NL East Preview: Florida Marlins

The Phillies have won two World Series titles since 1883. The Florida Marlins have won two titles since 1993. The Marlins are a pesky team for the Phillies.

They give teams the fits with their explosive offense and find a way to remain in the thick of division and playoff races when nobody expects them to. Such was the case last year.

For a time, the Marlins were on top of the NL East before giving way to the Mets and Phillies down the stretch. But the Marlins, for a second straight year, helped to foil the postseason plans of the Mets on the last weekend of the season. What kind of season will 2009 be for the team?

Here to continue our series of NL East team previews is Larry from MarlinsBaseball.com.

Questions about the Florida Marlins

The Marlins were in the thick of the NL East for a while last year before fading into third place. What held them back in 2008?

The inability to finish off games held them back. Kevin Gregg blew 10 saves, including a crucial game against the Mets down the stretch that sent the Fish seven games back instead of bringing them to within five. If Gregg turns around half of those, they would've been right there.

I don't agree with this thought, even though Hanley has grown to be a pretty big shortstop. His defense at SS leaves a lot to be desired as well.

However, I just can't see him performing better defensively in the outfield. Considering his speed, if moved to the outfield, he would probably be best in CF. The Marlins have a CF by the name of [Cameron] Maybin already patrolling the ground there.

I really like the rotation going into this season. It could be one of the best in all of Major League Baseball. This year unlike 2008, we enter with an Ace at the front who opened last year in the pen: Ricky Nolasco.

We also have Josh Johnson for a full season barring injuries and Chris Volstad in the bigs for a full campaign after a stellar rookie campaign.

The bullpen is a major question mark however. I am confident that Matt Lindstrom will do well as closer, but we won't know until the games start.

Yes, and no. They won't put up the same power numbers because the team is built differently. However, runs should be still scored in big numbers. With Cameron Maybin leading off and John Baker batting second, it should give Hanley Ramirez a lot of RBI chances in the No. 3 hole.

Last season, Ramirez led off and set the table but did not get those many RBI chances. As long as Maybin can be somewhat of the player Marlins fans expect him to be, there should be a positive result from the lineup shuffle.

The strongest asset is the starting rotation. The biggest weakness is the bullpen. I like the lineup, and I think the team will improve defensively.

The pen though could use a little more experience and preferably a lights-out lefty a la Arthur Rhodes after the trade deadline last year.

I truly believe that they do have what it takes. This is going to sound optimistic on my part and may be laughed at, but I really believe the Marlins will compete and could win it all this year.

Teams win titles based on their starting pitching mostly and the Marlins have that on paper. Whether it works out remains to be seen but if it does, look out baseball, because the lineup should be able to back up those arms day in and day out.

John Baker definitely. He is not going to get the headlines that Cameron Maybin already is getting, but he could quietly turn in a fantastic year.

The Marlins are so optimistic about Baker that they passed on bringing Pudge back into the fold. He showed a lot of promise in 2008 and that should continue on in 2009.

Very optimistic. We finally know the team will be staying and we don't have to hear words such as relocation and contraction again.

We know the payroll will eventually increase, and now we may be able to keep guys like Nolasco and Johnson, while before they would most certainly be gone when their salary increased.

We will make the playoffs because our team is hungry to. They are a very motivated and excited group of players who are trying to once again prove the "experts" wrong.

Defense and the bullpen. We cannot throw games away in the field or at the end. It not only hurts the team that day but it has a carryover effect and can be demoralizing for the players.

Can the team make up for the losses of Mike Jacobs and Josh Willingham in the lineup with a rookie in Gaby Sanchez and a guy who hasn't been a MLB regular for long in Cody Ross?

This would be the biggest question mark because if Sanchez and Ross fail as regulars, it will have a big effect on the lineup.

1. Mets
2. Marlins
3. Phillies
4. Braves
5. Nationals

Not sure where I want to go on the records just yet but this is how I see it finishing. I'd say the Marlins are the Wild-Card in this scenario.

David Wright. I'd love to put him at third and move Cantu to first. His bat in the lineup along with the improved defense of not having Cantu at third would have a major effect on the team.

World Series prediction

Marlins vs. Yankees in a rematch of 2003. I think this is the year the Yankees get back to the Fall Classic and how can I go against the Fish?

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I am sure there will be a few Phillies fans who voice some displeasure about some of these predictions, but everyone is entitled to their own opinions, right? Many thanks to Larry for helping me out in the bottom of the ninth inning on this preview.

Be sure to check out MarlinsBaseball.com for outstanding coverage on the Marlins from a true fan's perspective. Also for more Marlins discussions be sure to stop by the MarlinsBaseball.com Forums.

That's Larry's opinion on his Marlins. What's your take?

Tomorrow we take a look at the New York Mets. Can they avoid a third late-season collapse? Be sure to check it out tomorrow.