Marlins Bullpen Already Set?

Fredi Gonzalez never misses a chance to oversimplify and today was no exception; claiming he has 6 of his 7 bullpen spots ready.

“Things can change with trades, waiver-wire acquisitions,” Gonzalez said, “but as of today you got Pinto, Meyer, Nunez, Sanches, the Hopper, Veras – I like his stuff. So, I leave one spot.”

Notably missing: the loser of the 5th starter race and Mike MacDougal. In MacDougal, the Marlins had what I thought to be the prototypical Beinfest reliever: a big fastball, a closing pedigree and a chip on his shoulder.

The fate for the odd-man out in the rotation race is a little more convoluted. With the exception of Hayden Penn, every pitcher still "in it" has options left (or, in the case of Clay Hensley, isn't even on the 40-man roster) so the minors are very much in play.

It should be an interesting race to the finish for the bullpen, but I cannot stress how shocked I would be to see the Marlins leave Jupiter without Mike MacDougal on the team.


Post Game Addition:

And, like clockwork, Jose Veras took the job security and then threw up all overhimself. 4 runs (all earned) a walk and a strikeout in an inning and two thirds. I reiterate: Mike MacDougal not getting the job ahead of Veras would be the biggest shock of the spring.