Team Report

We all know the Marlins head into the long off season with a record number of arbitration eligible players set to make more money. While there are 15 arby players, not all of them will return with the Fish next year. With a little help from Yahoo Sports, I will break down our off season outlook…

Free Agents: OF Luis Gonzalez, C Paul LoDuca, LHP Arthur Rhodes, LHP Mark Hendrickson.

The only one from this group that I expect to return is Arthur Rhodes. Rhodes is still effective even as he gets older. Problem is he can’t give you more than a few batters a game. Rhodes was a huge asset down the stretch last year when Renyel Pinto started struggling. A one year offer seems fair for Rhodes who deserves a Kevin Gregg 2008 type salary, considering he was much more effective than Gregg.

Arbitration-eligible: 2B Dan Uggla, RHP Kevin Gregg, LHP Scott Olsen, RHP Ricky Nolasco, 1B Mike Jacobs, LF Josh Willingham, 3B Jorge Cantu, RF Jeremy Hermida, CF Cody Ross, INF Alfredo Amezaga, RHP Josh Johnson, C Matt Treanor, RHP Joe Nelson, RHP Logan Kensing, 3B Dallas McPherson.

We already know the story on most of these guys. I do expect the majority of these guys to be back and battling in Spring Training for starting jobs. Kevin Gregg, Mike Jacobs and Scott Olsen are 80-90% gone and guys like Dan Uggla would be traded only if the Marlins are blown away by an offer. That being said Hermida should get another shot in Spring Training to prove he is worth sticking around. Cantu should be back as well. I also expect McPherson to get a legitimate shot out of Spring Training for third base.

Fire Up That Hot Stove Baby!

Out of any writer in the Miami Herald, Barry Jackson seems to get the most juicy information on a weekly basis. Looking past the fact that Antoine Walker spent $6500 bucks on champagne and Patron at club BED in Miami, Barry brings us some good info this morning regarding potential trades going down for the Marlins.

First off it looks like the Marlins are looking to increase payroll into the $30-35 million range, which would be a drastic increase in Marlins terms from the $22 million dollar payroll in 2008. One of the people I’ve been hoping that the Marlins would put on the block was almost dealt last week in a deal with the Royals…

The Marlins, who had a $22 million payroll in 2008, wanted to deal Jacobs to Kansas City, but the deal died last week because of a medical issue involving the minor-league pitcher that Florida would have received. The Marlins also spoke to Toronto and San Francisco about Jacobs.

If the Marlins move Jake, which I hope they do, they could slide Gaby Sanchez into that role, who we got a sneak peak of at the end of the 2008 season. Jorge Cantu is also a viable candidate to slide over from third base, allowing Dallas McPherson a legitimate shot to make the team out of camp.

It looks like most GM’s value Jacobs and Olsen the most, as the Marlins have been discussing deals for Olsen as well making room for Andrew Miller to grab a rotation spot. Olsen is a great sell high candidate after his bounce back season.

Check the rest of the article over at the Herald.

Flying Bullets (Monday)

• Got a chance to make it out to the BAC on Friday night for the return of Roberto Luongo and his crazy father in law. The BAC was in a frenzy all night long. 17,000+ fans showed up for the matchup and the free TV giveaways. I didn’t win a TV but I did lose my voice and argue with some silly Canadians. Such fun! Check a few pictures below taken from my iPhone.

• George Richards from the most entertaining and informative blog on Miami Herald gives us an update on our walking wounded. According to JM, Radek Dvorak has two broken bones in his hand, will be out four to six weeks. I spoke to Radek after Saturday’s game, he was optimistic he was going to be OK. Apparently that’s not the case.

• Jason Taylor. All around good guy and official 2008 NFL Pimp.

• Did I mention earlier the Patriots lost? Check some Pats fans reactions here, here and here. KSK is also priceless today.

• Last week the Marlins signed Dallas McPherson. The Mets signed Johan Santana. I’d say we balanced each other out.

• Mercury Morris. Still yapping and yapping and yapping. I guess Tom Brady is cutting his front lawn this morning.