Late Innings

So the Marlins acquired Hayden Penn today (I honestly thought this was an April Fools’ joke when I first saw it.) It was essentially a swap of players who are out of options who probably wouldn’t pass through waivers. Some of the moves that the Marlins are making confuse me. It started last night with them releasing Dallas McPherson. Tossing the political barb aside from the piece ("the Marlins lean further to the right than Fox News"), the main point here is that Emilio Bonifacio is the third baseman.

I agree with many that they should have moved Dan Uggla to third a month ago (and installed Bonifacio at second) if they were playing for defense, but this move essentially leaves them in the same situation that the L.A. Angels have, which is no power at the hot corner. They moved Jorge Cantu to first, and also acquired Ross Gload today from the Royals (a big head-shaking move.) Wow.

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I’m glad the Orioles at least got something for Penn, whom I think will make out well in the National League. I understand that the term “top prospect” has been floated around in regards to Penn. Keep in mind that this is the Sid Thrift Orioles. Penn at least landed on Prospect Top 100 lists across the country, but he wasn’t the pitching prospect that Brian Matusz or Chris Tillman is. John Sickels regards Penn high however, when asked the question if he sees another John Maine developing in Penn:

I can see that, yes, though the parallel is inexact as I think their styles of pitching are rather different and the things that have held Penn back are different than the things that held Maine back.

When Penn first came up in 2005, he was fed to the wolves as a 20 year old. He started out well, and was very good for the first month or so, then fell apart. 2006 was a disaster, and he hasn’t been in the majors after that. With the Marlins he’ll at least make the roster.

I’m looking today at all the pitchers that are being rushed into rotations across the country. We have Trevor Chahill and Brett Anderson in Oakland, James McDonald in Los Angeles, Jordan Zimmerman and Shairon Martis in Washington, and Ricky Romero and Scott Richmond in Toronto. Had it not been for the rotation depth in Atlanta, they probably would have had Tommy Hanson in their rotation as well. Oh, and Rick Porcello made the Tigers’ rotation as well (Detroit doesn’t like their talent sitting around apparently, with their 2008 draft pick Ryan Perry making the bullpen.)

I saw what rushing a prospect can do to a young arm in Penn. Hopefully the same fate would fell these young arms as well. In regards to the infielder that the Orioles got back from Florida, I like Robert Andino, who fits into Andy MacPhail’s shortstop mold (all glove, bonus points hit.) He could potentially be a good long-term fit for the club, since they’ll only have Cesar Izturis through 2010. Now hopefully he won’t become the next Luis Hernandez.