SB Nation - Alejandro De Aza

Thursday's Frosty Mug

KLSnow — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:30:54 -0000

Mike Cameron has suggested he'd be willing to take a discount to remain in Milwaukee, but teams like the Mets may drive up even that discounted price.

Browse more photos »

Some things to read while taking a navigator to IKEA.

Gord Ash chatted with fans yesterday regarding prospects and the offseason, and the transcript is well worth your time. Topics covered include Jeremy Jeffress, the future of baseball in Huntsville, catching prospects and much more.

Meanwhile, Rick Peterson remains the top story. R.J. Anderson of FanGraphs thinks the Brewers made a good hire, but need to find him some talent to work with. Rob Neyer used that post as a jumping off point to discuss the differences between Peterson's great Oakland staffs and the current lackluster one.

Of course, the Brewers could be looking to make a trade for pitching. It probably won't be anything like Casa de Machado's proposed deal.

In the minors and AFL:

Jonathan Lucroy went 4-for-4 with a solo home run on Tuesday, but it was Zach Braddock who earned a Star O' the Day award from Jonathan Mayo. Braddock pitched two scoreless innings in a 14-10 game.
I'm not an ESPN Insider subscriber, but if you are you can check out Keith Law's AFL diary, which includes a note on Lorenzo Cain.
Matt Hagen of The Hardball Times compares the top prospects in the 2009 International and Pacific Coast Leagues, and lists Alcides Escobar as one of the PCL's top stars.

As offseason speculation continues to heat up, Mike Cameron's name continues to be tied to other teams. Marty Noble of MLB.com thinks Cameron would be a great fit as a Met, because his defensive range is exactly what they need to cover Citi Field's expansive outfield.

Around baseball:

Rangers: Removed pitcher Jason Grilli and C Kevin Richardson from their 40 man roster. Both will be minor league free agents.
White Sox: Claimed outfielder Alejandro de Aza off waivers from the Marlins.

Beyond the Box Score has an interesting "which is worse?" battle going on, in the Small Sample Size division: Would you rather know how a batter has performed in his last two games, or how he's done in a similar number of appearances against a certain pitcher? Sadly, even though neither stat is exceptionally relevant, I still frequently use both in game threads.

Remember Jeff Juden? He was only a Brewer for a short time but he's a pretty fascinating character, as it turns out. Brewerfan.net has a great interview with him, including some stories he's never told before.

Happy birthday today to two obscure Brewer catchers: 1977 Brewer Jamie Quirk, who turns 55, and 2003 Brewer Keith Osik, who turns 41.

I don't have any more baseball stuff today, but I do have a song for you to sing.

Drink up.

2009 Trade Deadline Preview: Florida Marlins

Brendan Scolari — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:15:08 -0000

More photos » by Jeffrey Boan - AP

Browse more photos »

Buyers or sellers?

The Marlins are 6.5 games behind the division leading Phillies with a 51-48 record. That is a bit of a gap to make up but they are also only 3.5 games behind the Rockies in the Wildcard race. Marlins' executives have said that they will be buyers, but given their standing in the playoff races that decision could really come down to how the play in the next week. Their performance in that time frame could determine whether they are selling off veterans or adding pieces in an attempt to make the playoffs. The most likely scenario though is probably that the Marlins stand pat and wait to see how the season plays out.

Short-term need

Other than Hanley Ramirez there isn't another standout position player on the Marlins right now. That said, the most logical spots for an upgrade right now are at either corner outfield spot or at third base. Jeremy Hermida's atrocious defense takes away all of his value offensively and Chris Coghlan hasn't hit enough to help the team. The Marlins have tried other options in the outfield such as Cameron Maybin and Alejandro De Aza but they aren't helping either. At third the platoon of Wes Helms and Emilio Bonafacio isn't working as neither of them have done anything offensively. A big bat at any of these three positions would go a long way in helping the offense.

On the mound Josh Johnson and a recovered Ricky Nolasco form a fiersome duo at the top of the rotation. The problem is that beyond them there is a huge dropoff. Chris Volstad has been solid but Andrew Miller had to be demoted to Triple-A and there hasn't been a set fifth starter. An established starting pitcher would give the rotation a boost but the Marlins aren't likely to go after a rental player such as Jarrod Washburn. Unless they shoot for an ace they might not be able to find a replacement that is a definite upgrade.

The Marlins also haven't gotten much out of their bullpen. Closer Matt Lindstrom is currently on the DL but was too wild to be effective even when he was healthy. Kiko Calero has been the team's best reliever and Burke Badenhop and Leo Nunex have also done solid work. This might be the easiest area for the Marlins to trade for an upgrade wthout paying too much in either prospects or salary.

Long-term need

For the long term the Marlins shouldn't have too many positional needs if most of the prospects develop as planned. The infield should have John Baker, Hanley Ramirez, Matt Dominguez, and either Logan Morrison or Gaby Sanchez at first base. That means the only open spot is at second base where Dan Uggla will likely move on in the next few years. The outfield should be filled by some combination of Cameron Maybin, Chris Coghlan, Cody Ross, Jeremy Hermida, and Michael Stanton.

So that means that the Marlins need to focus on improving their pitching. They have some young arms for the rotation but given the team's extremely low payroll there's no telling how long they will be able to keep guys like Johnson and Nolasco. That means the farm system needs to keep churning out pitchers, something it lacks right now. The bullpen also needs work as there aren't any shutdown relievers in the organization. Signing late inning relievers is expensive on the open market so the Marlins will have to use some pitchers from inside the organization to fill out the 'pen.

Big leaguers on the market?

Unless the Marlins front office decides to be sellers there shouldn't be many major leaguers on the market. If they are, Dan Uggla and Jeremy Hermida could both find their way out of town to save the team money for next season. But if the Marlins are buyers then those two are probably staying. The most likely candidates on the major league roster would be guys who are bouncing back and forth from the minor leagues like Gaby Sanchez and Andrew Miller. Either of them could be traded for upgrades at key positions if the Marlins decide this is their year to make a run at the playoffs.

Minor league strength

The Marlins have a strong farm system with a number of possible impact players within arm's reach of the big leagues. However, most of these players are positon players, not pitchers. Their top pitching prospects, Ryan Tucker and Sean West, haven't lived up to expectations so far this year (Tucker because of injuries and West because of general ineffectiveness).

The impact hitters include Cameron Maybin, Logan Morrison, Michael Stanton, and Matt Dominguez. Maybin was one of the key players in the Miguel Cabrera trade with the Tigers. He's a very toolsy center fielder who is still developing his hitting skills at Triple-A but should be a full-time starter by next year. Morrison is a slugging first baseman with outstanding plate discipline. He missed two months of the season but has walked 39 times so far this year and has only 25 strikeouts. Stanton is an outfielder with light tower power but a huge strikeout problem. He hit 39 homeruns last year in Single-A at age 18 and has 21 homeruns between High-A and Double-A this year in only 320 at bats. The problem is he's also struck out 95 times, so he's going to have a tough time hitting for a high avetage in the majors. Finally, Matt Dominguez is a stellar defensive third baseman who's also holding his own offensively in High-A at only 19 years of age. The Marlin's offensive future looks very bright.

Take on short-term money to win?

While it looks like the Marlins might try to add a player or two at the deadline, they don't want to add much salary. If they trade for a player with a large contract they would probably need the other team to pay for most of it.

For more coverage of the Marlins, check out Fishstripes.

Washington Nationals' Bullpen Spoils Scott Olsen's Return...Florida Marlins Win, 4-2 Final.

Ed Chigliak — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 03:33:24 -0000

More photos » by Lynne Sladky - AP

5 months ago: Washington Nationals' relief pitcher Ron Villone, right, hands the ball to manager Manny Acta, left, as he is relieved in the eighth inning against the Florida Marlins during a baseball game at Land Shark Stadium in Miami Monday, June 29, 2009. The Marlins won 4-2. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Browse more photos »

-- Bottom of the 8th, 2-2 tie...Washington's left-handed reliever Ron Villone takes the mound...

- "Oh Geez. It's Villone." - ROSCOEtheNATSfan.

- "...goodcallwemaygoextrasfishnothittinglefties........WRONG" - cat daddy 3000.

- "VILL2.45NE!!" - e chigliak

- "I never thought I'd say this...but...This is not a good idea…" - Mezza

There was a time when DC's lefty reliever Ron Villone was known around here as Ron VILL0.00NE. The Nationals' 39-year-old left-hander joined the roster on May 7th as part of "Acting" DC GM Mike Rizzo's desperate attempt to rebuild Washington's bullpen after some ugly early struggles. Villone reeled off 17.0 scoreless innings before he allowed the first run to cross while he stood on the mound. Since giving up the first, however, Villone's allowed 7 runs, 5 earned, in 5.0 IP, in which he's given up 11 hits, and the tailspin continued tonight as he allowed a leadoff double, sac bunt and sac fly by Florida to put the Marlins ahead 3-2 in the bottom of the eighth inning of a game Washington's returning starter Scott Olsen had held tied from the fourth inning on...

Marlins win, 4-2 final.

Miss The Game, The DC Faithful Were Watching...(And They Saw It Coming)...

BACKPAGE:

• Olsen's Return Makes Smarty's Snub Hurt Less...

• Ryan Zimmerma--THE KIDS CALL HIM ZIM!! THE KIDS CALL HIM ZIM!!!

• Can We Go Back To The AL And Away From The Marlins...And Bonifacio...

For The Completists, Full Game Report After The Jump...

DWDT: 15.

Nationals now 22-52.

BACKPAGE:

Olsen's Return Makes Smarty's Snub Hurt Less...

Shairon Martis, according to Washington Post writer Chico Harlan's Nationals Journal post entitled, "Wait! Martis Demoted To Class AAA, Stammen Back In Rotation", "declined comment...after learning the news of his demotion," yesterday afternoon. Martis was sent down(up really?) to the Nationals' Triple-A affiliate in Syracuse, NY to make room for the returning DC lefty Scott Olsen. After working his way back from what was officially called "shoulder tendenitis", Olsen took the mound tonight for the first time since May 16, and threw 94 pitches, 66 for strikes, over 7.0 IP in which he allowed 6 hits and 2 ER while collecting 7 K's.

After Ryan Zimmerman's leadoff HR and Wil Nieves' two-out RBI single in the second inning off Marlins' right-hander Ricky Nolasco, Olsen allowed Florida to tie it at 2-2 in the third. Brett Carroll doubled, moved to third on a sac bunt by Nolasco and scored on a one-out RBI single by Chris Coghlan to make 2-1, and Emilio Bonifacio tripled before Hanley Ramirez singled to tie it at 2-2. Olsen retired the Marlins in order in the 4th, 5th and 6th and then gave up a two-out single in the seventh before popping Carroll up to center to strand the only baserunner he allowed after the third. Nolasco (W, 5-6) was nasty as well, striking out 8 in 8.0 IP in which he surrenders just 4 hits and 2 ER. Ron Villone takes the loss, (L, 3-5), and Julian Tavarez gets a talking-to and a finger in his chest from DC Manager Manny Acta after Tavarez walks 3 and gives up a 1 hit and 1 ER in just 0.1 IP. Marlins' relievers Dan Meyer and Leo Nunez get it right, holding and saving Nolasco's hard-earned W.

Ryan Zimmerma--THE KIDS CALL HIM ZIM!! THE KIDS CALL HIM ZIM!!!

Ryan Zimmerman had hit just 2 HR's in his last 33 games, with one on May 22nd at home against the Orioles and his last HR before tonight on June 13th in Tampa Bay, Florida. Ricky Nolasco started Ryan Zimmerman with a fastball in the second, and Zimmerma--THE KIDS CALL HIM ZIM!! THE KIDS CALL HIM ZIM!!! launched it to left and into the second deck above the outdated out-of-town scoreboard for what was, at the time, a 1-0 Nationals' lead. Zimmerman finishes tonight's game 1 for 4 with a .298 AVG, 13 HR's and 44 RBI's in '09.

Can We Go Back To The AL And Away From The Marlins...And Bonifacio...

Emilio Bonifacio was 8 for 23 for a .348 AVG before tonight's game, with a .400 OBP, .565 SLG, .965 OPS, 7 runs scored, 1 triple, 1 HR, 4 RBI's and 4 steals in 6 games against the same Washington Nationals who traded him (along with 2 prospects) to Florida in exchange for tonight's starting pitcher, Scott Olsen, and right fielder, Josh Willingham. Bonifacio went 3 for 4 tonight, with a triple, a run scored, and the game-winning sac-fly RBI in the eighth. The Marlins are now 7-0 against the Washington Nationals in 2009.

GAME REPORT...

Washington Nationals At Florida Marlins. Game 74 or 75 of 162.

Willie Harris swings over a slider inside that drops out of thin air for Ricky Nolasco’s first K of the game. Cristian Guzman pops out to Hanley Ramirez for out No. 2. Nick Johnson skies one to Cody Ross in center and the Nationals go down in order...Groundball to Nick Johnson from Marlins’ leadoff hitter Chris Coghlan. Emilio Bonifacio grounds out to his replacement at second, Anderson Hernandez. Scott Olsen challenges Hanley Ramirez with a fastball inside and has a laser hit by his feet for a two-out single. Willie Harris gets under Jorge Cantu’s pop fly to center and makes the catch to end the first.

First pitch fastball to Ryan Zimmerma---THE KIDS CALL HIM ZIM!! THE KIDS CALL HIM ZIM!!! HR to left and into the second deck!! 1-0 Nationals. Adam Dunn flies out to Brett Carroll in right. Josh Willingham hammers a ground rule double to center, one bounce and over the wall. Ricky Nolasco shatters Anderson Hernandez’s bat, inducing a weak grounder back to the mound, Hammer takes third. Wil Nieves sends a dribbler past Nolasco, Dan Uggla tries to shuffle it to first with his glove, no dice, Hammer scores, Nieves safe, 2-0 DC. Olsen K’s looking and heads back to the mound...Scott Olsen’s 2-2 change is unhittable, Dan Uggla K’s trying. Cody Ross flies to right center, where Josh Willingham makes the grab. Ronny Paulino pushes Willingham back to the track, the Hammer has it, 2-0 DC after two.

Willie Harris hasn’t figured out Nolasco’s bender yet, swinging K no. 2 for the first out of the third. Cristian Guzman watches a two-strike bender drop onto the outside corner for a called strike three. Nick Johnson lines out to Carroll in right to end the Nationals’ third...Brett Carroll blasts a double to the gap in left center, and takes third on Ricky Nolasco’s sac bunt. Chris Coghlan singles in a run with a line drive to right, 2-1 DC. Wil Nieves nails Coghlan trying to steal second with a perfect throw. Emilio Bonifacio triples off the left field wall and scores on a single up the middle from Hanley Ramirez, 2-2 ballgame. Jorge Cantu flies out to Dunn to end the third.

Ryan Zimmerman pops the first pitch of the fourth up over home, Ronny Paulino makes the catch. Adam Dunn stares a two-strike curve onto the outside edge. Josh Willingham gets a single through Bonifacio’s glove at third and into left. Anderson Hernandez drills one to the mound, Nolasco stabs it and throws to first...Dan Uggla K’s looking at a curve that he thinks is inside. Cody Ross lines to right, Willingham makes a shoestring grab to rob Ross. Ronny Paulino grounds to short, Guzman backhands, jumps up and makes the throw, 2-2 after four.

Wil Nieves grounds the first pitch to Bonifacio at third. Scott Olsen pops out to Brett Carroll in fair territory down the line in right. Willie Harris grounds out to Jorge Cantu at first to end DC’s fifth...Brett Carroll swings a foot over a 1-2 change from Scott Olsen. RIcky Nolasco K’s swinging, and Chris Coghlan flies out to Willie Harris in center to end the fifth.

Cristian Guzman grounds out to Jorge Cantu at first to start the sixth. Nick Johnson flies out to Chris Coghlan in the left field corner. Ryan Zimmerman grounds out to short, Hanley handles it...Emilio Bonifacio pops out behind second. Hanley Ramirez is looking fastball when he gets a 2-2 change and K’s. Jorge Cantu K’s swinging through a fastballl upstairs!!!

Adam Dunn works the count full against Nolasco, and K’s swinging over a slider down the pipe. Josh Willingham lines out to right. Two-strike change in the dirt and Anderson Hernandez K’s swinging...Dan Uggla grounds to Zimmerman at third. Cody Ross K’s swinging. Ronny Paulino hits a two-out single to second. Brett Carroll lifts a 2-0 pitch to center, Willie Harris makes the grab.

Wil Nieves rips one all the way to the track in left center, but Cody Ross gets there. Elijah Dukes rips a line drive to Ross. Willie Harris hasn’t been able to figure out Nolasco’s slider all night, and he K’s again...Reliever Ron Villone faces pinch hitter Wes Helms, who doubles to right just inside the first base line. Chris Coghlan gets the sac bunt down to move pinch runner Alejandro De Aza to third. Emilio Bonifacio flies out to center, De Aza tags and scores. 3-2 Marlins. Julian Tavarez comes on to face Hanley Ramirez, and he gives up a double on the first pitch. Tavarez walks Jorge Cantu to get to Dan Uggla. Tavarez walks Dan Uggla. Julian Tavarez walks Cody Ross to force in a run. 4-2 Florida. Paulino hits a hotshot to third, Zimmerman takes the force at second to end the threat.

Dan Meyer vs Cristian Guzman. Guzman grounds out to Cantu at first. Nick Johnson singles over short in his trademark style. NJ™. Ryan Zimmerman flies out to right center. Adam Dunn rips a line drive through the dramatic shift, Johnson takes third. Dan Meyer’s done. Leo Nunez up next. Nunez vs Willingham. Hammer flies to center and Cody Ross makes the catch. Ballgame. Marlins win, 4-2 final.

Nationals now 22-52.

Tuesday's Frosty Mug

KLSnow — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 13:38:23 -0000

More photos » by J Pat Carter - AP

Dan Uggla tags Mike Cameron during an inning where two Brewers made outs on the basepaths.

Browse more photos »

Some things to read while watching out for whammies. (h/t C. Trent Rosecrans)

With any luck, this could be the last morning I'll ever have to wake up and discuss a disastrous Jorge Julio outing. Here are what some others are saying about him:

Quevedo at the Buffet wants him gone.
Brewed Sports wants him gone.
CZWief wants him gone.
Between the Green Pillars wants him gone.

Julio did, however, become just the second pitcher named Jorge to hit a batter named Jorge in MLB history. So there is that. Jorge Cantu, by the way, was the victim in the other case too, getting hit by Jorge de la Rosa.

But, it might all be over today. The Official Site says the team is expected to call up a pitcher and it could be Mike Burns, who is 6-2 with a 2.98 ERA for Nashville. It won't be David Riske, who will undergo Tommy John surgery today.

Even with Julio's disaster last night, the Brewers had too many opportunities to come away with just four runs, including one inning where Prince Fielder and Mike Cameron both made outs on the bases, with Fielder getting caught trying to steal third.

Also, Mike Cameron and Ryan Braun left last night's game early with injuries suffered in the sixth inning. Cameron is suffering from "knee irritation" and is day-to-day, while Braun says he's fine after fouling a ball off his leg.

Meanwhile, the Marlins will make a couple of roster moves before tonight's game. Cristhian Martinez, who won last night's game, has been optioned to AA to make room for Anibal Sanchez, who is expected to start tonight. They also optioned catcher Brett Hayes to AAA and are expected to recall Alejandro de Aza. (hat tips to Fish Chunks and TheJay in last night's recap)

Could Corey Hart be on the move? The Detroit Free Press mentioned a quote from Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe suggesting the Tigers might be one of several teams interested. Tom H.'s Twitter, however, said Doug Melvin called the notion "pure nonsense." Just another case of Cafardo being Cafardo.

Here's something cool from down in the minors: At The Old Ball Game has frame-by-frame photos of the delivery of Joshua Butler, who's quickly regaining prospect status this season.

Need your daily draft fix? Andy Seiler has a new mock draft of the first three rounds, and has the Brewers selecting RHP Drew Storen (Stanford), 3B Matt Davidson (California HS), RHP Alex Wilson (Texas A&M), SS Daniel Fields (Michigan HS), 2B Josh Kobernus (U. of California) and RHP Eric Smith (Rhode Island).

On Power Rankings:

Inside the Majors has the Brewers holding steady at #3.
Richard Griffin of the Toronto Star moved the Brewers up from ninth to sixth.
Foul Balls moved the Brewers down from third to fourth in the NL, but kept them at #6 overall.
WhatifSports moved the Brewers up from seventh to fifth.

The Brewers are asking you to help them make Miller Park a better place to watch a game, one belligerent drunk at a time. Follow this link to learn how to text security re: that douchebag in your section. Extra points for the first person who uses it to report/eject The Happy Youngster.

Around the league:

Giants: Designated reliever Pat Misch for assignment.
Indians: Released David Dellucci.
Mets: Placed Angel Pagan on the DL with a groin strain.
Phillies: Mike Koplove exercised a clause in his contract allowing him to become a free agent.

The Reds bullpen got a bit of a workout last night too. Edinson Volquez, in his first start back off the DL, left after one inning with numbness in his pinkie and ring fingers. Hal McCoy says Volquez is headed back to Cincinnati to get it checked out but does not believe it's serious.

Yesterday might have been Manny Acta's last game as manager of the Washington Nationals. Chico Harlan has a quote from Nats acting GM Mike Rizzo that he thinks implies Acta could be done.

Sean Berry, though, is back with the Astros after surgery to have cancer removed from his kidney. Good to see he's back and doing well.

If you're a frequent FanPoster (or would like to be), be sure to check out the new improvements to the FanPost editor, including the ability to autopromote your FanPost on your Twitter page.

Oh, and I only got four of the answers on Keith Law's stolen base quiz, but in my defense, I took it at 6:35 am.

Drink up.

Marlins Transactions

craig — Mon, 18 May 2009 21:21:26 -0000

In case you missed them over the weekend there have been some changes to roster.

With Alfredo Amezaga tweaking his knee Saturday, the Marlins decided to play it careful, so they have called up Alejandro De Aza from AAA and sent down reliever Carlos Martinez.

The drops them back to 12 pitchers.

Fredi Gonzalez said this way they can get by without Amezaga four a couple games. Consensus is that he will be OK and won't need to go on the DL, but they didn't want to be forced to use him with a short bench.

In order to make room for De Aza on the 40-man roster, VandenHurk was placed on the 60-day DL.

In case you are wondering, why Carroll wasn't recalled, a player who is optioned can't be recalled for 10 days.

In other news:

John Koronka was DFA'd after Sunday's game. I'm guessing he will have no trouble clearing waivers.

The Marlins selected the contract of right-hander Brian Sanches from Triple-A New Orleans, filling the pitching staff vacancy created when the they designated John Koronka for assignment following Sunday's game.

Manager Fredi Gonzalez has said either Burke Badenhop or Hayden Penn will take Koronka's rotation slot and face the Rays Friday. The guess here is Penn gets the call. He's been throwing better than Badenhop of late and has shown consistent glimpses of swing and miss stuff.

As for Sanches, he is deserving of the promotion. In 16 games for the Zephyrs, he went 1-1 with a 2.04 ERA, four walks and 22 strikeouts in 17 2/3 innings. Sanches has been the closer there, saving four games and holding opponents to a .206 average.

If you look at Sanches' major league stats, he tends to walk a few too many hitters but he did do a decent job of striking some out.

We will see what transpires. But whatever happens, it can't be worse than Koronka having a spot in the rotation.

Brian Sanches' stats.

Gaby Sanchez injured in New Orleans

craig — Wed, 06 May 2009 19:22:04 -0000

Gaby Sanchez was injured at a play at the plate in last night's Triple-A game.

An out at the plate helped Sinkbeill escape the inning. With Yordany Ramirez on second and one out, Chad Spann hit a single to center. When Alejandro De Aza's throw past catcher Brett Hayes, Ramirez, who had stopped at third, tried to score. Sinkbeill, backing up the plate, grabbed the ball and threw to first baseman Gaby Sanchez, who tagged Ramirez out despite being knocked down.

Sanchez sprained his right knee on the play and left the game after one inning.

Gaby is hitting .345/.414/.517 in 23 games.

No word at this time to the severity of the injury. Hopefully it is next to nothing.

Actually, if you have time, read the whole recap of the game, you probably know most of the names, including one Yorman Bazardo. I really would like to see Bazardo make it in the game. Granted he is no longer with the Marlins, but after what he went through as a Fish, it is hard not to cheer for him.

More Marlins camp moves

craig — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 19:10:03 -0000

The Marlins made even more adjustments to the camp roster.

The Marlins continued to pare down their roster after Tuesday night’s game, releasing infielder Dallas McPherson and reassigning outfielders Michael Ryan and Alejandro De Aza, and left-hander John Koronka to minor league camp.

---

The moves bode well for Brett Carroll, who is the only reserve outfielder remaining in camp.

I am a fan of Carroll, let's face it, he plays the game all out. He has also been very good at every level in the minors when he is getting consistent AB but I'm not sure his situation is anywhere near set as the fourth outfielder. Oh sure, he is the only one left in camp but that doesn't mean anything. (Sadly)

The Marlins don’t have a left-handed backup outfielder in camp but Gonzalez also hinted the team might find someone from outside the organization in the coming days…

Now while it may be better for Brett to play everyday in New Orleans than ride the pine in Miami Gardens, it is kinda odd how spring training matters for some and not for others.

In case you are wondering who the Marlins are considering bringing in.

The Marlins, who are sniffing around for a lefty bat off the bench might have some interest in Geoff Jenkins, who was released Tuesday by the Phillies.

---

From the Marlins' perspective, he could be this year's version of Luis Gonzalez -- only seven years younger. Gonzalez, who is still floating out there as a free agent, has been linked again to the Marlins. But I'm told the interest in him is "minimal" and that Jenkins would be a more intriguing option.

I am a proponent of veterans make better pinch hitters than the younger guys, though I can't back this up with stats. However, it just seems to make sense: the younger guys have only played full time and the older ones are more experienced at coming in off the bench cold.

That said, there does become a time when youth should be served.