| Chris Hoyler. 31st August, 2005 - 5:19 pm
 Rather than turn this into another trite, albeit well-deserved, worship of the Marlins’ pitching staff, this week’s space will be devoted to critiquing the failure of the offense to win games. With September here and the Marlins schedule literally filled with playoff contenders and Wild Card rivals, one problem looms in their attempt to regain their World Series crown.
Aside from Carlos Delgado and Miguel Cabrera, the Marlins have not hit a home run since August 5th. In case you do not understand the enormity of that statement, let’s use a broader context to define this futility. Since the All-Star break, which was 50 days and 46 games ago, the Marlins have hit 32 HRs, 18 of which have come from Delgado and Cabrera. In other words, Jason Giambi, Alex Rodriguez, Ken Griffey Jr. and Andruw Jones have all hit more HRs since that meaningless game in Detroit than the other 23 guys on the Florida roster not named Carlos and Miguel.
There are not enough statistics out there to describe how difficult winning a playoff berth will be if this trend continues through September. The arms are going to tire a bit, as evidenced by the 32 runs allowed in the last five games. Todd Jones is not going to be able to throw every night, making the occasional blowout in support of a dominant start crucial.
The perceived solutions to this problem are admittedly untested and can be called, at best, risky. Here’s a look at what could be done over the next month to remedy the offensive woes:
Benching, or occasionally resting, Mike Lowell
Reasons: Lowell has not continued his July resurgence through August, hitting only .211 for the month with just 1 HR and 7 RBI. He has also been leaving men on base and posting bad at bats in key situations.
Changes: Cabrera has moved to third, which has long been rumored as the move the Florida front office wants. Jeff Conine plays left field, a temporary solution, as Jeremy Hermida is due up soon and for good next season. Lowell plays third and Cabrera plays left no more than twice a week, depending solely on the matchups.
Early Returns: Not terrible, but not good either. Lowell has been solid as a pinch hitter, getting back to back hits in one AB appearances last week. Conine and Cabrera, in the two and three holes, respectively, carried the offense in the 7-5 victory at Wrigley last Friday. Conine also left five men on base in Monday’s 6-1 loss to St. Louis.
Odds of this continuing through September: 2-1
Calling up Hermida and playing him everyday in LF
Reasons: Conine is more valuable off the bench in the long term. Hermida, who has dominated at every level, is the last brick to completing the house that is the Marlins 2006 lineup, possibly providing a Cabrera-like playoff jump.
Changes: Conine sits the bench with Lowell most days, strengthening that part of the team drastically. Cabrera is now, and forever, the everyday third baseman. Lowell can play twice a week, with again the emphasis being on matchups. He can rest Delgado at first and Cabrera at third, while Conine can do the same at first and handle left and right field in a pinch.
Early Returns: Not applicable, as Hermida has not played yet. This scenario, though, is my personal favorite due to the flexibility is provides.
Odds of this happening and continuing through September: 5-1
Calling up Joe Dillon to play 3B and keeping Cabrera in LF
Reasons: Dillon is the best hitter in minor league baseball this season. Though he is 29 years old, the Albuquerque 3B is batting .360 AVG/.440 OBP/.637 SLG with 24 HRs and 71 RBIs. The Marlins never seem to give him a full chance, while scouts and pundits label Dillon a career AAAA player. I’d like to see him get a chance with a full slate of MLB plate appearances.
Changes: Dillon play 3B with Lowell, splitting the time based on the ever-popular match up theory. Cabrera plays left with Conine being the utility/bench guy.
Early Returns: N/A
Odds of this happening and continuing through September: 20-1
How Trader Jack goes about implementing his strategy remains to be seen, but with the schedule calling for 17 straight days of games against the Mets, Nationals, Phillies and Astros, something must be done now. Maybe the fact that the team only plays ten more home games this season will help boost the bats, as Pro Player’s drab crowds and large alleys seem to sap the Marlins’ will to hit. Or something like that. |
