Marlins Interested In Jorge Julio
In a move that has serious implications for fantasy geeks everywhere, the Marlins sent a scout yesterday to watch Diamondbacks reliever Jorge Julio pitch. As you know, the Fish have an unsettled closer situation with Kevin Gregg, Matt Lindstrom, Henry Owens, and Taylor Tankersley candidates to earn the gig when the season begins.
Among pitchers with 60 IP last year, Julio's 12.0 K/9 ranked fifth, right between Takashi Saito and Francisco Rodriguez. If Marlins pitching coach Rick Kranitz could help Julio get his BB/9 down around 3, he could be quite an asset. Pitching in Dolphin Stadium as opposed to Chase Field would cut down on his troublesome HR rate.
The main sticking point would be figuring out how to divy up Julio's $3.6MM salary. Julio would be the third highest-paid Marlin behind Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis.
UPDATE: The Giants are now in on Julio, who is essentially a younger version of Armando Benitez. The Giants would take on more of Julio's salary than the Marlins, but parting with Yusmeiro Petit might seal the deal for Florida. And to think, Petit was traded for Carlos Delgado a year ago.
cheapskate marlins
Posted by: Guitar Hero | March 13, 2007 at 11:31 AM
this particular fantasy geek, who just picked up Lindstrom for a buck, is pissed.
Posted by: jakec | March 13, 2007 at 01:23 PM
A few of my fellow DBack followers have been professing the logic of a Julio/Krynzel + cash trade to the fish for a pitching prospect.
Krynzel is looking pretty good this spring and the Marlins need a CF, especially at league minimum.
Posted by: tmar | March 13, 2007 at 07:44 PM
That makes great sense to me.
Posted by: RotoAuthority | March 14, 2007 at 12:05 AM
Tank is expected to start pitching saterday
Henry Owens has looked very good as a closer this year so far. I think it is his job to lose honestly.
Owens so far 0.00 Era a K every other inning. Kid has been good so far :)
Posted by: Baseballfan79 | March 14, 2007 at 07:48 AM
Henry Owens is not a closer, and he is not a kid either. He is like 27 years old, a converted catcher, with a fastball as fricken straight as an arrow. He will not last as your closer, I gauruntee that. He throws ridiculously hard, but he cant get out professional hitters on a regular basis because he doesnt have very good control and doesnt have any other good pitchers. I know he only had a small sample size with the Mets last year but it wasnt very good. I hope he is the fish closer.
Posted by: nrmax88 | March 14, 2007 at 09:50 AM
pitches*
Posted by: nrmax88 | March 14, 2007 at 09:50 AM
I think I tried to tell you that about Burgos...but you weren't buyin' it. Hmmm.
Posted by: firesticks | March 15, 2007 at 06:28 PM
I still am not buying it. Burgos was raved about by mets coaches and he is only 21, Owens will be 28 soon.
Posted by: nrmax88 | March 16, 2007 at 11:45 PM