Category: Spring Training

Marlins Win Spring Opener 4-3

The Marlins played their first game, albeit a Spring Training game, as the Miami Marlins and beat the Cardinals 4-3 at Roger Dean Stadium. Greg Dobbs went 3-3, driving in 3 runs on a home run and 2 doubles. Josh Johnson, in his first game since May 2011, threw 1-2/3 innings allowing 2 hits and a walk while striking out 2. The Marlins next game is on Tuesday against the University of Miami in their first game ever at Marlins Park.

Marlins Acquire Lefty Nate Robertson to be 5th Starter

The Marlins didn’t want to enter the season without a left-handed starter so earlier today they reacquired Nate Robertson from the Detroit Tigers for minor league pitcher Jay Voss. As part of the deal, Detroit will absorb a majority of his $10 million contract. Robertson will take the 5th spot in the rotation, pushing Clay Hensley into the bullpen. Robertson was in the Marlins system as late as 2002 when he was traded to Detroit for Mark Redman.

Marlins Finalize 2009 Roster

The Marlins 2009 roster is now complete.

Pitchers B/T Height Weight Birth Salary
40 Kiko Calero R/R 6-1 210 01/09/75 $500,000
55 Josh Johnson L/R 6-7 230 01/31/84 $1,400,000
20 Logan Kensing R/R 6-1 185 07/03/82 $660,000
22 Matt Lindstrom R/R 6-4 210 02/11/80 $410,000
53 Dan Meyer R/L 6-3 220 07/03/81 $400,000
23 Andrew Miller L/L 6-6 210 05/21/85 $1,575,000
47 Ricky Nolasco R/R 6-2 220 12/13/82 $2,400,000
46 Leo Nunez R/R 6-1 175 08/14/83 $414,500
48 Hayden Penn R/R 6-3 200 10/13/84 $400,000
37 Renyel Pinto L/L 6-4 215 07/08/82 $404,000
43 Scott Proctor* R/R 6-1 195 01/02/77 $750,000
19 Anibal Sanchez R/R 6-0 180 02/27/84 $400,000
56 Rick VandenHurk* R/R 6-5 195 05/22/85 $400,000
41 Chris Volstad R/R 6-8 225 09/23/86 $400,000
 
Catchers B/T Height Weight Birth Salary
21 John Baker L/R 6-1 210 01/20/81 $400,000
29 Ronny Paulino R/R 6-2 245 04/21/81 $440,000
 
Infielders B/T Height Weight Birth Salary
4 Alfredo Amezaga* S/R 5-10 180 01/16/78 $1,300,000
1 Emilio Bonifacio S/R 5-10 195 04/23/85 $400,000
3 Jorge Cantu R/R 6-3 200 01/30/82 $3,500,000
7 Ross Gload L/L 6-1 190 04/05/76 $1,900,000
50 Andy Gonzalez R/R 6-3 205 12/15/81 $400,000
18 Wes Helms R/R 6-4 220 05/12/76 $950,000
2 Hanley Ramirez R/R 6-3 200 12/23/83 $5,500,000
6 Dan Uggla R/R 5-11 200 03/11/80 $5,350,000
 
Outfielders B/T Height Weight Birth Salary
25 Brett Carroll R/R 6-0 190 10/03/82 $400,000
27 Jeremy Hermida L/R 6-3 210 01/30/84 $2,250,000
24 Cameron Maybin R/R 6-4 205 04/04/87 $400,000
12 Cody Ross R/L 5-9 205 12/23/80 $2,225,000

* Disabled List

Sanchez and Miller Round Out Rotation

Anibal Sanchez was named the Marlins’ fourth stater and Andrew Miller will pitch in the fifth spot. Miller‘s first start is scheduled for April 15th, so he will be available for long relief during the first week of the season.

Marlins Acquire Penn and Gload

Robert Andino, who was out of options, to the Baltimore Orioles for right-handed reliever Hayden Penn. Penn hasn’t had a stellar career:

Penn reached the big leagues with the Orioles in 2005, and he’s appeared in seven Grapefruit League games this spring. The right-hander is 0-3 with a 10.06 ERA in 17 innings.

The 24-year-old Penn was 0-4 with a 15.10 ERA in six starts last year, logging 19 2/3 innings.

Additionally, the Fish found a left-handed hitter to come off the bench. The Marlins acquired 33-year old Ross Gload and cash from the Kansas City Royals for a player to be named later.

Gaby Sanchez to Start… For AAA New Orleans

Gaby Sanchez was the favorite to take over at first base but after a weak spring, he is heading to AAA. This likely means Jorge Cantu will move to first base and Emilio Bonifacio will take over third.

Marlins Acquire Catcher Ronny Paulino

Apparently not satisfied with their catching depth, the Marlins have acquired Ronny Paulino from the giants for minor league right-handed pitcher Hector Correa.

Paulino, 27, was traded to the Giants from Philadelphia for left-handed pitcher Jack Taschner Friday night prior to being traded to Florida. He was previously traded to the Phillies from Pittsburgh on December 10, 2008 in exchange for catcher Jason Jaramillo. He had spent his entire career with the Pirates, posting a career average of .278 (284×1021) with 49 doubles, 19 home runs and 128 RBI in 304 Major League games.

The Santo Domingo, DR native appeared in just 40 games with Pittsburgh last season while battling a right ankle sprain. For his career Paulino has thrown out 51 of 165 (24%) of runners attempting to steal. A right-handed hitter, he owns a career .355 (92×259) average against left-handed pitchers. Paulino was originally signed as a non-drafted free agent by the Pittsburgh Pirates on December 29, 1997.

I guess Mike Rabelo is still not good enough for the big leagues.

Update: The Marlins didn’t wait long. Mike Rabelo and Brett Hayes were sent down to AAA.

And Your Opening Day Starter is…

Ricky Nolasco.

I guess throwing a no-hitter in Spring Training made the decision easier for Fredi Gonzalez.

As expected, Josh Johnson will take the second spot and Chris Volstad will pitch the third game. Either Anibal Sanchez or Andrew Miller will take the fourth spot with the other going to the bullpen until April 18th, when the Marlins will need a fifth starter. Continue reading And Your Opening Day Starter is…

Tank to AAA and Other Roster Moves

The Marlins have made several roster moves in the past couple of days:

  • Taylor Tankersley and Ryan Tucker were options to AAA
  • Tim Wood was optioned to AA
  • Chris Coghlan was assigned to the Minor League camp
  • Carlos Vasquez (LHP) signed a Minor League deal
  • Frankie De La Cruz was claimed off waivers by the Padres. The Marlins pulled him back and then agreed to trade him for cash and a player to be named later.