The Official National League Wild Card Discussion

[HUGG]

the 12 of us left here

[emkayseven]

the people who write to Rich and Tommy on Twitter Tuesday

[lou]

Probably because like you mentioned, second base is the only position the Marlins will change hands on. They aren't going to get rid of Jones and his negative WAR. McGehee had a first half that will make the Marlins love him for the next three seasons for no reason, and Hech is the greatest thing since sliced bread to the front office, coaching staff, and a large part of the fan base.

I think they will bring in a young play now 1B/3B for Cishek/SP in a trade which would push whoever sucks more of Jones/McGehee to the bench next year. They also have the money (assuming $75 million and a big name SP) to sign some type of veteran 2B/SS/3B type for $3-5 million to beef up the bench, and create a bunch of competition across the board. Combined with improvement (or rather playing) Dietrich/Hernandez/etc., that could be enough to generate somewhat of a positive infield WAR and let the outfield do its thing.

Also, I'm just waiting for the Marlins to justify Hech that his WAR went up 2 points this year. Statistics are fun.

[emkayseven]

I've said this before, but Hech is low on this team's list of concerns.

A team can win with a .650-.690 OPS from shortstop who fields well (though that's up for debate of course). He's Alex Gonzalez with no pop and fewer Ks. If that's your weak link, so be it. The problem isn't that Hech sucks, it's that the rest of the infield does too.

[Bobbob1313]

Well, the problem is that he sucks and they have no interest in considering a possible upgrade. Him sucking is no more or less of a problem than Jones, Valdespin/Solano, 2nd-half McGehee, but the fact that the team considers him someone unworthy of even considering upgrading on is a pretty big problem.

You can survive with a crappy player at any position, provided you can find production elsewhere. You should never be happy with it.

[nny]

The worst part is that the two most likely players to be average in the IF rot away in the minors/bench.

This franchise is beyond terrible

[Bobbob1313]

Dietrich and Bour?
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Or Realmuto?

[Mainge]

Kike?

[nny]

Kike

[Bobbob1313]

Oh, I don't know if he's likely to be an average player at all. Is he considered a plus defender?
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Then again, I don't really have much confidence that Deitrich will be average, but at least he's a high-variance option with some upside thanks to the pop in his bat.

[Mainge]

He said that they're the two players most likely to be average in our system. Not they are likely to be average.

[nny]

We're so in synch

[Bobbob1313]

MIAMI -- Second base by committee isn't how the Marlins drew up their roster before the season, but due to injuries, an opportunity opened for Donovan Solano. The primary focus for the club right now is finishing strong, but the organization also is evaluating how the position may shape up for the future.

Solano has received the bulk of the playing time at second, and he is making a claim to secure the spot on a regular basis. Performance and promise will tell if the 26-year-old is a short-term option or long-term solution.

"He's taking advantage of an opportunity," president of baseball operations Michael Hill said.

Entering Spring Training, the Marlins had planned on going with free agent Rafael Furcal. But a hamstring injury limited the veteran to just nine games. Derek Dietrich was the Opening Day second baseman, but he also was sidelined with a wrist injury.

Jordany Valdespin, Ed Lucas and Jeff Baker were other options. Enrique Hernandez, acquired from the Astros on July 31, is a potential candidate.

"When we built this club, we felt that was going to be Furcal and his veteran leadership and experience," Hill said. "Injuries have obviously limited what he can do.

"As we say, for a team to be successful, you have to be able to weather injuries and the next man up needs to step up and take advantage of the opportunity. Donovan has done that."

Solano played in his 90th game of the season on Friday night in the series opener with the Braves. The question with Solano is whether he is truly an everyday player or better used in a utility role.

Chances are the Marlins will explore their second-base options in the offseason, looking either to make a trade or sign a free agent.

Ideally, they'd like a speedster to lead off, so Christian Yelich, who has led off most of the season, can slide to the two-hole ahead of Giancarlo Stanton.

"It's that thing where you hope you have the personnel internally to help get you through," Hill said. "It will be a source as we continue to evaluate to see if that's the best fit for us moving forward or if we need to go outside and find another option to help us fill that."

lol

[marlinsfan24]

Solano's taking advantage of the situation? Our front office will view tonight's 4 hit game a sign of things to come. I don't mind him off the bench, but a Dietrich/Baker platoon wouldn't be a bad idea next season.

[Bobbob1313]

It would probably be one of the more productive offensive 2B situations in the league.

This front office doesn't believe in platoons.