By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com
Do you see Hanley Ramirez staying at shortstop, or will the Marlins move him to another position in the near future?
-- Mark S., Washington D.C.
For the foreseeable future, yes, Ramirez will play shortstop. Defensively, he's made a number of sensational plays. Of course, the errors have been an issue, but some of them have been more mental miscues, as he may have tried to do too much in certain situations. With more experience, he should cut down on that total. Remember, this is just his third season.
Simply, Ramirez has the athleticism and skills to be a well-above average defensive player. If years down the line, say, his body gets to the point where he outgrows the position (meaning his quickness and range diminish), then there may be consideration to switch him to another spot. We're not even close to that point.
Do you think the Marlins have found their third baseman of the future in Jorge Cantu? He is only 26 and is very productive for his price, when healthy and given the at-bats. When given a year's worth of at-bats in 2005, he hit .286 with 28 home runs, 117 RBIs and 40 doubles. His defense will always be a problem, and he still hasn't found a position after coming up as a second baseman with Tampa Bay. Could he possibly be moved to left field with Dallas McPherson in Triple-A?
-- Pat W., Tulsa, Okla.
Interesting idea to move Cantu to left field, especially with Josh Willingham on the DL. But as for the third baseman of the future, Matt Dominguez projects more to be the long-term answer. Still, Dominguez is just 18, and I would suspect he would be more of an option around 2011, the year the team is scheduled to be into its new stadium.
With Cantu, this is obviously a big opportunity for him. This team likes to let things play out. Another thing about the Marlins is they clearly will go year-to-year on a number of players. They look for production, and as long as Cantu posts strong numbers, he will get an opportunity. McPherson was a nice signing, and now he is getting some steady playing time in Triple-A. My gut feeling is Cantu and McPherson will probably be factors in the next year or two, but not longer-term options. The team has a pretty good track record of recycling players that fit the profile of Cantu and McPherson.
Is this the future lineup for Opening Day 2011 at the new stadium? Are all these players in the Marlins' long-term future? Lineup: Cameron Maybin (CF), Jeremy Hermida (RF), Ramirez (SS), Mike Jacobs (1B), Willingham (LF), Dan Uggla (2B), Dominguez (3B) and Mike Rabelo (C). Rotation: Scott Olsen, Josh Johnson, Anibal Sanchez, Andrew Miller and Burke Badenhop.
-- Keith, Miami
It's fun to speculate about what the team will look like three years down the road. Now that Ramirez is locked up with his new six-year contract, we know he is part of the plans for 2011. Beyond him, however, it is speculative. Willingham and Jacobs have dealt with their share of injuries. Uggla posts big power numbers, but Chris Coghlan is a strong prospect who plays second base. So will the team commit to Uggla three years down the road? That's hard to say. Dominguez, by the time he is ready, projects far higher than a No. 8 hitter. Maybin, of course, is tabbed the center fielder of the future. He is gaining more experience at Double-A.
The rotation you mention leaves out Chris Volstad and some other standouts in the Minor Leagues. Volstad could get a call up before the All-Star break this year, and he is viewed as a front-line starter, perhaps as early as 2009.
What people shouldn't overlook is there are some quality players throughout the organization, and the track record of management is it can put talent together.
If you look at Ramirez, Maybin and Dominguez as building blocks, then all the rest of the parts should fit together, eventually. There will be turnover, but that doesn't mean the team will be in for lean years.
Even though I don't live in Florida, I'm really disappointed with the show of fan support at the games this year. Attendance is around 12,000, but the team is staying competitive. The Marlins have a new stadium deal in place, and the fans are still not coming to games. Do you think it was a mistake not moving the team to a city that would love to see MLB? Do you think things will change?
-- Gary R., Rochester, N.Y.
I hear what you're saying, and attendance questions are frequently asked. As noted in past mailbags, this is a tiresome topic to those of us who've seen this happen for years on end. That said, I do believe attendance will pick up as momentum of the new ballpark keeps growing. Major League Baseball stuck its neck out, and strongly assisted in the new stadium deal being passed. I think once ground breaks, and more people realize the stadium will be built, the apathy should subside. It will take time, but I've been pretty optimistic about how this market can grow. Until season tickets dramatically boost, you will see crowds in the 12,000 range. That's what happens when the season-ticket base is below 5,000. Now if the season tickets are 5,000 in the new park, then, yes, there will be a big concern. I don't see that happening, though.
Logan Kensing is pitching great after Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery. Do you think this time next year Josh Johnson will have the same kind of success coming back from Tommy John surgery?
-- Isaac, Miami
There is hope that Johnson, who had his procedure early last August, will be ready sometime in August or September.
One thing to consider is Johnson is a starting pitcher, while Kensing is a reliever. Typically, a starter needs more time to build up for more innings. Without question, there is encouragement regarding Johnson's progress. If he can get back late in the year, and get a few innings in, it should help his frame of mind heading into 2009.
I do expect Johnson to be a major contributor next season. When healthy, he is a top-of-the-rotation talent.
