Florida Marlins

ALL
OUTSIDER

Initial Thoughts of MLB Network

By Alan Smodic | January 6, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Much like DirecTV's MLB Extra Innings package, the MLB Network is more baseball than one can handle. -- programwitch/Flickr.com

On January 1, Major League Baseball followed in the footsteps of the NFL and NHL by unveiling its own channel -- the MLB Network.If you don't already know what this exactly is, MLBNetwork.com's about page helps:MLB Network stands for Major League Baseball Network, which means access to more baseball than America's ever seen! This new 24-hour network delves into the world of baseball, going far beyond the field. Fans can tune in at any time for fresh perspectives, current news, the latest trade rumors, pre and post-game banter, highlights and more.Again, if you've seen the NFL or NHL networks, just picture those and think baseball. I wasn't sure if I'd receive the channel (I get the NFL network, but not the NHL), so I was surprised to see it coming in through my satellite. Obviously, I checked it out.I was impressed with my first viewing. The first show I saw...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: MLB

Andruw Jones: Should the Marlins roll the dice?

By Alex Carver | January 5, 2009 | Marlins Today

What do Andruw Jones and the current economic status of the United States have in common? They have both recessed a historical amount over the past two years. After hitting .263/.355/.908 with 92 homers and getting 380 combined MVP points in 2005 and 2006, the 30-year-old outfielder only managed to squeeze out a .190/.283/.614 line with 29 homers in 2007 and 2008 earning him a one way ticket out of Atlanta and most recently, one out of Los Angeles as well. It was announced on Friday that Jones and the Dodgers have reached an agreement that will defer the remainder of his backloaded two year $36 million contract while making it certain that he will not be in L.A. next season. Jones will be out approximately $21 million. Spring training is six weeks away. Thanks to the slowing economy, the free agent market is still loaded. Manny Ramirez, Adam Dunn,...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Atlanta Braves, Florida Marlins, Los Angeles Dodgers, MLB

Let's get real about Ramirez

By Tim Daloisio | January 3, 2009 | Fire Brand of the American League

HanRam's not walking through that door - flickr (Sportech)

Something has been bothering me for the past week since the news that the Red Sox had inquired about acquiring Hanley Ramirez from the Florida Marlins. I've seen/heard countless fans calling for the Red Sox to make this deal happen and a perception that the Marlins "made him available".

Reality is quite the contrary however. As the Red Sox should, they send feelers out on possibilities for matching up with players that they are interested in across the league. I would fully expect that they've done the same with the likes of Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder or David Wright or countless others. Truth be told, great young players aren't often available via trade and there's a reason for that. This is even more pronounced when that great young player is cost controlled by a smaller market team.

Read more | 10 Comments | Tags: Boston Red Sox, Florida Marlins, Hanley Ramirez, MLB

Marlins sign reliever Scott Proctor

By Alex Carver | January 2, 2009 | Marlins Today

With Derrick Turnbow now a member of the Texas Rangers, the Marlins have moved to plan B in their search for a back of the bullpen veteran reliever. According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the team is in the process of signing 32-year-old free agent Scott Proctor, formerly of Los Angeles. Financial terms of the deal were not announced.Depending on how much Proctor, who can still potentially get his fastball up into the mid 90's and has a career .235 BAA in the 8th inning, will earn and if he is healthy, this is a good contingency signing. If he's healthy. After leading the American League in relief appearances with 83 in 2006 as a member of the New York Yankees and throwing in 83 more in 2007 between New York and L.A., Proctor finally broke in 2008, missing most of the year with an elbow injury that...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Florida Marlins, Los Angeles Dodgers, MLB, New York Yankees

Sox inquire about Hanley Ramirez

By Gerry | December 29, 2008 | Fire Brand of the American League

Quick update from MLBRumors, quoting SI, after losing out on Teix, the Sox made a run at bringing back Hanley Ramirez, which many of us hoped for but none of us thought possible. Jacoby Ellsbury and Clay Buchholz were mentioned, and SI speculates that Lowrie would be kept at SS and Hanley moved to CF. That one took my breath away....

Read more | 15 Comments | Tags: Boston Red Sox, Florida Marlins, Hanley Ramirez

How not to use Taylor Tankersley

By Alex Carver | December 20, 2008 | Marlins Today

All this talk regarding the Marlins possibly acquiring another LOOGY got me thinking: just how did Taylor Tankersley post such horrid numbers in 2008 after two great seasons of dominating left handed batting? I looked back at old box scores and game logs and got my answer. Below is each game Tankersley appeared in, the score of that game at the time of his entry, the batter faced and the outcome.3-4: vs Marlon Anderson (K), vs Jose Reyes (FO)0-8: vs Angel Pagan (1B), vs Ryan Church (GO), vs Brian Schneider (1B, ER)4-4: vs Adam LaRoche (K)2-5: vs Nyjer Morgan (1B), vs Nat McClouth (1B, RBI) vs Ryan Domit (FO), vs Xavier Nady (2R HR), vs Doug Mientkiewicz (FO), vs Jose Bautista (E), vs Chris Gomez (FO)7-7: vs Nick Johnson (BB)0-5: vs Brad Ausmus (S), vs Michael Bourn (K), vs Hunter Pence (FO), vs Mark Loretta (2B), vs Lance Berkman (K)1-4:...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Florida Marlins, MLB

Marlins, Johson agree to new pact

By Alex Carver | December 18, 2008 | Marlins Today

The Sun-Sentinel reports that the Marlins avoided arbitration with Josh Johnson on Wednesday by signing righty Josh Johnson to a new one year, $1.4 million deal.Considering the fact that the Marlins don't sign pitchers to long term deals especially those that have just entered their first year of arbitration eligibility, the fact that this was well below the reasonable estimate for Johnson to garner (near $2 million) and the fact that he's under club control until 2011, this is fantastic news.Johnson is expected to ace the staff in 2009....

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Florida Marlins, MLB

Joe Nelson Part Deux?

By Brandon Stewart | December 14, 2008 | Fire Brand of the American League

Joe Nelson, who had a fine season at the end of the Marlins bullpen has been contacted by Boston about a possible return.

Read more | 4 Comments | Tags: Atlanta Braves, Florida Marlins, Joe Nelson, Kansas City Royals, MLB, Red Sox

Initial Thoughts of MLB Network

By Alan Smodic | January 6, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Much like DirecTV's MLB Extra Innings package, the MLB Network is more baseball than one can handle. -- programwitch/Flickr.com

Read more | Discuss | Tags: MLB

BREAKING: Josh Willingham, Scott Olsen traded to Washington

By Evan | November 10, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Willingham - Spike from NJ

The Washington Nationals today continued their march towards trying to be relevant, acquiring left-fielder Josh Willingham and pitcher Scott Olsen for a trio of prospects.Willingham, 29, had 15 homers in an abbreviated 2008 with a .254/.364/.470 line, similar to what he has hit over his career. He is eligible for arbitration, likely a major reason why the Marlins opted to move him despite ownership giving the team permission to retain all their arbitration eligible players.Olsen, known for his hotheadedness, is also eligible for arbitration for the first time. He went 8-11 with a 4.20 ERA in 201.2 innings as a 24-year old. There is cause for concern with Olsen's effectiveness as he posted a 3.11 ERA in his home park and 5.58 away.The Marlins got second baseman Emilio Bonifacio, who headed to Washington for Jon Rauch at the trading deadline from the Arizona Diamondbacks. He hit .243/.296/.337 and may be...Read more

Read more | 1 Comment | Tags: Florida Marlins, MLB, Washington Nationals

Being the GM: 2009 Florida Marlins

By Evan | November 2, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Ryan Garko - Evan Brunell (MVN)

With Ramon Hernandez and Ryan Garko in the fold, what else does Evan Brunell project the Florida Marlins to do in 2009?Read more

Read more | 1 Comment | Tags: Florida Marlins, MLB

The Rays and Florida's Fleeting Fan Loyalty

By Brian Joseph | October 10, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Because the Tampa Bay Rays' fans have finally shown up in central Florida for a few playoff games is the rest of the '08 season's pitiful home attendance supposed to be overlooked?� The Rays had a magical season after two consecutive seasons as baseball's worst.� The won 97 games and the American League East and played in a division with two of the biggest draws in the Majors but only filled Tropicana Field to 52.8% capacity with an average attendance of 22,259 per game -- 26th best in the Majors. The excuses were plentiful: The weather in Florida makes baseball a second thought in Tampa. Heck, the team isn't even in Tampa.� The stadium is in St. Petersburg, about a half hour outside of Tampa Bay. After so many losing years, you can't expect the fans to show up right away. Tropicana Field is played in a dome.� Why would...Read more

Read more | 9 Comments | Tags: Florida Marlins, MLB, Tampa Bay Rays

MLB Power Rankings

By Daniel Rathman | September 22, 2008 | MVN Outsider

The MLB Power Rankings will run on Outsider every Monday night until the conclusion of the regular season.� This is the second-to-last edition of the Rankings; next Monday's edition will be the last.� The final week of the regular season is upon us.� Yeah, already.� Hard to believe, isn't it?� The Halos, Rays, and Cubs are into the playoffs.� The Dodgers and Red Sox are, for all practical purposes, in.� Two of the Mets, Phillies, and Brewers will make it, as will either the White Sox or Twins.� All the other teams will be hitting their La-Z-Boys when the final outs of their games are recorded on Sunday.� Here's how the league stacks up in the penultimate edition of the Power Rankings. Note: some of the statistics and records below are through SATURDAY's games. 1.� Los Angeles Angels, 95-59 With the AL West division locked up and home-field advantage essentially...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags:

MVN: Most Valuable Network