The Blue Workhorse

2007: (71-91), 5th place

Manager: Fredi Gonzalez (2nd season)

Key Additions -
OF Cameron Maybin
P Andrew Miller
OF Luis Gonzalez
P Mark Hendrikson
3B Dallas McPherson
3B Jorge Cantu

Key Losses -
Miguel Cabrera (to Det)
Dontrelle Willis (to Det)
Armando Benitez (released)
Josh Johnson (sholder surgery)

Projected Starting Lineup -
C - Matt Traenor
1B - Mike Jacobs
2B - Dan Uggla
SS - Hanley Ramirez
3B - Dallas McPherson
LF - Josh Willingham
CF - Cameron Maybin, Cody Ross
RF - Jeremy Hermida

Projected Rotation -
1 - Scott Olsen
2 - Sergio Mitre
3 - Andrew Miller
4 - Ricky Nolasco
5 - Rick VandenHurk

CL - Kevin Gregg

Outlook:
If it wasn’t for Luis Gonzalez being on the team, you might mistake the Marlins for an older Triple-A team (both in talent and age). On the 40 man roster, only Gonzalez, Mark Hendrikson, and reliever Lee Gardner are older than projected starting catcher Matt Treanor, who is practically a senior citizen on this team at the age of 32. After sending two of their marquee and most popular players, Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis, to Detroit, it should be interesting to see if the number of fans in attendance will stoop as low as the Expos’ final season in Montreal.

Despite “rebuilding” once again, the Marlins will have a couple of entertaining players to watch in Hanley Ramirez and Cameron Maybin. Depending upon his Spring Training results, Maybin may not begin the season in the majors, but he’ll be roaming centerfield, as a part of a youthful but strong outfield (with Willingham and Hermida), before too long. McPherson is in a Spring Training battle at third base with other free agent signees Jose Castillo and Jorge Cantu. The lineup will have a little bit of pop throughout, and Ramirez will continue to get on and steal bases, but don’t be surprised if at times a young hitter or two gets themselves into a lengthy slump.

The Marlins will be looking for the 22-year-old Miller to join an extremely young rotation that will undoubtedly take their lumps this season. Hendrickson is probably going to be expected to start, but if all the other young arms are healthy, he’ll likely be pushed from the rotation. However, the fourth and fifth slots in the rotation are a crap shoot as of now.

Here are last year’s ERAs from five of the possible six starters on this staff: 5.01, 5.48, 5.63, 5.81, and 6.83. Sergio Mitre [...] must be considered the ace of this staff after posting a 4.65 ERA. (Associated Content’s NL East Preview)

Fantasy Impact:
Hanley Ramirez is a rare fantasy threat. In his second full season last year, he hit .332 and was one homer shy of being the third player EVER to hit 30 home runs and 50 stolen bases (Eric Davis, ‘87 & a lighter Barry Bonds ‘90). While it’s possible he could challenge to enter that group this season, expect his numbers in other categories to drop a little without Cabrera in the lineup. Uggla will provide home runs and RBIs from the second base position, but his batting average dropped nearly 40 points last season.

Both Hermida and Willingham COULD produce well, but since I don’t think both will do it, pitchers will be able to pitch around whichever one does. However, both produce well enough to be third to fourth outfielders with Hermida being the better choice due to a batting average that was over 30 points higher last year.

2008 projection: (51-111), 5th place
Team MVP: Hanley Ramirez

Shotgun Spratling

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