2006-11-02 05:38:17 · 12 answers · asked by Grazia 3 in Sports ➔ Baseball
absolutely not.
They need to build that new team around some players, and Willis and Cabrera are the perfect candidates.
They have been interested in the past, because they thought that team was not good enough to compete yet, but it is. They can really make a run in 2007-08, Division or Wild Card, and win the world series (they have the pitching to do well in the postseason)
I think they are smart enough to realise how much Willis helps that team, on and off the field, 06 was a bit of an off year, but he will be back.
They have saved a lot of money this year to pay him ($30mill in for revenue sharing, $15 out in payroll) so they can afford to keep him around.
They can add some players to fill some voids, Catcher will not be one of them, centre field will be.
2006-11-02 13:32:46 · answer #1 · answered by holdon 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think they should make any sort of deal involving Willis unless it means getting some offensive help for their team.
Even without Willis, they'd still have a strong staff with the likes of Olsen, Johnson, Nolasco and Anibal Sanchez, and that doesn't even factor in a guy like Petit who's probably a year or two away from becoming a big contributor. It's not that they can't afford to deal Willis, but only that they need to make sure they get a good return on him.
They've got some good offensive building blocks with Cabrera, Ramirez, Willingham and Uggla, but they could use a big upgrade at catcher, or even at first base where Jacobs hit 20 homers but killed them by rarely getting on base (.325 OBP).
Their pitching staff had the ninth-best ERA in all of baseball last year, but their offense was 20th in batting average and 19th in runs scored. Only the Padres scored fewer runs while still making the playoffs. So, trading pitching for a good return on offense isn't a bad proposition, but they'd be stupid to give Willis away for anything less.
2006-11-02 05:55:31 · answer #2 · answered by Craig S 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think they should. I will admit that Willis is a good pitcher. He is GOOD. Not great. He had a great season two years ago. A 3.87 era is not great. It's good. They could pretty much get an entire minor league farm system for pretty much a name. His stats are comparable (actually, they are a little bit worse) than Derrick Lowe's. They could benefit the team more by getting quality players in return, give cabrera an extension, and sign a middle of the road starter (John Thompson) for what they pay willis.
2006-11-02 06:06:37 · answer #3 · answered by safetyinscars 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Should they trade him. It depends on what his contract is. If he is up after this year and arbitration eligible they may as well, because they can get more for him now. If they have him under contract to 2008 they should hold him for one more year and see if they can win the division. It is a nice young staff they are building again. It is to bad the Marlins are a minor league farm system for the big clubs. When they get a guy who is good they just can not or will not pay his salary.
2006-11-02 06:00:40 · answer #4 · answered by messtograves 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Teams like Oakland & Florida are showing that money doesn't buy everything. If Florida can keep him for low money he'd be better off to stay there because in another 1-2 season this young Florida team will be winning a championship again...then they will sell off thier players like they have in the past.
2006-11-02 06:26:04 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That would not be smart. They were supposed to be terrible last year with all their cheap young players and ended up being better than anyone thought. They have some money now because they hardly spent any last year and if they add a couple key free agents they could be real contenders next year.
2006-11-02 05:46:28 · answer #6 · answered by Scotty B 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not if they are serious about building a winning team in South Florida!! Willis is one of the best!
Chow!!
2006-11-02 05:58:34 · answer #7 · answered by No one 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Any Team that could dismiss its NL Manager of the Year candidate would also get rid of it's best Pitcher.
Sell.
2006-11-02 08:25:54 · answer #8 · answered by Oz 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes I would be happy for the Phillies take his soon to be large salary.
2006-11-02 07:36:21 · answer #9 · answered by Shane H 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i dont know but i would sure love him to come to boston!!
2006-11-02 07:56:42 · answer #10 · answered by joe 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋