Mike Stanton Called Up, FO Reshuffles Bullpen and Bench

[Swifty]

Well at least I'm not alone.

[emkayseven]

I'm the same way too

ramp and bobobobob do you know what number Mark Kotsay wore? No cheating.

[MiamiHomer]

NEW YORK -- Fredi Gonzalez did a little tinkering with his batting order Sunday morning to try to jump-start Hanley Ramirez and the Marlins' stagnant offense.

After the Marlins blew a five-run lead Sunday and got swept by the Mets at Citi Field, a much bigger jolt to the lineup is on the way. Amid a series of moves, the Marlins announced they're calling up outfielder and top prospect Mike Stanton, who will join the team Tuesday and be in the lineup when they open a three-game series in Philadelphia.

Widely regarded as one of the top five prospects in baseball, the 6-5, 233-pound power-hitter is the most anticipated call-up since for the Marlins since Miguel Cabrera was promoted from the minors in 2003.

For the Marlins, who fell to 28-30 with Sunday's 7-6 loss to the Mets, it's a move that could help turn their season around.

``Maybe he can ignite a little intensity and a little fire in us,'' said Cody Ross, who will likely move back to center field to allow Stanton, a corner outfielder, to take his spot in right.

``You don't want to put a lot of pressure on him. . . . You're expecting him to come up and help us the way that he can. And, we all believe he can. He's a great talent and he's going to be a big addition to our lineup. It's going to be fun to watch him play -- finally.''

Stanton proved all he could in Double A, according to manager Fredi Gonzalez.

In 52 games for the Jacksonville Suns, Stanton hit .311 with 52 RBI and 21 homers -- some of them tape-measure shots.

Sunday, he was scratched from the Suns' lineup about 90 minutes before they were set to take on the Montgomery (Ala.) Biscuits, likely when the Marlins decided to bring him up.

``I'm happy for him. He did what we asked him to do, go down to Double A and dominate,'' Gonzalez said. ``I want the young man to come out and be part of this team and help us -- not to carry us or be Roy Hobbs, but help us and establish himself as a major-leaguer.''

Gonzalez wouldn't say where he would bat Stanton in the lineup, but has kicked around the idea of hitting him second or seventh. The Marlins have said they intend to play Stanton full-time upon arrival, which means the struggling Cameron Maybin (.225) and Chris Coghlan, last year's National League Rookie of the Year, might split time.

To make room for Stanton, the Marlins said they would designate utility man Mike Lamb (.200) for assignment Tuesday. Utility man Emilio Bonifacio and pitcher Rick VandenHurk were called up from Triple A New Orleans, and outfielder Brett Carroll and reliever Tim Wood were optioned there.

But the big move is obviously Stanton, who will make his debut on the same night 2009 overall No. 1 pick Stephen Strasburg makes his for the Washington Nationals at home against the Pirates.

``The kid is definitely going to help us,'' infielder Wes Helms said of Stanton.

``But at the same time we have to help him realize we're a team and he's not the savior. We're all going to have to do this together.''

The wait is over: Florida Marlins call up Mike Stanton

[FishFanInPA]

Yeah but you rarely watch them on TV, right?

I watch them on MLB.TV a lot this year but I recognize them more by stance like everyone else says.

[dgriot]

``The kid is definitely going to help us,'' infielder Wes Helms said of Stanton.

``But at the same time we have to help him realize we're a team and he's not the savior. We're all going to have to do this together.''

I only had a slight dislike of Helms before this season started. Man, things have changed.

[kylekash]

A funny thought is Wes Helms doing the High School musical number... "We're All in This Together"

[Bobbob1313]

Helms has always seemed like a dick.

You've got the two opposite ends of the spectrum on this team:

Hanley takes the game too lightly, Helms takes it way too seriously.

[MiamiHomer]

Not to mention Helms sucks a lot.

[xeysz]

boni #1
hanley #2
cantu #3
uggla #6
coghlan #8
bc #25
ross #13
paulino #29 (my fav number)
jj #55

that's all I can remember. I should be able to remember more pitchers though since they're always on tv

super excited for Stanton, he's gonna make me really look forward to the games again. I liked watching Vandy pitch last year but it's weird they call him up after his last start hegave up 8er in just 2 ip. Wood needed to go down after yesterday's game even though he has pitched good at times he has blown several. and I hope boni does well.

[Omar]

These quotes make me feel like Helms would be the biggest primadonna on the team if he were the star.

As for the jerseys, I love remembering them because they do play some significance in the game.....but they're certainly not as important as futbol, for example. That said, it's hard to miss the symbolism in Stanton wearing the last great prospect's number.

[Party]

Jeremy Hermida just forwarded a text he got from Stanton last night...

Ill show you how it's done, Bitch

[FishFanInPA]

Why the hate for Helms? He's only saying the right thing. Kid isn't the savior yet. We can't just stop working because he's here.

[nny]

Why the hate for Helms? He's only saying the right thing. Kid isn't the savior yet. We can't just stop working because he's here.

"But at the same time we have to help him realize we're a team and he's not the savior. We're all going to have to do this together."

Help him realize he's not the savior. Not "help the media realize", or "the fan base", or "the team", whatever. He picked out Stanton specifically that needs to realize he's not the savior.

[Ramp]

Helms is a massive douchebag and is hated by more than half of the players in that clubhouse.

True story.

[Nick]

I'm stunned.

STUNNED!