All the news that fits this blog.

It’s pretty obvious now that if the Marlins want to win the division, they’re going to have to get great starting pitching. Thankfully, we know have 5 good starters to work with.

The good news it that the Marlins just strengthened their bullpen by acquiring Arthur Rhodes from the Seattle Mariners. The terrible news is that they gave up Gaby Hernandez. More details to follow.

Update: I’m slowly getting used to this deal. I still thing Gaby was a high price to pay, even for a good lefty reliever. But, the Marlins organization has other young pitchers (including 5 in the starting rotation) and we finally addressed our biggest need so please join me in welcoming Arthur Rhodes.

Update 2: Now I’m wondering who we send down to make room for Rhodes. Unless we release Mark Hendrickson, the rest of the bullpen is very solid. My best guess is that Robert Andino will get back on the Albuquerque express.

At the opening of today’s trial involving Norman Braman’s attempt to stop the Miami Megaplan (which includes the Marlin’s Ballpark), the following happened:

”At this time I am ordering all the parties back in mediation,” Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Jeri Beth Cohen told a packed courtroom just before 1:30 p.m. Thursday.

Her order may indicate that the parties — which had scrambled Tuesday and Wednesday to broker an agreement — may in reality be close to reaching such an accord.

This move apparently surprised the parties but is actually common in today’s busy court systems where busy Judges prefer to force sides into a settlement, especially if one is possible as is suggested above.

The proposed compromise seems to conflict with Norman Braman’s holier-than-thou arguments:

Those familiar with the proceedings said the last minute negotiations centered around an offer to build a community center next to the stadium and more public use of what will be a county-owned ballpark. But no closure was reached — at least not yet.

I think Greg Cote captured the double-standard/hypocrisy in his editorial today.

Assuming nothing changes in the next few days, the parties will meet again with the Judge on Monday.

Hanley Ramirez became the second Marlin every voted into a starting position for an All-Star game. Joining Hanley, who will start at shortstop in his first ever All-Star game, is Dan Uggla who will be part of his second All-Star game and is one of a few candidates for the starting DH position. Uggla is also likely to participate in the Home Run Derby.

Despite being 45-43 and only 2.5 games out of first in early July, the Marlins are about to undergo major changes. The pitching staff, most desperately needing help right now, is changing radically as both Josh Johnson and Chris Volstad are moving into the starting rotation this week. With Anibal Sanchez beginning his rehab starts, the Fish suddenly have 5 really good pitchers (assuming the newly healthy can remain that way). Mark Hendrickson and Ryan Tucker will move to the bullpen where they can help eat innings from an injured and overworked pen.

MVN is reporting that the Marlins called up Chris Volstad to make his major league debut on Sunday against he Rockies. Scheduled started Mark Hendrickson is allegedly being demote to the bullpen. While Albuquerque is not terribly far from Denver, it’s a bit surprising, if true, to have Volstad start on 3-days rest. Plus, the Marlins would have to add him to the 40-man roster. If true, it shows the Fish are serious about the season and willing to risk bringing up a top prospect to turn the ship around.

We’ll see.

Update: He’s up but not starting today.

Rich and Tommy just reported that Hanley Ramirez has been named the National League Player of the Month for June. He is the first Marlin to win this award since Jeff Conine in 1995. More details to follow.

Update: Here is the official announcement.

Ramirez, who leads all NL shortstops in votes for the All-Star Game, hit .298 (34-114), with six doubles, a triple, 10 home runs, 13 RBIs and 27 runs scored in June. Ramirez, who added 13 walks and was 7-for-7 in stolen base attempts, led the NL in home runs, runs scored and total bases (72) over the month.

On Sunday, Mike Rabelo was on the bad end of several mistakes — the kind of errors and mental lapses we’ve seen happen to this team often. But now, perhaps as a wake-up call to the entire roster, the Fish have sent Rabelo down to AAA and called up Paul Hoover. Hopefully, Rabelo will benefit from this opportunity to start everyday and get his act together.

Congrats to Ricky Nolasco who was named the National League Co-Player of the Week (he is sharing the award with some guy from the Pirates).

Ricky went 2-0 this week with a 1.23 ERA, dominating two good teams (Philadelphia and Tampa Bay). In last night’s game against Tampa, he struck out 12 and was one out away from the Marlins’ first complete game since 1962 [Update: For those who didn't realize it, that was a joke. The Marlins are on course to set the MLB record for the most consecutive games without a complete game. The last Marlins complete game was on September 10, 2006 when Dontrelle Willis shutout the Phillies 3-0]..

Jacque Jones was designated for assignment this evening. He didn’t hit much and frankly showed no signs of returning to form. He is smart enough to know it:

Jones, 33, took the news surprisingly well, especially since he’s hitting a combined .147 in 116 at-bats with the Tigers and Marlins this year. He was smiling in the clubhouse, saying he needs to “get his head together.”

Robert Andino is back up giving the Fish another infielder while allowing Cody Ross and Alfredo Amezaga to continue their good work in center field.