Miami Palms Blog

The Palms had holes in their rotation, which they expected to fill primarily with in house candidates (including former relievers Blake Johnston and Don Schoppe, as well as prospect Kyle Blume), but they added a top end starter that they expect to be with the team for years to come. Lucas Harrell was added today, coming over from Houston, where he pitched 193 innings and had a 3.76 ERA, which was similar to his FIP. His ERA would have been best on the team in Miami last season, this despite pitching for the worst team in the league. He will likely be an important figure, replacing Javier Vazquez as an anchor to the rotation with Troy Munoz. Harrell is a ground ball pitcher, key in the band box that is Palms Park, and will likely appreciate the move to a team with a little bit of offensive prowess.

The Palms have addressed a looming need for a catcher by trading away one of the faces of the organization over the past two years. 2nd baseman Jaspero Gonzalez who was a stalwart at the position for several sesonse, as well as an anchor in the batting lineup has given no indication that he was willing to sign an extension, so Miami decided to maximize his value, dealing him to Philadelphia. Another issue facing the team this year will be the pending departure of Jose Molina and Omir Santos, a powerhouse catching duo. As part of a package that included cash and a pair of low level minor leaguers, the Palms acquired Carlos Ruiz, who now projects as the Miami starter at catcher and ends the Santos era in Miami. The Palms will be getting a high average hitter coming off a career year, in which he hit .325 with 16 home runs. He is getting older, turning 33 this past season, which depressed his value somewhat, but for the next season or two, he will be useful in the Palms' lineup. The P...

Long time Palms relief pitcher Art McLoughlin has found a new home shortly after his option was not picked up in Miami. McLoughlin has opted to sign in the national league with the New York Mets on a minor league deal. He had a 5.03 ERA in 73 1/3rd innings last year, his best season since 2009. The veteran pitcher's presence in the clubhouse will be missed, but the increasing contract for a middling reliever was gladly excised from the payroll.

The Palms went into the offseason with decisions to make regarding options on 5 players. Johnny Giavotella, Jose Molina, Kevin Correia, Nick Markakis, and Art McLoughlin were the players needing a decision. Giovotella and Markakis will be Miami Palms again next year, but catcher Molina and pitchers Correia and Markakis were cut loose. The free agency period is open, so expect some changes to come quickly to a Miami team that struggled heavily late in the season.