The Fish Pond

Coghlan once hit cleanup

2009-11-18T14:10:23Z

Claiming the N.L. Rookie of the Year on Monday certainly made Chris Coghlan a household name.

The third Marlin ever to capture the award, Coghlan's story is now well told. The 24-year-old entrenched himself as the leadoff batter, and he collected 113 hits since the All-Star Break, the most by any Major Leaguer.

Power certainly isn't a part of Coghlan's game, but there was a time when he did hit fourth. It was 2005 when he was still a studen at Ole Miss. In the Cape Cod Summer League, Coghlan found himself batting forth. The player hitting third that summer? Evan Longoria.

Yes, Coghlan and Longoria were teammates that summer. An opposing pitcher then was J.A. Happ of the Phillies. Happ finished second to Coghlan in the N.L. Rookie of the Year voting.

In September, I wrote about Coghlan's Cape Cod League experience.

-- Joe Frisaro

Report: Uggla wants to remain at second

2009-11-13T22:31:26Z

Dan Uggla is a two-time All-Star second baseman who has already placed his name in the record books.

By belting 31 homers in 2009, Uggla is the first player in MLB history to reach 30 homers in three straight years in which he played at least 100 games at second base.

With that kind of track record, Uggla sees himself as a second baseman. And he has little desire to switch positions, according to his agent, Jeff Borris.

Borris on Friday told Yahoo! Sports' Tim Brown that his client wants to stay at second base.

"Danny Uggla's been a full-time second baseman for the last four years," Borris told Yahoo! Sports columnist. "He's performed exceptionally well at that position. Although he has the athleticism to play other positions, he's performed remarkably over these four years at second base and there should be no reason to consider a position change at this time."

In his second season of arbitration, Uggla's salary is slated to rise for the $5.35 million he made this year.

At this week's General Managers Meetings, the Marlins had conversations with several clubs about Uggla. The Giants reportedly would like to add Uggla and switch him to third base. The Red Sox would consider Uggla in left field. The Orioles also reportedly have interest.

The Nationals, too, are a team that could enter into the mix. So may the Diamondbacks, the team that drafted Uggla in 2001. Former Marlins third base coach, Bo Porter, has now joined the Arizona staff.

Uggla has 121 career home runs, and he is building his legacy at second base. He has not played any other position in the big leagues besides second.

-- Joe Frisaro

Silver Slugger for Hanley

2009-11-13T15:42:41Z

For the second straight year, Hanley Ramirez has captured the Silver Slugger Award for National League shortstops.

Ramirez won the N.L. batting title with a .342 average, and he drove in a career high 106 runs.

"I'm very happy about my award," Ramirez said on Friday. "I'm thankful to God and to my family for their support. The Marlins organization and my great teammates for their help in my getting this award. It's all a result of hard work and dedication, and I always strive to get better and to do what I can to help my team succeed."

Below is Ramirez receiving the 2008 Silver Slugger Award, presented to him by Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria. Photo courtesy of Robert Vigon/Florida Marlins.

Aribitration-eligible Marlins

2009-11-13T15:29:19Z

Working with a tight budget, the Marlins will have to make some tough choices regarding which of their arbitration-eligible players they will look to bring back.

In all, the team has 11 players from the 2009 roster in their arbitration years. The list includes a number of big names, including Josh Johnson, Dan Uggla, Ricky Nolasco and Jorge Cantu.

Not all are expected back, and already the Marlins have fielded inquires about Uggla and Cantu. Now, that doesn't mean the team couldn't one or both back.

The Marlins also are expected to make a push to signing Johnson to a multiyear contract.

Basically, players with three to six years of MLB service time are in their arbitration years. Once they reach six years, they can qualify for free agency.

Here's a look at the service time (years and days) of the Marlins up for arbitration:

Alfredo Amezaga, 5 years, 97 days

Jorge Cantu, 5.036

Josh Johnson, 4.026

Matt Lindstrom, 3.000

Ricky Nolasco, 3.142

Leo Nunez, 3.108

Ronny Paulino, 3.112

Renyel Pinto, 3.083

Cody Ross, 4.058

Anibal Sanchez, 3.099

Dan Uggla, 4.000

-- Joe Frisaro

Inquires into Uggla

2009-11-11T20:37:50Z

Due for a hefty pay raise, it was expected that the Marlins would measure interest for two-time All-Star Dan Uggla.

On Wednesday, a few possibilities emerged.

According to FoxSports.com, the Giants and Orioles have expressed interest in Uggla. The Red Sox reportedly also may be an option.

The Giants, the report said, may consider Uggla as an option to play third base. The thinking is Pablo Sandoval would swift from third to first base. Uggla has exclusively played second base in the big leagues, although he had some work at third base in the Minor Leagues in 2005.

If Uggla, who will see his salary raise from $5.35 million to around $7 million, is dealt, the Marlins may be more inclined to keep Jorge Cantu, according to the FoxSports.com.

The Red Sox would consider Uggla as an option for left field.

Look for the Nationals also to show interest in Uggla.

-- Joe Frisaro

Maybin's surgery a success

2009-11-09T21:53:14Z

Cameron Maybin's shoulder surgery was a success.

The 22-year-old Marlins center fielder underwent surgery on Monday to repair a partially torn labrium in his left shoulder. Maybin is expected to be ready when Spring Training opens in February.

Maybin dealt with shoulder discomfort late in the season, but he played through.

After opening the season as the Marlins starting center fielder, Maybin was optioned to Triple-A New Orleans in May, shortly after Chris Coghlan was promoted.

Maybin received ample playing time in September, especially after Jeremy Hermida went down with a right oblique injury.

In September, Maybin batted .293 with eight doubles, three home runs, 10 RBIs and 19 runs scored.

If Maybin isn't ready when Spring Training begins, Cody Ross again could assume the center field spot.

Although Ross is in his second season of arbitration, he is expected to return. Ross projects to play right field if Maybin wins the center field job.

-- Joe Frisaro

Payroll projection for 2010

2009-11-08T03:02:44Z

For years, the Marlins have shown they can remain competitive while spending carefully.

They will be continuing that trend in 2010.

Payroll for the upcoming season will be in the neighborhood of $36 million, or slightly lower.

In 2009, the Marlins finished second in the N.L. East, winning 87 games with a $36 million roster. So expect salaries to again to be in that range.

Hanley Ramirez will enter the second season of his six-year contract. The National League's batting champ will make $7 million in '10 after he just collected $5.5 million.

Because a number of key players are up for arbitration, player movement is inevitable. On Thursday, outfielder Jeremy Hermida was dealt to the Red Sox for two left-handed pitching prospects.

Hermida made $2.25 million in '09, and he will see his salary raise.

The General Managers' meetings begin on Monday, and the Marlins expect to be active in trade talks.

Dan Uggla, who made $5.35 million this year, will likely see he salary raise to the $7 million range. Anticipate Uggla to attract plenty of trade interest.

Jorge Cantu ($3.5 million in '09) may also be shopped. Indications are Cody Ross will be back.

Look for the Marlins to allocate their dollars towards pitching. Josh Johnson ($1.4 million in '09) is expected to be offered a long term contract. However, preliminary discussions on a multiyear deal have not begun. They could get underway this week.

Johnson's 2010 salary, even if he signs a long-term contract, could be about $4 million.

Ricky Nolasco made $2.4 million this year, and likely is headed to a $3 million pay day.

The Marlins also will have to make decisions regarding relievers Leo Nunez, Renyel Pinto and Matt Lindstrom. All three are entering arbitration for the first time. All three could be targets to be moved.

-- Joe Frisaro

Collins to join Marlins staff

2009-11-05T22:11:39Z

The Marlins have yet to make any formal announcement, but their coaching staff is just about set.

The new outfield/first base coach is expected to be Dave Collins, who played from 1975-90.

Florida's new pitching coach will be Randy St. Claire, formerly with the Nationals. The new infield/third base coach will be Josue Espada, the organizations Minor League infield coordinator. Reid Cornelius is lined up to be the bullpen coach. Cornelius was the pitching coach at Double-A Jacksonville.

Returning to the staff are bench coach Carlos Tosca, hitting coach Jim Presley and bullpen coordinator Pierre Arsenault.

-- Joe Frisaro

Bill James' projections on Marlins

2009-11-04T13:11:01Z

If you're looking for a sleeper to emerge and be a big contributor for the 2010 Marlins, keep an eye on Gaby Sanchez.

Author and baseball stats expert Bill James certainly is.

In the recently-released Bill James Handbook 2010, Sanchez is projected to have a strong season.

"In any season, the vast majority of players play in a manner that seems a natural extension of what they had done before," James said in the book. "When that happens, our projection should be reasonably accurate."

Sanchez played mostly first base at Triple-A New Orleans this year, and he finished with a .289 batting average with 16 home runs and 56 RBIs. He appeared in 21 games with the Marlins, and had 21 at-bats with two home runs.

If the Marlins don't bring back Nick Johnson and Jorge Cantu, that would be a sign they are leaning toward either Sanchez or left-handed hitting Logan Morrison to win the first base job.

In James' book, he projects these numbers for Sanchez: .279 batting average, with 15 home runs and 59 RBIs.

James also has some forecasts for a few other Marlins. Here are some other projections:

* Hanley Ramirez: .315 average, 27 home runs, 86 RBIs, 117 runs scored, 31 stolen bases, .926 OPS
* Chris Coghlan: .310 average, 10 HRs, 66 RBIs, 92 runs, 20 steals, .840 OPS
* Dan Uggla: .252 average, 30 HRs, 90 RBIs, 97 runs, three steals, .815 OPS
* Cody Ross: .269 average, 23 HRs, 80 RBIs, 70 runs, five steals, .801 OPS

-- Joe Frisaro

Would Iwamura fit Marlins?

2009-11-03T19:55:22Z

The Rays are shopping Akinori Iwamura.

According to the St. Petersburg Times, Tampa Bay faces a deadline to avoid picking up a $4.85 million option for the 30-year-old second baseman.

The Times, citing an industry source, said the Rays are weighing trade options. But the potential suitor is not the Cubs or Dodgers, two teams that have reportedly been linked to Iwamura.

Would the Marlins have interest? Indications are, yes, but the team wouldn't take on $4.85 million.

As part of Iwamura's contract, the Rays have until one day after the World Series ends to pick up the option or pay a $550,000 buyout, which would make Iwamura a free agent.

Iwamura batted .290 in an injury-plagued 2009. A severe knee injury limited him to 69 games and 231 at-bats this year. Since coming over from Japan, Iwamura has a career batting average of .281 in three seasons.

The Times added that the Rays may be trying to pull off a sign-and-trade deal.

The upcoming general managers meetings promise to be interesting, because that's when trade talks really heat up.

The Marlins are expected to deal Dan Uggla this offseason. If they could secure someone like Iwamura, it would increase the likelihood of Chris Coghlan staying in left field.

-- Joe Frisaro

Petersen, Dominguez in All-Star Game

2009-11-03T14:47:04Z

A couple of potential future stars -- or at least big league contributors -- will be showcased on Saturday night in the Arizona Fall League.

Third baseman Matt Dominguez and outfielder Bryan Petersen have been selected to the East squad in the Rising Stars Showcase, which will be played at Surprise Stadium in Arizona.

The game, which starts at 8:15 p.m. ET, will be televised on the MLB Network. A live video feed also will be available on MLB.com.

In all 50 prospects will be on the two rosters.

All the Marlins prospects in Arizona are playing for the Mesa team.

Dominguez, 20, was the Marlins first-round pick in 2007. Petersen was selected in the fourth round that year.

Dominguez and Petersen were part of Double-A Jacksonville's Southern League championship squad. Most likely, both will be in Spring Training with the Marlins.

Nationals prize prospect, Stephen Strasburg, the No. 1 overall pick in 2009, will also be on the East team.

The compete rosters are here:

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/winterleagues/rising_stars.jsp

-- Joe Frisaro

Signing J.J. a priority

2009-10-30T12:15:54Z

In 2002, the Marlins selected Josh Johnson in the fourth-round of the First-Year Player Draft.

The 6-foot-7 Oklahoma resident made his big league debut as a September callup in 2005.

This season, the 25-year-old had a breakout season. Emerging as the team's ace, Johnson finished 15-5 with a 3.23 ERA, and he was selected to the National League All-Star team.

Drafted and groomed in the Marlins system, the organization would like to keep the right-hander around for a long time. Johnson is in his second year of arbitration, but the Marlins are hoping to sign him to a multi-year contract in the upcoming weeks.

Team officials internally are discussing signing Johnson for at least four seasons. But at this point, no offers -- even preliminary -- have been made.

In 2009, Johnson earned $1.4 million, plus another $50,000 in incentives because he reached 33 starts.

Indications are it will take more than $40 million over four years to get the deal done. That figure could rise to about $45 million, or even more.

Kansas City ace Zack Greinke signed a four-year, $38 million contract for 2009-12.

To sign Johnson, it appears the Marlins would have to top that.

The Marlins open their new ballpark in 2012 and the team would like to have Johnson anchoring their rotation. The only Florida players signed for 2010 are All-Star shortstop Hanley Ramirez and veteran infielder/pinch-hitter Wes Helms.

-- Joe Frisaro

Marlins coaching staff options

2009-10-29T15:28:35Z

The Marlins are in the process of filling their coaching staff. Teams typically don't make announcements during the playoffs. So after the World Series, the club is expected to make their moves official.

On Monday, the Marlins hired Randy St. Claire as their new pitching coach.

A few other positions currently are unfilled, including first base, third base and bullpen coach. A name that has surfaced to fill a position on the staff is Jamie Quirk, who played 18 years in the big leagues. A former first-round pick of the Royals in 1972, Quirk retired as a player in 1992.

He also has coached 15 years in the big leagues. Quirk has played and coached in the World Series.

Quirk was the Rockies bench coach in 2007, the year they lost to the Red Sox in the Fall Classic. Since 2008, he's been a scout for the Reds.

This year Quirk was the third base coach for the United States World Cup team.

As a player, he was used all over. His primary position was catcher, but he also played third base, first base and the outfield. He also very limited action at shortstop and second base.

If hired, Quirk could fill any number of positions, including working with the infielders or outfielders.

He played on the Royals 1985 World Series championship team.

St. Claire, meanwhile, is replacing Mark Wiley. After relieving Wiley of his pitching coach duties, the Marlins offered him the opportunity to remain with the organization in another capacity. Indications are Wiley will stay on with the Marlins.

Before joining the Marlins as pitching coach in 2008, Wiley was a special assistant for the Rockies, where he did a great deal of scouting.

-- Joe Frisaro

Market for Hermida

2009-10-29T12:22:54Z

Speculation continues to run high that the Marlins will trade outfielder Jeremy Hermida this offseason.

The 25-year-old former first-round pick in 2002, came off a rough season, batting .259 with 13 home runs and 47 RBIs. A strained right oblique on Sept. 2, limited him to one pinch-hit appearance in the final weeks of the season.

Hermida will be entering his second season of arbitration. He made $2.25 million this year, and by the nature of the system, he'd be in line for a raise.

The Marlins are hopeful Cameron Maybin will win the center field position, and Cody Ross is expected to return. Ross, also in his second season of arbitration, could be earmarked for right field, making Hermida expendable.

Some teams believed to be interested in Hermida are the Mariners, Rays, Mets and Blue Jays. The Cubs also could have interest.

Even though Hermida has yet to perform as so many envisioned, he does have value on the open market. He still would be a more affordable option than many soon-to-be free agent outfielders. Also, in arbitration, a team could control his rights for two seasons.

Several scouts feel Hermida may be one of those players who benefits by a change of scenery.

-- Joe Frisaro

Hanley up for Players Choice Award

2009-10-22T21:04:17Z

Hanley Ramirez is up for another honor.

The Marlins All-Star shortstop is a finalist for the Players Choice Award, which is selected by the MLB players.

The MLB Players Association announced on Thursday that Ramirez is a Player of the Year finalist, along with Minnesota's Joe Mauer and St. Louis' Albert Pujols.

Ramirez in 2009, became the first Marlin ever to win the batting title, posting a .342 average. Mauer won the American League batting title with a .365 batting average. Pujols belted 47 homers to go along with a .327 batting average and 135 RBIs.

Winners will be announced in a series of segments on ESPN Radio's Mike & Mike in the Morning (6-10 a.m. ET). The announcements will begin on Monday and continue through Friday.

-- Joe Frisaro