What To Expect from the Marlins

As time went by this offseason, many of my predictions and hopes for the Florida Marlins did not happen.

The first being Josh Johnson's contract negotiations reaching an impasse and not getting any starting pitching help.

In past posts, I had mentioned what I had expected from the Marlins' front office, some of these posts talk about Nick Johnson, Dan Uggla, and other players who are on the trade block or their contracts are up. 

So, during the span of time since those posts, a lot has changed. 

Let's start off with an interesting trade that I had not expected: Jeremy Hermida to the Red Sox.

Hermida was a player I once believed in and had high hopes for.

His 2007 season was a very good one and had inspired me to become a believer, but after a sub-par 2008 and a dreadful 2009, he didn't live up to his potential with the Marlins, and luckily the Marlins got two good relief prospects from the Red Sox for him.

In my head, it seemed as if it was a good deal for both sides, and I felt that the Marlins started the offseason with a bang.

Well, I was wrong.

In my opinion, things started to break down right after the Hermida trade.

From that point on, I was expecting Dan Uggla to be shopped and hopefully traded before 2010. The market seems to be slowing down for Uggla, mainly because of his lackluster defense and the fact he doesn't want to move from second base.

Before clarifying that he didn't want to change positions, about five teams had major interest in the slugger, including the Twins and Orioles.

Talks with the Giants were getting stronger and a few names were exchanged, but some may think that the asking price was too high (the Marlins were primarily looking for pitching, specifically Jonathan Sanchez).

In my mind this trade seems ideal, but the Giants don't look to be interested in giving some homegrown talent for Uggla. 

Other teams like the Braves have interest, but this interest is extremely mild. So the most upsetting reality is that Uggla will be back, taking up around $7-$8 million of the cheap Marlins' salary.

So, it's back to square one for Uggla and the Marlins' front office.

Another dreadful reality that Fish fans are suffering from is the impasse with Johnson. 

It seemed as if the Marlins were getting a bargain deal for Johnson, but the Marlins didn't want to go for the fourth year on the contract, making the negotiations stop.

It is very possible that negotiations open again, but since Johnson is angered by the five-year $13 million offer to Cuban pitcher Aroldis Chapman, it may seem that Johnson won't be staying for too long with the Marlins.

The Marlins have signed a good amount of minor leaguers and traded pitcher Matt Lindstrom to Houston for a set of minor leaguers. 

The Lindstrom trade is a good trade for the club, and, as soon as it was finalized, I was relieved to see him go far away from South Florida.

Contract signings also took place as the Marlins were able to sign Ronnie Paulino and Ricky Nolasco to one-year deals.

 

What To Expect From Here On Out

The team wants to win and wants to get better whilst being cheap, so I'd expect the Marlins to trade Uggla for prospects and save money. 

With the money saved from Uggla's departure, pick up some relief pitching, which at this time is a priority, since the Marlins have lost many key relief pitchers to free agency.

I would like to see Florida try and re-sign Kiko Calero, who was certainly impressive when he was healthy and is a very good setup man.

I once thought that starting pitching was the priority this offseason, when frankly there is need for a lot of improvement in many areas.

I am worried about the power numbers going down and less runs being produced with the absence of Uggla and with who is going to replace him.

I really don't think the Marlins will pick up any starting pitching from free agency right now and will probably maintain its focus on relief pitching.

The primary reason for this is that the Marlins already have a good amount of pitching prospects that could fill up the rotation.

 

So Far the Rotation Will Hopefully Look Like This

Josh Johnson

Ricky Nolasco

Anibal Sanchez

Sean West/Andrew Miller

VandenHurk/Chris Volstad

There are many other possibilities at starting pitcher next season for the Marlins. For example: Ryan Tucker, Dan Meyer, Burke Badenhop, and possibly Hayden Penn.

If the Marlins are still in the hunt by midseason or are having trouble with the rotation, don't be surprised if a trade for a veteran starting pitcher happens.

 

The Bullpen So Far Looks Like This

Cl Leo Nunez

SU Kiko Calero (If they can re-sign him)

RHP Jose Ceda

LHP Taylor Tankersely

RHP Christian Martinez

LHP Dan Meyer

Long Relief Burke Badenhop

 

Finally, the 2010 Lineup So Far

Cameron Maybin CF

Chris Coghlan LF

Hanley Ramirez SS

Jorge Cantu 3B

Cody Ross RF

Gaby Sanchez/Logan Morrison 1B

John Baker/Ronnie Paulino C

Pitcher Spot

Emilio Bonifacio 2B

I put the pitcher in the eight-spot.

I did it because I feel that the Marlins can get more runners on base when Hanley Ramirez is at the plate, giving the team more possibilities to knock in runs.

There is a lot to improve and many young players to test out. All I want to see is the Marlins try to make some good additions, specifically to the bullpen.

Hopefully, if there is time, money, and patience from the front office, a good deal may happen and maybe get a starting pitcher.

Who knows? Maybe even Aroldis Chapman.

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