THOMAS JOSEPH

Thank you for the balanced wrap of Arraez's regular season. The third batting title displays astonishing consistency as the league's BA continues to be lukewarm. Last time I looked, only seven big leagues were batting .300 or better. Seven. His accomplishment is impressive on its face, more so considering the adjustments emanating from changing teams. You wrapped up regarding Arraez's salary projections. Could he be on the move again, especially if the Friars break through for a first WS title? The multi-layered considerations of modern baseball, indeed.

Well done, Mr. Weathers. The sweep and two-pitcher game are a nice sendoff. Your X post regarding positive Bendix moves was properly balanced. It's a wild one, but my fantasy is a third Marlins WS title before the Dodgers win another. My goodness, baseball would mess the bed!

I like the direction of your thinking, especially regarding the pitching and ST opportunities. Doubt that FAs are in the picture, and frankly, I can understand that. Lastly, you named Tinoco, and rightly so. I neglected him as one of Bendix's "steals" last season. I'm excited to see this FO's plan implementation.

"The arms coming back" alone should translate to ten to fifteen wins. Oller, Bellozo, Faucher, and Cronin were all steals. Also important were the ABs for the young new core. No way I am pessimistic at this juncture. I do take a bit of an issue with Azout's that "it (Bendix's direction) remains unclear. Although its true that our insights as front office outsiders can't be complete, I wager Bendix is an inveterate planner with quite specific plans, target, and a timeline. I am wary because of baseball's utter unpredictability, of course. Still, the deliberateness of Bendix's strategy feels comforting to me compared to reliance on piecemeal free agent signings, incoherent drafting, and poor developmental accountability.

This is useful - thanks! Outside of FA pursuits, this off-season will be predictably Bendix active. Dude has no compunction about moves, we know. That 40-man roster chart could be a hamster wheel. Lol.

Wagering Oller and Bellozo are on the 2025 Opening Day roster.

Condolences to Skip Schumaker and his family. I wish him the best in Cincinnati or wherever he lands.

Congrats to the Baumanns! Along with Oller and Bellozo, I think he has a chance at the Opening Day roster. The Marlins need a long reliever and coverage until Perez returns (at least).

Last series: "My reverse psychology; Twins win 2 of 3. "Knickers" Santana as MVP" I must continue with the RP: Blue Jays win 2 of 4. George "Will Anyone Take my Contract" Springer as MVP. LOL.

As the colloquialism goes, it's all on Bendix going forward, I'm onboard with the long-term drafting and developmental strategy as the only way forward to Marlins sustainable competitiveness.

There should be plenty of playing time for both, but I suspect changes over the winter will be involved, of course.

Sorry that I will miss the show tonight live. I will watch the replay. Look forward to seeing it. Cheers.

Enjoyed the "draft."

My reverse psychology; Twins win 2 of 3. "Knickers" Santana as MVP.

Less than 1000 fans a game different coming off a playoff season? I don't see why the Marlins would worry about the record then.

Thank you. I will keep an eye out.

Are you planning a more detailed look at David Hernandez-Beayne? It's a key position for the Marlins revamp. I saw Peter Pratt's "X" comment about the Jumbo Shrimp's lineup now, and I agree that it was quite interesting. Lots of names I recognized over on the Gwinnett side, too, including your recent Flipped Fish designee, Sandy Leon, and Luke Williams. You mentioned the Tigers - an interesting team for a change, although they will likely fall short of a WC berth. Baez is a stone waste, but the team offers a few bright spots in that bleak city. Lastly, Marlins fans may appreciate the ChiSox's futility (worse than ours). They have made serious miscalculations. Even if Benintendi has rebounded, his contract is atrocious for a team in their situation. They missed the opportunity to move Robert before his production collapsed. Moncada has been hurt and his contract is a serious overreach - the option isn't happening under any circumstances. Still, unlike the Marlins. Reinsdorf has plenty of income to do as he likes but has already announced there won't be help coming this offseason. Fans are howling with the obligatory, yet utterly impotent, demand that he sell the team. He is likely considering the almost certain CBA chaos after next season before deciding on his next moves - smart.

I am perfectly fine if the Marlins are defeated by the likes of Kike Hernandez and Tommy Edman. So be it. This won't happen often in the playoffs. Of course, the Dodgers will fail again this year if teams follow this strategy. Nothing to Ohtani, mitigate Betts. That's it. Their pitching is adequate, but not enough. It's another season for Dodger fans to console themselves with regular season wins, I suspect (hope)! There is nothing sweeter than watching the big timber fall (again and again). They do look good, though. LOL.

I'll be the jerk that says don't give Ohtani anything to hit - don't give a rip about the optics. Let Muncy or one of the other Hollywood dancers beat us. No way, if I am the pitcher, that I want to be a trivia question answer. Let some Rockies guy give up number 50. Don't care about Ohtani, the records, the Dodgers, or what the league wants. This is our house and there needs to be a modicum of respect from somewhere. PS: I like Muncy and Betts with their little dances. Sore ribs for them both. Grow some cajónes, Marlins pitchers. Of course, they, too, are so enthralled with Ohtani. Cowboy the "f" up and ambush these teams as the season closes. Respect. It's something taken on the baseball field. Then you can go into the post-game press conference and gush about Ohtani, Mr. Regular Season Roberts, and the Dodgers.

I watched Garrett and the Jumbo Shrimp last night. I know it is a long shot to expect the Marlins to keep Alcantara, but the potential starting pitching staff reunion for the Marlins is quite exciting. I loved Sielaff's pronouncement on Peter Pratt's Locked on Marlins show regarding the time frame for Marlins' competitiveness (or even playoff contention). The combination of fluid rosters, injuries, and the three WC spots make it reasonable. We don't need to worry about a division title. Give me the rotation-in-waiting and let's see if the doomsayers have to eat their words.

Gotta go with a counterintuitive prediction here because I despise the Dodgers! Miami wins the series, 2 games to 1. Jonah Bride is the MVP. PS - Nothing to hit for Ohtani upon penalty of demotion to the minors! Let someone else beat us. No celebrating and records against us in our own house. Grow some cajónes and don't roll over. To hell with the compliant attitude and willingly placing our collective heads on the chopping block. Of course, Schumaker is much too "honorable" for such shenanigans. That should make us feel great, right?

I saw his three innings or so for Jax a few days ago. I'm glad he will be back in Miami, but since it's LA, he may not be so enthused! Lol.

Kudos to Cronin for that remarkable streak. I switched over to the Blue Wahoos and was able to see the walk-off. Their crowds in Pensacola appear to be healthy for AA, and why not? Looks like a beautiful venue and views. The sky, clouds, and colors last night were particularly captivating. I've made up my mind to catch a few games over there next season.

For those few of us who don't watch the postseason if our teams are not participating, these winter leagues are like a glowing ember until we're close enough to discuss Spring Training!

The saddest month in Montreal Expos history - September 2004. I attended the last series against the Marlins in Montreal that month. For a lifelong Expos fan, depressing doesn't describe it. My wife and I visited Quebec twice a year for Expos games and the city's many charms. She didn't go that time, so being there alone made it twice as difficult. My underlying point for Marlins fans is not to take things for granted. As rough and frustrating as things can be, every new Spring Training is rejuvenating. I feel for Oakland fans now. Expos fans understand.