****Official 2012 MIAMI MARLINS Thread****

cheap acquisition - solid move to help get the butts in the seats at the new stadium - come watch the crazy man.....what more could you ask for.

 

Hey, leave LoMo out of this.

 

He hasn't been good for about three seasons now, though. However, he's only 30, and we're not paying anything to upgrade over Volstad. So, I like this deal. Especially if he manages to return to form.

 

I think you're making to much out of Zambrano's acts. This wasn't just to put butts in the seats. This was to upgrade the rotation.

 

You really think Zambrano will get people to come to the ballpark because he's a bit crazy?

 

How long before Telemundo picks up a drama featuring the Marlins? I love this team, but with Ozzy, Zambrano, LoMo, Reyes, & Hanley, the possibility for a great show exists. Maybe Leo Nunez (or whatever his name is) can come back too lol.

 

People are sick down here bro.

 

I'd be really surprised if people go to a game he pitches just for a chance to see him snap. But hey maybe it's me being naive. I mean did someone like Milton Bradley put any extra people in the seats?

 

I think he was being sarcastic. Not sure. I agree with you, though. Only way Zambrano will help increase attendance is through performance on the field.

 

Any antics on the field can only help the attendance.....

yes, sarcasm......but a catchy marking slogan no?

 

I was only sort of kidding lol. People are pretty messed up down here, but I doubt it will put people in the seats.

 

If he helps get us back in the playoffs he'll put butts in seats. Fooooooor Show.

 

Confirmed, Marlins have traded Chris Volstad for Carlos Zambrano. And the Cubs are supposedly picking up $15-16m of Zambrano's $18m salary this year.

Also confirmed, I am penciling this team in for the NL East pennant this year.

 

Because the Marlins got Zambrano now (meaning this move pushes them over the top)? Or in general after all the moves they made this offseason?

 

The former. This puts them over the top. The Marlins how have a pitching rotation that can match up with any other MLB team on any night, even the Phillies. They also have the offense, between Hanley, Reyes, and Stanton, to match anyone.

I also like how the roster is set up to not need, but to benefit from, production from inconsistent players. Imagine if Chris Coghlan returns to form, for instance.

 

I don't know, as of right now I still would pick both the Phillies and Braves to finish better than the Marlins. I think that's mainly because I don't trust that either Josh Johnson will be healthy enough to make 30 starts nor do I really trust Zambrano or Nolasco to be very good. Plus I think even if everyone is healthy on all 3 teams, I like the Phillies and Braves pitching better.

Again that's not to say the Marlins can't or won't make the playoffs or win the division, I just don't think they're as good as the other two teams right now with everything being equal.

 

How do you know that the Phillies won't deal with injuries, or that their pitching will be as consistently good as it was last season? Remember, they fielded a bad offense last season. An injury here or there and they're in big trouble. And the Braves always hang around, but at the same time they always seem to fall short.

Everything is on paper right now, and I like the Marlins the most. Maybe I'm being a homer, but I genuinely think they have the best shot.

 

We don't know about how injuries can/will affect either the Phillies or Braves (or even the Marlins) that's why I said even if each team is 100% healthy I still like both the Phillies and Braves better, mainly because I think both teams have better pitching (or pitchers I trust more). Phillies had a bad offensive team last year, like you said, and still won 102 games. The Braves collapsed in September and still won 89 games. Those are two very good baseball teams still.

I do think you're being a bit of a homer (not meant to be a knock or a negative as we're all homers when it comes to our favorite teams) and not giving the other two teams enough credit. Again that's not to say I'd be shocked if the Marlins make the playoffs or win the East because in baseball anything can happen but I'd say assuming the rosters stay mostly the same and there are no major moves done by opening day I'd probably put Miami finishing 3rd but probably winning at least 85 games or so. The East is going to be close this year, I don't think anyone is going to run away with it.

Just my opinion, obviously we don't agree but it's cool. I'm not anti-Marlin by any means just giving an outsider's perspective on things.

 

Yup, not sure getting Z, gives Marlins a significant trust worthy upgrade just yet. Long way to go to see evidence of that.

And dont sleep on the Nats......especially if they land Fielder.....but even without, that rotation/pen combo could be one of the better ones assembled - their question mark is the Defense making the routine plays behind them.

 

I think we can all agree the Mets will be keeping the cellar nice and warm this year.

 

I don't think the Marlins are going to match the Phillies, simply because their rotation is too dominant, but I do think we can match the Braves.

Aren't there two Wild Card spots this season?

 

Everything depends on what we get from JJ and Hanley.

 

I think we can grab one of them, at least. And you know what happens when we win the WC.

Mainge, I agree. We need them to stay healthy and step up.

 

Zambrano is miles better than Volstad.

 

Marlins live played a bit from the unveiling. Loria looked/sounded like he was being paid minimum wage to read a eulogy throughout that whole thing.

 

Oh I agree, I think the Nationals are going to be good in a Toronto Blue Jay type of way where they're not good enough to contend in the East but would probably finish 2nd in a weaker division like the NL or AL Central. Especially with a full year with Strasburg and Zimmerman who might be the 2nd best 1-2 punch in the NL East after Halladay/Lee.

 

Can Zambrano even throw over 90 anymore? We should start a pool for which month he has his first temper tantrum in.

 

Zambrano was throwing on average 90.2 last year, his velocity has been slowly declining each season. I wouldn't be shocked if he didn't average 90 next year looking at his velocity threads per year on Fangraphs.

As for temper tantrum, I'm in and will take March 2012 (although I might kick myself that I didn't pick January or February).

 

Potentially, but we don't what Z we're getting.

I have early July for the blowup pool. We need rules in place here though. What defines a blow up? At least one water cooler needs to be smashed in, right?

 

He was throwing 94 while training, according to reports.

 

I think a blow up is when he takes it out on a teammate or manager. I don't care what he does to the water cooler, honestly. As long as he's good with the team, I'm happy.

 

I'd take him being an *** hole to everyone and punching out fans behind home plate if it means he's good again.

 

He has to leave the Fish tank alone, though. That's too special.

 

I don't know if throwing a water cooler is quite enough. Probably more along the lines of when he first intentionally throws at a batter or starts a fight with a teammate. I'm thinking he'll be good until May.

 

Who do you think it will be with? I think Logan Morrisson.

 

It's gotta be a catcher. Most likely, a non spanish-speaking catcher. Baker?

 

Buck. We traded Bake.