The 2009 Florida Marlins will take the field in 2009 with yet another new-look ballclub. Out are Mike Jacobs, Matt Treanor, Joe Nelson, Justin Miller, Mark Hendrickson and Scott Olsen, which opens up competition for several critical roles this spring.
Florida Marlins Position Battle No. 1 – Catcher –
Fantasy Baseball 2009
With the free-agent departure of Matt Treanor, John Baker and Mike Rabelo are headed for a spring battle for the starting job behind the plate for the Florida Marlins.
Baker has the upper hand with the bat, having posted a .392 on-base percentage in 61 games. But Rabelo has big-league defensive skills which could give the 29-year-old the upper hand. Rabelo is coming off a wrist injury, but is expected to be healthy for a spring training battle with Baker.
The 28-year-old Baker is the best bet in the fantasy game due to his on-base skills and average power. Rabelo is unlikely to match Baker’s production with the bat, but his defensive advantage will earn him playing. Neither is likely to produce at high enough levels to warrant carrying on a fantasy roster in 2009.
Florida Marlins Position Battle No. 2 – Back-end Starting Rotation –
Fantasy Baseball 2009
The trade of Scott Olsen and free-agent departure of Mark Hendrickson opens up even more competition for the final two spots in the Florida Marlins starting rotation than there has been the past three seasons. With Ricky Nolasco and Andrew Miller expected to hold down the two top spots, the final slots are up for grabs.
Right-hander Anibal Sanchez, if proven healthy after returning from elbow surgery last year, is likely slated for a third spot in the rotation, and Josh Johnson should win a fourth. But the uncertainty of both pitchers and the wide open fifth slot means Ryan Tucker, Chris Volstad and Rick VandenHurk have a battle on their hands this spring.
Volstad is the most polished of the three but VandenHurk has the best pure stuff, including a 92-95 mph fastball and a knuckle-curve that serves as his strikeout pitch.
Despite ballooned ERAs, VandenHurk has fanned 102 batters in 95 2/3 innings in parts of two season, but his problems with the long ball – 16 surrendered in 22 career appearances – must be successfully addressed if he’s to win the competition.
Volstad, just 22 years of age, may be the early favorite, having impressed his manager with 14 solid starts during the second half of 2008. The right-hander went 6-4 with a 2.88 ERA and allowed just three home runs in 84 1/3 innings, thanks to his sinking fastball.
If Tucker is deemed a long shot, he could be sent to the bullpen to compete for a 7th-inning role.
None of the three figure to step up and tally 200 innings with anything more than league-average ERAs, but in a deep fantasy league, Volstad and VandenHurk carry value into the 2009 season.
Florida Marlins Position Battle No. 3 – Bullpen Setup –
Fantasy Baseball 2009
Joe Nelson and Justin Miller will pitch elsewhere in 2009, and Matt Lindstrom is slated to close games for the Marlins. Add that to the departure of right-hander Kevin Gregg, who was traded to the Chicago Cubs, and the Marlins have a gaping hole in the bridge from starter to Lindstrom.
Renyel Pinto, Scott Proctor and Taylor Tankersley are the most likely candidates to step forward this spring. All three have enough stuff to approach a strikeout per inning, but Pinto’s control problems present a large obstacle for the left-hander.
Tankersley brings the best arsenal to the mound, including an above-average fastball, a useful cutter and a plus curve ball. The soon-to-be 26-year-old struggled in 25 games last season, allowing six home runs in 17 2/3 innings, but a sore shoulder is blamed for the drop in velocity and life on his fastball.
The arm that wins the battle this spring is also in line to pick up the opportunity for secondary saves, but unless one of them turns the corner in terms of control, there’s not likely to be a lot of fantasy value to the Marlins setup crew.
Florida Marlins Position Battle No. 4 – Third Base –
Fantasy Baseball 2009
The Florida Marlins depth chart boasts three players with significant time spent playing third base, but one of them, Jorge Cantu, is penciled in as the starter at first base, leaving Wes Helms and Dallas McPherson to fight it out during Spring Training.
Helms, 32, has been one of the worst bats in the National League the past two seasons, hitting a combined .245 with a .298 on-base percentage and just 40 extra-base hits – 10 home runs – in nearly 600 plate appearances. He also fanned 127 times and played below-average defense, setting up McPherson for a legitimate chance to break through.
The problem is, McPherson is a poor defender, too, and he’s struck out in more than 30 percent of his 399 big-league plate appearances, and has drawn just 27 walks.
The 28-year-old left-handed hitter cracked 42 long balls in Triple-A Albuquerque in 2008 and displayed improved patience, walking 76 times. But the strikeout totals – 168 in 530 plate appearances – are prohibitive as full-time player in the majors.
The Marlins have options, however, including moving second baseman Dan Uggla to third base and using second-base prospect Chris Coghlan at the big-league level. Coghlan spent 2008 in Double-A Carolina.
Florida Marlins Position Battle No. 5 – Left Field –
Fantasy Baseball 2009
With Cameron Maybin in center field and Jeremy Hermida returning to play right, the left field job is somewhat open for competition. Cody Ross, however, is the easy favorite after slugging .488 last season, thanks to 22 home runs and 56 total extra-base hits.
Ross is adequate defensively, but 26-year-old Brett Carroll is hot on Ross’s tracks for the starting job. Carroll returned from injury to hit .418 with nine home runs in 18 games in Triple-A Albuquerque before the Marlins called on his services.
Ross is also a candidate to play first base and back up both center and right field, making Carroll a strong bet to win the left field gig this spring. In a full season, Carroll is capable of 20 home runs and good slugging percentages, but isn’t likely to hit for average or produce acceptable on-base marks.
Ross, on the other hand, has a track record of hitting for extra bases on a regular basis, though the 28-year-old has his own problems getting on base.
Neither Ross nor Carroll are worth a starting spot, but in case of injury either
