account his raw stuff and how 632 00:36:30,040 --> 00:36:33,600 Speaker 1: difficult it is for a catcher to handle that kind 633 00:36:33,600 --> 00:36:36,640 Speaker 1: of stuff. He led all Marlins pitchers over the last 634 00:36:36,640 --> 00:36:40,839 Speaker 1: two years with seventeen total wild pitches. Nobody else had 635 00:36:40,840 --> 00:36:43,520 Speaker 1: more than twelve. And this is a guy that worked 636 00:36:43,520 --> 00:36:46,719 Speaker 1: exclusively out of the bullpen. He missed some time in 637 00:36:46,760 --> 00:36:51,240 Speaker 1: twenty eight nineteen with hand injuries, one to his fingernail, 638 00:36:51,440 --> 00:36:55,480 Speaker 1: one to his actual finger itself, so minor injuries, of course, 639 00:36:56,400 --> 00:36:58,440 Speaker 1: and he was able to return to action in the 640 00:36:58,480 --> 00:37:03,960 Speaker 1: Dominican Winter League earlier this offseason. Guerrero is an easy 641 00:37:04,000 --> 00:37:07,400 Speaker 1: player to root for, very enthusiastic on the field and 642 00:37:07,400 --> 00:37:09,600 Speaker 1: off of it, a quality teammate while he was with 643 00:37:09,680 --> 00:37:13,520 Speaker 1: the Marlins. I'm just being realistic with the track record 644 00:37:13,640 --> 00:37:16,719 Speaker 1: of players in his position that had struggled to this 645 00:37:16,800 --> 00:37:21,720 Speaker 1: extent this late in their career. The odds are stacked 646 00:37:21,760 --> 00:37:24,520 Speaker 1: against him ever really getting it together. He can certainly 647 00:37:24,600 --> 00:37:26,600 Speaker 1: improve on the type of player that he was in 648 00:37:26,640 --> 00:37:30,040 Speaker 1: twenty nineteen. Perhaps some of the issues that he had 649 00:37:30,200 --> 00:37:33,320 Speaker 1: with his fingers were affecting his grips and his command. 650 00:37:33,600 --> 00:37:37,080 Speaker 1: Maybe it was about more than just his arm itself. 651 00:37:37,120 --> 00:37:40,360 Speaker 1: It was simply about not being able to secure the 652 00:37:40,400 --> 00:37:43,080 Speaker 1: ball the way that he wanted to, and that with 653 00:37:43,280 --> 00:37:45,640 Speaker 1: time off during the offseason, he'll be able to get 654 00:37:45,640 --> 00:37:48,160 Speaker 1: that sorted out. There are changes that could be made 655 00:37:48,320 --> 00:37:51,160 Speaker 1: to his delivery that may make it easier to repeat. 656 00:37:51,440 --> 00:37:54,840 Speaker 1: But to make such a big leap forward to this 657 00:37:56,160 --> 00:38:00,040 Speaker 1: frankly a fringy player, someone that at this moment I 658 00:38:00,040 --> 00:38:02,240 Speaker 1: wouldn't say is a sure thing to make an opening 659 00:38:02,320 --> 00:38:05,080 Speaker 1: day roster with any team because of how much he 660 00:38:05,160 --> 00:38:09,279 Speaker 1: struggled against major league hitters, someone that was hit very 661 00:38:09,320 --> 00:38:13,040 Speaker 1: hard this past season. When he wasn't missing as many 662 00:38:13,040 --> 00:38:15,840 Speaker 1: bats as he wanted to, and when people were making contact, 663 00:38:15,840 --> 00:38:19,200 Speaker 1: they were getting a very good swings on his pitches 664 00:38:19,239 --> 00:38:21,720 Speaker 1: and even hitting a handful of them over the fence 665 00:38:21,719 --> 00:38:24,320 Speaker 1: for a home run. He is such a big distance 666 00:38:24,320 --> 00:38:27,000 Speaker 1: to go between who he is right now and the 667 00:38:27,040 --> 00:38:29,319 Speaker 1: ceiling that people hope that he would have as a 668 00:38:29,320 --> 00:38:32,600 Speaker 1: hard throwing reliever. So I'm rooting for the best for him, 669 00:38:33,239 --> 00:38:36,160 Speaker 1: But ultimately I don't think this is a significant loss 670 00:38:36,160 --> 00:38:39,279 Speaker 1: for the Marlins. There are so many relievers available for 671 00:38:39,400 --> 00:38:42,040 Speaker 1: them to go after during the winter meetings and beyond. 672 00:38:47,320 --> 00:38:50,879 Speaker 1: As for the players remaining with the Marlins organization, they're 673 00:38:50,880 --> 00:38:53,960 Speaker 1: going to have to adjust to pretty dramatic changes for 674 00:38:54,040 --> 00:38:57,080 Speaker 1: the twenty twenty season at their home ballpark, is announced 675 00:38:57,080 --> 00:39:00,560 Speaker 1: by the team this past Wednesday. They have given up 676 00:39:00,680 --> 00:39:04,040 Speaker 1: on natural grass after eight seasons trying to grow and 677 00:39:04,080 --> 00:39:08,200 Speaker 1: maintain that stuff in a tractable roof venue. They've decided 678 00:39:08,200 --> 00:39:12,480 Speaker 1: that it is easier, more cost efficient to install fake 679 00:39:12,560 --> 00:39:16,080 Speaker 1: grass artificial turf from Shaw Sports Turf that will go 680 00:39:16,120 --> 00:39:20,200 Speaker 1: into effect for twenty twenty. It's the same company that 681 00:39:20,320 --> 00:39:23,480 Speaker 1: installed new turf with Arizona Diamondbacks and Chase Field this 682 00:39:23,520 --> 00:39:28,520 Speaker 1: past season. Michael Hill references that in making this announcement, 683 00:39:28,560 --> 00:39:32,200 Speaker 1: saying that everybody was extremely impressed and comfortable with the 684 00:39:32,239 --> 00:39:36,239 Speaker 1: surface being used in Arizona, and Arizona being another team 685 00:39:36,239 --> 00:39:38,960 Speaker 1: that plays in a Dome, and that's why they're trying 686 00:39:38,960 --> 00:39:42,400 Speaker 1: to bring it to Marlins Park and save money instead 687 00:39:42,440 --> 00:39:45,000 Speaker 1: of having to water the grass as they've used to do. 688 00:39:45,560 --> 00:39:49,120 Speaker 1: And one other specific difference is that in order to 689 00:39:49,320 --> 00:39:52,560 Speaker 1: keep the natural grass alive in Marlins Park, they had 690 00:39:52,560 --> 00:39:55,360 Speaker 1: to keep the roof open a lot during off days 691 00:39:55,520 --> 00:39:58,280 Speaker 1: to bring the sun in directly, and that was heating 692 00:39:58,360 --> 00:40:00,600 Speaker 1: up a lot of the seats in the lower bowl 693 00:40:00,800 --> 00:40:04,480 Speaker 1: of Marlins Park, and it costs a lot of energy 694 00:40:04,560 --> 00:40:08,480 Speaker 1: to cool down those seats for the games themselves. So 695 00:40:08,560 --> 00:40:11,400 Speaker 1: another aspect that they're trying to save money. None of 696 00:40:11,440 --> 00:40:13,960 Speaker 1: this is being reflected in the Marlins payroll, but they 697 00:40:14,000 --> 00:40:17,399 Speaker 1: believe it is more cost efficient moving forward, and that 698 00:40:17,680 --> 00:40:20,880 Speaker 1: the tech being used in this infill, they're calling it 699 00:40:20,920 --> 00:40:26,400 Speaker 1: a geophil performance infill that is composed ninety percent of 700 00:40:26,560 --> 00:40:30,880 Speaker 1: coconut and ten percent of naturally derived plant based matter. 701 00:40:31,760 --> 00:40:34,400 Speaker 1: There is a layer of sands in between the geofhil 702 00:40:34,800 --> 00:40:39,239 Speaker 1: and the shock pad beneath that that they believe this 703 00:40:39,320 --> 00:40:42,920 Speaker 1: particular product, because it's already been used in Arizona, that 704 00:40:43,360 --> 00:40:47,080 Speaker 1: it's comfortable that it is not the gimmicky type of 705 00:40:47,120 --> 00:40:49,759 Speaker 1: turf that you may be thinking about when you hear 706 00:40:49,800 --> 00:40:52,600 Speaker 1: that word brought up. They believe this is something that 707 00:40:52,680 --> 00:40:57,320 Speaker 1: pretty closely replicates the feel and the effects of playing 708 00:40:57,360 --> 00:41:00,279 Speaker 1: on natural grass, and they don't believe it going to 709 00:41:00,320 --> 00:41:04,200 Speaker 1: contribute to any extra injuries. Michael Hill also noted that 710 00:41:04,280 --> 00:41:06,800 Speaker 1: the old Marlins Park with natural grass, had a very 711 00:41:06,840 --> 00:41:10,640 Speaker 1: fast infield where balls were not slowed down much all 712 00:41:10,680 --> 00:41:13,560 Speaker 1: by going over that surface. And so though they're already 713 00:41:13,640 --> 00:41:17,400 Speaker 1: somewhat prepared for playing on what is undoubtedly going to 714 00:41:17,440 --> 00:41:20,960 Speaker 1: be a very fast surface now that they have turf installed, 715 00:41:21,640 --> 00:41:23,920 Speaker 1: I would speculate that this is going to be a 716 00:41:24,080 --> 00:41:27,200 Speaker 1: faster infield than that old one was, and that there 717 00:41:27,200 --> 00:41:30,279 Speaker 1: will be some adjustment. But he tried to downplay that. 718 00:41:30,920 --> 00:41:33,120 Speaker 1: And I think the bottom line is, and this is 719 00:41:33,120 --> 00:41:35,359 Speaker 1: stating the obvious, but you want to be playing on 720 00:41:35,400 --> 00:41:42,440 Speaker 1: a natural grass surface whenever possible, and the organization tried. Honestly, 721 00:41:42,680 --> 00:41:45,839 Speaker 1: I don't remember seeing all that much negative feedback from 722 00:41:45,880 --> 00:41:49,600 Speaker 1: players last year. It's not like the old surface was 723 00:41:49,760 --> 00:41:53,759 Speaker 1: all that uneven and cosmetically it looked fine. I mean, 724 00:41:53,840 --> 00:41:56,080 Speaker 1: it was pretty clear to see that it wasn't a 725 00:41:56,640 --> 00:42:02,200 Speaker 1: perfectly healthy grass surface. It wasn't all that luscious I 726 00:42:02,200 --> 00:42:05,719 Speaker 1: would say compared to other Major League Baseball fields, but 727 00:42:05,840 --> 00:42:08,719 Speaker 1: it seemed to be an acceptable surface that they've been 728 00:42:08,719 --> 00:42:11,640 Speaker 1: playing on the past few years, not all that money 729 00:42:11,760 --> 00:42:15,600 Speaker 1: severe injuries caused by it, whether to Marlins players or 730 00:42:15,640 --> 00:42:18,759 Speaker 1: to their opponents. But the bottom line is this was 731 00:42:18,760 --> 00:42:22,120 Speaker 1: a financial decision pretty clearly is in that trying to 732 00:42:22,160 --> 00:42:27,600 Speaker 1: maintain grass in that environment and trying to everything they 733 00:42:27,600 --> 00:42:29,840 Speaker 1: were doing behind the scenes to make it work with 734 00:42:29,920 --> 00:42:34,440 Speaker 1: natural grass wasn't worth it in their opinion, and so 735 00:42:34,440 --> 00:42:37,000 Speaker 1: they've invested in what they believe is the best product 736 00:42:37,000 --> 00:42:40,680 Speaker 1: out there possible to try to help and hopefully they're right. 737 00:42:41,040 --> 00:42:44,400 Speaker 1: The decisions already been made, nothing that we can really protest, 738 00:42:44,719 --> 00:42:48,799 Speaker 1: so I understand people that are upset about it, and 739 00:42:49,000 --> 00:42:51,560 Speaker 1: I'm just pointing out that this was the reality of 740 00:42:51,600 --> 00:42:56,319 Speaker 1: the situation that they had tried under previous ownership, and 741 00:42:56,360 --> 00:42:58,600 Speaker 1: now with a couple of years under new ownership, they 742 00:42:58,680 --> 00:43:03,239 Speaker 1: had I'm sure they'd explored every opportunity to try to 743 00:43:03,440 --> 00:43:06,080 Speaker 1: keep it natural and to keep it in good shape, 744 00:43:06,360 --> 00:43:11,400 Speaker 1: and ultimately they had to cave on that one aspect 745 00:43:11,520 --> 00:43:16,640 Speaker 1: of Marlins Park Baseball. The other significant change to the 746 00:43:16,640 --> 00:43:20,000 Speaker 1: ballpark is going to be closer outfield dimensions in both 747 00:43:20,000 --> 00:43:22,680 Speaker 1: straightaway center field being brought in from four hundred and 748 00:43:22,719 --> 00:43:25,720 Speaker 1: seven feet to four hundred even and in the deepest 749 00:43:25,719 --> 00:43:28,040 Speaker 1: part of right center field used to be three hundred 750 00:43:28,040 --> 00:43:31,280 Speaker 1: and ninety two but no longer is now being reduced 751 00:43:31,520 --> 00:43:35,439 Speaker 1: to three hundred and eighty seven feet for the time being, 752 00:43:35,560 --> 00:43:39,000 Speaker 1: no immediate plans to add extra seats to fill up 753 00:43:39,200 --> 00:43:43,239 Speaker 1: those spaces. It doesn't sound like Marlins don't necessarily need 754 00:43:43,320 --> 00:43:45,640 Speaker 1: more spaces in the ballpark if you've been paying attention 755 00:43:45,920 --> 00:43:50,440 Speaker 1: to their attendance. But the process is already underway for 756 00:43:50,680 --> 00:43:54,319 Speaker 1: digging the trenches where the new fences in those parts 757 00:43:54,320 --> 00:43:56,560 Speaker 1: of the ballpark are going to be placed and brought in. 758 00:43:57,080 --> 00:43:59,040 Speaker 1: It sounds like the height of the fences is going 759 00:43:59,080 --> 00:44:01,960 Speaker 1: to remain the same. This is already the second time 760 00:44:02,280 --> 00:44:04,960 Speaker 1: since the ballpark opened at twenty twelve that they've had 761 00:44:04,960 --> 00:44:08,399 Speaker 1: to make it more hitter friendly. The first changes took 762 00:44:08,440 --> 00:44:13,040 Speaker 1: place four years prior entering the twenty sixteen season, so 763 00:44:13,440 --> 00:44:16,800 Speaker 1: if you compare the ballpark heading forward into twenty twenty 764 00:44:17,000 --> 00:44:20,040 Speaker 1: with the original one, the changes are very dramatic all 765 00:44:20,040 --> 00:44:24,160 Speaker 1: the way around. Having said that, the difference between the 766 00:44:24,200 --> 00:44:27,960 Speaker 1: new dimensions and where they played on last season are 767 00:44:28,080 --> 00:44:31,880 Speaker 1: not quite as significant as you might imagine. A lot 768 00:44:31,960 --> 00:44:35,400 Speaker 1: of people bringing up the fact that the Marlins struggled 769 00:44:35,600 --> 00:44:38,239 Speaker 1: so much offensively last year that even bringing in the 770 00:44:38,239 --> 00:44:41,040 Speaker 1: fences a few feet would not have made a significant difference. 771 00:44:41,680 --> 00:44:44,760 Speaker 1: Based on the research table to find via stat cast, 772 00:44:45,320 --> 00:44:47,880 Speaker 1: those people are correct that the Marlins only had a 773 00:44:47,920 --> 00:44:51,440 Speaker 1: handful of balls that were kept in the ballpark that 774 00:44:51,880 --> 00:44:55,120 Speaker 1: you would be able to comfortably predict going out in 775 00:44:55,200 --> 00:44:59,040 Speaker 1: the new dimensions. I'd say Brian Anderson had the one 776 00:44:59,080 --> 00:45:02,600 Speaker 1: ball in particular that struck very high up on the 777 00:45:02,640 --> 00:45:05,479 Speaker 1: four hundred and seven foot sign last year and would 778 00:45:05,480 --> 00:45:08,480 Speaker 1: have been an easy home run. Given the new changes 779 00:45:08,520 --> 00:45:11,880 Speaker 1: coming in Neil Walker, it was one particular player that 780 00:45:12,000 --> 00:45:16,400 Speaker 1: had multiple balls towards deadaway, straight center, and right center 781 00:45:16,640 --> 00:45:19,000 Speaker 1: that should have gone out if you brought in the 782 00:45:19,040 --> 00:45:22,319 Speaker 1: new dimensions. The most comprehensive breakdown of all this is 783 00:45:22,360 --> 00:45:25,279 Speaker 1: from Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald, so be sure 784 00:45:25,280 --> 00:45:27,600 Speaker 1: to find his piece from last week if you're so 785 00:45:27,680 --> 00:45:31,320 Speaker 1: interested in doing so. But ultimately, it's not going to 786 00:45:31,400 --> 00:45:33,640 Speaker 1: be all that dramatic difference from last year to this year. 787 00:45:34,120 --> 00:45:36,960 Speaker 1: Derek Jeter in the press release, noted that it brings 788 00:45:36,960 --> 00:45:40,759 Speaker 1: the dimensions more in line with other Major League ballpartialt 789 00:45:40,760 --> 00:45:45,680 Speaker 1: me get the exact quote. Yeah, we made the decision 790 00:45:45,719 --> 00:45:48,319 Speaker 1: to adjust the distance of the outfield fence, which will 791 00:45:48,360 --> 00:45:50,759 Speaker 1: now be more in line with the field dimensions you 792 00:45:50,800 --> 00:45:55,239 Speaker 1: see across many of today's ballparks. However, it's a little 793 00:45:55,280 --> 00:45:58,120 Speaker 1: more complicated than that at Marlins Park. If you ask 794 00:45:58,160 --> 00:46:00,800 Speaker 1: any of the players, they'll note that the ball simply 795 00:46:00,840 --> 00:46:03,600 Speaker 1: does not carry the same way in the atmosphere at 796 00:46:03,640 --> 00:46:06,280 Speaker 1: Marlins Park as it does in a lot of other places, 797 00:46:06,719 --> 00:46:09,680 Speaker 1: in higher altitude places, or even at other ballparks along 798 00:46:10,080 --> 00:46:14,440 Speaker 1: the East Coast. That it's just the consistency of the 799 00:46:14,560 --> 00:46:18,799 Speaker 1: environmental conditions. It keeps balls from going quite as far 800 00:46:19,040 --> 00:46:22,360 Speaker 1: as you would otherwise project them to go. Because of 801 00:46:22,400 --> 00:46:25,680 Speaker 1: these changes, I think the ballpark will play obviously more 802 00:46:25,680 --> 00:46:29,319 Speaker 1: friendly to hitters, but don't get too up in arms 803 00:46:29,360 --> 00:46:33,560 Speaker 1: about changing the whole identity of the ballpark itself. And 804 00:46:33,600 --> 00:46:36,719 Speaker 1: the Marlins are able to develop the players as we're 805 00:46:36,719 --> 00:46:38,759 Speaker 1: hoping they do. They are able to graduate all these 806 00:46:38,840 --> 00:46:43,200 Speaker 1: top prospects into being major league players. That the talent 807 00:46:43,400 --> 00:46:45,200 Speaker 1: is going to win out at the end of the day, 808 00:46:45,560 --> 00:46:49,239 Speaker 1: and these features are something to get adjusted to. You 809 00:46:49,280 --> 00:46:51,440 Speaker 1: want to have a home field advantage that you want 810 00:46:51,440 --> 00:46:55,600 Speaker 1: to have unique aspects of your ballpark that your fielders 811 00:46:55,640 --> 00:46:59,080 Speaker 1: are more comfortable with than opposing fielders are. Those opportunities 812 00:46:59,120 --> 00:47:02,080 Speaker 1: are still going to be there. It's still a unique venue, 813 00:47:02,600 --> 00:47:06,920 Speaker 1: just not as extreme when it comes to suppressing run scoring, 814 00:47:07,560 --> 00:47:11,000 Speaker 1: and I'm fine with that. Can't really fake any sort 815 00:47:11,000 --> 00:47:14,600 Speaker 1: of overreaction one way or another, because I don't think 816 00:47:14,640 --> 00:47:17,000 Speaker 1: the difference is gonna be all that extreme one way 817 00:47:17,120 --> 00:47:19,840 Speaker 1: or the other. It's gonna be more about the talent 818 00:47:19,960 --> 00:47:23,719 Speaker 1: dictating the outcome of these games than the literal dimensions. 819 00:47:28,880 --> 00:47:31,520 Speaker 1: We wrap up this episode by preparing you for what's 820 00:47:31,560 --> 00:47:34,560 Speaker 1: about to go down during the MLB Winter Meetings in 821 00:47:34,680 --> 00:47:37,840 Speaker 1: San Diego. All the big Marlins decision makers that are 822 00:47:37,840 --> 00:47:43,440 Speaker 1: already checked into their hotels, reserving it for four nights Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, 823 00:47:43,480 --> 00:47:47,120 Speaker 1: and Wednesday. Unofficially, the Winter Meetings wrap up on Thursday 824 00:47:47,160 --> 00:47:51,600 Speaker 1: morning with the Rule five draft. In a good year, 825 00:47:51,719 --> 00:47:54,640 Speaker 1: you see a lot of blockbuster decisions made during this 826 00:47:54,719 --> 00:47:57,319 Speaker 1: stretch of time for the Marlins. They still have some 827 00:47:57,480 --> 00:48:02,200 Speaker 1: very obvious areas of need, particularly with their bullpen coming 828 00:48:02,239 --> 00:48:03,840 Speaker 1: off the year where they had some of the worst 829 00:48:03,920 --> 00:48:07,120 Speaker 1: production from their relief pitchers, and that production was buoyed 830 00:48:07,160 --> 00:48:09,960 Speaker 1: a little bit early in the year by Sergio Romo 831 00:48:10,040 --> 00:48:13,800 Speaker 1: and Nick Anderson, both of whom were traded. Sergio Romo 832 00:48:14,000 --> 00:48:17,520 Speaker 1: happens to be a guy that, as reported by John Hayman, 833 00:48:17,880 --> 00:48:20,719 Speaker 1: he is moving close to his free agent decision. He 834 00:48:20,760 --> 00:48:23,800 Speaker 1: finished the year with the Twins, had performed very well, 835 00:48:24,239 --> 00:48:27,400 Speaker 1: and now heading into his age thirty seven season, he's 836 00:48:27,840 --> 00:48:32,000 Speaker 1: looking for one big opportunity to cash in, potentially on 837 00:48:32,040 --> 00:48:34,879 Speaker 1: a two year deal, and the Marlins have not been 838 00:48:34,920 --> 00:48:38,439 Speaker 1: directly connected to him yet, but he is one guy 839 00:48:38,440 --> 00:48:41,120 Speaker 1: that could be coming off the board this week, and 840 00:48:41,440 --> 00:48:43,960 Speaker 1: he obviously fits a need for the team as a 841 00:48:44,000 --> 00:48:48,839 Speaker 1: guy that was very well liked in the organization last year. Regardless, 842 00:48:48,920 --> 00:48:52,880 Speaker 1: the Marlins probably need a couple such players signs to 843 00:48:52,920 --> 00:48:56,080 Speaker 1: be brought in otherwise they're leaning way too much on 844 00:48:56,160 --> 00:48:59,759 Speaker 1: internal options, including some of whom have never relieved at 845 00:48:59,760 --> 00:49:03,040 Speaker 1: the major league level before, and while it'll be nice 846 00:49:03,080 --> 00:49:05,439 Speaker 1: to see those guys get their opportunities later in the year, 847 00:49:05,600 --> 00:49:10,040 Speaker 1: whether it's George Guzman or Tom Eveld, maybe even Alex 848 00:49:10,160 --> 00:49:13,440 Speaker 1: Vesia makes a big surge later in the year that 849 00:49:13,520 --> 00:49:17,120 Speaker 1: they have a lot of intriguing arms that would be 850 00:49:17,200 --> 00:49:21,160 Speaker 1: able to produce in a late ending role potentially, but 851 00:49:21,520 --> 00:49:23,319 Speaker 1: it's always better to go with guy that has some 852 00:49:23,400 --> 00:49:26,839 Speaker 1: track record in the later endings. That's what fans can 853 00:49:26,880 --> 00:49:30,640 Speaker 1: really trust. Someone that has a track record, a name 854 00:49:30,920 --> 00:49:34,480 Speaker 1: that has been able to they can identify with, and 855 00:49:34,560 --> 00:49:38,400 Speaker 1: someone that won't be intimidated by pitching high leverage situations 856 00:49:38,440 --> 00:49:41,320 Speaker 1: in major league games. A lot of the best relievers 857 00:49:41,320 --> 00:49:43,320 Speaker 1: in this free agent class have already come off the board, 858 00:49:43,600 --> 00:49:45,680 Speaker 1: so I'll be curious to see what the Marlins do. 859 00:49:45,800 --> 00:49:50,440 Speaker 1: They have not indulged in free agents yet again, acquiring 860 00:49:50,560 --> 00:49:54,200 Speaker 1: Hayser Segular via waiver claim and Jonathan vr via trade. 861 00:49:54,360 --> 00:49:57,480 Speaker 1: It's an important test for them to actually get an 862 00:49:57,520 --> 00:50:01,000 Speaker 1: impactful major league relief pitcher to want to join in 863 00:50:01,040 --> 00:50:03,959 Speaker 1: their organization at this moment in time where they're coming 864 00:50:04,000 --> 00:50:09,560 Speaker 1: off such a poor twenty nineteen season. But right up 865 00:50:09,600 --> 00:50:12,640 Speaker 1: there with the bullpen, the Marlins do have at bats 866 00:50:12,640 --> 00:50:15,880 Speaker 1: available in their outfield. At fish stripes dot Com, we 867 00:50:15,960 --> 00:50:20,160 Speaker 1: had this big series called Deep Sea Fishing looking at 868 00:50:20,280 --> 00:50:24,400 Speaker 1: a lot of significant free agent targets, but most notably 869 00:50:24,480 --> 00:50:26,760 Speaker 1: in the outfields, where the Marlins have struggled to perform 870 00:50:26,760 --> 00:50:29,400 Speaker 1: in the past couple of years, and a couple of 871 00:50:29,480 --> 00:50:34,800 Speaker 1: notables being Nicholas Castianos and aviicl Garcia, both guys coming 872 00:50:34,800 --> 00:50:38,040 Speaker 1: off decent years, Cassianos finishing very strong last year with 873 00:50:38,080 --> 00:50:41,880 Speaker 1: the Cubs and being a native of South Florida, Avicel 874 00:50:41,960 --> 00:50:46,920 Speaker 1: Garcia mixes off season home in South Florida. Regardless, I 875 00:50:46,960 --> 00:50:50,319 Speaker 1: think the Marlins will be focusing on short term deals 876 00:50:50,360 --> 00:50:52,880 Speaker 1: for these type of guys because they do have a 877 00:50:53,000 --> 00:50:56,640 Speaker 1: surplus of quality outfield prospects in their pipeline due to 878 00:50:56,760 --> 00:50:59,640 Speaker 1: arrive either later in twenty twenty or in twenty twenty one, 879 00:51:01,840 --> 00:51:05,080 Speaker 1: So you're not necessarily getting a better player long term 880 00:51:05,200 --> 00:51:07,680 Speaker 1: in this free agent group than you already have internally, 881 00:51:07,920 --> 00:51:10,200 Speaker 1: but at least for this coming year, it would be 882 00:51:10,280 --> 00:51:13,040 Speaker 1: an easy upgrade to invest in any of the handful 883 00:51:13,080 --> 00:51:16,239 Speaker 1: of players that are out there on the market, and 884 00:51:17,040 --> 00:51:20,040 Speaker 1: the Marlins did add some salary to their payroll already 885 00:51:20,040 --> 00:51:23,319 Speaker 1: by acquiring Haysius Aguilari and Jonathan VR But as it's 886 00:51:23,320 --> 00:51:25,160 Speaker 1: projected right now, I want to be very clear that 887 00:51:25,200 --> 00:51:28,760 Speaker 1: the Marlins, even with their recent additions, they are projected 888 00:51:28,760 --> 00:51:33,040 Speaker 1: to have the lowest payroll in the National League, and 889 00:51:33,320 --> 00:51:35,600 Speaker 1: I don't think fans should put up with that and 890 00:51:35,640 --> 00:51:39,720 Speaker 1: find it acceptable. It's there are easy ways to continue 891 00:51:39,760 --> 00:51:43,920 Speaker 1: improving this roster via free agency, and that's what I 892 00:51:43,960 --> 00:51:46,359 Speaker 1: think we should expect the team to do. If they 893 00:51:46,400 --> 00:51:49,080 Speaker 1: want a team that is dramatically better than last year, 894 00:51:49,080 --> 00:51:51,760 Speaker 1: and they want fans to invest their time and money 895 00:51:51,760 --> 00:51:54,440 Speaker 1: in supporting the team, then you put together a deep, 896 00:51:54,760 --> 00:52:00,279 Speaker 1: versatile roster. They've made important steps towards doing that, but 897 00:52:00,320 --> 00:52:02,719 Speaker 1: there's still a lot of heavy lifting to go, and 898 00:52:02,800 --> 00:52:05,400 Speaker 1: this Winter Meetings is an easy opportunity to do that. 899 00:52:06,920 --> 00:52:10,399 Speaker 1: Another position of need for this Marlins team heading into 900 00:52:10,480 --> 00:52:14,719 Speaker 1: next year will be at catcher behind Orgel Farrow's coming 901 00:52:14,760 --> 00:52:16,960 Speaker 1: off a solid year, but the team just has no 902 00:52:17,280 --> 00:52:20,440 Speaker 1: catching depth whatsoever in the high levels of the minor leagues, 903 00:52:21,080 --> 00:52:25,239 Speaker 1: and with Brian Holliday leaving electing a free agency, they 904 00:52:25,239 --> 00:52:27,879 Speaker 1: have a need at that position as well. I won't 905 00:52:27,920 --> 00:52:30,319 Speaker 1: dwell on that too much here because that's something that 906 00:52:30,320 --> 00:52:33,279 Speaker 1: can certainly be addressed later in the offseason, not necessarily 907 00:52:33,640 --> 00:52:37,080 Speaker 1: at the Winter Meetings. If the Marlins do in fact 908 00:52:37,440 --> 00:52:40,320 Speaker 1: make a move during these winter meetings, a significant trade 909 00:52:40,600 --> 00:52:44,879 Speaker 1: involving incoming or outgoing prospects, something that improves the major 910 00:52:44,960 --> 00:52:48,120 Speaker 1: league roster like a Jonathan vr situation, or if they 911 00:52:48,120 --> 00:52:51,960 Speaker 1: strike any guaranteed major league deal with a free agent, 912 00:52:52,440 --> 00:52:55,120 Speaker 1: will react to that on the pod. We have emergency 913 00:52:55,160 --> 00:52:59,560 Speaker 1: podcasts on standby if the Marlins do make any of 914 00:52:59,560 --> 00:53:02,640 Speaker 1: this signific moves. As much as I like doing these 915 00:53:02,680 --> 00:53:05,239 Speaker 1: pods myself from time to time, it's even better when 916 00:53:05,280 --> 00:53:07,840 Speaker 1: I have Fish Stripe staff members joining me. Several of 917 00:53:07,840 --> 00:53:10,400 Speaker 1: them are on standby to come on the pod and 918 00:53:10,440 --> 00:53:14,120 Speaker 1: help us react to whatever happens out there in San Diego. 919 00:53:14,200 --> 00:53:17,400 Speaker 1: We're gonna be there for you with covering all the 920 00:53:17,480 --> 00:53:22,040 Speaker 1: rumors each day on fishtripes dot com, putting other moves 921 00:53:22,080 --> 00:53:25,319 Speaker 1: that other teams make in perspective that may affect the 922 00:53:25,360 --> 00:53:28,359 Speaker 1: Marlins indirectly one way or the other. We're gonna have 923 00:53:28,560 --> 00:53:32,280 Speaker 1: those different angles covered on the site, tweeting out updates 924 00:53:32,640 --> 00:53:35,600 Speaker 1: on our Twitter account, and make sure you're following all 925 00:53:35,640 --> 00:53:39,279 Speaker 1: the significant reporters as well at the national level and 926 00:53:39,320 --> 00:53:42,000 Speaker 1: also on the local level. It's gonna be a lot 927 00:53:42,000 --> 00:53:44,799 Speaker 1: of fun and even if it's all just speculation, even 928 00:53:44,840 --> 00:53:46,799 Speaker 1: if it's a lot of noise that doesn't amount to 929 00:53:46,800 --> 00:53:50,279 Speaker 1: anything immediately, this is one of the high points in 930 00:53:50,320 --> 00:53:54,080 Speaker 1: the entire Marlins offseason. Thankfully, the team has gone a 931 00:53:54,160 --> 00:53:56,279 Speaker 1: nice head start on most of the other teams in 932 00:53:56,360 --> 00:53:59,400 Speaker 1: terms of improving their roster for twenty twenty. But this 933 00:53:59,440 --> 00:54:03,040 Speaker 1: is where they make they're big splash. This is where 934 00:54:03,400 --> 00:54:06,839 Speaker 1: they give you a product that fanship can finally be 935 00:54:06,960 --> 00:54:11,120 Speaker 1: proud of for the first time in several years. I'm 936 00:54:11,239 --> 00:54:31,960 Speaker 1: Eli Sussman, Go Fish.