Emilio Bonifacio News

Finally got around to ordering my Bill James Handbook . During my initial perusal something jumped out at me -- a positive stat on Emilio Bonifacio! Bonifacio took a lot of criticism last season for his low on-base percentage and inconsistent defense at third base.

Reading as much as I could find on the subject over the past month or two I came to only one conclusion: A Andrew McCutcheon, J.A. Happ and Tommy Hanson were considered by many writers and bloggers throughout the nation as the top candidates for the 2009 NL Rookie of the Year Award.

No surprise here - Dan Uggla is attracting interest from the Orioles, Red Sox and Giants, according to Fox sports .

When the Marlins let pitching coach Mark Wiley go along with first base/infield coach Andy Fox I wasn't all that concerned .

Who do you think is going to be the Marlins' third baseman on Opening Day? -- Dennis C., Miami We haven't even started free agency, and the organization right now is trying to settle its coaching staff, so it is way too early to give a truly accurate prediction of who will start at a number of positions.

The damage is done. Fredi Gonzalez is tainted goods already. And here's what I don't get: How does Gonzalez get singled out for the Marlins missing the playoffs? If owner Jeffrey Loria follows this kind of logic, he should fire President of Baseball Operations Larry Beinfest, too.

The Florida Marlins' Emilio Bonifacio looks on as manager Fredi Gonzalez tells Josh Johnson he is done pitching after the fifth inning in the first game of a doubleheader against the Philadelphia Phillies at Land Shark Stadium in Miami on September 22,2009. JOE RIMKUS JR.

Oh, the fun of trusting your community aesthetic -- and tax dollars -- to a guy who got his art world start buying pieces for the Vincent Price Collection at Sears and who makes anonymous veteran New York art dealers "ready to throw up ." But our first impression of the plans for Jeffrey Loria 's new Marlins Stadium is: pretty cool, actually.

Such is the impact of uncovering each season's surprise hitters. Or more appropriately, lucking into those surprises.

Florida Marlins starter Josh Johnson pitches during the first inning against the Washington Nationals in Miami on Friday, Sept.

Hanley Ramirez #2 of the Florida Marlins drives in Emilio Bonifacio #1 with a double in the third inning against the Washington Nationals on opening day at Dolphin Stadium on April 6, 2009 in Miami, Florida.

The season commenced with plenty of hype for Matt Wieters, Cameron Maybin, and Matt LaPorta, and yet none of these three prospects have made a real fantasy impact this season.

Coghlan, who leads all rookies in average, is batting .439 during that span. Miss you, Hanley: Maybe second baseman Dan Uggla did miss his shortstop comrade, who sat out the game with a hamstring injury.

Hanley Ramirez is an all-around great baseball player. He can hit, hit for power, run, drive people in, and he is even working on his fielding.

The Florida Marlins' Cameron Maybin pinch hits in the fifth inning of a game against the Atlanta Braves at Land Shark Stadium on September 1, 2009.

Chris Volstad was in the showers, trying to scrub away a nightmare, before a healthy number of Friday's spectators at Land Shark Stadium were in their seats.

First baseman Nick Johnson was placed on the 15-day disabled list after cutting short a jogging session Tuesday.

Good and bad: Shortly after getting a pinch-hit, infield single in the seventh to extend the Marlins ' run of consecutive games with at least 10 hits to 15, Emilio Bonifacio got picked off first base with the scorching-hot Chris Coghlan at the plate.

Box W:W.Rodriguez L:J.Johnson S:J.Valverde HR: FLA- None HOU- C.Lee , H.Pence Florida Top 1st - UMPIRES: Home,Ed Rapuano; First, Scott Barry; Second, Phil Cuzzi; Third, Brian O'Nora; - Chris Coghlan grounded out short to first.

Thursday's series finale featured a noteworthy streak, just not the history-making kind the Marlins sought.