Brian Meadows did not allow any earned runs in 7 strong innings, and reliever-turned-starter-turned-closer Felix Heredia struck out the sides in the 9th to lead the Marlins to a 3-2 victory over Curt Schilling and the Philadelphia Phillies. Derrek Lee hit his 5th home run (he has 6 hits this season) and Jim Eisenreich his a pinch-hit 2-run home run to account for the runs. After losing 11 consecutive games, the Marlins have now won the last two.
Marlins assigned the following players to the minor-league camp: Pitchers Aaron Akin, Joe Fontenot, Brent Billingsley, Rey Mendoza and Ryan Dempster, catchers Scott Makareqicz, Mike Redmond and Ryan Robertson, first baseman Brian Daubach and outfielder Chris Sheff. Pitcher Blaine Mull, second baseman Amaury Garcia and outfielder Julio Ramirez were optioned to Double A Portland, and shortstop Alex González was optioned to Triple A Charlotte.
The Marlins opened MLB’s 1998 Spring Training by defeating the University of Miami 9-2. The Marlins lineup was composed of minor-league prospects, most notably Josh Booty, Joe Fontenot, and Lou Lucca.
Jim Leyland will present a young lineup for tomorrow’s opening game against the Univeristy of Miami: left fielder Fletcher Bates (23 years old), center fielder Julio Ramirez (20), right fielder Ryan Jackson (26), first baseman Brian Daubach (26), second baseman Amaury Garcia, shortstop Alex González (21), third baseman Josh Booty (22), catcher Scott Makarewicz (30), and designated hitter John Roskos (23). Right-hander Joe Fontenot (20) will start, followed by Brent Billingsley (22), Ryan Dempster (20), Blaine Mull (21), Aaron Akin (20), Rey Mendoza (27) and Nelson Lara (19).
Marlins Catcher Charles Johnson won his arbitration case and will make $3.3 million this year. The team offered $2.25 million.
The Marlins trade Al Leiter and Ralph Milliard to the New York Mets. In return, the Marlins receive minor-league pitchers Jesus Sanchez and A.J. Burnett and outfielder Robert Stratton. Marlins removed $3 million in salary by trading Leiter.
Milliard became the odd man out in the infield with the emergence of Renteria, Counsell, and Castillo.
Sanchez, 23, LHP, 13-10 with a 4.30 ERA and 176 K in 165.1 inning at Class AA.
Stratton, 20, OF, hit .249 with 15 HR in 245 AB but struck out 94 times and walked 19 BB in Rookie League.
Burnett, 22, RHP, allowed only 28 hits in 44 innings at Class A, but walked 35.
Marlins acquire right-handed minor league reliever Hector Ramirez from the Baltimore Orioles for future considerations. The 26 year old Ramirez was 8-7 with a 4.91 ERA in AAA Rochester last season.
Darren Daulton officially announced his retirement after 17 years of professional baseball. Daulton was a member of the Phillies organization for all but the last three months of his career, when he joined the Marlins (in exchange for Billy McMillon) and helped them to a World Series Championship.
Marlins invite new players to Spring Training: P Aaron Akin (1st round pick), IF Dave Berg (UM graduate), IF Chris Clapinski, P Mike Gardiner, C Randy Knorr, and P Brent Billingsley.
Marlins trade utility infielder Kurt Abbott back to the team where they found him four years ago, the Oakland Athletics. Abbott, who made $650,000 last year and was headed to arbitration lost his starting 2B job when the Marlins acquired Craig Counsell. With a wealth of young talent available in the infield, including Alex González and Luis Castillo, Abbott became expendable. In return, the Marlins receive much needed pitching help with RHP Eric Ludwick.