Reyes signing questioned by former Marlins manager Edwin Rodriguez

      Former Marlins manager Edwin Rodriguez questioned the Jose Reyes signing in a satellite radio interview on Wednesday and believes the team is going to have a "tough time" convincing Hanley Ramirez to move to third.

      Rodriguez, who stepped down as Marlins manager last summer, made his comments on the MLB Network Channel on Sirius/XM this morning. Here's what Rodriguez had to say:

      When asked how he thought Ramirez would handle to the switch to third, Rodriguez replied: "I think it's going to be a very interesting situation, to say the least. Knowing Hanley, he's a very proud player. It's going to be very hard for him to move out of shortstop. He's a big-league shortstop. He's an All-Star shortstop. In my opinion, I think they are going to have a tough time trying to convince him to move to third base. Even if he does that, move to third base, beginning of the season, I think it's going to be very interesting to watch how everything develops, how Reyes takes the front pages and how the people start talking about the All-Star shortstop Jose Reyes It will be very interesting to see how Hanley will handle that."

      Rodriguez then went on to question the Reyes signing.

      "In my opinion, I don't think that was the right move to sign Jose Reyes," Rodriguez continued. "You already have an All-Star shortstop. Why spend money on another All-Star shortstop? Why not put the money in another player like Albert Pujols or somebody else, one frontline pitcher?"

      On the other hand, Rodriguez said he believes Ramirez would excel at third base and the Marlins, from an offensive standpoint, would have one of the best left-side infields in the majors.

      "I would say yes," Rodriguez replied when asked if he thought that Ramirez could be a successful third baseman. "I would say he will be a very successful third baseman. I think it will make him a better offensive player. If he wants to make that adjustment and commit to that new position, I think that he will be a very solid third baseman. If he's willing to do that -- and I think the Marlins in that case are taking the right approach -- if they move him to third base, that left side of the infield is going to be one of the best, if not the best, offensive production in the big leagues."

      In November, Rodriguez was hired by the Cleveland Indians to manage their Single A affiliate, the Carolina Mudcats.

Comments

[Russell]

You mean they had to ask Rodriguez if Hanley would be adverse to switching positions? So how many of the other 1000 commentaries by experts including yourself did you think were incorrect?

[Sonia Amerrison]

The Marlins signed Buehrle, were gonna get Wilson. Edwin shut up!

[bob]

Tell Edwin shut up all you want, but the man has a point. He knows Hanley better than most. He managed the man every day for a good while, had to put up with his attitudes and criticism. One thing is for sure: after two mediocre years, Hanley better step up and take this position change by the horns if he wants his team to succeed next season.

[Glags]

I'm not so sure that he's interested in the team. All the reports about this guy being a spoiled egomaniac can't be wrong. I've heard them come from our local sports radio guys and I saw it myself; to a lesser degree, of course. On another note, I was awfully disappointed to hear Samson say that Volstad was the front runner for that 5th spot on the rotation. Though, Lebatard quickly pointed out that he wasn't even invited to the unveiling of the new unis Samson stuck to his story. The rotation is impressive up until you get to Volstad. They gotta fix that.

['witz]

What Wilson are we going to get? CJ signed with the Angels.
As for Volstad, he is a 6-inning pitcher on his very best days, which are few. When he does get through the 6th, sending him out to pitch the 7th is malpractice.

[Luis Zuniga]

I believe that contracting Pujols and sending Gabby Sanchez to third would have been a better strategy.
I agree that Volstad cannot be in the rotation of a winning team where the Phillies and the Braves compete.

[Matty G]

Really? Who are the number 5 starters for the Phillies and the Braves? Not exactly aces.

[Glags]

You're only as strong as your weakest link. Point is this guy has been given the opportunity to show that he can pitch at this level and evidently he cannot. He'll be up and down just like he has in his career therefore not providing any stability to the rotation. Barring injuries the rotation should be maintained consistent. The marlins have had guys up and down and all around the last couple of seasons and where has that gotten them. If you get a guy like Gio where Anibal and Nolasco are your four and five guys you've got a hell of a rotation.

[Miamiandy24]

I, Hanley Ramirez, do promise all Miami Marlins fans that I will:

Play up to my potential

Not worry about any statistical numbers except for wins.

Play hard and play hurt.

X__________________________
Please sign here

[JVL]

They need pitching and a catcher to compete with Philadelphia, Atlanta and Washington. Check out Buck's stats on throwing out runners. Package guys like Buck, Oviedo-Nunez, Volstad even Gabby (LoMo to first) and concentrate on getting what they need to win. Even if they don't get Cespedes to play CF, they can play Boni there and don't be surprised if he hits .300 and steals 50 bases. But without pitching and a catcher, they will finish fourth in the NL East. The stadium building cannot score runs or get out runners. And if they finish fourth, people will stop coming when the novelty of the building wears off.

[Mr. B]

Why are these clowns still talking about Pujols? Obviously he didn't want to be here. After all the courting the team did, he signed with LAA without even a face to face....Edwin does not seem to be qualified to speak on the major league team. He was a crappy manager who quit when things went badly. He couldn't even complete and he's supposed to be an expert. He couldn't get Hanley to play hard yet he's giving his worthless 2 cents. Child Please!!!!