There is some intrigue surrounding the Marlins’ field staff once again, according to multiple reports. Third base coach Brett Butler has been re-assigned to an outfield and base running coaching role, Bob Nightengale of USA Today tweets. Assistant hitting coach Lenny Harris will replace Butler at third, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports (Twitter link). Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports first reported on Twitter that there was some action involving Butler. Miami recently installed former GM Dan Jennings in the managerial role vacated when the team fired Mike Redmond.
Here’s more from the NL East:
- Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. said that “nothing is imminent” on the trade front, but that he is glad to see his club’s veterans performing, as Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com reports. “These guys having success is good for us on all fronts, whether they stick with us and continue to be part of what we’re trying to do moving forward or whether we utilize those assets to improve our club,” Amaro explained. “Them doing well can only help our club.” As the “dialogue” continues with other clubs, the trade value of players like Jonathan Papelbon, Cole Hamels, Chase Utley, and Ryan Howard has been on the upswing in recent weeks, as Salisbury explains.
- Amaro went on to explain that the Phillies will be “conservative” in advancing young pitchers like Aaron Nola and Zach Eflin. As for whether fans would be upset with a slow advance from prospects while the big league team struggles, Amaro spoke directly (read the article for the comments in their full color). “[Fans] don’t understand the game,” Amaro said. “They don’t understand the process. … There’s a plan in place and we’re sticking with the plan. We can’t do what’s best for the fan. We have to do what’s best for the organization so the fan can reap the benefit of it later on. That’s the truth.”
- The Mets have fallen back after a hot start, and Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com takes a look at the team’s various issues. He identifies the health status of David Wright as perhaps the largest single cause for concern, rating just ahead of the club’s other injury issues and a generally less-than-inspiring offense.
- Having been designated for assignment by the Mets this time last week, outfielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis will be set to hit the waiver wire today if a last-minute trade can’t be reached, Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com notes on Twitter. It will be interesting to see whether another team is willing to stake a 40-man roster spot on Nieuwenhuis after his miserable start to the year. If not, the Mets could benefit from a chance to help bring him back to form at Triple-A.
- Nieuwenhuis is one of ten players currently in DFA limbo, as MLBTR’s DFA Tracker shows.
Good to hear that Amaro has a plan in place, at least.
There has been one ever since Gillick took over for David Montgomery. Montgomery was the one that wanted to keep the gang together.
In an interview this off season he even expected to retain Rollins and Utley and said he had not given up on 2015. Ruben has bosses to answer to and if they say to hold onto the core he has to do it.
Great plan by the Marlins to keep baseball interesting! What will they do next? Robby is going to be so happy since the Marlins are helping to increase baseball’s popularity! #Jeff4ExecOfTheYear
Shocking that Amaro doesn’t think fans know what they’re talking about when every one of them would like to see him fired.
In his defense he is spot on. He still should not have said it though.
The reality is the less informed fans haven’t accepted that they are punting away 2015 and 2016. I’d rather Aaron Nola spend time in the minors than waste service time on a bad team.
There’s plenty of knowledgeable fans that understand.
Despite all the disarray the Marlins did take two out of three from the O’s
Plus, Butler was the one who caught Matusz.
So, I am confused as to why KR is worried about the Marlins.
2015 and 2016 don’t matter. They’re building for 2017 and seasoning prospects to avoid rushing them. They’re also not trying to shed salary, they’re holding out for a quality return which they got for Marlon Byrd and Jimmy Rollins.
Anyone who says the Phillies don’t have a plan can’t seem to move past the David Montgomery era.
When asked about his plan he lashed out about the fans. Seems like he’s not sure of the plan.
As just a mere ‘fan’, I could tell you that I value walks….good ole Rube, I hope this sealed the deal on his walking papers.
It’s not that Ruben is entirely wrong, but these are the types of things that make him so disliked by the baseball community and why it’s hard to feel entirely bad for him. Stating that fans don’t get the game is a terrible generalization, there are certainly fans out there with more realistic understandings of how things generally work than others, it’s not as if all fans are clueless. Excluding that, assuming he still feels all fans are clueless, he’s entitled to have that opinion privately, but putting it out there publicly is a terrible plan. He really should just not talk to the media anymore.
The Rube is on a schedule!
They’re actively looking to move Hamels, Howard, Papelbon, and I assume Ruiz. The only guy not on the move is Utley because he says he wants to stay put for the kids.
Ruiz has more value to the Phillies than another team in that he is a solid receiver and works well with all the pitchers. Any prospect return for him would probably be minimal.
Utley has 10-5 rights and hasn’t hit all season (but is turning it around).
Hamels is a top 5 pitcher in the National League and most reports are every team in talks with the Phillies have taken their top prospects off the table.
Papelbon has a bad reputation throughout the game and teams are leery of giving up anything for him. In addition him getting saves over Giles helps keep Giles’ price tag down during arbitration.
Aaron Harang will be flipped at the deadline for a prospect as long as he continues to pitch like a mid rotation starter through here on out.
Ruben can’t just snap his fingers. Rebuilds are long and painful (see Astros and Cubs) but the payoff will be worth it. Crawford, Nola, Eflin, and Quinn all look to be solid MLB players, Giles and Franco are already contributing at the Major League level, and the Phillies will be adding a top 10 draft pick and a potential top 5 pick to the system next year. In addition Latin signees such as Franklyn Kilome, Devi Grullon, Malquen Canelo, Ricardo Pinto, Carlos Tocci, and others have all shown promise with more signings to come after July 2nd. The future is brighter than many perceive.
To add to that, Philly has the payroll to acquire free agents when the time is right.
He has a bad rep but has been productive. I just think Paps sometimes just doesnt know what to say. I use to be sorta like him a few years ago until i got into my mid 30s or so. I believe a desperate enough contender will put up with him as long as he continues to do what he has been doing so far.
Ruben is a Company man, but Teams need a pair of Eyes from outside the Organizational yes men to evaluate and make correct moves, They are not the only Team that plays Loyalty Card too long,But Ruben has added to frustration and anger of Blue Collar Fan base by his arrogance. Doesn’t matter I would suspect that’s he gone from any Front office for Life after this performance.
Agreed. And let’s hope you’re right.
Tell me who he should have traded those guys to and for and how they would be better off than they are now.
The demand for Cole Hamels in July will be far greater than it was in the off season. This is how you maximize a return. Did the rebuild start late? Yes. But they are going about it the wrong way.
He turned a Championship team into the best team in baseball in 2010 and 2011. Did he make mistakes? Yes. 2012 was a perceived fluke (if you saw Halladay falling off a cliff like that you’re better than me) and 2013 should have been a rebuilding year with trades of Lee, Utley, and Ruiz but there isn’t anything anyone can do about that now.
This is pretty much how i feel and stated on another board. Some will say 2011. However, i think they still had a fighting chance in 12 as well. After they should of immediately traded Lee, Doc, Ruiz etc