Miami Palms Blog

Dave Balierough has been with the Palms for several years now. He is usually a reliable back of the rotation pitcher, but had some serious struggles to begin the season. He was incredible in the second half, though, bringing his ERA under 5.00 after it spent much of the beginning of the year near 4 digits. His greatest problem is a high contact rate and plenty of home runs in that contact. His success, therefore, is greatly tied to the defense behind, him, which, unfortunately, isn't going to be a strong point with Ayoz Sadan headed to Kansas City and Jaspero Gonzalez expected to see a lot of time in the infield.

Tony Abreu came to the Palms as a light hitting middle infielder who would be a serviceable replacement, especially with his glove. Mission accomplished. Abreu got off to a fast start, but eventually ended up hitting .288 with an OPS of .702 which, while better than expected, wasn't great. He and Johnny Giavotella will be the team's utility players this year.

Long time 2nd baseman and eventual utility infielder Ryan Henning has seen the writing on the wall. With Eduardo Nunez signing earlier this month and the team acquiring Johnny Giavotella, the spots in the middle infield have been inhabited by newcomers. Henning has signed on to play with the Oakland Athletics next year, and the Palms appear set with their roster going into 2012.

Much to the surprise of everyone in the Palms organization, Ayoz Sadan accepted an offer of arbitration, rather than testing the open market. As a result, the Palms have become a little over extended, with 4 very good candidates to play those positions, with Frank Sohn, Coco Crisp, Matt Holliday and Nick Markakis on the roster. The Palms worked quickly, however, and spun Sadan to the Royals to join his former teammates Joe Gras and Breck Smythe in KC. In return, the Palms acquired middle infielder Johnny Giavotella, as well as a couple minor league prospects and cash. Giavotella will make an immediate impact, expected to be a member of the team that takes the field at the beginning of April. Giavotella played in nearly 50 games with an average of around .250, but was more noted for his minor league success, primarily as a contact oriented hitter. He will fit in nicely in he Miami clubhouse

The Palms have added another player from a divisional rival, signing a shortstop that once played for the Yankees. No, it isn't Derek Jeter, but it is Eduardo Nunez, who is expected to, perhaps, become the new starter in the middle infield, depending on what happens with Ryan Henning. Nunez is versatile in the field, and is emerging as a decent contact hitter. He should hit in the .260s, and his 5 home runs from last season will likely increase given the park he will move to.

Despite the team just winning a World Series, the Cardinals have allowed a vital component to move to the Palms. Matt Holliday was signed by the Palms today, likely as the Cardinals try to ramp up their efforts for resigning Albert Pujols. Holliday, regardless of where he is entered in the field, will be a huge force in the middle of the lineup.

The Palms have made a decision to part ways with shortstop Paul Janish, despite a strong season in which he hit 20 home runs and had an OPS of .772. Janish was quickly snatched up by the Blue Jays, which means another hole on the roster with now Randy Winn and he departing, and only Nick Markakis added.