Can Javy Guerra Find A Permanent Spot In Miami Marlins Rotation?

Miami Marlins reliever Javy Guerra has been here before.

Having spent the last eight seasons with three Major League teams, the 32-year-old has spent most of his time in and out of the minor leagues, trying to make a lasting impression to remain on a parent club roster. This Spring Training with the Miami Marlins, Javy Guerra did something he hadn’t done in the past. It may be the difference in his MLB career,

He asked skipper Don Mattingly and the Marlins coaching staff what it would take to make the 25-man roster since he had already been told he would begin the season – yet again – down on the farm at the Triple-A level. It was a bold move, but when you are in your 30s and trying to still latch on for a full-time gig in a sport that has become more and more a young man’s game, you try a different approach.

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"“The fact that he says that tells you he’s thinking about being here permanently,” Mattingly said in a story that appears on sun-sentinel.com. “And a lot of times those guys, it’s almost like, I shouldn’t say a broken spirit, but it is kind of giving into the fact that they’re not necessarily gonna ever have that consistent job. What I liked about Javy was that he was thinking about, ‘How do I get to that next level and stay there?’ ”"

The Marlins certainly know about turnover on its pitching staff. For the better part of the first half, the pitching roster looked more like a M.A.S.H unit. Right now, the 6-foot-1, 225-pound righty is part of a bullpen that has gotten better as the season has worn on. Hopefully, as a veteran of these times, he can stay where he is, not worry about traveling to New Orleans and finally exhale for the time being.

Guerra’s experience may come in handy as the MLB Trade Deadline may mean there will be space available for the remainder of the 2018 season. With Tayron Guerrero and Drew Rucinski on the disabled list, Guerra must also continue to perform to keep his spot.

Making changes, hoping to remain in Miami, Guerra has also had to rebuild his thinking process. He does not pitch with the sense of urgency some do as they get older. It has not been a got fit in the past. Now, he pitches more relaxed and prepares the same way. The new changes have done him good.

"“You start pitching negatively, and you start worrying about results as opposed to consistent approaches,” Guerra said. “I think for me, personally, whatever’s gonna happen is gonna happen.”"

The Marlins have won four games in a row and are now one of the hotter teams in baseball. Who would have thought that would be the case this season. Fun has been brought back to Miami. Players are learning to hit and pitch and there is continuity within the clubhouse.

Guerra is part of the Marlins experience. Whether it is for the remainder of the season or not, he is part of this experience. There are obstacles he may have to overcome toward the end of the season. He is out of minor league options. Per Mike Persak, who wrote the Sun-Sentinel piece, if he doesn’t make it this time in the big leagues, he’ll be designated for assignment, and he’ll have to clear waivers to stay with the Marlins.

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Guerra will just have to continue to do what he is doing for the Marlins, prove he belongs on this level. While baseball is somewhat nomadic at times, this veteran of the “system” knows this is the time to continue to pitch well and hope for the best.

That’s all he can do.