O-Zone Intelligence has intercepted an e-mail from Marlins GM Larry Beinfest. It reads:
“Dear Josh Byrnes,
Geesh, I was only kidding about that Jorge Julio trade! You take things way too seriously. Simple misunderstanding, that’s all. I’m sending Julio back to Arizona where he belongs. If you could get Yusmeiro Petit on the next flight to Miami, that’d be great. Thanks!”
Or so Beinfest wishes.
Julio has been a train wreck. I predicted doom and gloom for him recently in The O-Zone, but I didn’t think it would be this bad: 10 hits and 0/6 K/BB in 3 2/3 innings; 14.73 ERA; 4.36 WHIP. I know it’s early and Julio could right himself, but he’s quickly running out of time to do so -- if he hasn’t run out already.
If Julio gets demoted, who will take his place? Here’s a quick look at the four most likely replacements, with the most likely replacement listed first (and then working our way down from there).
HENRY OWENS
PROS: Owens got the save on Monday, so he might be next in line to be Florida’s closer. There’s little doubt his stuff is stellar; just look at his 74/10 K/BB in 40 innings at Double-A last year. Doesn’t get much better than that.
CONS: Owens was 27 when he dominated Double-A last year. His performance isn’t as impressive when you take that into account. He also has no experience at Triple-A and limited time in the bigs, so he’s still getting his feet wet.
TAYLOR TANKERSLEY
PROS: Tankersley possesses the dominance one needs to be a good closer. Last year, he fanned 46 batters in 41 innings at the big-league level. Yup, he’s got it.
CONS: Tankersley is wild; he walked 26 in 41 innings last year, obviously way too many for a ninth-inning arm. He’s also getting over a shoulder injury, so we have to question his health for a while.
MATT LINDSTROM
PROS: Lindstrom had a strong 54/14 K/BB in 40 Double-A innings last year.
CONS: Like Owens, he was old when he did it. A 26-year-old reliever at Double-A should have some success. Lindstrom also has no time at Triple-A or the big leagues (until now), so he’s still inexperienced at the higher levels and therefore risky.
LEE GARDNER
PROS: Experience. Gardner has saved 130 games in the minors.
CONS: There’s nothing spectacular about this guy. Last year, the then-31-year-old had a 46/17 K/BB in 62 innings at Triple-A. Nothing wrong with that, I guess, but it certainly isn’t anything to be excited about. Gardner doesn’t have close to the upside the others possess.
