2008 Season: 84-77, 3rd place in NL Eastern Division
SO LONG: OF Luis Gonzalez, P Kevin Gregg, P Mark Hendrickson, OF Jacque Jones, C Paul Lo Duca, P Joe Nelson, P Arthur Rhodes
WELCOME: P Jose Ceda, P Scott Proctor
PROJECTED LINEUP
1. Cameron Maybin CF
2. John Baker C
3. Hanley Ramirez SS
4. Jorge Cantu 3B
5. Dan Uggla 2B
6. Jeremy Hermida LF
7. Cody Ross RF
8. Gaby Sanchez 1B
Starting Rotation: Ricky Nolasco, Josh Johnson, Chris Volstad, Anibal Sanchez, Andrew Miller
Setup: Leo Nunez
Closer: Matt Lindstrom
Say hello to the most underrated team in baseball. Did you know the Marlins were second only to the Phillies in team slugging and in home runs last year? Did you know their entire infield averaged over 30 home runs each? Once again, don't be surprised if the Marlins come out of nowhere to sneak into contention in the NL East.
Never a team to make too many big offseason moves, this winter the Marlins' biggest move was sending 24-year old lefty Scott Olson and outfielder Josh "The Hammer" Willingham to baseball purgatory Washington for Emilio Bonifacio and two minor leaguers: second baseman Jake Smolinski and right-hander P.J. Dean. Olson had already peaked in his usefulness for the fish. He was to the Marlins another version of Pat Rapp or Ryan Dempster - just a transition arm until a new batch of kids comes along.
Even with the departure of Olson, the Marlins still feature one of the best starting fives in the National League (although still the second best staff in the state). Ricky Nolasco, Josh Johnson, Chris Volstad, Andrew Miller, and Anibel Sanchez lead a posse of arms that are young, healthy, and scary good. Think Pavano, Beckett, Burnett, Willis, and Penny.
Offensively, the Marlins didn't lose much from 2008. Only the aforementioned Willingham and first baseman Mike Jacobs. Taking their place is super prospect Cameron Maybin and Gaby Sanchez, respectively. Both will be interesting to watch. Maybin was the centerpiece of the much maligned trade with Detroit that sent over Miggy Cabrera (who has since ate himself to firstbase) and Dontrelle Willis (who immediately contracted Steve Blass Disease) and Sanchez is a native Miamian who also went to the University of Miami. How they both play now that the pressure is on will determine how well the Marlins do in 2009.
The Mr. Sexy Time Award: (no-brainer) Hanley Ramirez. Ramirez is the best shortstop not only in his division (over Rollins and Reyes), but in the entire major leagues. Yes, he is still not the greatest fielder in the world, but he brings an array of offensive firepower not seen in any position, no less at short. The Marlins also recognize Ramirez's vast ability, signing him to a long-term contract, a deal almost unheard of in South Florida.
The Going Green Award: Jorge Cantu and Dallas McPherson (tie). Both of these gentlemen were left on the scrap heap of baseball talent. Instead of recreating prospects and letting these two go to waste, the Marlins took Cantu and McPherson, dusted them off, shined them up, and put them back on the field. Cantu responded with 29 home runs, 95 RBIs, and an over .800 OPS and McPherson hit 42 home runs in Triple A.
The Famous Blunder Award: The Chicago Cubs. As many people know, there are several classic blunders. The most famous is never get involved in a land war in Asia, but only slightly less well-known is this: never go in against a Sicilian when death is on the line. Then, there is the most prominent baseball blunder: Never Trade Pitching With The Marlins. When was the last time the Marlins got ripped off in a swap of pitchers? It doesn't happen. No pitcher, save for Trevor Hoffman, leaves the Marlins and does unexpectedly better with their new team. The Marlins always get the better end of trading arms. So, with that in mind, seven years after trading Dontrelle Willis and several other arms for journeyman reliever Antonio Alfonseca, the Cubs yet again tempted the fates and dealt prospect Jose Ceda to the Marlins for mediocre-at-best spot reliever Kevin Gregg.
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