Submitted by Paolo from miami, fl

Q: When are my guys Cameron Maybin and Alejandro De Aza gonna be up here again

Answered 06/02/09 19:28:09 by Manny Navarro

A: In case you forgot, Maybin was hitting .202 with 31 strikeouts when he was sent down May 10th. He's only hitting .266 with a homer and eight RBI for Triple A New Orleans. De Aza came back this afternoon. He was doing a little better than Maybin down there at .278 with four homers and 20 RBI. The Marlins want to make sure when Maybin comes back, he's here to stay.

Submitted by Cali Gabo from Los Angeles, California

Q: My Main Man Manny, it's obvious this team needs some kinda jolt with Uggla hitting his weight, Bonaficio coming back to a harsh reality and a mess of a pitching staff (with some bright spots)...Do you see Master-Mind Beinfest making a big move before the All-Star Break to get a lil fire started on this team? I seriously hope no one says Pedro Martinez too! Let me tell you, Adrian Gonzalez would be a great fit!

Answered 06/02/09 19:15:43 by Manny Navarro

A: The Marlins aren't going to take on any significant contracts. If they make a move it would be to dump salary. Right now, I get the sense management is under the impression that if the starting pitching continues to pitch like it has for the past week, they'll remain in playoff contention down the stretch. That's good enough for these guys.

Submitted by Ben Kairalla from Loxahatchee, FL

Q: With Bonaficio struggling after his hot start don't you think he should be sent down or taken out of the line-up and Coghlan should play third Base on a regular basis? There is a lot of talk about Maybin being sent down, and he probably should be so he can get regular ABs and snap out of his funk, but I have to believe that Coghlan's bat should be in the lineup and he should be at third, as he profiles there better than Bonaficio.

Answered 05/12/09 14:16:47 by Manny Navarro

A: Right now if I was in charge, I'd move Uggla out of the lineup, put Bonifacio at second and get Coghlan work at third. I'd also move Bonifacio to eighth in the lineup and move Hermida up to second behind Coghlan at leadoff.

Submitted by Rafael Rico from Parts Unknown, FL

Q: Why don't the Marlins move Jeremy Hermida and Dan Uggla? Neither of whom seem to fit the 'philosophy' stressed during the off season of defense and good at-bats.

Answered 05/12/09 14:14:46 by Manny Navarro

A: Good question Mr. Rico. I think you could see the Marlins try and move Uggla before the trade deadline in July. But they need his average to come up if they're going to have a shot of getting anything decent in return.

Submitted by Mario Nodarse from Hialeah, Fl

Q: I know we are early in to the season, but based on the Marlins record now. And if they still in the hunt by the trade dateline, should the Marlins look for that strong left handed batter. I think this will give them help vs. right handed pitchers, and more run production for the offense. I believe not having that big left bat, is a hole in our lienup.

Answered 05/12/09 14:11:37 by Manny Navarro

A: There is no question the Marlins miss a guy like Mike Jacobs. No, he's not a superstar. He's only hitting .257 with five home runs and 19 RBI. But you'd probably have his bat in the lineup right now instead of some other guys like Uggla or Bonifacio who strike out too much and don't get on base enough.

Submitted by Noah Riegel from port orange, fl

Q: Why not trade Dan Uggla now while some team may still think he is worth something before his average drops below 200. He is one of the highest paid players on our team and I think is way overrated. Bonifacio or Cantu can play 2nd and that would leave room for Gload, Gabby Sanchez, or Dallas McPherson a shot at one of the corners.

Answered 05/12/09 14:08:51 by Manny Navarro

A: The problem is if you trade Uggla now, you get hardly anything of value in return. The Marlins could very well make a move, especially considering how well a kid like Chris Coghlan was doing in Triple A. But what could you honestly get now for a guy who ranks dead last among regular second baseman in batting average .189 and is second among those in strikeouts (26)?

Submitted by Noah Riegel from port orange, fl

Q: Is Freddie crazy? Batting Bonifacio and Maybin at the top of the lineup. I understand he wants speed on the bases, but I would rather have people on base than there 262 and 201 averages at the top of the lineup. You cant have two totally inconsistent and in Maybin's case never this year bats in front of your two best hitters. I think its time to realize this team has some great players but it seems like Fredi is hurting the team by very questionable decisions like this one.

Answered 05/12/09 14:05:50 by Manny Navarro

A: Noah, this team is in dire need of a leadoff man. No question about it. Now that Maybin is back down in the minors, maybe they can teach him how to get on base. That's what a leadoff hitter is supposed to do. The Marlins rank 25th in baseball in on base percentage at .320. The league average is .338. I know this may not make a whole lot of sense because he's not very fast, but if you are going to have Jeremy Hermida in the lineup you might as well put him in front of Ramirez or Cantu in that No. 3 spot. He's getting on base .388 percent of the time. Yes, he's only hitting .240. But at least when Ramirez or Cantu homers, there's a chance he'll be on base.

Submitted by Eddie S from Highland Beach, Fla

Q: Hi Manny, Graham Taylor had 2 outings so far. One wasn't good because of nerves and the 2nd was pretty good. Going back to the beginning of spring training, can you honestly say that Andrew Miller deserves to be in the rotation? Aren't you tired of experimenting or saying Miller has such potential? Three years of an ERA over 5 wouldn't you start giving up? If Graham Taylor has another good outing, wouldn't you give him another shot in the rotation?

Answered 05/12/09 13:59:27 by Manny Navarro

A: Since this is a week old and Taylor is now back in the minors, I'll answer the latter part of this question about Andrew Miller. This is by no means a direct comparison, but I want to bring up a guy who sort of began his career the same way as Miller: Randy Johnson. Johnson was a second round pick and a star at USC. In his first 30-plus starts in the big leagues as a starter with Montreal and Seattle he went 10-13 in 32 starts with a 4.48 ERA, 155 K's and 103 BBs. Andrew Miller's numbers are eerily similar. He is 11-16 in 35 starts, 5.85 ERA, 148 Ks, 103 BBs. I'm not saying Andrew Miller is going to develop into Randy Johnson. His ERA is more than a run more. But the Mariners didn't give up on Randy after his first season with the team in 1989 when he went 7-9 with a 4.40 ERA. Miller in 2008 was 6-10 with a 5.87. You got to give Miller this season and then reevaluate. The guy was a first round pick for a reason.

Submitted by Paolo from Miami, Fl

Q: Manny, my brother! You covering the Marlins now? Nice! What happend to our friend Mike Phillips, he certainly did a great job covering this team and I loved his work. Very professional. What happend to Mr.Phillips if you may speak of it. Some fans have asked you question questioning Fredi Gonzalez. Last season, and though few times, still this season there is no bigger critic about Fredi than myself. I truly dislike the guy. I felt any and all success this team had last season had very little to nothing to do with him. Early on this season he seemed to have been making subtle moves and what not that did in fact seem to have been helping the team and I felt I almost had no choice but to give him credit, and I did. But boy did I speak too soon. A lot of fans seem to be asking you about the same stuff -- I see a lot of refrences to Tony LaRussa of the Cardinals in that Fredi is way over his head about this match-ups approach with both our hitters and pitchers. Your thoughts? The winning is great and it is what matters but I am tired of Fredi and his overrated apporach to the game. Something needs to change.

Answered 05/12/09 13:43:03 by Manny Navarro

A: Hello Paolo. I'm excited to be helping out on the Marlins beat. Unfortunately, Mike was one of the casualties of The Herald's budget cuts. I'm definitely going to miss him. He was a pro at what he did on this beat and others and an even better story teller in person. As for Fredi, he's definitely a guy who makes nearly all of his decisions by the book rather than hunches or feelings. If there is a left-handed pinch hitter, he'll go with the lefty out of the bullpen -- even if the numbers for those individuals might suggest otherwise. He does things by the book about 95 percent of the time. Now, I haven't followed this team long enough to form a real opinion. But I do know this: He's the manager of the team with the smallest payroll in baseball. I know that's shouldn't be an excuse. But it's a fact. This team sorely needs a legit leadoff hitter, a real power-hitting outfielder and another quality starting pitcher. They are short all three because they couldn't go out and buy them. When guys they count on are slumping (Ricky Nolasco, Anibal Sanchez, Jeremy Hermida, Dan Uggla, Cody Ross, Cameron Maybin) it makes it that much harder to win games. This team simply doesn't have the depth it needs to win consistently. That's the real Marlins. Not the 11-1 team or the one that lost seven straight. It's the team that wins three games on the middle of the week, then comes home and drops three in a row. They are a .500 team at best when all of the parts aren't working to perfection.

Submitted by Zeke from Tampa, FL

Q: Do you think if the Marlins are in contention, come trade deadline, will trade for big time player?

Answered 05/05/09 15:12:19 by Manny Navarro

A: Hard to say right now Zeke. This is the team with the lowest payroll in baseball. They have a lot of needs. It depends on what is available and if management really feels this team has a shot to make the postseason.

Submitted by Ozzie from San Bruno,CA

Q: When a pitcher throws a ball and it touches the ground, the ball is removed from play. Why? To whom is the advantage, the batter or the pitcher when the ball has some dirt?

Answered 05/05/09 15:11:11 by Manny Navarro

A: Depends on the pitcher. Some pitchers like for the ball to get some dirt on it for better grip. The batter always benefits from a cleaner ball. They see it better. That's why the switch is made.

Submitted by ARMANDO from MIAMI, FL

Q: I think it would suit the Marlins a whole lot better switching Boni to second and Uggla to third. Range for a second baseman is key and obviously Uggla doesn't have much. I will leave Cantu at first and give Gload more playing time in the outfield until Hermida comes out of this funk. Your thoughts?

Answered 05/05/09 15:05:09 by Manny Navarro

A: Agreed Armando. But the Marlins aren't going to move Uggla to third at this point. I think it would have happened already this spring in some capacity. As for Gload, Fredi compared him to the outfield version of Wes Helms last weekend in Chicago. I think you'll see Gload play 2-3 times a week and not more unless Hermida really doesn't break out of this funk.

Submitted by John Lindemann from Wellington,Fl.

Q: Do the marlins still have the Two for Tuesday promotion with the Miami Herald this year?

Answered 05/05/09 14:42:07 by Manny Navarro

A: Doesn't look like it John.

Submitted by Stan M from Hendersonville, NC

Q: I don't know what it means long term, but Marlins would not have won 2 games ago with Hanley at SS instead of Alfredo. Nor would they have won the night before with Uggla at 2B instead of Bono. 2 questions: In your opinion is Hanley developing an ego problem? Is it true that Marlin announcers were told by management that they were not to praise Girardi on the air after his run in with Loria when he won manager of the year?

Answered 05/05/09 14:40:49 by Manny Navarro

A: About the Marlins announcers question Stan I'm not sure. I'll try and ask the guys at some point (I'm new to the beat) so I'll make sure it isn't the first question I ask them. As for the job Amezaga did at shortstop and Bonifacio did at second, no question both have much better range than Hanley at Uggla at those positions. But Hanley is still your superstar. Bonifacio's future in my mind is without a doubt at second once Uggla leaves.

Submitted by Varnerism from Auburn, AL

Q: What's Jose Ceda's injury status? When will he return to action?

Answered 05/05/09 14:38:13 by Manny Navarro

A: Ceda is still listed on the 7-day DL down in Jacksonville. I've put a call into Jim Fleming to try and find out what the latest is on him.

Submitted by bill schopp from miami florida

Q: Nice to have your worst slide and still be in first. They will come out of it..

Answered 05/05/09 14:33:08 by Manny Navarro

A: The Marlins certainly have been lucky to survive their struggles and still be a half a game up in first. But that's the way it's going to be all season. The Phillies are eventually going to pass the Marlins in the East. It's how the Fish respond the rest of the way that matters.

Submitted by Ronald from Miami, Florida

Q: A couple of years ago, Mike Lowell caught a runner by surprise in third base by hiding the ball in his glove, who was the Marlin pitcher involved in this play?

Answered 05/05/09 14:23:29 by Manny Navarro

A: Lowell actually did it twice. But the most recent was against the Diamondbacks on Aug. 10, 2005. He tagged out Luis Terrero at third. The Marlins pitcher was Todd Jones. Here's a link to the story on the net... http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/8902275/

Submitted by Resio P. Kindelan from Miami

Q: Why can't most of the Marlins starters surive the first few innings without giving up a lot of runs?

Answered 05/05/09 14:18:32 by Manny Navarro

A: Other than Josh Johnson and Chris Volstad, you are on the money with your observation. The first few innings have simply been brutal for Marlins pitchers. Anibal Sanchez especially. I don't know if there is answer for it other than some guys just get off to slow starts. Tom Glavine was infamous for it in Atlanta. If he got out the first unscathed, he was usually money the rest of the game.

Submitted by javier from miami fl

Q: Did Hanley or Cantu get hurt last night?

Answered 05/05/09 14:17:03 by Manny Navarro

A: Ramirez slid hard into second last night on the fielder's choice in the 14th. As far as Cantu is concerned, he did bang his hand applying a tag yesterday. But he remained in the game and obviously hit into the fielder's choice that won the game. Clark Spencer covered the game last night and told me Cantu didn't mention his hand. Ramirez, though, wasn't around. Check for updates later this afternoon on Fish Bytes.

Submitted by Flippo from Miami

Q: Wow Mike! I'm excited about these Marlins! They are comeback kids learning to how to win. It shows you don't need alot of money to win. They are good, really really good. They could win it all again, and we could buy Marlins championship gear with Ramirez' name and Cantu's and Cody Ross, then we will put the gear away for a month and all those players mentioned will be playing for the Mets or the Dodgers. Baseball!! Gotta love it!!

Answered 04/30/09 02:01:39 by Manny Navarro

A: If they get rid of good players now, you've got to hang them at dawn. We just gave these guys a $600 million ballpark. There is no excuse not to spend money on talented ballplayers now -- both on the Marlins and from other teams.