Giancarlo Stanton connected on his first homer of the season tonight — a two-run blast off Mets righty Dillon Gee that marked the 155th round-tripper of his career. The home run had particular significance for Stanton, who now moves past Dan Uggla into sole possession of the Marlins’ all-time franchise home run record. Given his 13-year contract, one can expect that Stanton will occupy the top spot on that list for quite some time.
Another Marlins item and some news from around the division…
- Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto had two hits in the team’s win yesterday and started again on Thursday, and the top prospect could be ticketed for a more significant role on the team moving forward, writes MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro. Manager Mike Redmond said he spoke with Jarrod Saltalamacchia, who is earning $7MM in 2015, about the division of playing time already. “I think it’s always a touchy situation anytime you have conversations with guys, and you have to give them a break,” Redmond explained. “…[W]e’re trying to win ballgames. If giving Salty a few extra days here or there helps him and helps us, then it will be worth it.”
- The Nationals have had quite a bit of bad luck in terms of injuries early in the season, but Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post tweets that GM Mike Rizzo is focusing on internal options to patch up the bullpen. Of course, Janes’ tweet did come prior to the announcement that Craig Stammen may be lost for the season, but the Nats likely were prepared for bad news on Stammen at the time of her tweet.
- Without a left-handed reliever in the bullpen beyond Jake Diekman, the Phillies could use an upgrade in that area but are short on internal options, writes MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki. GM Ruben Amaro Jr. seemingly expressed a bit of frustration that lefty relief option Andy Oliver elected free agency rather than remaining with the club when he didn’t make the Opening Day roster. Zolecki writes that Oliver would’ve been on a short list of potential call-ups, and Amaro spoke candidly about the 27-year-old Oliver’s decision to leave: “We offered him a pretty good deal to come back. He just decided to go somewhere else. I think it was a very foolish move on his part, but that’s OK. He had a choice. He had that right.”
- Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez spoke with Steve Phillips and Todd Hollandsworth of MLB Network Radio about the conversations he had with president of baseball operations John Hart prior to the finalization of the Craig Kimbrel trade (audio link). Gonzalez learned of the strong possibility of a trade 48 hours prior to its completion, and he called that time “maybe the toughest two days.” Gonzalez said it was difficult to see Kimbrel leave because of his talent and what he meant to the organization, and he also discussed the conflict he felt as a manager. “I’m going to have to put on two different hats here,” said Gonzalez. “You’re asking me to trade the best closer in the game, and you’re asking me to win ball games and I’m in the last year of my contract. But then you’re telling me the reasons of why we’re doing it and why it’s going to help the organization. … I took a step back and digested for a day and a half — I think it was going to happen whether I said yes or no — but I said, ’You know what John, this is what’s best for the organization. This is what we have to do.'”
a Braves fan can only hope it’s Fredi’s final year in Atlanta.
I’ll give him a shot at showing his coaching acumen now that we’re focused on manufacturing runs, not just swinging for the fences. Kinda hard to make a managerial impact when the starting whole lineup is K prone.
It’s the responsibility of the manager to change that philosophy which he failed to do. Some of that responsibility fell on the hitting coach as well, thus reason they’re not still with us.
You put Dustin Mcgowan and Cesar Jimenez on the roster before Andy Oliver. Of course he wouldn’t want to stay, he probably felt unlikely to get an opportunity.
It’s pretty bold to come out and say a guy’s decision was foolish too, particularly when the guy’s decision is based on the moves you made. Not a fan of this comment from RAJ.
Par for the course for Ruben. He’s made unnecessary comments about Howard, Ruf, and Biddle Just this year, and that’s off the top of my head..
He finds it difficult to understand that a guy didn’t seem to thrilled by the opportunity of staying in the worst-run organization in baseball.
If I’m him, I couldn’t run from philly fast enough
I feel the same way about Utley. Hamels and Papelbon have already alluded to wanting to win, Rollins is gone, and Utley still wants to stay in Philly. I think it’s a waste of one of the most underrated players in the game over the last decade or so for Utley to not be playing for a team with playoff aspirations while he can still contribute as very good 2B. If he loves Philly that much, he should leave them a nice package of prospects.
I find it very ironic that Amaro throws around the word foolish
That homer by Stanton was the first homer given up by Dillon Gee to the Marlins since August 29, 2011. I was actually at that game.
Stuff like that is cool. I was at the game when Rickey Henderson broke Lou Brock’s stolen base record.
Its crazy to think that Stanton has a chance at 200 HR before he turns 26 (if he hits 45 this year), its crazy to think about his total career number when its all said and done if he can stay healthy for the most part of his 13 year deal.
It’s not really a 13-year deal. He’s got an opt-out he’ll almost definitely use if things are going well.
its still a 13 year deal.. he has 13 guaranteed years.
How about Ryan Howard and $50 M for either Napoli or Craig and an A Prospect?
Craig can play 1B and corner OF. Nap is a FA after this season. I’m thinking a trade for all players concerned might rejuvenate them a bit.
Are you saying a single-a level prospect or an A grade prospect? Even with that much money going with Howard, you’re not getting an A grade prospect in return.
Single A. If Howard can put up the power numbers he had last season and could platoon with whomever of the two RH bats that aren’t part of the trade–it might be good for both teams. We could also expand the trade to include Hamels and some Sox prospects.
The Sox already have a much better version of Howard in Ortiz.
Not pleased by the comment by Ruben (again). I preach that guys like Papelbon should keep their mouth shut and do their job. Same goes for Amaro. Other players hear what’s going on and they don’t want to come play for this team while he’s running it. Thanks RAJ.