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A Fish Out Of Water ………The Florida Marlins
By tophat | April 9, 2008
As you all must know by now when it comes to baseball I’m an avowed Marlins’ fan. And that I’d go to the ends of the earth to watch the team. I’ve been the highs and lows with the franchise since it came into existence. From the very first pitch thrown out by Charlie Hough to their winning of two unexpected World Series in the space of seven years. Other than the Yankees and Red Sox there hasn’t been multiple winners of baseball’s most prestigious prize over the last ten years.
The Marlins’ Mike Jacobs hits a fifth inning grand slam against the Pirates. picture courtesy of ap/photos/Pat Carter…..
And though it’s early in the season aand we sit atop of the NL East it’d be too much for me to expect them to win the division. But I’m of the opinion that if they were to find their footing under the leadership of second year coach Fredi Gonzalez then they coould make some noise within the division and across the National League as a whole. We’ve got a very good nucleus of young players that are eager to prove their worth to the franchise and cut their teeth at the highest echelons of the game.
Marlins’ catcher Paul Hoover tags out the Mets’ David Wright in a divisional game . picture courtesy of getty images /Doug Benc ………
If there’s a disadvantage to the team it’s their inexperience and the fact in terms of veteran leadership there’s not really much there. But with the likes of Dan Uggla , Hanlys Ramirez I’ll remain upbeat and positive. As the team is more than capable of acquitting itself well when placed in a situation of real adversity.
Rookie Robert Andino (11) celebrates his solo home run against the Mets. For Andino it was his first professional home run in the big leagues. picture courtesy of getty images/Doug Benc ……..
The loss of stalwarts Dontrelle Willis and All Star 3b Miguel Cabrera though a shock was done out of financial expediency by the team. And with their payroll now standing at an abysmal $28m the lowest payroll in all of baseball. It begs the question how teams can actually compete in this day and age of the ever rising salary demands of the players. Say nothing as to the competitivenes of the mid market and lower tiered teams and how they ought to fare.
Picther Mark Hendrickson and Matt Treanor (c) on the mound discuss strategies. picture courtesy of ap/photos/ J Pat Carter ……..
With the competitiveness of the division being what it is and having to compete against the New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, Atlantas Braves and the Washington Nationals. One could adjudge that the Marlins face a real daunting task of they’re even to gain a wild card spot let alone contest the division. The Mets were an immediate improvement with their signing of two time Cy Young winner Johan Santana to improve their pitching rotation. But with the loss of Pedro Martinez to a niggling injury and what many suspect’ll be a prolonged preiod. It’ll be interesting to see how the Mets’ll fare. The Philles themselves will have to prove that last season’s winning of the division wasn’t a fluke at all. And with their trio of Chase Utley , Ryan Howard and NL MVP Jimmy Rollins one can attest to the fact they possess a trio of players that are game changers who are in their prime.
Hanlys Ramirez tries to evade the tag from the Mets’ (SS) Jose Reyes . picture courtesy of ap/photo/Jon Way ………
The Atlanta Braves will always remain a consistent presence but their pitching leaves a great deal to be desired even with the likes of wily veterans John Smoltz and the return of Tom Glavine to the fold. The woes of Mike Hampton still continue and has been a disappointment to the franchise . As to the money spent in signing the left hander ………it’s become a financial boondoggle to the franchise which they’ll be paying until the expriring of the contract in 2010. They’ll contend within the division and it ought to be interesting to see whether or not the coaching abilities of manager Bobby Cox will come to the fore once again. As a regular season coach he’s unequalled but come the postseason he becomes something of a liability not only to his team but to himself.
Starting pitcher Andrew Miller of the Marlins seen here against the New York Mets. picture courtesy of getty images/Doug Benc …….
The Marlins sit a crossroads in terms of their existence as they’re still the only major league team in all of baseball that still doesn’t have a venue to call home . And though the state legislature and that of Mami Dade county government have come to terms with owner Jeffrey Loria for the building of a facility for the franchise. It ought to augur for the future growth of the franchise. Albeit that I still remain suspicious Jeffrey Loria , his underlying machinations and his overall treatment of the franchise’s staunchest fans. He’s been disingenuous and less than forthright as to his intentions with the franchise. Even going so far as to surreptitiously arrange backdoor interviews with several cities across the country as to the likelihood of the franchise being moved to their cities.
Dan Uggla tries to make an athletic play in trying to tag out the Mets’ Luis Castillo . picture courtesy of getty images/ Doug Benc ………..
What I like about the Marlins is their roster of young players that has to be the envy of others around the league. Cameron Maybin, Jeremy Hermida, Andrew Miller , Hanlys Ramirez , Dan Uggla , Josh Willingham , Robert Andino, Wes Helms, Scott Olsen and Kevin Gregg are the building blocks that’ll bode well for the future of the franchise. And with the leadership former World Series MVP Luis Gonzalez it’s hoped that we can fare well throughout the season and beyond. Never mind the fact that whilst he was conducting those meetings he was telling the local press and tv stations that he had no intention of moving the team. He’d have moved this franchise like a thief in the night packing up their belongings and driving off in the darkness without so much as a by your leave. Such are the intentions of many owners who can’t always get their own way when they’re trying to extort money from the public coffers.
Marlins’ owner Jeffrey Loria and Mets’ GM Omar Minaya seen here prior to the opening of the game between their two teams. picture courtesy of getty images/ Doug Benc…..
The machinations of baseball as it is now that when it comes to the level playing field in terms of competitiveness you’re not only judged by your competitiveness on the field. But also by your financial viability of it. The game has and always will be about the have’s and have not’s . And don’t let anyone ever tell you otherwise. If they’re of the belief that it’s to the contrary then let them try to substantiate it with proof. And to date it hasn’t been proven otherwise.
tophatal ………….
Topics: Uncategorized |
April 10th, 2008 at 9:29 am
No, they won’t be on top of the division for long. But like you said, there are some solid young players to build around.
The odd thing is they have been able to win without good starting pitching. Of all the pitchers that have started so far, only one of those guys is carrying less than a 5.00 ERA. And if I’m correct, I think they have a few talented pitchers out with injuries. Some encouraging work out of the bullpen, but won’t last long with a decent rotation.
They should have enough young offense to build around, obviously with Hanley Ramirez being the main star. Uggla and Willingham have power, but need to develop more as complete hitters.
It will be interesting to see what they can do in the next 2-3 years.
April 10th, 2008 at 9:30 am
* meant to say “WITHOUT a decent rotation.”
April 10th, 2008 at 9:42 am
shooter b
By way of the talent on the roster. I must say that I’m pleased with what they’ve got. On the other hand I’m disappointed that we’ve lost the D-Train and Cabrebra . But I understand the reasons behind it even though I wasn’t in agreement with it in the forst place.
I do believe however that we can contest within the division if things fall just right for the team. Gonzalez as a coach is still learning the ropes but in time he’ll acquit himself. I also like the fiery nature of many of the young players and never say die attitude as it bodes well for the future of thefranchise.
tophac………..