Miami Palms Blog

Rookie Kyle Blume will likely be the 5th starter for the Palms this season, as veterans slide in in front of him in the rotation. First year starters have historically proved to be disappointing for Blume, but the risk is being mitigated by what the Palms feel to be a stronger rotation and Blume's quality stuff. If not, he has to be better than Ivan Fernandez was two years ago.

Through his career, Gregor Blanco has been a super sub. In every one of his 4 years in his major league career, he has played all three outfield positions. With a strong outfield in Miami, there isn't a regular position to be handed out, so this is the role Blanco will play on South Beach as well. He isn't highly regarded for his bat, but he is speedy, and the fielding won't take a hit on games where he is in the lineup

After a couple of seasons of being a do everything utility man, Tony Abreu will step in to become the team's regular short stop. Abreu hit .278 with some power last season as a regular infield replacement. It remains to be seen, obviously, whether or not he can match this success over the course of a full season. The good news is, if he can't, the Palms are very pleased with the progress of prospect Chris Korb to this point in the season. As a worst case scenario, Abreu is a stopgap until Korb can take over the role every day, but the Palms feel that he will be more than that.

The Palms have added another outfielder to the roster. Joe Mather has bounced around in his young career, spending last season with the Cubs and previous seasons in St. Louis and Atlanta. He hasn't hit for average at any point, but he has shown some pop in his bat and along with Gregor Blanco, will help spell the all star regulars.

With the Palms already making moves to add a couple new catchers, and Jose Molina declining the option on his contract, it was just a matter of time before it was established where he would end up. He has made the decision to go to Chicago to play for the White Sox, taking over for long time backstop AJ Pierzynski.

The Palms made a minor move this evening as they seek to fill some bench spots with veterans. The team already plans on adding 3 rookies to the roster, so adding a known commodity like former San Francisco Giant Gregor Blanco is greatly appreciated. Blanco is known mostly for his fielding than his hitting. Never much of a power bat, he did hit over .300 in 2010 with the Royals and Braves. He will likely only be used as a bench bat and a defensive replacement on days the regulars need a day off.