Spring Training Post Game Discussions

[Miamarlin21]

Didn't know where else to put this, but thinking ahead I would like the Marlins to go after Twins prospect Ben Revere. He's a speedy center fielder who is blocked by the Twins current outfield core. I don't know what we'd have to give up, but I think sometime this season or during the off-season we should go after him to fill our void in center.

[Ramp]

what void in center?

[Miamarlin21]

Well I really want Cogs moving to second next year, so assume my wishful thinking happens, then we'd have a void.

[MiamiHomer]

Nyjer Morgan apparently isn't ready to let last year's run-in with the Marlins fade into the past.

The Nationals' center fielder told MLB.com after Sunday's game that he felt Ricky Nolasco purposely hit him with an 0-2 pitch during the Nationals' 5-1 victory over the Marlins at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter.

"No question, without a doubt," Morgan said. "It's obvious because of what happened last year. Obviously, they haven't turned the page. But I'm going to be a stronger player, better person. I'm not going to react to it. I felt better by going out there and being able to steal that bag, getting myself over to third and generating a run.

"I felt more satisfied after that than staring at him and putting on my mean mug. Basically, what am I going to get out of it [by fighting]? I'm just going to hurt my team and somebody could get hurt. It's Spring Training, anyway.

"It's a plus on our side because they know we are not going to react to their negativity. It's part of the game. I know I got tested for a reason. It will probably be the last test I will get. I felt a lot better by just walking down to first, stealing second and generating a nice rally in the first inning."

For what it is worth, Nolasco denied trying to hit Morgan on purpose. Nolasco was pitching his first Spring Training game after missing time with a thumb injury. He also hit Danny Espinosa in the head in the same inning.

"Obviously, no matter who is up there, I'm not trying to do that," Nolasco said. "It's my first outing coming off an injury. I just tried to bounce back from that. But obviously the rust showed and I'll keep working and go get them next time. "

On Sept. 1 of last season, Morgan charged the mound and threw a punch at Chris Volstad, who had thrown a pitch behind him. First baseman Gaby Sanchez intervened and clotheslined Morgan, setting off a brawl.

The Marlins had a problem with Morgan from the previous day, when he barreled into catcher Brett Hayes, who suffered a separated shoulder on the play. He then amped it up the next day by stealing two bases in a blowout.

We'll have to see if this carries over into the season. But I'm about 99.9 percent sure Nolasco simply let a pitch get away from him.

Nats' Nyjer Morgan stirs it up again, claims Ricky Nolasco went after him in Sunday's game


This guy is so dumb.

[Ramp]

much ado about nothing

[THE_REAL_MIBS]

joecapMARLINS: Owner Jeffrey Loria calls #Marlins play this spring "uninspiring. We need to b playing as a team n we need to hit

joecapMARLINS: #Marlins owner Jeffry Loria. I'm not happy. Very few guys focusing on what they're here for I know it's Spng train but time 2 look in mirror

/Twitter

[MiamiHomer]

joecapMARLINS joe capozzi
Edwin said Mike Stanton had 5 atbats today in a minor league intrasquad game as DH #Marlins

twit

[Mainge]

/Twitter

Srsly Jef? Its sprng train!

[AdamRavs]

I'd rather us play like shit now rather than have an awesome spring and play like shit in the regular season. Today was the 1st game we had almost the whole starting line up playing at the same time minus Stanton.

[THE_REAL_MIBS]

Full story on Loria's disappointment;

Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria almost always stays to the last out. But with his team headed for its ninth straight loss this spring, even he couldn't stand to watch all nine innings Wednesday.

"I'm not happy,' he said in the clubhouse during the seventh inning of Florida's 6-3 loss to Tampa Bay.

Asked about his team's play so far, Loria quickly vented his frustration.

"Uninspired baseball,' he said. "Inconsistent and not acceptable. Very few guys have focused on what they're here for. Very few.'

Loria wouldn't single out any players but clearly is concerned by the club's 5-13 record - second worst in baseball - even though it's only the Grapefruit League.

"I know it's only spring training,' he said, "but it's time to take a look in the mirror. We're better than this. It's time to show it. We need to be playing as a team and we need to hit.'

The Marlins went into Wednesday having scored 62 runs, the fewest this spring among National League teams. St. Louis was next-worst with 72 runs. In the last seven games the Marlins have been outscored 56-9.

One reason has been the absence of slugger Mike Stanton, who went 1-for-5 in a minor-league intrasquad game Wednesday, his first action since he strained his right quadriceps muscle Feb. 27.

Against the Rays, Chris Coghlan played center field for the first time since March 7. Coghlan, Stanton and left fielder Logan Morrison - the Marlins' starting outfield - haven't played together yet this spring.

Loria said injuries don't excuse the Marlins' performance.

"Surely, it's nice to have everybody playing, but often there is one guy out and people pick him up,' Loria said. "I haven't seen the effort that I think they're capable of. It's time to wake up.'

Loria said he always talks to his players individually and doesn't plan to address the team as a group. He said he would leave that to manager Edwin Rodriguez - "that's his job.'

With the Marlins ready to move to their new ballpark in 2012, Loria wants his team to build momentum with a winning season in 2011. He doesn't want to wait until opening day to start winning.

"Losing is a bad habit,' he said. "I'm sure we'll turn it around. But I'd like us to feel better about ourselves going into the season. I'd like to see us hit.

"The light will come on. But it'd be nice to see it sooner rather than later. Good for everybody's psyche.'

Standing in a corner of the clubhouse, Loria offered praise for two players who walked by, pitcher Chris Volstad and shortstop Hanley Ramirez.

"The truth is they're a terrific bunch of athletes,' Loria said about his team, "but you don't see that when those performances happen daily. How many have we lost now, eight?'

Nine, he was told, and he shook his head.

"You know, I haven't seen us win since I've been here (this spring),' Loria said. "And I haven't seen the effort that they're capable of. I'd like us to feel better.'

Rodriguez said he shares Loria's disappointment.

"It's not the losses. It's the way we've been losing,' Rodriguez said before Wednesday's game. "I know it's spring training, but it's a game. As a professional you want to win regardless of what type of game you're playing'

But Rodriguez said he also is trying to be patient with his relatively young team.

"As a manager you have to pick your spots,' said Rodriguez, who took over the Marlins in June when Loria fired Fredi Gonzalez. "This whole situation I approach as growing pains.

"We have a very young team. I think that they're learning from the whole situation. I don't want to show them or give them the impression that there's panic, because there's not.'

Palm Beach Post
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One thing I don't get is Loria praising Hanley. Hanley leads the team in errors this spring. I think that's part of the lack of effort.

[Mainge]

Errors aren't a very meaningful stat in a vacuum.

I don't agree with Loria giving meaning to something that is meaningless.

[Ramp]

agreed with Mainge

anyway it's 2 weeks till opening day, it's a nothing story

[Jay]

I can't believe that hack can call himself a writer and still use b and n instead of be and and

[Mainge]

I can't believe that hack can call himself a writer and still use b and n instead of be and and

Twitter has a character limit.

[emkayseven]

srsly