Decisions, Decisions

Eight days ago, I boldly proclaimed that the Marlins had gone from buyers to sellers in a matter of days, by virtue of losing three straight to the Phillies and also having a Josh Johnson start rained out. At that point they were seven back of Philadelphia and behind seven teams in the wild card race. But, as Dave pointed out yesterday, the club just took five of six out west, including two of three from the major league leading Dodgers. While they only gained a half a game on the Phillies, they are right back in the wild card race, sitting three and a half out, with just three teams in front of us.

This has now raised the dilemma that is the trading deadline for teams like us. We've seen before how even just a minor move or two can spark a run and put a team over the top. But there is the other side, when it just doesn't click and the trade can be looked at as a waste. For our sake, I hope there is at least some kind of mini-trade, enough that the Marlins Die-Hards Trade Pool can crown a winner. But, if you ask me to play GM for a minute, I would actually keep things as is. Our pitching can take us places. Josh Johnson is a beast, Nolasco seems to have worked things out, and Volstad has bounced back nicely. As for the offense, well if they could just take Emilio Bonifacio out of the damn lineup already, and replace him with someone more capable then that would be like adding a bat. Stat o' the day: Emilio sports a sub-.300% OBP which is the lowest of any position player on the active roster. Not only does he still play, he still hits first or second in the lineup. Why?