The NL East: Florida Marlins

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If there's one team the can play a wild card role within the NL East this upcoming season, the Florida Marlins are just that team. They have punch. They have pop. They have arms.

So why is no one mentioning the Marlins as a dark horse to win this division?

Maybe there's a place or two. Kind of reminds me of the Cincinnati Reds of last season, but the Marlins hill seems a little higher of a climb. Philly, Atlanta.

But don't rest on these guys...as you will see.

The infield holds a nice mix of power and average. The one Marlin everyone knows of is shortstop Hanley Ramirez. All he does is hit 20+ HR, steal around 30 bags, hit over .300 and score over 100 runs. Not a bad piece to start. And there are others to add to the mix.

While Dan Uggla has departed to Atlanta (via trade), the Marlins receive Omar Infante in the deal. Don't expect that homers, but the batting average and defense will be better. Infante can handle the bat and that's something the Marlins need toward the top of the lineup.

The corners are manned by Gaby Sanchez at first and Wes Helms at third. Sanchez had an excellent 2010 campaign smashing 19 HR and driving in 85. He also posted splits of .273/.341/.448. Getting Sanchez some playing time at the end of '09 paid off well for Florida.

Helms is an interesting study. He doesn't exactly fall under the umbrella I'd set forth about power and average. He hasn't exactly produced massive numbers over the past few seasons. He hasn't hit double digit home runs since 2006. That was also the last season he hit over .300. His RBI count has steadily resided in the high 30's since that 2006 season while playing no less than 112 games during that span. It's not the glove either. a lifetime .942 fielder.

The outfield is overflowing with young talent. From left to right, there's Logan Morrison (23), Chris Coghlan (25) and Mike Stanton (21).

Morrison has shown pop in the minors and the Marlins brass are hoping that can begin to shine through this season. He only had 2 in 2010 but hit as many as 24 in a minor league season. Coghlan is a former Rookie of the Year (2009) and will be playing center full-time for the first time...ever. Stanton is sometimes just a man among boys. His numbers bear that.

And don't forget who the Marlins reeled in to play catcher. John Buck, after years of hiding in Kansas City, had a breakout season for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2010. It wasn't so much from the standpoint of his power, but his average. He hit .281 last season, a career high. He was also selected to his first All-Star Game.

This offense has the potential to produce an inordinate amount of runs. It will rest on the arms to curtail the opponents from scoring.

Nats-Marlins Takes Center Stage

The big news from last night in the sports world wasn't the first MLB win for Cincinnati Reds phenom Aroldis Chapman. It wasn't that American Andy Roddick dropped a four setter in the second round of the U.S. Open. It wasn't the the Big Ten announced its plans of splitting up Ohio State and Michigan into separate divisions.

Far from it. It was undoubtedly the brawl during the Nationals-Marlins game. All because of one player, Nats center fielder Nyjer Morgan.

What transpired last evening at SunLife Stadium should have never happened. When the Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals brawled earlier this season, it was due to Brandon Phillips saying a few disparaging words about the Cardinals. No, Morgan didn't have choice words about the Marlins. He did it totally with his actions.

Before this series even started, Morgan was benched by Nationals skipper Jim Riggleman for unprofessional conduct. During a game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Morgan was heading home on a play. Morgan purposely avoided the plate and chose to brush Cards catcher Bryan Anderson. A throw was never made to Anderson. Morgan was eventually called out (when he touched a teammate in an attempt to go back and touch home plate. Keep this is mind.

During Tuesday night's game, another situation involving Morgan and a play at the plate. Marlins catcher Brett Hayes had received a throw as Morgan was approaching home. Morgan did his best impersonation of Pete Rose and chose to plaster Hayes instead of sliding. The result was a separated shoulder for Hayes. Done for the year.

Last night arrives. In the 4th inning, the Marlins have a 14-3 lead. Marlins pitcher Chris Volstad plucks Morgan in retribution for the Hayes incident from the previous night. No big deal. It happens in baseball. You get one of us, we'll get you back. Instead of letting the situation go, Morgan exacerbated it.

Morgan, whose team was trailing by 11 runs, proceeded to steal 2nd and 3rd base. Morgan would score on a sacrifice fly by Ian Desmond to brings the Nationals within 10 runs.

I know there are those that scream that baseball's "unwritten rules" are ludicrous, inane, outdated and moronic (or throw whatever negative adjective you like in there), but they are there to avoid future feelings of "bad blood". Adhere to them and all is forgiven. That's not too much to ask. Instead, Morgan completely ignored them in order to pad his stats and show up the Marlins. Brawls start because things such as this.

The Marlins took notes. I guarantee you that was the talk of the dugout. Forward to the 6th with Morgan, once again, at the plate.

Volstad didn't pluck him again. He didn't drill him either. He didn't go head hunting. Volstad threw behind him with an obvious message pitch. Morgan dropped his bat and rushed toward Volstad and the brawl was on.

And it didn't get any better. After the smoke cleared, Morgan was led off the field by the bullpen coach, Morgan was displaying more defiance. He thrust both arms in the air as if he was at a concert. That's so classy, Nyjer. Remind me to send you tickets for Metallica later this month down in Australia. I know you'll be getting some time off soon.

Throw this in the mix. Morgan is in the process of appealing a 7-game suspension for throwing a ball into the stand in Philadelphia. Granted, the fan and Morgan have "repaired" their differences. The fan even stated all was cool. Still, that suspension still looms over Morgan and he does this.

MLB Network's Harold Reynolds with his dish:

"I know they're losing, but there are protocols within the game, so once he did [steal the bases] then it's open war again, he brought that back on himself and that's why I think this thing continued to escalate."

Notice the word "again". After Volstad hit Morgan in the 4th, as I stated, it should have been over.

And I was appalled at Riggleman's response:

"No, I think they were going hit him again anyway, and I'm glad Nyjer stole those bases to tell you the truth. They hit him, he went to first base, he took his medicine. I don't know that yesterday's play was right or wrong, but we were going to let it go. Nyjer went to first base, but if they hit you and you feel like you didn't do anything wrong, which that's the way Nyjer felt about it, he took those bases, that's his business. We'll decide when we run, we don't let anyone else decided when we run. So whatever their reason was for throwing at Nyjer again, I've got no problems with what took place after that."

I get the part about having your player's back. That's what Riggleman was doing here. Glad he stole the bases, Jim? Really? You played in the bigs. You know these "rules" and protocols. Yes, maybe they are "outdated", but the purpose is to ensure this type of development does not occur.

The decision to steal the bases is not totally on Morgan either. Riggleman:

"If [Morgan] felt that he had done something wrong than I would have put the hold on him, so I didn't put the hold on, he chose to run, I didn't know he was going to run, but I didn't care that he ran, because I know Nyjer felt that he didn't have a place to slide [the previous night], that's a decision he made. But right or wrong, they hit him and for him to steal the bases, I don't have a problem with it..."

Need more be said?

When Morgan was asked about being plucked the second time:

"That was garbage. That’s just bad baseball. It’s only the fourth inning. If they’re not going to hold me on, I’m going to roll out. The circumstances were kind of out of whack, but the game was too early. It was only the fourth inning. If it happened again, I’d do it again. It’s one of those things where I’m a hard-nosed player. I’m grimy. And I just wanted to go out there and try to protect myself. I didn’t want to get outside the box. There’s been a little bit of controversy surrounding the kid lately. But it’s just one of things. I’m a solid, hard-nosed player. When I’m out there between the lines, I’m out there to win and I’m out there to play hard, and play hard for this organization."

The kid? Did he just refer to himself as the kid? Time for an ego check!

And the best part was saying he's "grimy". According to http://reference.com/:

"(adj.) Covered or smudged with grime. See synonyms at dirty"

Grimy it is.

Morgan and Volstad will be suspended, no question. Morgan's may even be longer than Volstad's as it is former player Bob Watson that metes out the punishment.

I promise you he knows the "unwritten rules".

Update: Morgan received an additional eight game suspension on top of the seven he's currently appealing.

PEDs Claim Two More as Excuses Increase

Paulino will lose over $250,000 in salary
due to his mistake.

It was announced yesterday the Florida Marlins catcher Ronny Paulino was to serve a 50-game suspension due to a positive test for a banned substance under the MLB drug policy. The NFL also added that Shawn Nelson of the Buffalo Bills was also slapped with a four game suspension for a "no-no". It is unknown the substance found with Nelson's test.

All of this comes on the heels of Roger Clemens being indicted on perjury charges for allegedly lying to Congress regarding PED use. Throw in the NFL's recent decision to uphold the four-game suspension of Houston Texans linebacker Brian Cushing for testing positive for hCG and we have more to add to the list. List of cheaters to some. List of ignorant to others. List of arrogant to many.

This will not go away. Ever. It will last as long as the substances exist so we better prepare ourselves for the non-shock of any news of any player in any sport being suspended for usage. I've already grown numb of the issue.

Paulino stated that he was taking a diet supplement in order to control his weight. He was unaware the supplement contained the banned substance. But, somehow, Paulino accepts responsibility.

"I accept full responsibility and all consequences for this mistake, and therefore choose not to challenge my suspension," the 29-year-old Paulino said. "I was irresponsible for failing to take all precautionary steps in confirming the approval of the dietary pill. Without a doubt, I have learned from my mistake."

Responsibility? Seriously?

The MLBPA has a website in which players can refer to for the list of banned substances. Anyone can access this information. Anyone. Not just the players. It's part of the CBA for cryin' out loud. You have a tool. Use the damn thing. Someone gives you something or you take it upon yourself to take some unknown substance and you don't check to contents? To do so would be responsible. I haven't been able to buy the "I didn't know" line for years.

And it's not just Paulino and Nelson. Don't think I'm trying to bury these guys. The Marlins think he's a great teammate and were shocked to learn of this. In fact, Marlins owner Jeffery Loria ordered the organization to immediately review the means in which Marlins players are being educated on the matter of PEDs. I'm sure the Bills will miss Nelson as they were short at tight end due to injuries.

The major thing about all the PED crap (and it is crap) is that the athletes are becoming more creative with their "excuses". In essence, according to his statement, Paulino is claiming ignorance. He simply didn't do his due diligence. As of yet, neither Nelson nor his agent, Joel Segal, have commented. But Cushing's case is different. Really different.

Overtraining?

Texans owner Bob McNair went to New York on Cushing's behalf to appeal the four game suspension. I give McNair credit here. He knows the Texans need this guy and he'll do anything he can to get him back on the field. But McNair had to be convinced that Cushing had legit grounds for an appeal. Cushing has stated from the day he was informed of the positive test that he did not "knowingly" take hCG, the substance found in his system at the time the test was administered. Cushing has not tested positive since.

So why the one positive test? Cushing's newest theory..."overtrained athlete syndrome". I'm not a doctor and I don't play one on TV, but this is sounding far-fetched. So...I did something surfing.

hCG, also known as human chorionic gonadotropin, is a hormone that is produced by females during pregnancy. It is also associated as being a tumor marker as the tumor can secrete hCG. It also used as a weight loss supplement, although that aspect of its use has met with controversy. But, in males, hCG can be used to maintain the production of testosterone and, more prominently, kickstart testosterone production after a steroid cycle has ended. Males can also use hCG as a form of fertility treatment.

Overtraining is extremely possible. I cannot deny that fact at all. In fact, overtraining was popular with Soviet athletes as a training technique. I've not read where hCG is naturally produced in a males body, other than tumors which Cushing has previously stated that the thought he may have had cancer. Thankfully, he doesn't. I don't know if Cushing is in the business of fathering children either, so I can't buy this.

But Peter King of Sports Illustrated chatted with Cushing. Even after reading this, I'm still not in Cushing's corner. The NFL didn't buy it either. And exactly does Cushing think he's trying to fool here?

"Everything points to that overtrained athlete syndrome,'' Cushing said, walking back to the Texans' locker room after their afternoon practice. "I'm pretty sure it is. I'm pretty positive. I didn't take anything. It's not a tainted supplement. So all roads lead to that.''

Pretty sure? Pretty positive? In other words, Cushing still doesn't know.

Or does he?

Just Shut Up and Play!

A couple of funny observations from highly paid athletes. Instead of taking their "defeats" and dealing with them, they choose to air our issues through the media. But it should be this simple. Shut up and play what you're paid to do.

Case #1 involves Florida Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez and his little feud with his manager Fredi Gonzalez.

Tuesday was an un familiar seat for Ramirez.
He should be in today's starting lineup.

In a Monday evening affair against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Ramirez was going after a blooped ball into shallow left field. Ramirez couldn't get to the ball in time. When he tried to filed the ball, he accidentally kicked the ball into the left field corner. No big deal and I'm sure we've all seen the replay by now. It was Ramirez didn't do after that.

Instead of busting his rear end into the left field corner to retrieve the ball, Ramirez appeared to be lightly jogging to get it, an effort not appreciated by his manager. Gonzalez pulled Ramirez from the game for his apparent lack of hustle. Ramirez was none to kind to his skipper.

"He can do whatever . . . He doesn't understand that. He never played in the big leagues."

And Ramirez proceeded to throw his Marlins teammates under the bus as well.

"We got a lot of people dogging it after ground balls. They don't apologize."

The apology part is in reference to Gonzalez wishing Ramirez would apologize to his teammates for his poor effort. While Gonzalez could actually care less if he personally receives one, he does feel strongly that the Marlins as a team deserve such. As of yet, Ramirez has neither delivered that apology and appears in no way to waver from his stance.

What cannot be lost is the support a couple of Marlins players have for Gonzalez and the move to not only pull Ramirez on Monday, but to bench him on Tuesday. Dan Uggla seem to place himself in his manager's corner.

"I think Skip needed to do what he needed to do, which was take Hanley out of the game at that time. Does that mean we love Hanley any less? No, we have all made mistakes. We've all done things like, 'Oh, maybe I shouldn't have done that.' But you move on, you move forward you get past it."

What Uggla very well could be saying is this. You showed a lack of effort. Sit down and take your medicine. Get over yourself and play the damn game. Most importantly, shut up! Well, that's how I take it anyway.

And by the way, Ramirez is the highest paid player on the Marlins roster due to 6-year, $70 million contract and he is the face of the Florida Marlins. Act like it.

The same could very well be said of Phoenix Suns big man Amar'e Stoudemire and is Case #2.

Odom played a brilliant Game 1 and deserved
all praises for it.

During an interview yesterday, Stoudemire was questioned about Lakers "asset" Lamar Odom and Odom's 19 point, 19 board effort in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. Stoudemire didn't exactly give Odom any props. Not so much as any ackonwledgment that Odom had a superb game. In fact, Stoudemire belittled Odom's effort.

"I'm not giving him no hype right now; he had a lucky game in Game 1."

I'd rather be lucky with a line like that Amar'e. What were your stats for the game? You managed 23 points which was a +4 in the scoring column (compared to Odom). Good, good. What's this? 3 rebounds? 3 freakin' boards was all? That's a -16! Plus, Odom only had one less rebound that the whole Suns starting five (20 to 19).

Another thing here. Stoudemire also talked of not having total focus. How can you not be focused playing the the conference finals? For the record, Stoudemire gets paid $16.4 million for not being focused compared to Odom getting $7.5 million for being lucky. Maybe Odom shouldn't be as focused. He could make more money.

I was always taught that rebounding isn't luck. It's effort and nothing else. You have to want the ball.

Odom could have taken Stoudemire's ball and run. But he didn't.

"So be it. Hopefully I can have another lucky one."

Way to take the high road, Lamar. Although I guess a great line or two would have been awesome for E! to put on your wife's show, but I'll take this classy move any day.

Amar'e - shut up and play. And don't forget, it's the Western Conference Finals. You need to be focused.