(Apologies. Life's been getting in the way a little, but here I am to continue this series to a speedy end.)
Miami Marlins
Additions: Aaron Crow, Dee Gordon, Dan Haren, Mat Latos, Mike Morse, David Phelps, Martin Prado, Ichiro Suzuki
Subtractions: Chris Hatcher, Andrew Heaney, Nathan Eovaldi, Garrett Jones, Casey McGehee, Andrew McKirahan (!)
Rock-Solid Win Prediction: 81-81
For some reason, the Marlins seem to be a pick by many to surprise in 2015, but I don't see it. I still have yet to understand why they traded a solid young pitcher for a .326 OBP and dude who wasn't keen on playing for them, but this is the Marlins. Their trades are either salary dumps or confusing messes. Still, they did add some pieces that they should be happy with. Mat Latos is coming off injury and struggled this spring, but he's right, he's not the kind of guy Braves fans will like seeing an unhealthy amount of due to the unbalanced schedule. When Jose Fernandez comes back this summer, that could be an elite 1-2 punch. Mike Morse is a defensive liability, but adds pop to the lineup.
It'll be nice to see Prado as well, a guy who has appeared to peak. Counting his last two years in Atlanta, he has a four year sample of .282/.330/.414. Nice numbers, but a far cry from the three years before 2011, when he slashed .309/.358/.461 as one of the best secrets in baseball. On the farm, their system looks pretty gutted of many bluechip prospects, especially those with the bat.
I look at the Marlins and I expect mediocrity. They're better on paper than Atlanta, but that in itself doesn't make them great. Nor does it make them bad. They could easily get into the Wild Card picture, but they appear exceedingly thin. But they didn't give Giancarlo Stanton that much money to suck for the rest of the decade so they'll be around and with the right mix and right amount of luck, they could compete. Just don't be surprised if the Marlins don't give the Nationals much of a fight.
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