NewsRotation key next season for Marlins
Defense, 'pen improve, but young staff must rise in '10
Related Links
By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com
10/05/09 2:16 AM ET
MIAMI -- Putting all the pieces together remains a challenge for the young but talented Marlins.Shoring up the defense was a priority in 2009, and for the most part, the team protected the baseball. Reducing strikeouts, being able to manufacture more runs and getting more athletic also were objectives that were met.
As some areas took strides forward, others went backwards.
Perhaps the biggest disappointment was the starting pitching not living up to expectations. While Josh Johnson emerged as an All-Star and an ace, the rest of the rotation had its struggles.
"When you come out of Spring Training, you never really know what you have, especially with pitching," manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "You think you do, but unless you have a veteran club with some history, you don't really know. I think you are looking for some consistency there [with the rotation]."
As the organization outlines its areas to address in the offseason, hope remains high that there are enough talented arms to form a formidable rotation in 2010.
The front office hasn't lost sight of the fact that the oldest pitcher in the rotation is 26-year-old Ricky Nolasco, and even after an up-and-down season, there is reason for optimism.
If the starters can live up to their potential, chances are the Marlins again will contend. Johnson, Nolasco, Anibal Sanchez, Chris Volstad, Andrew Miller and rookie Sean West all are expected back. Then there is Rick VandenHurk, who dealt with right elbow inflammation early in the season. The Netherlands native promises to factor into the mix either as a starter or reliever.
"There is no question we have optimism," Gonzalez said. "We have some pitching. You can never have enough, but for most of these guys playing meaningful games in September, it's got to be good for them, experience-wise."
Johnson will be 26 next year and heading into his fifth season. The strides he made in 2009, he expects will carry over.
"It's disappointing [not making the playoffs], but our team fought. We never gave up," the 6-foot-7 right-hander said. "It seemed like none of the breaks went our way. Every time we'd throw a good pitch, they'd get a bloop hit. It seemed like something would happen. I didn't see many of our guys getting those breaks. We battled. We played hard. That's all you can ask for."
Even though the playoffs weren't in the cards for 2009, the team enjoyed its second consecutive winning season. And playing important games until the final week should help the young squad mature.
"I feel like for myself, my stuff carried over from last year," Johnson said. "I don't see why, as a team, that can't happen."
Contract issues
Free agents: Nick Johnson, 1B; Brendan Donnelly, RHP; Kiko Calero, RHP.
Eligible for arbitration: Dan Uggla, 2B; Jorge Cantu 1B/3B; Ronny Paulino, C; Alfredo Amezaga, INF/OF; Cody Ross, OF; Jeremy Hermida, OF; Josh Johnson, RHP; Ricky Nolasco, RHP; Leo Nunez, RHP; Matt Lindstrom, RHP; Renyel Pinto, LHP; Scott Proctor, RHP; Anibal Sanchez, RHP.
Player options: None.
Club options: Ross Gload, 1B, $2.6 million.
Non-tender possibilities: Jeremy Hermida, OF; Alfredo Amezaga, INF/OF; Renyel Pinto, LHP; Dan Uggla, 2B.
Catchers
• John Baker, .273 BA, 9 HRs, 49 RBIs
• Ronny Paulino, .273 BA, 8 HRs, 26 RBIs
Entering the season, there were questions if Baker was ready to assume the everyday catching role. The left-handed-hitting California native certainly proved he could, playing in more than 100 games while being productive at the plate and handling the staff. Paulino was acquired late in Spring Training, and he became a platoon option as well as a power bat off the bench. The two should be back in 2010.
First base
• Nick Johnson, .291 BA, 8 HRs, 62 RBIs (FLA/WAS)
• Jorge Cantu, .289 BA, 16 HRs, 100 RBIs
• Ross Gload, .261 BA, 5 HRs, 30 RBIs
At the July 31 Trade Deadline, veteran Nick Johnson was brought in from the Nationals for pitching prospect Aaron Thompson. When in the lineup, Johnson was as advertised -- a patient hitter who got on base. But the veteran dealt with a right hamstring strain in August and the flu in September, limiting his playing time. Cantu split the season at first and third base and was a dependable cleanup hitter. Gload, who set a franchise record for pinch-hits in a season, was a quality bench player and spot starter. A free agent, Nick Johnson likely won't be back. A decision must be made on Cantu and Gload. Prospects Logan Morrison and Gaby Sanchez, who spent some time with the big league club as well as Triple-A New Orleans, will also compete for the job in Spring Training.
Second base
• Dan Uggla, .243 BA, 31 HRs, 90 RBIs
• Emilio Bonifacio, .252 BA, 1 HR, 27 RBIs
• Alfredo Amezaga, .217 BA, 0 HRs, 5 RBIs
Uggla is the first Major League second baseman to record three consecutive seasons with 30 or more homers. He's also the first Marlin to hit 30 in three consecutive seasons. But Uggla is in line for a hefty pay raise in arbitration, and he promises to be the topic of trade talks. Bonifacio's natural position is second base, but he was asked to play third base for most of the first half. If Uggla is dealt, Bonifacio is in the mix to take over at second. Amezaga appeared in just 27 games, and he had surgery to repair a bone bruise on his right knee. He is also eligible for arbitration and his future with the club is unclear.
Shortstop
• Hanley Ramirez, .342 BA, 24 HRs, 106 RBIs
• Emilio Bonifacio, .252 BA, 1 HR, 27 RBIs
Signed through 2014, Ramirez is the face of the franchise and the building block. The 25-year-old is the first Marlin to win a batting title, and he's also the first player in club history to be voted in as the All-Star starter two straight years. Ramirez had an MVP-caliber season, and he has put himself in the same class with Albert Pujols. Bonifacio is a candidate to back up, as is Amezaga, if he returns.
Third base
• Jorge Cantu, .289 BA, 16 HRs, 100 RBIs
• Wes Helms, .271 BA, 3 HRs, 33 RBIs
• Emilio Bonifacio, .252 BA, 1 HR, 27 RBIs
The thinking is if Uggla is dealt, Cantu may be retained, but that is purely speculation. Cantu is better defensively at first base, but he may again find himself at third base in 2010 if the first-base job is won by either Morrison or Gaby Sanchez. Wes Helms, signed through 2010, is a terrific role player who is a defensive replacement at third base or pinch-hitter. That should remain the same. If he is productive, Bonifacio could again find himself at third base, with Cantu back at first base.
Outfield
• Cody Ross, .270 BA, 24 HRs, 90 RBIs
• Chris Coghlan, .321 BA, 9 HRs, 47 RBIs
• Jeremy Hermida, .259 BA, 13 HRs, 47 RBIs
• Cameron Maybin, .250 BA, 4 HRs, 13 RBIs
• Brett Carroll, .234 BA, 3 HRs, 18 RBIs
Decisions will have to be made. It is widely believed that Hermida, the team's first-round Draft pick in 2002, will not be part of the 2010 plans. While Ross is in arbitration, there is a school of thought that he will be back. Also, Coghlan, an infielder throughout his Minor League career, has played a solid left field. Does the team move him to the infield, perhaps to second base if Uggla doesn't return? That may happen, but the club may just keep him where he is. Maybin made strides at Triple-A this year, and he will be 23 next year. The hope is he is ready to assume the everyday center-field spot. So we could be looking at Coghlan, Maybin and Ross in the outfield in 2010.
Rotation
• Josh Johnson, 15-5, 3.23 ERA
• Ricky Nolasco, 13-9, 5.06 ERA
• Anibal Sanchez, 4-8, 3.87 ERA
• Sean West, 8-6, 4.79 ERA
• Chris Volstad, 9-13, 5.21 ERA
• Rick VandenHurk, 3-2, 4.30 ERA
• Andrew Miller, 3-5, 4.84 ERA
The hope was the rotation would carry the team in 2009. It didn't pan out that way. All the above are projected back next year, and the raw talent is certainly there to form a quality rotation. Johnson was an All-Star and established himself as an elite performer. Nolasco has the pitching arsenal to be a frontline right-hander. West made great strides as a rookie. If Volstad and Miller can find their form, there is depth throughout the rotation. Adding a veteran to eat up some innings perhaps could benefit the young staff.
Bullpen
• Leo Nunez, 4-6, 4.06 ERA (26 saves)
• Matt Lindstrom, 2-1, 5.89 ERA (15 saves)
• Dan Meyer, 3-2, 3.09 ERA
• Kiko Calero, 2-2, 1.95 ERA
• Brendan Donnelly, 3-0, 1.78 ERA
• Renyel Pinto, 4-1, 3.23 ERA
• Brian Sanches, 4-2, 2.56 ERA
• Burke Badenhop, 7-4, 3.75 ERA
• Cristhian Martinez, 1-1, 5.13 ERA
• Tim Wood, 1-0, 2.82 ERA
Heading into the season, the bullpen was regarded as a question mark. Many questions were answered, and for the most part, the 'pen did a terrific job, considering how many innings it had to log. Nunez enters arbitration, and he has to continue to show he can handle the closer's role. Lindstrom, who opened the year as the closer, dealt with injuries and a lack of command when he was healthy. The closer spot projects to be battled for in Spring Training. Calero, a free agent, had a strong year, and it may be hard to retain him. Meyer and Sanches were nice surprises and both should be back.
Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
