Marlins Extend Manager Gonzalez

[love_that_reefer]

The Marlins have signed manager Fredi Gonzalez to a two-year extension through 2011.
Gonzalez, hired after Joe Girardi was fired following the 2006 season, is 155-168 with Florida. It's safe to assume that he'll remain one of the game's lowest-paid managers, but at least he will have a fair amount of job security.

This was a no brainer. I am going to go ahead and reveal one of my picks and that is the Marlins finishing second in the NL East and Gonzalez is part of that. He is a good manager and the players love him. Its ownership they hate. I think the Marlins have the pitching and the offense to move up the ladder in East. It was good to see the Marlins commit to Gonzalez even if it is for just two more years.

[NYgiantsfan5689]

Marlins are still not on par with the World Series champs and an improved Mets team

[love_that_reefer]

An improved Mets team? When Bobby Cox says the Marlins have the best pitching in the East, I listen.

[NYgiantsfan5689]

Rotation:
Ricky Nolasco, Josh Johnson, Chris Volstad, Anibal Sanchez, and Andrew Miller
vs.
Johan Santana, Mike Pelfrey, Oliver Perez, John Maine, and Freddy Garcia/Livan Hernandez/John Neise/Tim Redding

advantage: Mets

Bullpen:

Scott Proctor/Logan Kensing/Renyel Pinto -> Leo Nunez -> Matt Lindstrom
vs.
Pedro Feliciano/Duaner Sanchez/Sean Green -> JJ Putz -> Francisco Rodriguez

advantage: Mets

It's not even close. Bobby Cox is old and blowing smoke. He just wants to take the spotlight away from the much better Mets staff. I don't even see how this is a close argument.

[love_that_reefer]

Advantage Mets on the rotation? I'm not buying that one. The Marlins finished just 7.5 games out of first and they got even better this year. Its cool you don't see it, I do and I believe it. The Marlins have an offense and damn good pitching to compete with any team. To say they are not on par when they finished just 7.5 games out of first is silly.

[love_that_reefer]

And why would Bobby Cox blow smoke about an inter-division rival's pitching staff?

[NYgiantsfan5689]

Marlins staff ERA's from last year:
Nolasco: 3.52
Johnson: 3.61
Volstad: 2.88 (only pitched in 14 games, with a 6-4 record)
Sanchez: 5.57 (only pitched in 10 games)
Miller: 5.87

Mets rotation ERA's from last year:
Santana: 2.53
Pelfrey: 3.72
Perez: 4.22
Maine: 4.18
Redding (has the most games pitched out of those): 4.78

There is no weak link here. There's a weak link in the Marlins staff, which is Volstad Sanchez having very limited MLB time, and Sanchez and Andrew Miller being so horrible last year.

[love_that_reefer]

Tim Redding isn't a weak link? Perez isn't always a mystery? Volstad is hardly a weak link. He's 22 and flat out good. He needs to work on his control a bit but that will come, guys still aren't hitting him. Miller had knee problems last year and Sanchez was coming off arm surgery. Expect them to much improved this year if healthy. Nolasco, Volstad and Johnson make for a scary three headed monster in the East. Point is they are on par with the two teams that finished ahead of them last season.