Miami Marlins Round Table Discussion: Fire Mike Redmond?

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Apr 26, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins second baseman Dee Gordon (9) connects for a base hit during the eighth inning against the Washington Nationals at Marlins Park. The Marlins won 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Welcome to another Miami Marlins Round Table Discussion. On today’s agenda, we’ll be discussing the first three weeks of the Miami Marlins season. The team has gotten off to a slow 6-12 start, but a recent 5-game winning streak has brought a more positive outlook for the rest of the season. 

1. Which Marlin has impressed you the most so far this season? Which has disappointed you the most?

Ehsan Kassim: Dee Gordon has to be the most impressive. His speed is a complete game changer, but he needs to harness that a bit, as he’s not been as successful on the base paths as you’d expect. Still, a .395 batting average is fun to see at the top of the lineup. Jarrod Saltalamacchia is the biggest disappointment, but I still do think the team shouldn’t have given up on him just yet.

Travis Honeycutt: Gotta say Dee Gordon, although Adeiny Hechavarria could be answer 1B. Gordon, though, leads the National League in yesterday became the first Marlin in history to rack up 30 hits in the first 20 games of a season. Hech started dreadfully slow but has been pretty incredible the last week or so. But Gordon gets the nod from me, because he’s been consistent these first three weeks.

Daniel Zylberkan: I would say Dee Gordon, I knew that the speed was dangerous and that he had a great year in 2014 but also seems to have an ability to make good things happen with both the bat and on the base paths. Michael Morse has had a very slow start to the season and he seems overwhelmed out there sometimes he seems to be giving away at-bats.

Miller Lepree: Adeiny Hechavarria has been en fuego lately, and it’s been really fun to watch. Christian Yelich was off to a slow start, then got injured, the team will need him to come back at full strength.

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Dillon Murrell: It’s hard to determine who has been the most impressive or disappointing this season since we aren’t yet at the point where a lot of rates are stabilizing. However, AJ Ramos has increased his swing strike rate so far, leading to an increase in strikeout rate. He’s increased his first pitch strike % which, in combination with throwing to Saltalamacchia’s league worst glove, has led to a decrease in walk rate. He’s continued to show the ability to suppress BABIP as well. Early returns on him look strong. Most disappointing would have to be Saltalamacchia, although he probably doesn’t deserve it much. No one should expect his .063 BABIP to represent his talent level considering his career average is .319, but his performance in his very, very small sample before getting DFA’d wasn’t good. It’s not fair to base this opinion off what is an inconclusive amount of plate appearances, but the circumstances point to him being the most disappointing player so far.

Michael Sonbeek: Dee Gordon has impressed me the most the so far, getting on base and hitting for a high average. Mat Latos has been the biggest disappointment to me so far, I think that’s the obvious answer as his first 3 starts were brutal.

Next: Ozuna or Yelich?

Apr 21, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Miami Marlins manager Mike Redmond talks with the media before a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

2. Fire Mike Redmond: Yay or Nay?

Ehsan Kassim: Nay. Not because the Marlins or winning or because I think he’s a good manager. I actually don’t think he is. But he’s not to blame for the Marlins problems. The Marlins winning and losing 96% of the time has nothing to do with the manager. It’s whether the stars like Giancarlo Stanton and Christian Yelich are playing well. Managers control so little of what happens on the field.

Travis Honeycutt: Absolutely not. The team is playing better lately, and if they can keep their heads above water, they get Jose Fernandez back in a month or two and Henderson Alvarez back hopefully sooner. At this point the best thing is to let the season play out, and reevaluate Redmond’s future in October.

Daniel Zylberkan: Nay, in the general sense because we’re not going to find anyone better in the middle of the season. (But always yes because Red just isn’t that smart of a manager and he seems to go out of his way to make bad decisions)

Miller Lepree: No. Doesn’t make any sense at all. 

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Dillon Murrell: I’ve never supported Mike Redmond as a manager and he certainly shouldn’t be fired because of lackluster roster construction. He’s also as good as whatever replacement the Marlins would bring in considering they don’t use analytics themselves, so they would never hire a smart manager. This isn’t a glowing endorsement of Redmond, but he doesn’t deserved to be fired.

Michael Sonbeek: Nay. As much as I don’t like some things Redmond does I think it’s a little too early to give him the boot.

Next: Ozuna or Yelich?

Apr 19, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Miami Marlins catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia (39) and first baseman Michael Morse (38) look into the stands before game against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

3. Any preseason predictions you’d like to amend with the first month of the season nearly over?

Ehsan Kassim: I’m feeling uncomfortable about my 83-win prediction from the preseason. Not sure if they can reach that number anymore. Would need a lot of help.

Travis Honeycutt: I said that Jarrod Saltalamacchia would bounce back somewhat. Obviously he hasn’t, as he’s already lost his starting job. It would be hilarious if he gets the boot when Jeff Mathis comes back, and with how enamored this team is with Mathis, I could see it happening.

Daniel Zylberkan: I said Carter Capps was going to be our most impactful minor leaguer, I think that over time Justin Bour will have an expanding role, maybe even a platoon with Morse at first base.

Miller Lepree: No, Marlins will still win the World Series, and I was spot on with my DeSclafani prediction.

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Dillon Murrell: For now I’m sticking with the win total (83 wins) I predicted (totally guessed at), but the slow start is going to make it very difficult for the team to even reach that mark.

Michael Sonbeek: I remember predicting Mat Latos was going to be good. Yeah…..

Next: Ozuna or Yelich?

Apr 26, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins left fielder Ichiro Suzuki (left) celebrates with right fielder Giancarlo Stanton (center) and center fielder Marcell Ozuna (right) their 6-2 win over the Washington Nationals at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

4. Which Marlins player would you most like to go on a vacation with?

Ehsan Kassim: Jarrod Salt…nevermind, he’s gone. I’m hanging out with Jose Fernandez. He just seems like he knows how to have a good time.

Travis Honeycutt: Giancarlo Stanton. $325 million.

Daniel Zylberkan: Ichiro, I love Japanese culture and food and I would like to hang out with Ichiro in Tokyo and he could show me some cool places that only a local would know about.

Miller Lepree: Dan Haren, he’s a great follow on Twitter and seems like a funny guy.

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Dillon Murrell: I would like to go on a vacation with OF Ichiro because culture.

Michael Sonbeek: Giancarlo Stanton because all the money and girls.

Next: Marlins-Braves Series Preview

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