| Newsbreakers |
|
|
| Looking to free up space on their 40-man roster, the Marlins placed catcher Mike Rabelo on waivers Thursday, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Rabelo only played 34 games in the big leagues in 2008. He hit three home runs and an average of .202. |
|
|
|
| The Cardinals covet lefty relievers and Arthur Rhodes is on their radar, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. GM John Mozeliak said, "The ball is rolling. Lefthanded relief is a market that will move quickly. It's kind of like the draft, where catchers go fast. There is a limited supply and they typically don't last until January." |
Our View: The Cardinals were interested in Jeremy Affeldt but he signed with the Giants. The Cardinals also remain interested in Will Ohman, who received an offer from the Braves Monday. Rhodes is 39, but maintained a solid 1.25 WHIP over 35.1 innings in 2008. |
|
|
|
| A number of teams, including the Cubs and Rays, are interested in acquiring the services of Marlins outfielder Jeremy Hermida, according to ESPN.com. |
Our View: Hermida hit just .249 last season while striking out 138 times in 502 AB, but he did knock 17 balls out of the park while driving in 61 runs. |
|
|
|
| Matt Lindstrom is considered the front-runner to take over the closer's role in 2009, the Miami Herald confirms. |
Our View: We didn't really need a source to tell you that, but it's nice to confirm it. Lindstrom saved five games last September, and he as excellent over the second half of 2008. As long as he keeps his control together, Lindstrom should hold down that gig. |
|
|
|
| Hanley Ramirez won his first career Silver Slugger on Thursday, according to the Associated Press. |
Our View: Ramirez is arguably the top offensive shortstop in the majors. He hits for more power than Mets counterpart Jose Reyes, with a similar average. Reyes does hold an edge in stolen bases, but Ramirez still gives fantasy owners significant production in that category. |
|
|
|
| Minor league right-handed reliever Jose Ceda has been dealt to the Florida Marlins from the Cubs in exchange for Kevin Gregg, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Ceda is a 6-foot-4, 275 lb. giant who threw well this year in stops at the Southern League and Florida State League. In a combined 84.2 innings, Ceda struck out 95 batters, had nine saves, a 3.83 ERA, and held opposing batters to a .220 average. He was one of the better prospects in the Cubs' farm system, and it's possible he could be in the big leagues sometime next year. |
|
|
|
| Marlins outfielder Jeremy Hermida is a player that the Chicago Cubs are interested in pursuing in the offseason, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. |
Our View: Hermida will get arbitration this year, so he would have to be moved in a trade. However, the Marlins have recently said that they want Hermida in their outfield this year, so it remains to be seen if he is available. |
|
|
|
| Brett Carroll suffered a broken wrist when he was hit by a pitch in the Dominican Winter League, according to the Palm Beach Post. However, Carroll is expected to be ready for spring training. |
Our View: Carroll is just an extra outfielder that will be fighting for a roster spot some spring time. He has no fantasy relevance. |
|
|
|
| The Marlins expect the recently acquired Emilio Bonifacio to be an everyday player for them, and they will try him out this spring at third base, according to the Palm Beach Post. |
Our View: This doesn't make sense, as Bonifacio is a good defender at second and Dan Uggla is not. We expect Uggla to eventually wind up at the hot corner and Bonifacio to hold down second. |
|
|
|
| Henry Owens has been suspended for the first 50 games of next season after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance, according to the AP. Owens didn't pitch at all in 2008 while recovering from shoulder surgery. |
Our View: Owens figures to be a big part of the Marlins bullpen if he can come back healthy, so this is a blow. He might even have had a chance to close if the team doesn't hang on to Kevin Gregg. |
|
|
|
| Marlins president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest said in a press conference Tuesday that the team is ready to move forward with Jeremy Hermida as their right fielder, according to mlblogs.com. Hermida is arbitration eligible, and his name has popped up in trade rumors. |
Our View: With Josh Willingham out of the picture, the Marlins' starting outfield next year figures to be Cody Ross in left, Cameron Maybin in center and Hermida in right. |
|
|
|
| The Marlins reiterated to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel that they plan to keep second baseman Dan Uggla despite his projected bump up to around $5 million. |
Our View: The Marlins apparently plan to use Emiliano Bonifacio as a utility player, which makes the deal with the Nats even more confusing. Anyway, Uggla should once again provide fantasy owners with plenty of pop, but he'll be even more exposed in what could be a weaker Marlins lineup. |
|
|
|
| Second baseman Emilio Bonifacio, 23, was dealt to the Florida Marlins on Monday, according to the AP. |
Our View: Bonifacio is a career .240 hitter, who was traded to Washington for Jon Rauch by Arizona last season. With Dan Uggla heading for arbitration, it is possible the Marlins may look to trade him. Bonifacio could find himself competing for a full-time starter's job in the spring. |
|
|
|
| Scott Olsen and Josh Willingham have been dealt to the Washington Nationals, according to Fox Sports. In return, the Marlins will receive second baseman Emilio Bonifacio and a package of minor leaguers, including Class A right-hander P.J. Dean and outfielder Jake Smolinski. |
Our View: Olsen is a bit of a hot-head but he was able to make 33 starts and throw 201.2 innings last season. He finished the year with a 4.20 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP while surrendering 30 home runs. He was 8-11. |
|
|
|
| Josh Willingham was dealt to the Nationals on Monday, according to FoxSports. Scott Olsen was also included in the trade. In return, the Marlins will receive second baseman Emilio Bonifacio and a package of minor leaguers, including Class A right-hander P.J. Dean and outfielder Jake Smolinski. |
Our View: Willingham will likely be a starter for the Nats. He hit .254 with 82 strikeouts in 351 at-bats. |
|
|
|
| The Braves are reportedly interested in Marlins' hurler Scott Olsen, according to FishStripes.com. |
Our View: The solid lefty starter has previously been talked about in potential deals with the Rangers and Indians. Olsen only won eight games over 33 starts in 2008, but maintained a decent 1.31 WHIP. |
|
|
|
| The Miami Herald reports Cameron Maybin is likely to start with the Marlins in 2009. GM Mike Hill said, "I think everyone saw in September what he is capable of doing, and the excitement and the talent he brings to the ballpark every day. That's what we traded for."
|
Our View: The Marlins gave up Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis to acquire Maybin and five others from the Tigers last December. The 21-year-old is considered one of the top prospects in baseball, and could end up hitting high in the Marlins' batting order.
|
|
|
|
| Marlins prospect Scott Cousins was 4-for-5 with five RBI on Tuesday night in AFL action. |
Our View: Cousins has been on a tear in the Arizona Fall League. He has driven in 21 runs and his three home runs. |
|
|
|
| Floridamarlins.com is reporting that the Marlins are said to be "aggressively" shopping 24-year-old left-hander Scott Olsen. |
Our View: The Rangers and Indians are two of the teams that are believed to have interest in the young hurler. |
|
|
|
| Logan Morrison of the Mesa Solar Sox has been named the Arizona Fall League Player of the Week, according to MLB.com. He hit .545 (12-22) last week with one home run and 10 RBI. The lefty hit for the cycle last Thursday, and currently ranks second in the league in hitting (.453) and fourth in slugging percentage (.774) |
Our View: The 21-year-old first baseman made Florida's decision to trade Mike Jacobs to Kansas City a bit easier with his solid play so far in the AFL. |
|
|
|
| Dan Meyer has been claimed off waivers by the Marlins, according to the Associated Press. |
Our View: Meyer has played parts of three seasons in the majors with Atlanta and Oakland. He is 0-6 lifetime with an ERA of 7.63 over 19 games, including seven starts. He will not likely push for a role in the Marlins' rotation next season.
|
|
|
|
| Arthur Rhodes has entered free agency, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: He is 39 years old, but should garner interest from a few MLB clubs, as he held a solid 2.04 ERA and 1.25 WHIP over 35.1 innings of relief in 2008, with 40 strikeouts. |
|
|
|
