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

We've scored like four runs in three games and eight innings. I doubt we can score four in one inning....

 

Don't worry, since I said we WONT hit four runs it means we WILL score four runs. You need to watch more baseball, its how it works. It's science or some mumbo-jumbo.

 

So I think I solved our problem. Every time a starter goes 7 and allows 3 runs or less and we lose....that pitcher get to throw baseballs at the starting lineup. One throw per out they made and two throws for a double play. Three throws if you make an unproductive out with runners in scoring position.

 

Wow, epic meltdown and horrible deal for Nolasco (his gem's are few and far between to suffer that).

Dont want to see Closer Carousel, but feel bad for team with situation going on with Bell. Never seen him like this. But how can you let him throw that many pitches. That too is a shame, bad job by Ozzie there....after he started inning with walk to Wright, gets an out, but then walks Davis you have to warm up someone else...and if you wanted to tempt fate, how do you leave him in after walking bases loaded and all those pitches (46). Let alone walk in the tying run following that....wow.

Shame.....

 

Can't wait to see how this is handeled behind the scenes #TheFranchise

 

Yeah that was pretty rough. I was against this signing for the Marlins in the offseason as the regression warning signs with Bell were starting to show but with that being said I wouldn't have guessed he'd be this bad so far this year. And yes Guillen should probably have taken him out, would love to see what he says his reasons were as to why he left him in so long because Guillen is usually pretty good with pen management.

 

Nope.

 

Yes it will!

I'm still not upset about the signing or worried about our struggles thus far. I have ultimate patience,

 

Yeah seriously don't freaky. He didn't fall of the face of the Earth in one offseason. He will be just fine.

 

Albert Pujols hopes you're right!

And yes I'm being sarcastic about Pujols, but I'd be at least a tad bit concerned about a RPer losing it all of a sudden, I don't think Bell is done by any means but yes I'd be a little concerned about it.

 

I'm not worried either about the team but the signing was still terrible.

A team like us cannot spend $9m a year on 60 innings. The fact is you can get almost equal production out of the closer spot for way way cheaper. Guys like Brian Sanchez, Justin Miller, Doug Wachter, etc etc etc. Any of the guys we've used in the past.

 

We've had this discussion before. Agree to disagree.

 

But it's not matter of opinion though, like whether or not we should sign Fielder. What I'm saying is 100% fact. The closers position is massively overrated and can be filled very easily.

 

It is a matter of opinion. Like I said, agree to disagree. We discussed this already, I'm not doing it again.

 

It's not. Believe what you will, but it's not.

 

Since 2008, the Tampa Bay Rays have used the follow guys at the "closer" position Troy Percival (3.9m & 4.4m), Dan Wheeler (2.8m, 3.2m & 3.5m), J.P. Howell (1.8m, 1.1m & 1.3m), Grant Balfour (1.4m & 2m), Rafael Soriano (7.25m* Braves paid some of this salary), Kyle Farnsworth (2.6m & 3.3m), Fernando Rodney (1.75m) and each year had good results. They didn't spend more than 4.4 million dollars in any year for any pitcher nor did they sign any pitcher to a long term contract (3 years or more).

The Marlins, like the Rays, have a limited payroll and like you said for a team with a limited payroll it makes no sense to sign a pitcher long term and for big money to pitch ~70 innings or so when you can get pitchers either by signing them cheaply, drafting them or trading for them. It seems like every year at least 2 or 3 pitchers come out of nowhere and have good years "closing". Just look at Leo Nunez/Juan Oviedo a few years ago, in 2009 and 2010 he pitched well, was he the best closer in baseball of course not but for 2m and 3.65m the team certainly got their money's worth out of him. Why not continue that route instead of shelling out money for a "proven closer" especially when the track record for signing RPers to long term deals has historically been a failure (except if the pitcher is Robot Rivera). For a team like the Marlins that have a huge homeball park it makes even more sense directing money elsewhere.

That's why I was glad when my team passed on Papelbon and went in a cheaper (and possibly better when healthy) alternative. It just doesn't make sense to spend big money for a pitcher throwing only 70 innings a year or so.

 

I thought they signed Bell to be the bartender at the Clevelander????

 

Ya know....

better to have him serve up Long Island Ice Tea's, than Long Balls
better to have him issue Johnny Walker, than Walk Johnny

come on......no funny?

http://www.soulofmiami.org/2012/03/28/heath-bell-celebrity-bartending-4112/

 

And look at what the Marlins did earlier in the decade with guys Like Armando Benitez, Todd Jones, Joe Borowski, Kevin Gregg, and Nunez like you mentioned. The only one that didn't work out for us was Jorge Julio, who must have been injured. Because he was pretty good before he came to Miami, and he was good after he left.

 

Exactly. People forget Heath Bell wasn't some elite can't miss prospect or had the doomed "Closer of the Future" tag attached to him (isn't it interesting how almost every prospect that gets that label just never pans out for whatever reason whether it's Craig Hansen or Ryan Wagner for example), the Mets let him go for nothing and he became an All Star closer in San Diego. Closers pretty much grow on trees, obviously some are better than others but it's not like teams have to have the best in league in order to be successful.

 

Since Bell became the closer in SD, he's converted 87% of his save opportunities. Those guys I mentioned above collectively converted 85% of their save opportunities at a fraction of his price.

 

Zambrano taking the mound today. Excited to see if he could pick up where he left off!

 

After the first inning of his first start he's been really encouraging.

 

Well he's struggling now...

 

As a motivational tool they should call a team batting practice session before the game tomorrow. Have the players walk on and see a bunch of balls on tee's. See if they can hit them.

 

I coached the trainers kid a few years ago and still keep in touch. I'm gonna try to find out what's up

 

Anibal got pissed after that first inning and ****ing channeled that anger. Too bad we wont score three runs.

 

That play by Bonifacio was ridiculous.

 

Walkoff, *****es.

 

Loved that our stadium is still pretty full despite our early struggles

 

Knee jerk ftw.

 

Arizona's anus wasn't prepared for this!