I’m not sure how many fans will show up at their games on a regular basis, but the Miami Marlins have a chance to provide some genuine excitement for those who do. The Marlins got close to .500 last season and it would certainly appear as though they have a legit shot to climb above the break even plateau this year.
Despite playing in what might not be a haven for hitters, this edition of the Marlins is going to provide some offense. The conversation starts, of course, with the sensational Giancarlo Stanton. There really might not be a more feared hitter in the game today, and Stanton will enter the 2015 season as a serious MVP contender in the National League. I believe he’ll have his best campaign to date, and that has quite a nit to do with an enhanced supporting cast. Just pitching around Stanton is no longer an option.
Stanton is part of the best young outfield in the game. Christian Yelich is turning into a five tool performer. I really like Marcell Ozuna’s potential and he’s a breakout candidate in 2015. The infield will provided more punch than last year as well with three key newcomers in the fold. Michael Morse can still deliver power, Martin Prado is really solid if not spectacular, and there’s Dee Gordon, who is a good bet to take second on his own whenever he gets to first base safely. Adeiny Hechavarria might never be an All-Star SS, but he’s definitely acceptable. Jarrod Saltalamacchia is adequate behind the plate. There’s some okay depth on hand as well, including Ichiro Suzuki, who while clearly past his prime, actually profiles as a good fit in this ballpark and he’ll be a valuable backup.
I’m less convinced about the Miami staff, and that’s the holdup that keeps me from putting this team into my post-season mix. Mat Latos should emerge as the staff ace if he’s healthy, but he’s not really a #1 at this point. Henderson Alvarez is an okay mid-rotation guy and Jarred Cosart is getting there as well. The back end could be dicey as I’m not sold on Tom Koehler as a long term option and I’m just not sure about Dan Haren anymore.
The Marlins bullpen is not bad. Steve Cishek is not the prototypical closer but he mostly gets the job done. AJ Ramos has turned the corner and is potentially the best reliever on this roster and Mike Dunn is underrated. The Marlins also have some other additional options on hand.
Mike Redmond needs to get away from his tendency to bunt when he shouldn’t. This is a lineup with big inning potential and giving away outs early in games to get one run makes little sense. Redmond drove me nuts at times with this habit last season, especially when bunting allowed the opposition to simply pitch around Stanton. Simply stated, any move that takes the bat out of Stanton’s hands is a blunder.
My concerns about the rotation are the only holdup for me on this team. If the starters come through with a steady combined effort, the Marlins could have shot at getting to the wild card game, and anything can happen at that point. But I”l onto to play it conservatively and will just lean to the Marlins getting Over their posted win total. Nevertheless, this is a team that should be on the rise.