Marlins Sign Randy Choate

[Namaste]

Aw yeah!!! Love it.

NL East lefties about to get some Choate Yogurt

[Ramp]

now go out there and see what you can get for Leo

[lou]

I think it's actually 9 legitimate immediate bullpen arms, because Sanabia is ready to go in my opinion. I can't see how he couldn't handle, at worst, mop up a long reliever role. And by the summer, West, Marinez, Ceda, Cishek, Jennings, Hand. I mean, awesome. We arguably have a second bullpen waiting in the wings.

I think Leo has to go. You get $3-4 million to spend in free agency right now and whatever you get for him in a trade. The "downgrade" from Leo to Badenhop/Sanabia for the other bullpen slot is absolutely not worth $3-4 million and some player for Leo. This team flat out needs a backup catcher, and could really use a veteran 3B and veteran lefty back to fill out the roster.

I have it all figured out (and this isn't including what you get back for Leo).

I'd look into Edwin Encarnacion to just jack baseballs and deal with the defense, or Willy Aybar, or dare I say Jorge Cantu (has to be better). Quasi starter to begin the year, and a bench bat. I bet this is a minor league contract, and these are much better ideas than Lambs or Tracys.

I'd call Pittsburgh and offer them some RP, like Cishek or Richardson (even both), for Ryan Doumit and $4.5 million (he makes $5.1). He could also help OF depth. He hit .832 vs RHP last year. They want no part of him, and any pitching they get back they'd jump I'm sure. We don't need those arms at all with our current bullpen (even without Leo), and they are behind Sanabia, West, Marinez, Ceda, Jennings, maybe Reed and Poveda, anyways. This really locks down catcher for next year.

And you still have another bench spot, to let Baker be your "lefty bat only," or just go out and get another veteran lefty to hit. Free agency is low (Giambi, Church, Ankiel, F. Lopez switches). Ankiel or Church would be especially nice because he could also help out in CF.

Not big moves, but really really compliment the bench going forward. You can always resort to Cousins, Baker, and O. Martinez if these guys suck, or there is an injury. But if we're going to do "nice" things like get a real LOOGY like Choate, you have to NOT be stupid and you better fill out your bench.
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no team goes with 13 bullpen arms

Lou Pinella would do it

[Ralph]

thats a lot of lettuce.
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n/m thought it was 2.5 per year. Like it now.

[Fish and Chips]

Randy Choate first reliever to receive multi-year contract from current Florida Marlins regime
by: Juan C. Rodriguez December 15th, 2010 | 6:10 PM The Marlins landed the veteran lefty reliever they sought Wednesday when they signed free agent Randy Choate, formerly of the Tampa Rays, to a two-year, $2.5 million contract.
The multi-year deal is the first this Marlins ownership group has ever given a relief pitcher. Choate, who will earn $1 million in 2011 and $1.5 million in 2012, will become just the third fifth Marlins reliever since 2007 to open the season with a seven-figure salary. Two of those — Jorge Julio ($2.6 million in 2007) and Renyel Pinto ($1.075 million in 2010) – didn’t finish the season with the organization.
“We felt adding a second lefty to the bullpen was important,” President of Baseball Operations Larry Beinfest said, in a statement. “Randy is experienced and proven against left-handed hitters. Heading into spring training, our bullpen has a different, balanced look.”
A native of San Antonio and product of Florida State, Choate gives the Marlins bullpen a true left-handed specialist. With the Rays last season, Choate held lefties to a .202 average and .529 on-base plus slugging percentage in 138 plate appearances. For his career, those figures are .217 (108-for-498) and .598, respectively.

http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports...ontent=Twitter

[Erick]

Sanches
Webb
Mujica
Dunn
Choate
Hensley
Nunez

Now that's impressive.

Badenhop
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Can Dunn get righties out?

He has the stuff to get righties out. However, his BB/9 against righties last year was awful; if he can improve on that, I see no reason why he can't become one of those rare non-LOOGY lefty relievers.

Either way, we've gone from Pinto/Tankersley to Dunn/Choate. Major win.

[Beef]

He went to FSU

[Miamarlin21]

Great shit Lou.

I'd really like Ankiel, but he may be too expensive?

I still like Eric Chavez as our third baseman/bench lefty.

[PitchingWinsGames]

Man if we could get Church to be our 4th OFer, this would kind of be the best offseason ever.

[Swifty]

YOUR MOVE PHILADELPHIA!

[Namaste]

YOUR MOVE PHILADELPHIA!

[Ramp]

I still like Eric Chavez as our third baseman/bench lefty.

him?

[MiamiHomer]

him?

My eyes!

[Ramp]

Like seriously. I'd rather have Wes Helms bat lefty without a bat.

[Swifty]

It's amazing Chavez is only 33.