TheFightinPhils
02-08-2005, 02:03 PM
MIAMI LAKES, Fla. -- For the most part, a majority of the pieces are in place in the Marlins' projected everyday lineup.
Still unsettled, however, is the regular right fielder.
The free agent signing of first baseman Carlos Delgado left veteran Jeff Conine without a position, and has created several outfield options.
Now, the Marlins are confronted with some tough decisions. Do they sit Conine, a consistent run producer, and start Juan Encarnacion in right field? Or do they swap Miguel Cabrera from left to right field, not his favorite position? By moving Cabrera to right field, Conine could slide into left field and Encarnacion would sit.
During the Marlins Caravan, which is spanning various South Florida stops through Friday, general manager Larry Beinfest addressed the situation. The team is open to a number of ideas and not locked into any. Health and performance will eventually sort things out.
One thing Beinfest made clear is the team isn't viewing having too much talent as a dilemma. Manager Jack McKeon has long preached that situations correct themselves, noting unexpected injuries or lack of performance.
As of now, it doesn't appear either Conine or Encarnacion will be traded.
"It's a good thing to have, too many good players," Beinfest said. "I think health is the No. 1 thing."
Encarnacion and Conine each had offseason shoulder surgeries. Encarnacion underwent a procedure on his left shoulder in October, while Conine had two surgeries to his right shoulder.
"We've got to see where both these guys are," Beinfest said. "I think Juan is going to be fine and will be ready to go [when Spring Training begins]. Jeff is going to be a little bit behind, but he's working hard. These things have a way of working themselves out."
Encarnacion has more speed and a terrific arm in right field. He can also play left and center, although he has established himself in right. But Encarnacion was inconsistent last year, partly because of his shoulder injury. In 49 games as a Marlin, he batted .238 with three homers and 19 RBIs.
Conine, coming off a .280 season with 83 RBIs, can play first base, third base and the two corner outfield spots.
"In Encarnacion's case, he can play all three outfield positions, but he's an outstanding right fielder," Beinfest said. "In Jeff's case, he can play four positions. They both add depth. Jack and I have talked about it, and there is no easy answer right now."
Toss into the equation Cabrera.
In April, the budding star turns 22, and already he has played left field, right field, third base and even some shortstop (in the 2003 NLCS) in his brief big league career.
A converted infielder, Cabrera opened last year in right field, but he wasn't comfortable there. He has said he sees the ball better coming off the bat playing in left field, and prefers that position. The move to left came when Encarnacion was acquired from the Dodgers in late July, which led to Conine sliding into first base for the second half of 2004.
Keeping Cabrera happy and productive is crucial. But Beinfest isn't ruling out switching the Venezuelan star to right field.
"I don't think we'd rule anything out. After we saw Miguel in right, everybody, including Miguel, thought he was more comfortable in left," Beinfest said. "But that's because we were able to bring back a better than average right fielder in Juan. But I wouldn't rule anything out with Miguel. He has shown he can do it anywhere at any time. As long as his bat is in the lineup, we'll find a spot for him.
"We're not quite sure how that is going to play out. We really don't until we start playing. We'll figure it out."
Cabrera is coming off a 33-homer, 112-RBI season, and he promises to equal or surpass those numbers with Delgado batting behind him.
"I would be very sensitive to Miguel," Beinfest said. "When Jack put him in right field in the NLCS, he didn't say boo. He's never said boo to me. He's just a great kid and he's been so adaptable. I do think at times we take him for granted a little bit. We hope that we don't. If we do, it's because he's just been so good from Day 1. He can do so many things for us."
At least early in Spring Training, Cabrera probably will remain in left field and Encarnacion in right field because of Conine's rehabilitation schedule. Conine is working towards being healthy for the April 5 season opener against the Braves. Over the course of the season, circumstances will dictate.
"You want to add as much depth as possible," Beinfest said. "We'll see how it all figures out."
http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/fla/news/fla_news.jsp?ymd=20050208&content_id=940586&vkey=news_fla&fext=.jsp
Still unsettled, however, is the regular right fielder.
The free agent signing of first baseman Carlos Delgado left veteran Jeff Conine without a position, and has created several outfield options.
Now, the Marlins are confronted with some tough decisions. Do they sit Conine, a consistent run producer, and start Juan Encarnacion in right field? Or do they swap Miguel Cabrera from left to right field, not his favorite position? By moving Cabrera to right field, Conine could slide into left field and Encarnacion would sit.
During the Marlins Caravan, which is spanning various South Florida stops through Friday, general manager Larry Beinfest addressed the situation. The team is open to a number of ideas and not locked into any. Health and performance will eventually sort things out.
One thing Beinfest made clear is the team isn't viewing having too much talent as a dilemma. Manager Jack McKeon has long preached that situations correct themselves, noting unexpected injuries or lack of performance.
As of now, it doesn't appear either Conine or Encarnacion will be traded.
"It's a good thing to have, too many good players," Beinfest said. "I think health is the No. 1 thing."
Encarnacion and Conine each had offseason shoulder surgeries. Encarnacion underwent a procedure on his left shoulder in October, while Conine had two surgeries to his right shoulder.
"We've got to see where both these guys are," Beinfest said. "I think Juan is going to be fine and will be ready to go [when Spring Training begins]. Jeff is going to be a little bit behind, but he's working hard. These things have a way of working themselves out."
Encarnacion has more speed and a terrific arm in right field. He can also play left and center, although he has established himself in right. But Encarnacion was inconsistent last year, partly because of his shoulder injury. In 49 games as a Marlin, he batted .238 with three homers and 19 RBIs.
Conine, coming off a .280 season with 83 RBIs, can play first base, third base and the two corner outfield spots.
"In Encarnacion's case, he can play all three outfield positions, but he's an outstanding right fielder," Beinfest said. "In Jeff's case, he can play four positions. They both add depth. Jack and I have talked about it, and there is no easy answer right now."
Toss into the equation Cabrera.
In April, the budding star turns 22, and already he has played left field, right field, third base and even some shortstop (in the 2003 NLCS) in his brief big league career.
A converted infielder, Cabrera opened last year in right field, but he wasn't comfortable there. He has said he sees the ball better coming off the bat playing in left field, and prefers that position. The move to left came when Encarnacion was acquired from the Dodgers in late July, which led to Conine sliding into first base for the second half of 2004.
Keeping Cabrera happy and productive is crucial. But Beinfest isn't ruling out switching the Venezuelan star to right field.
"I don't think we'd rule anything out. After we saw Miguel in right, everybody, including Miguel, thought he was more comfortable in left," Beinfest said. "But that's because we were able to bring back a better than average right fielder in Juan. But I wouldn't rule anything out with Miguel. He has shown he can do it anywhere at any time. As long as his bat is in the lineup, we'll find a spot for him.
"We're not quite sure how that is going to play out. We really don't until we start playing. We'll figure it out."
Cabrera is coming off a 33-homer, 112-RBI season, and he promises to equal or surpass those numbers with Delgado batting behind him.
"I would be very sensitive to Miguel," Beinfest said. "When Jack put him in right field in the NLCS, he didn't say boo. He's never said boo to me. He's just a great kid and he's been so adaptable. I do think at times we take him for granted a little bit. We hope that we don't. If we do, it's because he's just been so good from Day 1. He can do so many things for us."
At least early in Spring Training, Cabrera probably will remain in left field and Encarnacion in right field because of Conine's rehabilitation schedule. Conine is working towards being healthy for the April 5 season opener against the Braves. Over the course of the season, circumstances will dictate.
"You want to add as much depth as possible," Beinfest said. "We'll see how it all figures out."
http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/fla/news/fla_news.jsp?ymd=20050208&content_id=940586&vkey=news_fla&fext=.jsp