Footprints in the Snow is FanHouse's look at the paths to be forged by MLB teams this winter as they look ahead to 2009.
When the Marlins dealt Miguel Cabrera last winter, it was assumed that they would battle the Nationals for the cellar in the National League East. That made their 84-77 record one of the most pleasant surprises of the season.
Hanley Ramirez and Dan Uggla led an offense that finished second in the NL in home runs, the preferred method of scoring for an offense that didn't get on base with much regularity. Chris Volstad looked like a future ace in 14 starts. Volstad, Ricky Nolasco, Josh Johnson and Andrew Miller are a very young rotation, but potentially a very good one if they're healthy and consistent in 2009.
Almost any team would envy the young, talented roster the Marlins possess, but building on their 2008 successes will be contingent on which players return next season. As always, the Marlins are dealing with monetary issues that often trump diamond ones. How they manage those two sides will decide how far they go next season.
With the trade deadline right around the corner, our MLB editor brings you the top five rumors every day until July 31.
- The Marlins are the forgotten team in the NL East race, but they have a very real chance at making the postseason and are the most active team less than 24 hours before the trade deadline. Florida is looking for everything. The club is believed to be close to dealing for Mariners left-handed reliever Arthur Rhodes. The Fish have also made inquiries with San Diego about Josh Bardand Toronto about Gregg Zaun as they try to shore up the catcher position with Matt Treanor injured.
Most surprisingly, they might be at the head of the pack for Boston slugger Manny Ramirez. A proposed deal would send either left fielder Josh Willingham or right fielder Jeremy Hermida to the Red Sox in exchange for Ramirez, with Boston picking up the remaining portion of the $20 million owed to the disgruntled slugger. The Marlins would also have to agree not to pick up Ramirez's option at the end of the season. Florida is often accused of being cheap. You can't say it isn't trying this year.
- The Jason Bay market appears to be heating up. Both the Rays and Cardinals have had serious discussions with Pittsburgh about acquiring the left fielder. Tampa Bay would seem to have the upper hand since it has the better farm system and does not play in the same division as the Pirates. GM Neal Huntington is believed to have asked for shortstop prospect Reid Brignac and pitching prospect Jeremy Hellickson, with Hellickson believed to be the sticking point. There is also late word that the Red Sox could jump into the Bay talks as part of a three-way deal that would send Ramirez to Florida, prospects to Pittsburgh and Bay to Boston.
Ivan Rodriguez's one year relationship with the Florida Marlins was certainly a beneficial one for both sides. The Marlins won the World Series and Rodriguez won the NLCS MVP and a four-year, $40 million contract with the Tigers. That turned into $53 million when the Tigers picked up Pudge's option before this season, despite years of diminishing offensive returns.
Now it seems that the Marlins want to try to recapture the magic with a late-summer fling. According to the Miami Herald, the team inquired about Pudge's availability as they try and find a better catcher than Matt Treanor. The Tigers still harbor some hopes of getting back into the mix for a playoff spot and aren't ready to deal the impending free agent.
I might reconsider if I were running the Tigers. They wouldn't lose all that much by going with Brandon Inge behind the dish full-time and it's time to face some facts about the future of the team. They're old, the attempt at overwhelming the American League this season didn't work and Rodriguez isn't part of a future that makes any sense.
The Tigers need to begin refilling their system after emptying it in search of the pennant this year. Pudge won't bring a ton in return but losing him also won't crush their remaining hopes of salvaging something of this season. That's a smart trade to make at this point in the season.
I remember when I was playing in Little League I absolutely hated wearing my cup. It was uncomfortable, and considering I'd never taken a baseball to the groin while playing, in my mind it was unnecessary. So one day I just didn't wear it.
Then in about the second inning I was playing third base, and there was a hard hit ground ball right at me. I got in position to make the play when the ball hit a rock or something and took a funny hop. Guess where it hit me. Needless to say, I wore my cup every game from then on, as taking a shot directly to the boys was far more uncomfortable than the cup could ever be.
I'm guessing Matt Treanor is happy he wore his cup last night as well, because even though it doesn't keep a curveball directly to the groin from hurting, at least he and Misty May will still be able to have children.
If you're new to these proceedings, click here and here to catch up on what you've missed.
If you're not into the extended catch-up, you've missed a six-run Mets fourth and a two-run Josh Willingham home run and some entertaining fat men dancing. Johan Santana's on his way to his first Mets win, we'll see if he can get it after the jump.
Hopefully you're moving over from the Innings 1-3 coverage but if not and need to catch up, check it out here.
Johan Santana's been everything the Mets expected to this point but he's getting everything he can handle from Mark Hendrickson. On a basketball court, that wouldn't be surprising but we're playing baseball here. Let's see how both men do as they start facing people for the second and third time. For now we're scoreless and heading into the top of the fourth.
If you're looking for a feeling of rebirth, there ain't much better than Opening Day. Blank slates abound, last year's failures are but a fleeting memory and everybody's in first place. Nope, it doesn't get much better than that.
Unless, of course, you have all those things plus your first look at the best pitcher in baseball wearing your team's uniform for the first time in a game that counts. It's Johan Santana's Mets coming out party and the Marlins are playing both host and cannon fodder for the man who has launched World Series dreams all across Queens.
I'll be here for every one of his pitches (and Mark Hendrickson's too!). Sit back, relax and enjoy the show.
Scott Olsen has always had a short temper, and in case you missed it, he exploded this past weekend when (no joke) a button broke on his uniform. Yes, the wardrobe malfunction annoyed him so much he ended up getting into an altercation with teammate Sergio Mitre, who was trying to calm him down, and he was eventually suspended two games.
Olsen's transgressions, which date to last season and now include two dugout shoving matches with teammates and an obscene gesture to fans in Milwaukee, haven't helped his reputation. What some observers may not realize is outside of those episodes, Olsen is a pleasant person.
"He's not a jerk," Treanor said. "Everybody can be a jerk. It just so happens the times he's not likable it's in the middle of TV and the dugout. If something were going down, family or something serious, and he happened to be in the room, he's one of the first guys to help out. He's a good-hearted guy. He's very likable."
See, if you need something and he just happens to be around, he's totally there for you, man! As long as he doesn't have plans or anything, he'll drop everything for you!
It all seemed so unlikely. And really, so unnecessary. The Nationals were cruising with a 5-0 lead over the Marlins after five innings.
Then the comeback began. First, it was a two run home run by Aaron Boone, which was undoubtedly the most important home run he's ever hit (all right, maybe not). Then it was another two run jack by Joe Borchard. And finally, a dramatic pinch hit game tying home run by Cody Ross off of closer Chad Cordero to send the game to five extra innings.
"I'm concerned because he's my closer and he knows and we know what the problem is. He's still pitching behind in the count," Washington manager Manny Acta said.
So add Chad Cordero to the "he's my closer" club, the club for closers who have gotten that vote of confidence (which means he's in trouble).
But Cordero was bailed out by Jesus Colome (pictured) who pitched three scoreless innings while escaping a bases loaded two outs jam in the 13th by striking out Matt Treanor. That set up the winning run in the top of the 14th when Chris Snelling drove in Ryan Church with the eventual winning run.
The Marlins bullpen gets credit for keeping the team in the game to set up the comeback, pitching eight shutout innings from the sixth through the thirteenth and bailing out Scott Olsen, who had a second straight shaky outing giving up ten hits and five runs in five innings.
Footprints in the Snow is FanHouse's look at the paths to be forged by MLB teams this winter as they look ahead to 2009.
With the trade deadline right around the corner, our MLB editor brings you the top five rumors every day until July 31.
Scott Olsen
It all seemed so unlikely. And really, so unnecessary. The Nationals were cruising with a 5-0 lead over the Marlins after five innings.
