Dolphins purge will lead to progress

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Jock Takes: The Dolphins purge has begun.

I expect the roster to look totally different by the end of the season, as well as a whole youth movement towards a rebuild.

Let’s just be honest, the Dolphins will be bad. Intentionally. The purpose of the purge is to get Brian Flores’s guys in there, Tank for Tua.

However, that depends on how Josh Rosen performs at quarterback — once he’s finally the starter — and believe it or not positioning themselves for a playoff run in 2020-2021 season. They have cap space, draft picks, and other teams in the AFC will take a step back by that season. This upcoming season will be a trial and error season. We will get to see every young player get an opportunity to cement themselves as part of the rebuild.

The Dolphins have elite players who are young and in very important positions (LT Laremy Tunsil if he’s still here, LB Jerome Baker, CB Xavien Howard, and Minkah Fitzpatrick).

I believe if they want, they can move Minkah to corner permanently and have two shut-down corners. Also, with talks of adding Jadeveon Clowney you would get an elite pass rusher who would make more plays in Flores system then he did in Houston.  Look at Kyle Van Noy’s production under Flores in New England.

The Dolphins can afford to pay these players because they will have a quarterback under control for the next 4 to 5 years.  Now heading back to the purge conversation, I expect Reshad Jones, Kenny Stills, and Kiko Alonso all to be traded for draft picks or cut by next year. The Dolphins in one year will make amends for a lot of bad contracts during the Mike Tannebaum era. Ultimately Dolphin fans will forget about that era of mediocrity.

Then there’s Rosen. He’s not starting at the start of the season — Flores named Ryan Fitzpatrick the guy. But it’s just for now. Soon it will be Rosen. If he does well then you can draft and build around him with a strong offensive draft class in 2020. The 2020 class is full of offensive talent, probably the most talented class in some time. If Rosen is not playing well by week 6, then make full preparations to Tank for Tua.

If they are not comfortable with the QB’s in 2020 than they can draft receivers and offensive linemen and go all-in for Trevor Lawrence in 2021. Many are already calling him the best QB that college football may ever see.

The Dolphins have many options, however, the purge is a must to see the full potential of the roster going into the 2020 season.

GCL Marlins win division as Dorian cancels playoffs

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Dorian is already impacting Florida sports.

The Gulf Coast League announced on Wednesday that the final two games of the season and the league playoff series has been canceled.

The decision was made in preparation of the incoming impact of Hurricane Dorian heading towards Florida.

“In an effort to ensure that all players, coaches and staff members have a chance to evacuate and prepare for the storm, we have decided to cancel the final two regular-season games, as well as the playoffs,” said Tim Brunswick, Minor League Baseball’s senior vice president of baseball and business operations. “After discussing the options with the teams, the decision to end the season early was the best choice for the safety of everyone involved as that is our top priority.”

Thursday, Aug. 29, will serve as the final game of the season. The GCL Marlins don’t have games scheduled for that day and have a half-game lead in the East division. The GCL Phillies West claimed the North division title and GCL Orioles clinched the South division championship. With the hurricane Dorian, they’ll have to settle for that achievement.

The GCL Marlins were comprised with mostly players selected in the 2019 MLB Draft. There was plenty of bright spots from the backfields of Palm Beach County’s spring training complexes. Shortstop Nasim Nunez posted a .340 on-base percentage with three more hits than walks and stole 28 bases. He was selected in the second round of the draft. Victor Mesa Jr., an 18-year-old outfielder who signed with his brother, Victor Victor, as an international free agent, led the GCL Marlins with a .284 batting average and a .764 OPS.

First baseman Zachary Owens had the second highest batting average with .280. He was selected in the 33rd round out of Eastern Michigan University.

Lorenzo Hampton, who played college ball at FIU, also batted .280 with a .747 OPS and led the team with 31 RBIs. He was selected in the 28th round.

Andrew Narni was drafted in the 16th round out of the University of Arizona and was the most impressive reliever of the group. He posted a 0.98 ERA in 13 games with 30 strikeouts in 18.1 innings pitched.

Anthony Maldonado (11th round out of Bethune-Cookman) and Zach King (13th round out of Vanderbilt) were two other impressive relievers on the GCL Marlins. King went 2-0 with a 1.65 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 16.1 innings. Maldonado struck out 15 batters in 11.1 innings and posted a 1.59 ERA.

Evan Fitterer was a fifth-round selection out of high school in California and the most impressive starting pitcher on the team. He started the most games of the group (8) and posted a 2.38 ERA with 19 strikeouts in 22.2 innings pitched.

Most of these guys will move on to the next stage, which will be Batavia. The Muckdogs are also experiencing success in the New York-Penn League and the Clinton Lumberkings punched their ticket into the Midwest League playoffs. These are certainly good signs for an improved farm system.

Anthony DeSclafani went full circle on the Marlins

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Anthony DeSclafani did what many pitchers have done this year: dominate the Marlins offense.

The Miami Marlins once again fell to the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday. This time it was Miami’s 18th shutout loss of the season, three of such came against the Reds, who are one win away on Thursday to complete the season sweep.

Wednesday was a bit different because Reds pitcher Anthony DeSclafani threw his longest outing of the season. He tossed seven scoreless innings allowing two hits with eight strikeouts and only one walk.

“My last few outings I’ve felt very good,” DeSclafani said. “Trying to get ahead and mix speeds. I made the pitch when I needed to and had some defensive plays. It’s all good.”

DeSclafani entered the game with a three-run advantage thanks to a first-inning home run by rookie Aristides Aquino off Marlins starter Sandy Alcantara, who finished with one extra run and eight strikeouts in six innings.

“I just missed one pitch,” Alcantara said of the homer to Aquino. “After that I was competing. I just want to finish strong.”

DeSclafani went full circle with this start in Miami. His career started with the Marlins in 2014 and was traded to the Reds for starting pitcher Matt Latos in the offseason leading up to the 2015 season. Months later, the Marlins shipped Latos and first baseman Michael Morse to the Los Angeles Dodgers in a mid-season trade for three prospects including stater-turned reliever Jeff Brigham.

Both DeSclafani and Brigham finally pitched in the same game. Brigham came into the game in the eighth inning and gave up a solo home run to third baseman Eugenio Suarez. It was his fourth home run in as many games and 38th of the season.

Preseason sack leader Nate Orchard close to earning Dolphins spot

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Nate Orchard could make the Dolphins roster. The 2019 season is about discovering who can have a long-term impact on the Miami Dolphins. While looking for diamonds in the rough, the Dolphins may have discovered Nate Orchard.

The 26-year-old has only 69 career tackles in his six-year NFL career, but it seems he has found his niche in Miami’s new defensive system under first-year coach Brian Flores and defensive coordinator Patrick Graham.

“Yeah, I love the system,” Orchard said on Tuesday. “Patrick Graham knows what he’s doing. He’s able to put guys in positions to be successful and he’s doing that with me and a bunch of guys. He sees my skill set and what I can bring to the table, allowing me to stand up and have my hand in the dirt, as well.”

Orchard, who is listed as a linebacker, has the flexibility the Dolphins are looking for on the defensive side of the ball. He has even spent some time as a defensive back.

“Yeah, I did that with [Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator] Kalani Sitake when I was at Utah,” Orchard said. “So yeah, I’ve had experience. I’ve been in the league for five years now, so you get your hands in a little bit of everything.”

While he can do a little of everything, but Orchard is making noise this preseason as the league-leader in sacks with four after a two-sack performance against Jacksonville.

“I feel really comfortable with what we’re doing,” Orchard said. “They’ve moved me from a 5-, 9- or a 6-[technique], stand up, have my hand in the dirt. I’m comfortable being able to move around and play to my strengths.”

Keep in mind, the Dolphins are looking to find players who can rush the passer, Orchard knows he needs to continue to work in order to secure a spot on the 53-man roster.

“You’ve got to be able to block out the noise,” Orchard said. “Knowing what’s at stake, it’s tough. But at the same time, don’t let it take away from your game. Be who you are and approach each game, each snap, as if it was your last and just enjoy it as much as possible.”

Orchard, who wears the number four, may have a shot to even push for a starting job across from Charles Harris. The fourth game of the preseason may not mean a lot for most teams, but for the Dolphins, it is the last opportunity for a handful of players to prove they deserve a spot on an NFL roster.

The Dolphins play the Saints on Thursday night with kickoff scheduled for 8 p.m.

Jadeveon Clowney/Miami Dolphins tracker

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Jadeveon Clowney and the Miami Dolphins. You know how this works. Smoke, then fire.

Right now, we’re starting to cough a bit.

The Miami Dolphins have been rumored to have a strong interest in disgruntled former No. 1 overall pick (2014) Jadeveon Clowney of the Houston Texans. Clowney’s relationship with the Texans has soured over contract extension talks, and he’s even fired his agent Bus Cook, the guy best known for representing Brett Favre and having a fabulous ‘stache.

Should the Dolphins acquire Clowney? Is he worth it? Depends what it costs. If it costs Laremy Tunsil, absolutely bleeping not. But the Dolphins do have a bit of a glut at the skill positions on offense of similarly talented players, and it’s not like the line (other than Tunsil) will give the quarterbacks any time to get the ball to them anyway.

Here are the latest tweets….

Make sure to scroll to the end as we update….

 

Follow hte coverage of the Miami Dolphins and the rest of the National Football League listening to our podcasts Three Yards Per Carry, The Fish Tank, Five Rings Canes or visiting DolphinMaven.com 

Jorge Alfaro’s power taking shape

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Jorge Alfaro and his swing are coming back to their original shape.

The Miami Marlins lost 8-5 to the Cincinnati Reds but at least one of their young franchise cornerstones continued producing.

Jorge Alfaro hit his second consecutive home run in the sixth inning against Reds starter and former Marlins prospect Luis Castillo. The two-run had an exit velocity of 110.7 mph, with an estimated distance of 399 feet, according to Statcast. It’s the longest home run of his young career. 

“When he doesn’t chase, he’s pretty good,” Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. “When he puts the ball in play — we’ve said it the whole time — he hits the ball hard. He’s been successful. I think that’s where we’ve got to make strides.”

Jorge Alfaro is now hitting .271 with a .429 slugging percentage, with a career high 14 home runs and 44 RBIs. There’s still time to finish the season with 20 home runs, which is the usual benchmark for power hitters. 

“I’m just trying to be on time,” Alfaro said. “That’s it. That’s all I’m trying to do, and look for a good pitch.”

Alfaro’s success at the plate is due to his ability to make constant contact. He entered the night with a 34.3 percent strikeout rate and a 45.5 hard-hit percentage. According to Statcast, that number is in the 86th percentile.

“He’s been swinging the bat good,” Mattingly said. “He seems better up there.”

J.T. Realmuto set the Marlins single season mark with 21 home runs in 2018. Alfaro was part of the return package in the February trade that sent Realmuto to the Philadelphia Phillies, and is currently at No. 9. For context, John Buck (2011), Miguel Olivo (2006-07) and Ivan Rodriguez (2003) are tied for the fifth most with 16.

Only two years separate Alfaro from Realmuto but the Marlins will have the Colombian catcher under team control until after the 2023 season. He’ll be 30 by then, but hopefully there will be a powerful finished product by then.

 

Paul Finebaum calls UM a “third world program”

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Paul Finebaum opened the floor again.

Um, ESPN, about that no politics thing?

You remember how Dan LeBatard (our Dan LeBatard, of course) got heat internally for calling out the president’s racially-charged rallies?

Well, here’s the flip side of that.

Here is Paul Finebaum, known SEC shill and transparent provocateur, making a racially-loaded comment about the University of Miami, on ESPN’s airwaves:

What exactly do you mean there, Paul?

What would make us third world down here?

Our transportation system sucks. The Miami airport too. And yeah, there’s corruption.

But anyone who is associated with this area knows that “third world” isn’t referencing any of that. It’s referencing the populace…. much of which is brown or black.

That’s not a overly sensitive stretch. Just ask around.

This is a characterization that was all too common during the Heat’s Big 3 years. The national media constantly suggested that Miami didn’t “deserve” that team. Why? Well, sometimes they said it was because we weren’t passionate enough fans, too transient, all out on our boats. (You heard that a lot when national media members were cheering LeBron going back to “working class” Cleveland, i.e. more white).

But the other part of it was that we don’t look like other sports fans around the country, those pure fans from say, Boston.

“It’s a third world program if you ask me.”

Just say what you mean, Paul.

The caller did: “Well, at least no one was shot, I guess?”

Ha ha. That’s hysterical. No one shot. By Miami fans.

You forgot the word “thug.” Do better next time.

So Paul, nothing surprises us from you anymore.

Oh, and I’ve been to some of those SEC towns you love, where the Waffle House is deemed the equivalent of Ruth’s Chris — they both have butter! — and the unpaved roads to nowhere are lined with troopers waiting to pick up anyone who doesn’t answer to Bubba and have “Don’t Tread On Me” on his pickup’s bumper.

That world seems a lot more third than this.

Pablo Lopez Returns to Marlins

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Prior to tonight’s game, the Marlins activated RHP Pablo Lopez from the 10-Day IL and optioned LHP Jose Quijada to Triple-A New Orleans. Lopez has been on the injured list since June 19th with a right shoulder strain. Tonight, he finally makes his return after more than two months out of Major League action.

Before being put on the injured list, Lopez accumulated a 5-5 record with a 4.23 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 76.2 innings pitched. Those are not terrible numbers, in fact, he would have a sub-4 ERA if it weren’t for his disastrous start against the Mets back in May where he allowed 10 earned runs in three innings of work.

Pablo’s time rehabbing in the minors was definitely rough. In five games started, he has an 8.79 ERA and only 14.1 innings pitched. However, he did finish his time in the minors on a positive note. His last start, he logged six innings, allowing one earned run with five strikeouts.

Shoulder injuries are one of the toughest injuries to come back from. Pitchers have to get a feel for their pitches again and have to make sure their mechanics are in sync. It’s definitely a tedious journey but Pablo can definitely bounce back from this injury, he done it before.

In order to make room for Pablo on the roster, Jose Quijada had to be optioned to Triple-A New Orleans. Quijada has been struggling lately at the Major League level. In his last seven games, he’s pitched five innings of relief and allowed 8 earned runs with 7 walks. His last appearance against the Phillies didn’t do him any favors. He pitched 0.2 innings, walked four and allowed two earned runs. He has good stuff, just needs to work on his control, like many young pitchers.

Let’s see if we see the same Pablo Lopez tonight who throws pitches like this… (via @IanPostPL)

Starlin Castro comes through for Marlins

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Starlin Castro came through in the clutch with a two-run double off Aaron Nola in the bottom of the sixth to give the Miami Marlins a 3-2 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday.

Castro was set up by shortstop Jon Berti, who got the Marlins on the board with a base hit, driving in catcher Bryan Holaday, who reached on his lone hit of the day. The third baseman is batting .322 with five home runs and 22 RBI through the month of August.

Elieser Hernandez gave the Marlins their first quality performance from a starting pitcher in the weekend series. The 24-year-old gave up only three hits and two runs with five strikeouts in six innings. His lone blemish came from a two-run home runs by Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins in the top of the sixth inning. After the Marlins gave up 10 walks in each of the last two games, Hernandez didn’t allow a single walk.

“That’s the goal,” Hernandez said. “That’s what we work for.”

Starlin Castro and the meerting before the game

“We had a meeting before the game,” Miami manager Don Mattingly said, “and said, `Let’s throw the ball over the plate. It’s got to start there. You can’t defend the walk. Let’s get it in the strike zone, and don’t be afraid if they hit it. Every one is not going to be a home run.”

Ryne Stanek, who was acquired in a trade with Tampa Bay, gave up a leadoff walk but retired the side for his first career save. The game last 2 hours, 38 minutes, which is a big contrast to the first two games of the series, which each lasted more than 3 1/2 hours.

“Super efficient,” Stanek said. “I didn’t realize how fast the game was moving until I looked up and it was the fifth inning and they both had like 55 pitches.”

The last place Marlins are 9-7 against the Phillies, who are within two games from the wildcard.

Pablo Lopez to return Monday

Marlins manager Don Mattingly announced before the game that staring pitcher Pablo López is returning from the injured list to make his first start since June 15 on Monday against the Cincinnati Reds. He has been out with a right shoulder strain.

“We’re going to fit him in tomorrow, and that way it gives everybody an extra day,” Mattingly said. “He’s ready to go. We were happy with his last outing.”

The move will push Caleb Smith to Tuesday and Sandy Alcantara to Wednesday. Lopez is 5-5 with a 4.23 ERA in 15 starts.

“It feels like forever since I’ve been on this mound,” Lopez said. “I’m really excited. I’ve been working on some things.”

The Marlins never transferred Lopez from the 10-day IL to the 60-day IL, which means his status does not impact the 40-man roster, which currently is at 39. It’s unclear what move will be made to make room for Lopez. The Marlins optioned reliever Tyler Kinley to Triple-A New Orleans to bring up Kyle Keller.

“This move is all about having to have pitching today,” Mattingly said.

Rakitic fue el gran ausente de la gran goleada culé ante el Betis

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Ivan Rakitic pasó de ser el mas utilizado la campaña pasada por Ernesto Valverde a jugar solamente 45 minutos en los dos primeros partidos oficiales del Barcelona esta temporada, partiendo como suplente en ambos.

El Barcelona comenzó perdiendo con gol de Fakir ante el Betis, y parecía que se venía la noche en el Camp Nou, tras la derrota con la que inició el campeonato el equipo blaugrana en Bilbao.

Poco antes de completarse la primera mitad Antoine Griezmann puso tablas en el marcador gracias a un pase bombeado de Sergi Roberto, uno de los escogidos por Valverde para tomar una de las posiciones en las que puede jugar Rakitic.

https://youtu.be/pd0ORuez-fM

A priori parecía que Roberto sería la sexta o séptima opción en el mediocampo, especialmente con una nómina que cuenta con Arthur, Vidal, Busquets, Frank De Jong, el propio Rakitic y que tenía a Coutinho hace par de semanas.

Sin embargo, Valverde le ha dado un espaldarazo a Sergi Roberto, y el que ha pagado los platos rotos ha sido Rakitic, pues tanto el español como el holandés De Jong han sido titulares en los dos primeros encuentros.

Vendaval blaugrana y Rakitic ni por asomo

El FC Barcelona le pasó como una aplanadora al Betis en la segunda mitad con el segundo golazo de Griezmann en la noche, el primero del canterano Carles Perez, uno de Alba que por fin se animó a pegarle al arco y un golazo del chileno Arturo Vidal para cerrar la cuenta goleadora azulgranada, y hasta el debut del canterano Ansu Fati.

Además de Fati, y el chileno Vidal que entró activo y marcó, también hizo su debut oficial esta temporada el lateral izquierdo Junior Firpo, ante su ex equipo, y nos permitió ver a Jordi Alba de interior por izquierda, una variante mas que Valverde podría usar durante la temporada en ciertos momentos del curso.

Iván Rakitic fue suplente en dos juegos consecutivos por primera vez como azulgrana, y vio los noventa minutos y la goleada del FC Barcelona desde el banquillo, lo que hace preguntarnos si Rakitic sigue siendo negociado por el Barça con varios equipos de Europa.

¿Dejó de contar el croata para Valverde?

Ya veremos…

 

La próxima semana se prevé que debute Lionel Messi, y Leandro Soto de Cinco Razones Deportes Network no aguanta la emoción. Ya quiere ver al argentino vestido de cuadritos…