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

Lomo ties it up.

 

Well that sucks

 

Offense is struggling.

 

[video=youtube;JtpOa2MAUyE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtpOa2MAUyE[/video]

Awesome

 

The runs will come. Reyes will get going and so will Stanton. Our lineup is too good to suck all year.

In my opinion we have the best 1-5 in baseball. Yes I said in baseball. This only goes if JJ is healthy and big Z can keep up the resurgence.

 

Pretty big ifs right there. As it stands right now the Marlins certainly do not have the best rotation in baseball. Maybe the potential is there to one day have the best rotation in baseball. Right now Washington and Philly have the best rotations in baseball.

 

Ifs aren't really as big as you think they are.

 

I don't think we have or will have the best rotation.

Also, I think Tampa Bay is up there with Washington and Philadelphia.

 

Definitely not the best. Maybe top 5 in the NL but there are some damn good rotations out there.

Philadelphia, San Francisco and Washington in the NL. Tampa, LAA, and Texas (who know one ever talks about) in the AL. Atlanta is very good as well.

 

Watched the first episode (or at least I think it was the 1st episode) of The Franchise, it had to do with opening the ballpark and Ozzie's mouth with the whole Castro thing. It's already better than last year's show focusing on the Giants. I didn't really know much about David Sampson but he really comes off as a know it all jerk huh?

I also liked how Hanley and Reyes were playing MLB 2K12and Hanley was the Red Sox and Reyes was (I believe) the Mets. Thought it was pretty funny they were playing as their former teams and it appeared that Hanley's bullpen blew the game (which is nice to know the game is at least realistic).

The Marlins certainly have interesting personalities so I have high hopes for the rest of the season.

 

All agree, and wont be shocked in coming season + to see SEA and AZ in that list many times (and with most likely 3 new young additions next season, I think NYY will be in the mix).

 

Samson is a very hated sports figure in Miami. I seriously might be the only Marlins fan who likes him.

That was actually just a preview episode, probably just to tackle the Ozzie thing. It starts in earnest Saturday. So far, so good.

 

I was drinking a little when I said the best rotation thing


Though if Zambrano can stay effective the 1-2-3 of JJ/Buehrle/Z is good enough to outpitch anyone on any night. We've seen the epic JJ vs Halliday battles.

 

You keep forgetting Anibal Sanchez.

 

He's my favorite pitcher on the staff he will never be forgotten. However when opposing team fans come in our thread and see Anibal Sanchez I think they don't understand the stuff that he has. So I didn't mention him.

Do we have any starting pitching prospects in the minors that anyone knows of? I think Nolasco could be interesting trade bait for another bat down the line.

 

Jose Fernandez. Our first round pick from the 2011 draft. Dude is a f*cking stud so far.

 

Nolasco can dominate but I feel done with his inconsistency. I'm at the point where I feel like it may never go away or be corrected. He just is who he is.

 

All good

Don't forget about Anibal. Dude is a stud.

 

I feel like only we know about Anibal though. I mean I could be wrong but I think to other fans he is "That guy who threw that no hitter a few years ago" and not a young pitcher with dominant stuff.

Of course WE know better.

 

Brad Hand and Wade Leblanc could probably do a good Chris Volstad impression if we need them too.

As far as prospects, Jose Fernandez is dominating. Chad James had a good year last year and is a relatively high upside lefty. I don't think we have much beyond them.

 

His numbers speak for themselves. Pretty good middle of the rotation arm to have.

 

Speaking of Anibal, I think we should extend him ASAP.

 

I hate off days...especially after a postponed game.

 

One of the things I give props to Ozzie and Pitching Coach is setting the rotation to have Anibal slotted in #5 spot (which covers anything from #4 opposing arm, of course the #5, but also based on crazy schedule fluctuations the #1 of another team).

Since Anibal has that stuff, he can be slotted to cover all these, too many teams think of hiding a #5 arm, but get burned by sched match ups....Marlins get props for having a top arm slotted correctly, and in essence hide a more erratic and not as trust worthy of an arm in the likes of Nolasco and Zambrano buffered and protected to maximize their effectiveness and cut down on an off night where more run production may need to overcome them on a given start or two.

 

To be fair to Zambrano, so far he has the best WHIP on the staff. I really think he can get back to being a very very very good pitcher. Nolasco on the other hand.....frustrating to say the least.

 

I wasnt being un-fair, its still April....the rollercoaster that has been Zambrano (and Nolasco) in the past seasons will be there once again as the months roll-on. Its not a bad thing persee, as a blow up or two for a given start is to be expected. They have earned their M.O.; but the slot in the rotation and the competition can be overcome and cushion the blow in the middle of the rotation like that.

As a Fantasy BB Owner, I know first hand the power of a "hiccup start" from both....my Fantasy Team has been called the "Oh No-lasco's!#%&!" on more than one occasion.

 

To be fair, I don't think that was done purposely. I believe an injury knocked him off of his spot in the rotation early in ST.

 

It didn't really mean you were being unfair so much as I meant that out of the two Zambrano has a much better chance at staying consistent this season. Now I am bias as I loved the signing from the moment it happened, struggles and all.

I mean you are talking about a guy who has had success in his career pitching in a pretty good hitters park. I mean from 04-08 he was 78-40 which is pretty impressive, and is only one season removed from posing a 3.33 ERA in 20 starts.

He needs to keep the long ball numbers down...obviously as any pitcher does. One of the things we have worked with him on most (if anything is to be believed) is keeping on top of the ball through his delivery. This probably goes for any pitcher but his worst statistical years in terms of ERA (I know not the best stat) were years in which both his walks and home runs allowed were both up. He has nasty stuff, his issues are all mental and mechanical. Both things that can be fixed in my opinion. Also interesting career split, his record away from Wrigley field is much better than his record at Wrigley.

Nolasco on the other hand looks dominating one hitter and can't find the strike zone on the next. Pitches a great game and then gives up five runs. I'd love to see what he might be worth on the market near the deadline. Maybe not much, but who knows. Someone will need another arm making a run, and maybe said team has a decent bat to give up (or prospect).

I mean Ricky has only posted one season below a 4.50 era.

 

Yeah, probably gave Ozzie to much credit....LOL!

 

Ricky is a pretty unique case in which his seasons ERA doesn't tell the whole story. Ricky is much more valuable than a 4.5 ERA guy. Look at last year. ERA of 4.67. Half of his earned runs came in 7 starts. In the other 26 starts, he was completely dominant.

 

That's one reason I added to the post that ERA isn't really the best stat to determine anything about a pitcher. It's just something to throw out there. I agree that Ricky is much more valuable than a normal 4.5 ERA type guy, it's why I think he has trade worth. I'm just personally sick of the inconsistency pitch to pitch.

 

I feel you but you can do much much worse as your number 5.

 

Oh I completely agree! That is why I was asking about our farm system. Obviously you don't move Nolasco unless you have someone comparable (whether it be potential or proven worth) to replace his production.

 

Reyes returns to New York tonight.

 

JJ looked good first inning. REALLY good.

Johan looked a bit inconsistent.