SB Nation User Blog: Matt Wilson

Fuentes a possibility?

Matt Wilson — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 22:22:45 -0000

ESPN's Jayson Stark mentions that we've shown interest in Brian Fuentes from Colorado. It's hard to imagine he wouldn't be the best arm in the pen, which could shift Gregg to the setup role and give us a lot more flexibility.

Stark says it would cost "one good piece." Well we've got some good pieces. Not a lot of great pieces, but plenty of good pieces. I'd be willing to part with anybody from the Triple-A club, although who knows if they would want anybody. I'd also give up some of our better positional guys if we were getting back a young guy or two.

This is pure speculation, but Colorado would also like to deal Garrett Atkins before the deadline. I've long been a fan of Atkins and would love to see him at third base, with Cantu moving over to first. But hey, that's just spitballing.

Poll

Should we go after Brian Fuentes?

Yes, he should be our closer

11 votes

Yes, he should be our setup man

4 votes

No, Gregg is good enough as our closer

5 votes

20 votes | Poll has closed

I Can't Take Cantu...

Matt Wilson — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 18:49:08 -0000

After watching the first few innings of today's game at the Phils... the guy is just terrible. I've tried to rationalize it, but he's horrendous at third. It's not just the terrible throwing errors. He can't make plays and catches that any capable 3B can make.

This may be more for Ramp than anybody else, but how close is Matt Dominguez? I know he's in Greensboro this year, but I can't seem to find any compiled season stats for him anywhere. It seems like a long shot, but is there any chance he could be starting in 2009? I feel like he'll probably need at least a season in Carolina before making the jump.

I'm a little weary of promoting Dallas McPherson, mostly because of his monumental strikeout rate. Also, Albuquerque is prone to big offensive numbers, so it's hard to get a good read. I also have no clue about his defensive skills, so I can't say for sure it would be an upgrade there. But it wouldn't be tough.

Aside from those two, I can't see any other options aside from moving somebody like Uggla to 3rd, with Coghlan coming up. I think moving Uggla (or Hanley, for that matter) would be a bad move because the two have pretty good chemistry up the middle in turning double plays, and their range is pretty well suited where they're at.

But pleeeeeease don't make me watch Cantu's awfulness much longer.

Poll

Who should be our third baseman going forward?

Cantu is fine, his bat offsets his iron glove

22 votes

Call up D-Mac from AAA

13 votes

Start Wes Helms everyday at 3B

11 votes

Move Uggla or Hanley

6 votes

Hold your breath and wait for Dominguez

8 votes

60 votes | Poll has closed

Ken Rosenthal thinks we'll trade...

Matt Wilson — Wed, 07 May 2008 19:21:39 -0000

Rosenthal pointed out in this column that 14 Marlins will be eligible for arbitration next year, a fact he believes will result in some trades for our young Fish (basically, our best players). He thinks they could go as early as this summer.

I'm not sure if I agree, as I don't see many of these guys (outside of Hanley) getting huge salary bumps. I'd expect guys like Uggla and Hammer to get bumped into the $2MM range, with Hanley possibly from $4-5MM. Overall, this will result in a $10-15MM bump in payroll overall, which I think the franchise can absorb.

One guy I can see as trade bait, however, is Uggla, considering Chris Coghlan is waiting in the wings. I see Uggs as comparable to an Adam Dunn type, so some teams should be interested (maybe Cinci, with Dunn going FA after this year). In a smaller ballpark, he could potentially be a 40 homer guy.

I swear to god, if this team had any brains they would buy out Hanley's arb years with a long-term deal. I guarantee we will get the better end of the bargain. Hanley will make A-Rod money in the free agent market without a doubt. I'd say 95% of GMs would pick him as the one player they'd want for the future, and it would be a travesty to let him go. Obviously, he won't be traded this year, but the whole penny-pinching-until-2011 thing has me worried.

Here endeth my input/rants.

Poll

If we had to trade one arb-eligible Marlin, who could you live without?

Hanley

1 votes

Hammer

13 votes

Uggla

17 votes

Jacobs

28 votes

Olsen

7 votes

66 votes | Poll has closed

This isn't exactly baseball related, but every time Kevin Gregg comes in the game, I can't help but...

Matt Wilson — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 02:21:14 -0000

This isn't exactly baseball related, but every time Kevin Gregg comes in the game, I can't help but think of this video. It's from a British television show and is bizarre but funny in my opinion.

Pictures from Sunday's game

Matt Wilson — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 15:19:16 -0000

As promised, here are some pics from my rainy outing to the Nationals game on Sunday, March 23.

Opening ceremonies, color guard, etc.

Hammer, Gonzo, De Aza, and Fredo warming up

Danny and Hanley getting loose

The Incredible Hurk hurls the first pitch

Hanley the Manley stepping in

It's go time

The Hurk

Pitching out of trouble

Hanley stands in to start the fireworks

He reaches with a single

Uggs smacks a double...

...and Hanley comes in to score

Hammer up with Uggla and McPherson on...

...and here they come

There's your final, 4-2, as the bats were silent after this point

Nats Release John Patterson

Matt Wilson — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 19:16:22 -0000

Hey all,

Pretty surprising move today with John Patterson getting an outright release. I thought he had a chance to turn it around this year.

Here's our take at NBB:

http://www.nobiasbaseball.com/2008/03/nats-release-john-patterson.html

Here's an excerpt:

Patterson is coming off a spring start against Baltimore in which he have up six runs in four innings, but entered the game with a 1.80 ERA in two previous spring games. There must be something going on behind the scenes here, because you don't just cut your #1 starter after one poor outing.

NL Central Preview

Matt Wilson — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 23:51:29 -0000

Hey all, over at NBB we have just posted our division preview for the NL Central. Looks like a good year for the Reds.

http://www.nobiasbaseball.com/2008/03/nbb-division-preview-nl-central.html

Here's an excerpt:

The Reds' lineup will be much of the same in 2008, with a few fresh faces. It remains to be seen who will start in center field, but it seems likely that uber-prospect Jay Bruce will start the season in the minors. The team could go with the recently acquired Corey Patterson, or reserves Ryan Freel and Norris Hopper until Bruce is ready around midseason. Hopper could be an interesting option, showing a .379 OBP in 307 AB last year.

NL Central Preview

Matt Wilson — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 23:49:04 -0000

Hey all, over at NBB we have just posted our division preview for the NL Central.

http://www.nobiasbaseball.com/2008/03/nbb-division-preview-nl-central.html

Here's an excerpt:

Starting pitching is the lone bright spot for the Pirates, boasting some live, young arms. Ian Snell and Tom Gorzelanny both have the potential to be aces of any staff, but it remains to be seen if they can sustain their success thus far. Gorzelanny reached 200 innings last year, which was a big jump up from 60 in the year before, and has experienced shoulder soreness periodically since last September. Pittsburgh must be careful not to overwork their young starters if they want to build a future around them.

NL Central Preview

Matt Wilson — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 23:37:10 -0000

Hey all, over at NBB we have just posted our division preview for the NL Central. Looking good for the Astros in '08.

http://www.nobiasbaseball.com/2008/03/nbb-division-preview-nl-central.html

Here's an excerpt:

2008 will be a great offensive year for the Astros. Their first move was to pick up Miguel Tejada, who had a down year in 2007, but is poised to make a rebound. Kaz Matsui, coming off a career year with the Rockies, steps in at second base and will provide some pop and speed at the top of the lineup. Leading off will likely be young center fielder Michael Bourn, who has shown incredible speed, but could use a little more patience at the plate. If Matsui and Bourn get on base at .350 clips, Tejada, Lance Berkman and Carlos Lee will have a field day raking RBI.

NL East Division Preview

Matt Wilson — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 14:24:54 -0000

Hey all, over at my site NBB we're doing division previews before the season and the NL East is the first on the docket.

My partner (Rays fan) and I (Fish fan) traded off our home divisions in order to remove our "bias," which is our whole gimmick and whatnot. Therefore, I can't take credit for the glowing outlook the Marlins received.

Nevertheless, we hope to offer a pretty good look at each team in the divisions, so take a peek and enjoy.

http://www.nobiasbaseball.com/2008/03/nbb-division-preview-nl-east.html