Fluff Piece: Phillies' Manuel Believes Marlins Are Biggest Threat in NL East

[Omar]

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said don’t go to sleep on the Braves, but he characterized the Marlins the “biggest threat”to his club’s run at another National League East title.

Manuel’s exact quote, as reported by CBSPhilly.com: “If you look at it on paper, you have to say the Florida Marlins are the biggest threat,” Manuel said. “But I don’t ever underestimate Atlanta. Chipper Jones said after the season that they have to be more consistent offensively, and they have some talent on their team. They have one of the best center fielders in the National League, talent-wise, and people haven’t seen their young pitching, and they can sneak up and surprise us. Florida is getting a new ballpark and they have [Jose] Reyes. But they still have to play the games, and they still have to play together.”

Manuel won’t have to wait long to get a first-hand look at the Marlins, who are in Philadelphia for the Phillies’ home opener on April 9.

Sun-Sentinel

[dim]

Damn, he didn't answer if the Miami Marlins were a threat.

[Party]

I'd be afraid of phantom teams too.

[Chewford]

Better watch out for those pesky Montreal Expos too.

[emkayseven]

Michael Bourn is one of the best CFers in the NL talent-wise?

[Namaste]

Season over

[Metes]

[Erick]

Michael Bourn is one of the best CFers in the NL talent-wise?

Absolutely.

[HUGG]

Matt Kemp, Chris Young, Dexter Fowler, Nyjer Morgan, Shane Victorino, Andrew McCutchen, Jon Jay and Emilio Bonifacio were all better than him offensively last season. That's half the CFers in the NL.

I don't really know how you define "talent-wise", but I'm not sure I'd put him in front of any of them.
--------------------
BR.com WAR says I'm a total idiot

16 expected NL CF starters

                            3yr
                      2011  Avg
Matt Kemp         LA  10.0  6.0
Andrew McCutchen PIT   5.5  4.1
Shane Victorino  PHI   5.1  3.7
Michael Bourn    ATL   5.0  4.1
Chris Young      ARI   4.8  3.1
Drew Stubbs      CIN   2.9  3.3
Cameron Maybin    SD   2.9  1.4
Emilio Bonifacio MIA   2.4  0.8
Jason Bourgeois  HOU   2.3  0.7
Jayson Werth     WAS   2.1  3.5
Nyjer Morgan     MIL   2.0  1.2
Marlon Byrd      CHC   1.7  2.6
Andres Torres    NYM   1.3  2.6
Jon Jay          STL   1.3  1.2*
Dexter Fowler    COL   1.2  1.0
Angel Pagan       SF   0.2  2.9

*Only played 2 years

[Erick]

According to fangraphs, Bourn has averaged a 4.6 WAR over the past 3 years, and he's been consistently over 4 on a year-to-year basis.

He's definitely one of the best CF'ers in the game.

The only thing he can't do is hit for power.

[emkayseven]

Are we talking about talent or production here? I'd like someone to look me in the face and tell me Cameron Maybin and Drew Stubbs and Jayson Werth and Chris Young are less talented ballplayers than Michael Fucking Bourn.

[Bobbob1313]

Talent has to = production at some point or else it's not talent.

[Erick]

Are we talking about talent or production here? I'd like someone to look me in the face and tell me Cameron Maybin and Drew Stubbs and Jayson Werth and Chris Young are less talented ballplayers than Michael Fucking Bourn.

I'd say stealing the most bases, being one of the best overall baserunners, and being a great defender indicates a good bit of talent. I certainly can't run like him...

If he had any sort of power, he'd be right up there with the most valuable players in the game.

[Beef]

I'd say stealing the most bases, being one of the best overall baserunners, and being a great defender indicates a good bit of talent. I certainly can't run like him...

If he had any sort of power, he'd be right up there with the most valuable players in the game.

I liked that part the best.