Post by #1 Jays Fan on Mar 25, 2008 18:51:41 GMT -5
Last season: 71-91, 5th in N.L. East
Manager: Fredi Gonzalez, 2nd season, 71-91 (.438) career record
New faces: IF Jorge Cantu (TB), IF Jose Castillo (PIT), RHP Tim Corcoran (TB), OF Luis Gonzalez (LAD), LHP Mark Hendrickson (LAD), RHP Bob Keppel (COL), OF Cameron Maybin (DET), LHP Andrew Miller (DET), C Mike Rabelo (DET)
Left town: 3B Aaron Boone (WSH), 3B Miguel Cabrera (DET), RHP Byung-Hyun Kim (PIT), OF Todd Linden (OAK), C Miguel Olivo (KC), LHP Dontrelle Willis (DET)
Overview: For the third time in their 15 years as a major league franchise, the Marlins put out a "Garage Sale" sign. This time, they shipped all-stars Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis to the Tigers for a parcel of prospects. In return, they received a future everyday center fielder in Cameron Maybin and a future top of the rotation starter in Andrew Miller. Sorry, did I say future? Both are expected to contribute this season for a team that has a projected payroll of less than $20 million, or roughly $7 million less than the Yankees pay Alex Rodriguez. All this means is that Marlins will likely finish with the lowest attendance in the Majors for the third straight season.
Stat to ponder: Marlins starters posted a 5.58 ERA last season, worst in the Majors. Looking at their projected rotation, that number isn't likely to go down anytime soon. Top prospect: OF Cameron Maybin: Still considered a prospect despite his debut with the Tigers last season, Maybin will be used in centre by the Marlins and should prosper on a team where results, due to their rebuilding status, won't be at a premium.
Hitting
2007 AVG: .267 (16th), RUNS/GAME: 4.88 (13th), HR: 201 (4th)
The loss of Cabrera to the Tigers leaves a massive hole in the lineup. If they are patient, Maybin could pick up some the slack, while Mike Jacobs and Jeremy Hermida still have enough upside to improve. Dan Uggla quietly put up 31 HR, 88 RBI numbers but his 167 strikeouts last season was the second most in MLB. 2007 lead-off man Hanley Ramirez tied for fourth in the majors with 212 hits while stealing 51 bases for the second year in a row. He has the skill set to be a very good number three hitter in this season. The Marlins have a huge hole at catcher where Mike Rabelo will start as number one after sitting and watching behind Pudge Rodriguez in Detroit. Jorge Cantu takes over for Cabrera at third, two years remived from a 117 RBI season with Tampa Bay. Last year he drove in just 13 runs, but at least he's cheap.
Pitching
2007 ERA: 4.94 (28th), OPP AVG: .285 (28th)
After years of having Josh Beckett and Dontrelle Willis as their ace, the Marlins head into 2008 with loose-cannon left-hander Scott Olsen in the number one spot in a weak rotation. After him, they have a lot of question marks, including former Blue Jays and ex-NBA player Mark Hendrickson. Injuries held Anibal Sanchez to just six starts one season removed from a no-hitter and could be back into the mix when he's 100 percent again. They have one of the top unsung closers in baseball in Kevin Gregg, who saved 32 games for the bargain-basement price of $575,000 and won't likely be with the Marlins next season if he asks for a raise. This is basically a Triple-A pitching staff.
Statsman's non-binding prediction: A solid fifth. No team could trade away their top offensive producer and a cornerstone of their rotation and expect to compete. But the future is looking brighter ... again.
Manager: Fredi Gonzalez, 2nd season, 71-91 (.438) career record
New faces: IF Jorge Cantu (TB), IF Jose Castillo (PIT), RHP Tim Corcoran (TB), OF Luis Gonzalez (LAD), LHP Mark Hendrickson (LAD), RHP Bob Keppel (COL), OF Cameron Maybin (DET), LHP Andrew Miller (DET), C Mike Rabelo (DET)
Left town: 3B Aaron Boone (WSH), 3B Miguel Cabrera (DET), RHP Byung-Hyun Kim (PIT), OF Todd Linden (OAK), C Miguel Olivo (KC), LHP Dontrelle Willis (DET)
Overview: For the third time in their 15 years as a major league franchise, the Marlins put out a "Garage Sale" sign. This time, they shipped all-stars Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis to the Tigers for a parcel of prospects. In return, they received a future everyday center fielder in Cameron Maybin and a future top of the rotation starter in Andrew Miller. Sorry, did I say future? Both are expected to contribute this season for a team that has a projected payroll of less than $20 million, or roughly $7 million less than the Yankees pay Alex Rodriguez. All this means is that Marlins will likely finish with the lowest attendance in the Majors for the third straight season.
Stat to ponder: Marlins starters posted a 5.58 ERA last season, worst in the Majors. Looking at their projected rotation, that number isn't likely to go down anytime soon. Top prospect: OF Cameron Maybin: Still considered a prospect despite his debut with the Tigers last season, Maybin will be used in centre by the Marlins and should prosper on a team where results, due to their rebuilding status, won't be at a premium.
Hitting
2007 AVG: .267 (16th), RUNS/GAME: 4.88 (13th), HR: 201 (4th)
The loss of Cabrera to the Tigers leaves a massive hole in the lineup. If they are patient, Maybin could pick up some the slack, while Mike Jacobs and Jeremy Hermida still have enough upside to improve. Dan Uggla quietly put up 31 HR, 88 RBI numbers but his 167 strikeouts last season was the second most in MLB. 2007 lead-off man Hanley Ramirez tied for fourth in the majors with 212 hits while stealing 51 bases for the second year in a row. He has the skill set to be a very good number three hitter in this season. The Marlins have a huge hole at catcher where Mike Rabelo will start as number one after sitting and watching behind Pudge Rodriguez in Detroit. Jorge Cantu takes over for Cabrera at third, two years remived from a 117 RBI season with Tampa Bay. Last year he drove in just 13 runs, but at least he's cheap.
Pitching
2007 ERA: 4.94 (28th), OPP AVG: .285 (28th)
After years of having Josh Beckett and Dontrelle Willis as their ace, the Marlins head into 2008 with loose-cannon left-hander Scott Olsen in the number one spot in a weak rotation. After him, they have a lot of question marks, including former Blue Jays and ex-NBA player Mark Hendrickson. Injuries held Anibal Sanchez to just six starts one season removed from a no-hitter and could be back into the mix when he's 100 percent again. They have one of the top unsung closers in baseball in Kevin Gregg, who saved 32 games for the bargain-basement price of $575,000 and won't likely be with the Marlins next season if he asks for a raise. This is basically a Triple-A pitching staff.
Statsman's non-binding prediction: A solid fifth. No team could trade away their top offensive producer and a cornerstone of their rotation and expect to compete. But the future is looking brighter ... again.
