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Mike Phillips has been writing for The Herald for more than 15 years, covering everything from the Florida Marlins, the Super Bowl, the Florida Gators to the NCAA men's basketball Final Four.
Submitted by Paolo Torres from miami,florida
Q: Whats up Mike, it is time to update this forum my friend. My question is...I just read an article on FloridaMarlins.com talking about how, though there is silence in regards to the Stadium Deal that it does not at all mean that a deal to build it will not be agreed upon. That said, everytime I have asked you about this situation, you have said that you will not believe what is said about a stadium deal until a shovel is stuck to the ground... So how optimistic should I and other Marlins fans feel about this news? What do you know in regards to the Stadium issue thus far?
Answered 01/26/08 04:45:38 by Mike Phillips
A: I'm pretty optimistic a deal will finally get done. The money seems to be there, but there are issues surrounding the vote that keep delaying it.Submitted by ernie from mill springs n.c.
Q: I am N.C. and would like to know the status of the stadium issue.
Answered 01/26/08 04:27:32 by Mike Phillips
A: They tabled a vote last week and could vote again in the next week to two weeks.Submitted by Matt J from Boynton Bch
Q: I'm not sold on the idea of two back- up quality catchers sharing duties for the whole season. I appreciate what Treanor does in a back- up catcher role, but I can not envision him as a starter. And, as for Rabelo, I'm not sure as to what he can contribute. But what if one of them is injured? The catching tandem would be destroyed. So, my main question is whether Brett Hayes is getting any consideration as the starting catcher. I know he missed a lot of time last year and that he had to rebuild strength, but I still think it's a question worth asking.
Answered 01/26/08 04:26:53 by Mike Phillips
A: If either Treanor or Rabelo gets injured, the Marlins will call someone up to be the backup catcher. If Hayes, who hit .234 at Double A last season, is playing better than anyone else in the minors they'll call him up. Rabelo and Treanor give the Marlins a very inexpensive catching tandem. Treanor ($705,000) and Rabelo (around $400,000) cost about half of what Miguel Olivo ($2 million) cost.Treanor deserves a shot at more playing time. He handles pitchers well and improved dramatically at rthe plate. Rabelo is a switch hitter who is a pretty steady backup. He hit .254 last season and doesn't bring much of a bat. He hit .069 last April so let's hope he gets off to a better start.Submitted by Matt J. from Boynton Bch.
Q: With Dan Uggla manning second base, and a seeming vacancy at third after this season, do you think Chris Coghlan can man the fort at third (his original postition) until the next third baseman (possibly Dominguez) comes along? Will Coghlan be given a shot during Spring Training to secure the third base spot, even though he's played in A ball? The Marlins gave De Aza a chance last year, so couldn't they do the same with Chris?
Answered 01/26/08 03:58:30 by Mike Phillips
A: Coghlan is still a long way from the big leagues. The Marlins like him a lot and he'll be in the majors some day, but not this year. De Aza had spent six years in the minors and had been overlooked and under-played, and the Marlins were pretty desperate in center field, because Abercrombie and Reed were total busts. Cantu and Castillo are going to be given every chance to make the team. Dominguez is also a long way from playing in the big leaguse. The problem with top draft picks is that fans always expect them to show up right away. It happens now and then, but it is rare for a high school kid such as Dominguez to make it to the big leagues in less than three years.Submitted by Matt from Davie, FL
Q: Why don't the Marlins look to trade one or two of their young pitchers for a young third baseman? Tampa Bay's been enamored with Scott Olsen for a while and there were talks of him for an elite prospect last year. Why not send Olsen to Tampa for a third baseman (Evan Langoria maybe)? I know we just signed a couple of possibilities, but why not look into a true third baseman?
Answered 01/26/08 03:50:08 by Mike Phillips
A: You don't trade young left-handed pitchers who cost less than $400,000 a year. Olsen is one of the best bargains in all of baseball. I still believe Olsen can be a 15 to 20-game winner. If Maybin doesn't fall flat on his face, and the Marlins don't get hit with a lot of injuries they will be able to score enough runs to compete for a wild card spot no matter who plays third base. They scored enough runs to win the division last year, but finished last because of pitching and defense. No matter who plays third base, it's a defensive improvement over Cabrera. The rotation is ranked last in baseball, nd the one starter with the most experience is Olsen.Submitted by Julio C Díaz from Miami. Fl
Q: Looks like the starting rotation will be biggest question coming into Spring training. Who of the unsigned pitchers in the market could pitch for the fish in 2008 ? Any chance Livan comes back ? Will Matt Morris or any other veteran be a possibility?
Answered 01/26/08 03:43:05 by Mike Phillips
A: The rotation is THE question this spring. The problem with veteran pitchers such as Livan is they cost money. The next time you see the Marlins spending some money please call me immediately so we can put it on the front page of The Herald. If you can't reach me, call 911. Imagine finishing dead last with a $33 million payroll and watching half your rotation end up in the hospital. The solution? Cut payroll, trade your two marquee players and take the field with no chance to contend for the playoffs.Submitted by Eddie from Highland Beach, Fla
Q: Besides the fielding, and starting pitching,I feel the excessive strikeouts is a glaring problem. Besides Olivo's passed balls and errors , he had the highest strikeout average per at bats than any other Marlin. I think that the coaches must work very hard to lower Maybin's strikeout ratio. Last 2 years in the minors it was 30 and 32 percent.The coaches should work very hard on Maybins's swing since apparently there are incredible upsides. Luis Gonzalez who can still hit with power and average could be an amazing addition to the Marlins . His strikeout ratio to at bats last year was 12 percent and that was up from the year before from 9 percent which would be by far and away the best on the Marlins. Since the Marlin payroll is only 22 Million,shouldn't the Marlins grab him ASAP? What are your thoughts?
Answered 01/26/08 03:38:18 by Mike Phillips
A: Maybin strikes out far too much, but he is very young and hopefully will mature into the kind of hitter who can be a superstar. But he is never going to be one of ths players who leads the league in the toughest-to-strikeout category. That said, the Marlins are well aware of the problem and it will be one of the on-going stories of his career. Gonzalez would be a tremendous addition. As I have said before, Gonzalez is one of the classiest people in the game, and he is exactly what the Marlins need. This is a young team with no clubhouse leadership, so any addition would be welcomed, but the addition of a guy like Gonzalez could be priceless -- if, and only if, the young Marlins listen and learn from him.Submitted by Marcos Rodriguez from Indian Trail, NC
Q: Mike, I am sick of all the talk about the Mitchell report. However I don't think i have heard anyone address this issue yet: The big names that are associated with steriods and by that I mean McGuire, Sosa, Sheffield,and Palmeiro. Where they in the report? I have not heard anyone discussing their names at all.
Answered 01/26/08 03:32:44 by Mike Phillips
A: Sosa was not mentioned in the report.Submitted by Jose Sosa from Hialeah,Florida
Q: Hey mike I heard about the Marlins persuing the services of outfielder Luis Gonzalez.He would be a great fit to help the young marlins with a bat and leadership for young outfielders like Cameron Maybin.I would think he would fit in the Marlins price range and maybe sign him for two years.My questions are Would this rumor come thru? When could we see this happening? and why dont we see the marlins persue a veteran arm reliever or starter? Is there any rumors that you have heard of.
Answered 01/26/08 03:32:03 by Mike Phillips
A: Luis Gonzalez is exactly the type of person the Marlins need -- he's a fine baseball player, but an even better person off the field, a class act in a league of his own. The Marlins would like to add him, but the price has to be right (and that means the bottom dollar with the Marlins). The reason the Marlins aren't in the market for a veteran arm is because veteran starters cost too much, and they have a good bullpen right now.Submitted by Eddie from Kew Gardens, NY
Q: At first I was very happy that the Marlins got Jorge Cantu. I beleive the reason they gave him a minor league contract was for his inept defense at 3rd base. In 2005 which was his banner year at the plate, Cantu made 12 errors in 62 games for a fielding percentage of .912. His fielding statistics are acceptable at 2nd base. Although, the Marlins do not want to move Uggla to 3rd, unless Cantu improves at 2nd. The plus with Cantu is his ability to play 1st against tough lefties. Don't you think Castillo would be a better fit at 2nd for his defense? Would the Marlins keep Castillo even though he is a lifetime 250 hitter? What are your thoughts?
Answered 01/26/08 03:28:23 by Mike Phillips
A: The idea is for those two to compete for the third base spot this spring. The Marlins don't want to move Uggla to third base. That was always a thought in an emergency situation and a thought that came up when they were talking to the Angels about a deal involving Howie Kendrick. They gave Cantu a minor league deal because they could (it's cheaper), with the idea that he can get a better contract if he makes the club this spring, Castillo is a better defensive third baseman than Cantu, and he hit well this winter, but there are a lot of questions about Castillo playing every day because of his bat. This gives the Marlins another option at third and makes spring training a little more interesting.Submitted by Anonymous from Boynton Beach, FL
Q: I haven't read anything about Andino recently. He proved able to MLB pitching, probably better than any of the recent acquisitions. Could he play 2B with Uggla going to 3rd? Can we trade Loria for someone who can afford to own a team? (Athletes who cost more than the bargain basement team now in place)
Answered 01/26/08 03:22:13 by Mike Phillips
A: I haven't heard any trade talks involving Loria, so it looks like he will be here for a while. Andino probably helped himself last year, but it will be very difficult for him to make the team this spring. His biggest hurdle is Amezaga, who is the ultimate utilty player.Submitted by Joe Peterson from Queens,NY
Q: Why didnt the Marlins try to get Lasting Milledge before the Cabrera/Willis trade. The a package of Miguel Olivo and Cody Ross and another player would have been better package than what the Mets got. The Marlins then could have acepted the Angels trade of Kendrick,2 pitchers and Mathis for Cabrera and Willis.
Answered 01/26/08 03:16:57 by Mike Phillips
A: It's difficult to know just what the Mets would have taken for Milledge. Only the Mets knoiw what they like. They may not think as highly of Ross and Olivo as you do. Besides, everyone knew the Marlins were not going to rsign Olivo, so anyone interested could just pick him up as a free agent, so trading for olivo would have been foolish. I'm very, very happy the Marlins didn't make the deal with the Angels. I never liked any of the packages in the trade talks. They made a much. much, much better deal with the Tigers.Submitted by Joe Peterson from Queens,NY
Q: Will Gaby Hernandez be ready for opening day? Who will be the ace of the Marlins this year?
Answered 01/26/08 03:13:20 by Mike Phillips
A: The Marlins will give Hernandez a look this spring and he might make the team. The ace? Right now the first two pitchers in the rotation would be Scott Olsen and Sergio Mitre, but I don't know who Fredi will start on opening day. Spring training will decide who gets the nod. Miller could end up being the ace. I hope Olsen bounces back and has a big season.Submitted by Joe Peterson from Queens,NY
Q: What can the Marlins expect of Eulogio De La Cruz? Could he be a factor in the bullpen this year? When will the other 2 prospects beready>
Answered 01/26/08 03:09:58 by Mike Phillips
A: The Tigers were high on him because of his velocity, and I would be surprised if he wasn't given every chance to make the club this spring.Submitted by Paolo Torres from miami,florida
Q: Do you believe that Jose Castillo will be able to produce for the Marlins at third base both with the bat and the glove in order to help this team be successful. I have read many articles saying he is no Cabrera and really there is no need to read any articles to know that, but do you think he can be a true threat in the batting order for us. Like me, would you rather see him play third and keep Dan Uggla at second, or would you like them to flip-flop positions?
Answered 01/26/08 03:07:54 by Mike Phillips
A: I would rather keep Uggla at second for many reasons. He and Ramirez make a decent double-play combo. Uggla worked hard to improve his defense and now feels comfortable at second. Why risk a decline in defense with an awkward move to third? No one is going to replace Cabrera's bat. So forget about any comparisons with anyone at the plate. But almost anyone will be a better fielder at third base. It's silly to try to make comparisons when the Marlins lose a player like Cabrera. They didn't trade him because he wasn't a great hitter (he's probably going to end up in Cooperstown). They traded him because they didn't want to pay him, and unfortunately Marlins fans know this game all too well. This is Marlins' Baseball. They refuse to pay for stars. Instead, they will put a make-shift "this is the best we can do" team on the field and hope young players rise to stardom (i.e. Ramirez). Hopefully, they can get enough production from eith Castillo or Cantu at third base to help compete this season.Submitted by John Valdes from miami Fla.
Q: Mr. Mike Phillips: I truly believe that Freddy Gonzalez "probably" does know how to "play" baseball, but he has no idea about running a team and get the job done with a victory which is another story. The Marlins lost a lot of games last years by "one run", and quite a few more by "two" runs, why ?...because he never ever moved the runners properly and also a lacks of "bunting" in crutial plays at the rigth times,instead, he always wait for the big hit... and that shows his lack of knowledge as a skipper. In my opinion you have to... "move on, move over, and move in" the runners more often if you wanna win more games, otherwise you become a losser. What do you thin about it ? Truly yours, John Valdes.
Answered 01/26/08 03:00:09 by Mike Phillips
A: The Marlins did not maufacture many runs last year, but they do hit a lot of doubles and home runs and they do score a lot of runs. Did you realize that the 2007 Marlins hit more home runs and scored more runs than the 1997 World Series champs and the 2003 World Series champs? I would like to see them manufacture more runs this season, but their problems are simple -- pitching and defense. With addition of Cameron Maybin they will have two bigtime basestealers in Maybin and Ramirez. I would like to see Jeremy Hermida move into the No. 2 spot. Uggla hits a ton of doubles and home runs, but he is better suited in the fifth spot in the order. It's difficult to have a hit-and-run with Uggla, who strikes out far too much. Hermida is a better contact hitter and the idea of Maybin, Hermida and Ramiriz hitting in front of Willingham, who should drive in more runs this year, Uggla and Jacobs could make this a decent lineup.Submitted by Eddie from Highland Beach, Fla
Q: Obtaining Jose Castillo is an interesting thought but I do not think he is the answer. Although,Jose is a very good defensive infielder, he is only a lifetime 250 hitter. What's rather unusual is when he was batting 8th in the batting order in 2006, he had a 308 average. Could he be a late inning replacement at 2nd and 3rd base? What's the purpose of getting Castillo when Ensberg and Cantu are still available? What are your thoughts?
Answered 01/26/08 02:50:30 by Mike Phillips
A: The Marlins like him, and he is cheap. There is llittle doubt the Marlnis will have the lowest payroll in baseball. It's a shame they won't any money, becuse they could have borught in a better third baseman.Submitted by Eddie from Highland Beach, Fla
Q: Perhaps the strongest part of the Marlins is their bullpen. With Miller, Pinto Lindstrom, Kensing and Gregg, it seems this could be the stable part of the Marlins. Last year Henry Owens did a good job in the bullpen until he got injured. Will he be ready for spring training?
Answered 12/22/07 17:28:41 by Mike Phillips
A: Owens will probably be ready, and yes, the bullpen is one of the strengths of the team.Submitted by Ron Rodriguez from Naples, Florida
Q: Wes Helms has never had success as an everyday player, I like the Ensberg and Cantu options. Both were good players at one time...what happened? The Marlins had their pitchers on a strict pitch count, how has that worked out with all the arm injuries??
Answered 12/22/07 17:27:50 by Mike Phillips
A: I agree. I like Ensberg. Helms is not the every day answer. The pitch counts were there to protect the pitchers, but you have to remember that pitchers such as Johnson, Sanchez and Nolasco had never thrown as many innings as they did in 2006. Mitre was so burned out last season that when he hit the wall there was nothing left in September.Submitted by john from miami.fl
Q: hey, what is stoping the marlins from getting cantu and do you think nolasco or anibal sanchez will be ready for opening day?
Answered 12/22/07 17:24:52 by Mike Phillips
A: No one is sure whether either Sanchez or Nolasco will be ready for openings day. The hope is both will be ready, but my guess is that it may take a little longer for Sanchez. The Marlins are taking their time getting a third baseman. They still have plenty of time to fill the position.
