Offseason Outlook: Florida Marlins

Targeting Young Pitching...

Yah, I think the A's will be in on it, especially Uggla.

Yeah, the A's would've made since before they made their intent to re-sign Ellis public. I agree on the teams viktor06 mentioned. Could the Indians jump in as well? Or maybe the D-Backs should they decide against trying to retain Hudson. Or even the Cardinals, giving them that middle infielder they've been looking for, as well as a little more protection for Pujols. It will be interesting to see what the Marlins have planned.

Gregg and a B prospect for Coco Crisp and cash? Upgrades Marlins defense, Gregg could be in the mix for the 7th inning for the Red Sox.

You think a package of Mazzaro, H. Rodriguez, R. Sweeny, one of Smith/Eveland, and maybe another lower level prospect could land Uggla in Oakland? Non of these guys figure to be part of the future seeing as how the A's have a ton of pitching and outfield prospects at all levels.

I see Jacobs and Hermida as definite goners. Trading Uggla would require the right deal, being as his value is pretty high.

Uggla's value is very high right now and it would take a good amount to get him. Although his offensive numbers are impressive, he doesn't have great plate discipline, has never hit for a great average, and isn't a particularly good fielder. If you watched the All-Star Game, you may recall that he was the one who committed three errors for the NL. His value is still very high because he hits so well for a second basemen.

I could see the Giants interested in Gregg, too, unless he insists on being the closer.

There have also been Uggla to the Giants speculation. His bat certainly would fit on the Giants, but I'm not sure his horrendous defense would. Also, the Giants have young guys who deserve a look at 2nd base, but none at 3rd, which is more of a position of need for them, so, speculation aside, he doesn't seem like a great fit for them.

I wouldn't call Uggla's defense horrendous, the All-Star game is pretty irrelevant, he had a .981 fielding % on the year which is pretty middle of the pack for 2nd baseman with over 100 games. He had the same amount of errors as Utley and Cano, are they horrendous?

" Non of these guys figure to be part of the future seeing as how the A's have a ton of pitching and outfield prospects at all levels."

I think you answered your own question.

Nolasco would require another huge bounty. Olsen will bring back a decent amount too. Maybe the Marlins do something like Gregg and Olsen to the Rangers for Cruz, Andurus, and a catcher?

I hope they trade Uggla and Jacobs. Both can hit the HR's but can't hit for average or do any situational hitting.

Marlins don't need/want Crisp especially for a corner OF spot. Maybe the Marlins would want either Kouz/Headley in a deal for Uggla who knows.

Here's a lineup I could see them putting out:

CF Cameron Maybin
C John Baker
SS Hanley Ramirez
3B Dallas McPherson
1B Jorge Cantu
RF Jeremy Hermida
LF Cody Ross
2B Chris Coaghlin
SP Ricky Nolasco

Johns: the Marlins have traded a lot of their players before and have never really got the wrong end of the deal. Someone they get in the trade usually always turns out to be really really good.

I don't understand why you don't have Maybin in the outlook as a starter. I think he's more-than deserved a regular spot in this lineup. and if he was to live up to expectation then this would be and outstanding team even with their minute payroll.

My personal idea is that they should attempt to acquire a catcher, most likely someone like Salty from Tx or if they can pry Ianetta away from the Rockies. That would make this team incredibly dynamic imo. Maybe take a chance on some of these injured pitchers coming back as insurance due to many of Florida's pitchers having injury history.

and just tossing it out there, maybe take a chance on a small deal with McGwire with incentives?

I could see a Jonathan Sanchez for Uggla trade interesting the fish, but the giants would probably also have to throw in a mid level prospect to balance the deal

olsen is going to be trade, sad to say. Because the demand is high, and they prefer to use he cheaper Andrew Miller over him. also no one realize he totally dissed fredi check it out : http://www.palmbeachpost.com/marlins/content/sports/epaper/2008/09/29/a1c_marlins2_0930.html , he says that fredi is getting credit where credit isn't deserve and im not a GM but i pretty sure, that increase your chances of being traded.
Also uggla is not going to be traded unless he ask for over 7 mil in arbition or they're blown away by the offer. So if he traded then i fell bad for that trade. cause in the end the marlins will get the better end of the trade, while they get guy who will drive them crazy when seen in larger doses.
And, maybin will be the CF by the end of ST. so that means either willingham or hermida is gone, i hope hermida. but crawford is very interesting, i will love that move, depends on what it takes. Gregg willn't returned too, by since the closer is weak with only K-rod, asking for a record amount for a closer. and Brian Fuentes, and he is not very cheap and want to pitch in New York. So that leaves teams like the indians, brewers, etc.
here my take on the marlins opening day starters.
C- Baker
1st- G. Sanchez
2nd- Cantu
3rd- D. McPherson
SS- Hanley Ramirez
OF- Maybin
OF- Willingham
OF- c. Ross

i can foresee who they get in trades, so these is very vague and not accurate
P.S sorry for the long post, i just love the fish

The Giants will definitely take a look at some of the Marlins young hitters this winter. Cantu and Uggla would seem to be their favorite target(s). Uggla might have the better upside simply because he has been more consistent over the last 3 years while Cantu had a resurgence this year. Uggla could be moved to 3B while the Giants have Kevin Frandsen and Eugenio Velez at 2B. The Marlins could get Randy Winn in any deal for a hitter, with the Giants paying a portion of Winn's 2009 contract.

I dont see randy winn in the plans for the fish because of his cost and age. The team will look for younger cheaper options which they can have under control durring their time of entering the new ballpark. That has been how beinfest has always handled it, coupled with pitching prospects.

Really catching is not a need for the organization be it from Baker being an 800+ OPS player or Skipworth having good potential (number 2 prospect his league for BA) for a long term future behind the plate.

the biggest need is corner outfield defense (CF is secure with maybin for the next decade).

I see willingham gone, Hermida to LF where his arm will shine and his defense will get an easier job growing. Couple that with a new strong armed right fielder with high potential. Someone like a Delmon young (available) or a Carlos Gonzalez (traded last year). A player along those lines I feel is what the marlins will go for in the trade market.

The fish do not need a starter they have 7 competing for 5 spots and all of them are top notch (sanchez the biggest ? as miller will have a spot because he is important showing for the trade last year). Olsen could be moved, I dont see Sanchez as an upgrade. But someone like Alderson from the giants is more interesting.

Personally I think the best match for the marlins is teams like Texas that has tons of talent in the minors and a package for Olsen back could be nice :)

But we have alot of options:

willingham, Olsen, Uggla, Mcpherson I expect to see gone by next year personally.

Hello florida marlins fans......i would just like to thank the marlins for making the mets miserable again this year ...... nothing puts a smile on my face quite like these beating you guys give the mets at the end of these last two seasons.....they have been a becon of light in an otherwise dissapointing (yankee) season......it even makes up for the 03 world series.......please keep up the good work....go for the trifecta in 2009