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Many fan favorites missing in 2009
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Scott Olsen, 2008 (photo by Mario Alejandro)
With Spring Training right around the corner, the Marlins are gearing up for another year of low budget baseball. While teams from both leagues made huge acquisitions, the Marlins once again waved goodbye to many fan-favorites in order to appease the management.
Here is a list of recent transactions you might have missed:
Mike Jacobs – Kansas City Royals
Jacobs, who led the Majors in home runs in the first month of 2008 was sent packing despite a career year in which he hit 32 home runs and drove in 93 R.B.I. In return, the Marlins picked up RHP Leo Nunez who has 9 wins in four seasons and a career E.R.A close to 5.
Josh Willingham – Washington Nationals
Willingham, who if healthy can carry a team during a month was sent away after a dreadful season in which he managed to play just 102 games due to a back injury. If he can stay healthy in 2009, there is no reason he can’t hit 30 home runs and drive in 100 runners. Added emphasis on "IF".
Scott Olsen – Washington Nationals
Let’s face the truth: Olsen was a Cancer to the Marlins and this Examiner is glad to see him go. Despite being labeled the “Ace” of the staff many times, Olsen never won more than 12 games in a year and has a career losing record.
Not only has Scott gotten into fights with teammates but he has even scuffled with the Miami police which led to his black eye mug shot in 2007 (link).
Joe Nelson, Luis Gonzalez, Matt Treanor, Arthur Rhodes, Mark Hendrikson
While Nelson and Rhodes gave their all and helped the Fish in 2008, both Mark Hendrickson and Matt Treanor did everything possible to lose their jobs.
Mark began the season 5-0 and somehow ended up in the bullpen after going 7-8 with a 4.45 E.R.A. Luckily for him the Baltimore Orioles were desperate enough to sign him and according to the Baltimore Sun, he might even end up in their rotation in 2009.
Luis Gonzalez is what we call a special case. The man who once curiously hit 57 home runs during the height of the Steroid Era still believes he can play full-time for a ball club. As of now, the 41-year old slugger is still a free agent.
As far as Treanor goes, the man is a great catcher but after five seasons it’s clear as day that he cannot hit Major League pitching. In 65 games in 2008, Matt hit just 2 home runs and batted .238 on the year, one point higher than his career average.
You can find Arthur Rhodes with the Cincinnati Reds and Joe Nelson with the American League Champions, Tampa Bay Rays. As of now, no other big trades have been made although it was reported last week that the Boston Red Sox were interested in buying out the contract of Hanley Ramirez (link).
