Marlins Opening Day rotation set? Which roster battles are left?

[Fish On First Staff]

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Our Miami Marlins livestreams keep you plugged in and entertained leading up to Opening Day, with special guests and honest analysis of the team.

Some trending topics we expect to cover during this episode:

• The latest on Edward Cabrera's shoulder impingement
• Has Sixto Sánchez shown enough to earn a bullpen spot?
• MLB Network's visit to Marlins camp

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[Chad Turner]

I would say that Fortes has to step up the last 10 games.  Skip loves Casali, and Banfield is hot.  Don't forget he hit 23 HRs last year in AA.  We could use that power behind the plate. 

I hated the Brujan trade since he's out of options.  I guess that forces him on the opening day roster.  I would much rather have Edwards there - or even Gray or Mancini for their power output.  

The OF seems set, with Myers the only incumbent left.  Will they cut bait with Avi?  It seems like he will get at least a month or so since he came into camp in shape this time. 

[Chad Turner]

Best case scenario for Cabrera is that he's on the Brax timeline IMHO.  That takes Puk and Weathers out of the pen and into the rotation, which is well deserved.  Puk's throwing 5 different pitches and Weathers' velo (and control) is up.  Rogers wasn't a shoe-in to make it, but with Meyer sent down, that's what we got.  He's looked decent.  

The 'pen is messy.  Scott needs to put the train back on the rails.  He and Nard dog are the only lefties we have with Simpson (elbow) and Smeltzer not looking good.  Brazoban's locker is cleared out (visa), Chargois (neck)got a late start with reduced velo, and Faucher's got a shoulder.  Bender and Sixto(!) are coming off major injuries, but are pencilled in.  Hoeing and Soriano were probably battling for the long reliever role, but now both could make it.  They will have to hold off the rookies Maldonado and Cronin.  Several NRI's have flashed, including the hard throwing Alvarado.  I guess they possibly could squeeze out one of the roster guys. For now I would go with Scott, Nardi, Bender, Chargois, Soriano, Maldonado, Sixto, and Hoeing, with Cronin being next up.  

[Slacker Mills]

I mostly concur with responder.  How about Tanner Scott? He has to do a 180 these last couple weeks or he simply can't be used. Nardi has been ugly in his own right. My closer right now is the rookie Maldonado. After a bout with nerves in his first outing, he has been perfect. Other notes: Bender is hanging most breaking balls. Soriano is outstanding. I am here with told-you-so regarding Sixto.