Submitted by Yaniel from Miami, FL

Q: What are the chances the Marlins will lock up Josh Johnson and Jorge Cantu to a long term contract, as they did with Hanley?

Answered 06/30/09 14:58:22 by Manny Navarro

A: Johnson is much more of a priority for the Marlins than Cantu, who could end up being replaced by either Logan Morrison or Gaby Sanchez next season. Johnson would command major dollars until 2011. I expect the Marlins to wait until then to try and sign him.

Submitted by Ralph C. Herrera from Miami, Florida

Q: Why do we keep using Reynel Pinto, a useless pitcher? And when Dan Uggla going to learn to field balls or throw?

Answered 06/30/09 14:55:48 by Manny Navarro

A: Pinto is only one of two left-handers in this pen. His value is in that. His ERA of 2.73 is OK, but his WHIP (1.52) is above his career average. As long as he continues to get one or two lefties out when needed, he's fine for what he is. As for Uggla, his .978 fielding percentage this year is his worst. But not by much. Last year, his fielding percentage was .981. But to me, he's been getting to more balls this year than he has in the past.

Submitted by Richard Vihlen from Homestead, Fl

Q: If the score is tied 2 runs each and a bases loaded homerun is hit. What is the final score?

Answered 06/30/09 14:50:48 by Manny Navarro

A: 6-2.

Submitted by Noah from Port Orange, Fl

Q: With Uggla finally heating up, Do you see this as an opportunity for the Marlins to move him and his ridiculous contract? With a vacancy at second, that give us plenty of options. Bonaficio a def upgrade to Uggla moves to second then either Coghlin goes back to his natural 3rd position, and we bring Maybin back up, or they bring up Gabby Sanchez, whom has been getting time at third in AAA, to play 3rd

Answered 06/30/09 14:50:21 by Manny Navarro

A: I definitely think trading Uggla is the Marlins best option here. But it all depends on what they can get in return or who they could package him with to fill needs. One way or the other, Bonifacio or Coghlan is probably going to end up at second and Gabby Sanchez and Cameron Maybin are going to be called up at some point to help fill vacancies. If not, they could end up being traded. The good news is, the Marlins have plenty of options. The question is: Will Larry Beinfest pick the right one?

Submitted by Ben from W. Palm Beach, FL

Q: The Fish are back over .500, but still have a glaring weakness: Emilio! Coghlan has done a better than servicable job in the leadoff spot and looks to be getting better by the game. So my question is simple-- If they're not going to use Emilio's speed at the top of the line-up, shouldn't there be more production from the everyday third baseman? I feel like this team can be better. Why not move Cantu back to 3B and bring up Gabby Sanchez or Logan Morrison to play first? I know they're rookies, but so is Bonafacio (although not technically based on career MLB at-bats coming into the season), and third base needs to be a position of premium offensive value.

Answered 06/30/09 14:47:43 by Manny Navarro

A: Ben, the Marlins are exploring options. But I think you have two guarantees here. One, Jorge Cantu isn't going back to third unless there are major injuries. Two, bullpen is the priority need right now. I don't expect Emilio Bonifacio to be the third baseman next season. But does that mean he's playing second? Is he gone? Is Dan Uggla gone? Is Chris Coghlan at second? Its what Larry Beinfest is trying to decide right now.

Submitted by Paolo from Miami, FL

Q: Just wanting to say was up Mr.Navarro, I have asked you many questions in the past I follow you, mr. spencer and frisaro on twitter all the time asking for some tidbits. Thanks for your hard work and continous coverage on the marlins -- I have nothing else to say but that.

Answered 06/30/09 14:40:51 by Manny Navarro

A: Hey Paolo. I know you are a diehard. Glad to see you are following the chat.

Submitted by R. Vidal from Miami, Fl

Q: what moves can we expect the Marlins to make before the trade deadline?

Answered 06/30/09 14:39:23 by Manny Navarro

A: If they make a move, it will be for bullpen help. Will that likely involve a top-notch closer? Probably not. The Marlins don't have many enticing pieces outside of Dan Uggla, Mike Stanton and a few other prospects to offer right now. So, I think it could be a premier setup guy, someone who might be ready to assume a closers role. Dan Meyer (1.99 ERA, 11 Holds) and Leo Nunez (3.97 ERA, 13 holds) aren't bad options. An ideal guy could be 30-year old Matt Guerrier from Minnesota. He has a WHIP of 0.94 and 15 holds, the second most in the AL. The Twins signed him to a 1-year deal worth $1.475 mil. The Twins are falling out of contention and could probably use some minor league prospects. Maybe Arthur Rhodes could find his way back here from the Reds. What you ultimately have to look at are teams who are no longer in contention and would be willing to part ways with a valuable member of their bullpen. Francisco Cordero (1.97 ERA, 18 saves) would come at a high price from Cincinnati. Seattle's David Aardsma (1.49 ERA, 16 saves) would also.

Submitted by Jason from Winter Haven, FL.

Q: Any trade rumors about 3rd basemen or a closer that the Marlins are involved in?

Answered 06/30/09 14:27:19 by Manny Navarro

A: If the Marlins are going to make a move I think it will be for a closer, not a third baseman. Last week, Fredi Gonzalez talked about how he wants a closer who has a WHIP under 1.00 and he talked about how a closer with a WHIP of 1.7 or 1.8 couldn't do the job. Matt Lindstrom has a 1.90 WHIP to go with a 6.52 ERA. As much as they might want Lindstrom -- who has top-end heat -- to assume that role, the Marlins know when he comes back in six weeks they'd prefer for him not to handle those duties. I asked Gonzalez yesterday if he thought Leo Nunez or Dan Meyer could handle the job permanently. His response: "We'll have to see. We didn't know Coghlan was going to do so well in left. But he has." Still, I believe the Marlins feel like if they are really going to be in the NL East race, then they'll need a veteran that knows how to shut the door. Will they find him? Will he be available? Do they have something that the other team is looking for? We'll have to see. Right now Dan Uggla looks like the best bargaining chip. We'll have to see if the Marlins can find a willing taker.

Submitted by Brian from Miami

Q: Though Bonifacio has been allowed to work out his kinks at the major league level, he probably should have been sent down to the minors a la Maybin, de Aza, and Nolasco. Any chance Bonifacio is being showcased as an every day player to up his value for a possible trade? His defense is horrendous, and his baserunning is barely above average when he's not facing the Nationals.

Answered 06/30/09 14:20:21 by Manny Navarro

A: RIght now Bonifacio has a seven-game hitting streak, so he's made it harder for the Marlins to send him down. Could they still do it if he goes back to his struggles? Yes. But the fact is, the Fish believe Bonifacio can be an everyday player and that his speed is a special gift. When I talked to hitting coach Jim Pressley about him earlier this year, he compared him to a young Luis Castillo, who struggled his first three seasons to hit better than 2.62 and never had an on base percentage higher than .320 in any of his first three years. He obviously went on to be a big part of the Marlins success, stealing 193 bases over the next four seasons and hitting better than .300 three times in that stretch. The way the Marlins see Bonifacio. He's 24, playing out of position at third base and showing them glimpses of being a special player. Right now, they're willing to take the bad with the good because the team is .500. If that changes, you could see the Marlins make a move to strengthen their team at third base. But I don't think that's going to happen.

Submitted by Erwin from Doral

Q: What is the status on Anibal Sanchez, and Taylor Tankersley?

Answered 06/30/09 14:08:29 by Manny Navarro

A: The Marlins are taking their time with Sanchez. They don't want to rush him back this time. I think the earliest we could see him is August. As for Tankersley, he's still on the mend from surgery.

Submitted by Andy from Junction City, OR

Q: I see where you would move Uggla out of the lineup and move bonafacio to second and Coughlan to third. That certainly would improve the defense, but Uggla's bat still drives in runs. What about this change? I think Bonafacio needs more seasoning in AAA. Bring up Gaby Sanchez and put him at first, move Cantu over to third and keep Uggla, for now at second. I think they need to trade Uggla and then they can move Coughlin to second. Any reaction?

Answered 06/30/09 13:57:45 by Manny Navarro

A: Those are all decisions Larry Beinfest is mulling over right now. I think more than anything the Marlins are trying to figure out if this club can really contend. Now that the starting pitching has picked up, its becoming more apparent this team can. But who do you trade? Do you use Uggla to pick up a veteran talented arm? What do you lose in the clubhouse if you do that? Uggla is one of the veteran leaders of this team. I think the biggest thing is management doesn't want to screw up what they have going right now. If the Marlins can finish off these final two weeks before the All-Star Break in fine form, then you will likely see a move made based on what other teams would be willing to trade and for whom. The good news is the Marlins have options. If they trade Uggla, they can move Coghlan or Bonifacio to second. If they trade Maybin or Hermida they don't have to shuffle the lineup much. The one thing I don't believe they want to do is move Cantu back to third. He can play it fine defensively, but his arm is the issue. I think he's staying put at first.

Submitted by Donovan Jones from Parkland,Florida

Q: Who holds the Marlins all time record for most career homeruns

Answered 06/30/09 13:49:16 by Manny Navarro

A: Mike Lowell owns the record. He has 143. The active leader is Dan Uggla with 105 homers. He trails Cliff Floyd (110), Jeff Conine (120), Gary Sheffield (122), Derrek Lee (129) and Miguel Cabrera (138).

Submitted by Geo from Miami, Florida

Q: Sean West and Chris Coghlan are the latest marlins from the farm system to come up and make an impact. They might not be Cabrera and Willis yet, but other than Gaby Sanchez what Marlin minor league player is closest to coming up if they get some team to bite on Uggla or Bonafacio gets sent down?

Answered 06/30/09 13:46:43 by Manny Navarro

A: Cameron Maybin is really close to finding his way back up to the big leagues. He's hitting .319 and has a .410 on base percentage in Triple A New Orleans. But what's been impressive is he's only struckout 22 times in 135 at bats and has 18 walks. Before he was sent down on May 10th, he was hitting .202 with a .280 on base percentage and 31 strikeouts in just 84 at-bats. He's showing the Marlins what they wanted to see. The problem is the Marlins have several decisions to make. Do they use Maybin in a trade to pick up a reliever? Do they put Alfredo Amezaga on the shelf the rest of the year and just call Maybin up? Do they trade Jeremy Hermida and bring Maybin up? Do they send Brett Carroll, who is playing well, back down again? What do they do with Bonifacio and Gaby Sanchez at third base? I think right now Larry Beinfest and company are contemplating those decisions and how they might be able to make a trade to help the big league club out.

Submitted by sandrina from miami, Fl

Q: hi i wanted to know when will alfredo amezaga be returning to play?

Answered 06/30/09 13:40:12 by Manny Navarro

A: Amezaga's knee injury is probably much worse than first diagnosed. We asked Fredi Gonzalez before Monday's game against the Nationals about Amezaga and he told us his condition remains status quo. The fact Amezaga hasn't resumed regular baseball activities to this point (he's been out since May 17) tells me he's probably contemplating having season-ending surgery.

Submitted by Russell from Everett, WA

Q: What does Beinfest have in the works in addressing the Marlins horrible OBP at the top of the order? And this includes draft, FA, and possible trades. They still are too much of a free swinging team and every time an off-speed pitcher takes the mound they're done. Often a 10/1 K:BB ratio.

Answered 06/30/09 13:37:37 by Manny Navarro

A: I think the team feels pretty confident in what they have with Chris Coghlan at the top of the order. He's hitting .291 and the only regular leadoff hitters with a higher on base percentage than Coghlan right now in all of baseball are Ichiro, Chone Figgins, Derek Jeter, Juan Pierre, Aaron Rowand, Marco Scutaro, Denard Span, Scott Podsednick, Michael Bourn and Tony Gwynn Jr. That means he's just outside of the Top 10 in all of baseball. Not bad for a rookie.