ESPN's Buster Olney wrote about the Marlins' revamped bullpen in today's blog post (Insider req'd), noting that they now have a pair of left-handers (Randy Choate and Mike Dunn) to go after the middle of Philadelphia's lineup. They lacked those options early last year. Florida also brought in right-handed relievers Ryan Webb and Edward Mujica in this winter's Cameron Maybin trade.
Here are the rest of Olney's rumors…
- Padres officials met with prospects Casey Kelly, Anthony Rizzo, and Reymond Fuentes recently to stress that they don't want them to put too much pressure on themselves after the trade that brought them to San Diego. The trio was acquired in the Adrian Gonzalez swap.
- The Cardinals are going to watch their pitchers over the next few weeks in the wake of Adam Wainwright's injury, then see if they "need to change course."
- White Sox GM Kenny Williams told Olney's colleague Gene Wojciechowski "I know what I want for next year right now. I have an idea. But if we're going to have dreams of maintaining where we are payroll-wise or taking it even a step higher, yeah, a lot of it depends on what happens this year." Williams said he would have liked to have done more this offseason, but is thrilled with the payroll owner Jerry Reinsdorf gave him.
Reinsdorf better be willing to step up the payroll, otherwise the Sox may be in for some trouble. When the guys they have start regressing, they’re not going to have young replacements available. If the Sox fail to win now under their “all in” mantra, they could be in for a long couple of years.
They really have no choice but to step up thier payroll or go into fire sale mode if they fail to win now with there farm system.
They’ve already stepped up the payroll to $125 million. I don’t think they can go much higher than that.
Sure they can’t, they can go to 126 million 127 million ect….
The Cards have to sign a pitcher. I know they want to rely on the young guys, but that’s assuming nobody else gets hurt and everyone (Lohse, Garcia, etc.) live up to expectations. I’m not in love with guys like Millwood or Bonderman, but I wouldn’t be opposed to either/both for short-term fixes.
I agree. There is no reason to rush and stunt Shelby Miller’s development.
Carp’s arm could fall off tomorrow and they still wouldn’t bring Shelby Miller to the big leagues out of ST. Remember, he played low-A ball last season. McClellan, Ottavino, Lynn, Walters are their options right now
You can have Silva for free.
While you’re at it… give up a few low level prospects with potential to the White Sox and take Buehrle too. I hope the Sox dump him soon.
Does that mean the Cubs will pay his full salary?
I think kei Igawa might still be available…
Assuming the price is low what’s the downside to bringing either (or both) in. Offer them incentive laden deals based off IP. If they tank your risk is minimal. If they excel you have useful parts for this season that may carry some trade value should the Cards fall out of contention.
Let me be clear – I think both guys will suck. Just not sure that there are better options out there right now.
You would think Bonderman would be a no-brainer at this point given his low risk high reward status.
I’m thinking Bonderman isn’t the low risk high reward everyone thinks he is.
It’s safe to assume that he still wants to get paid big bucks, and that’s why he’s still out there. That makes him high risk high reward.
As far as i know he has not recieve a major league offer, a minor league deal with a early opt date might be enough, with spring training games up and going i don’t see what other option he has if he wants to play this season.
Not really. I can’t imagine he wants more than $2 mil and a guaranteed mlb deal.
$2 million guaranteed ups the risk considerably in my mind. Remember, Bonderman hasn’t been very good for a long time. Maybe someone gets a bargain at that price, but to me it seems doubtful.
But you never know with pitchers. Many have been resurrected from the scrap heap and performed well, at least for awhile. I guess Bonderman has as good as chance as any. I still wouldn’t sign him except on a minor league deal.
Is he really worth that? Can understand before he hurt his arm and was throwing gas that there as tremendous upside to him and he was struggling, but he still is struggling with his FB gone no and his stats are horrible still, other than he throws a bunch of innings.
Is the thought out there that he will improve by switching leagues? That could happen and if just want someone to eat innings, might as well see which one between Bonderman and Millwood is willing to sign the cheapest. IMO neither is suitable for any team with any hope of playoff aspirations.
Hey John. The conversation was, I assumed, that Bonderman would be a solid choice for the cards. The other John said….
“I’m thinking Bonderman isn’t the low risk high reward everyone thinks he is.
It’s safe to assume that he still wants to get paid big bucks, and that’s why he’s still out there. That makes him high risk high reward”.
In my opinion, Bonderman at $2 mil isn’t a high risk. Is $2 mil enough to hurt a team?No. If he fails then it’s a small amount to lose on a guy who if healthy could probably be a solid#4 or #5 in the NL and working with a coach like Duncan can produce those results, IMO.
Right YFS78, My thinking is that for a team in competition for a playoff run he just isnt a fit for anything in a rotation. 2m, or 500k even if the guy is being counted on to give useful innings. I just dont see how he can even with Dave Duncan as a coach, this is not someone with the off speed repertoire of a Guthrie here.
His slider is fantastic, and every year he is “working on throwing a changeup”… Which never happens much. Still he throws gems minus one inning where he gets in trouble. Just never know if that inning is early or late
Buster Olney knows what’s up. The Marlins bullpen is much improved and it will help us fight for a wild card berth, unlike last year when it didn’t allow us to fight for the wild card spot.
if the marlins still had Cabrera they could possibly fight for the division
Yeah, don’t remind me about that.
I’m a tigers fan, just wanted to say thanks again. At least we took D-Train off ur hands in the deal
Cabrera would be on his 20 mil plus extension right now which means there’s zero chance he would have still been in Florida!
dont forget we have ian snell with a spring training invite already. and also miguel batista. and kyle mclellan is a huge part of our bullpen but if he throws 6-7 innings like he does in the bullpen the he would be worth the exchange. bonderman is garbage. but seeing kevin millwood be resurrected by dave duncan would be interesting.
Dave Duncan is going to have to resurrected more then kevin millwood to win, maybe Sandy Koufax or Bob Gibson.
It might be a good idea for Duncan to resurrect Kyle Lohse first. He’s got a ginormous contract that runs for two more years. Yikes!
Is Gene related to Asher?