This is the 15th installment in what will be a series of articles that will cover all 30 teams, going in alphabetical order.
Baseball fans will remember the off-season leading up to the 2013 regular season. The then Florida Marlins in preparation for opening a brand new stadium re-branded themselves as the Miami Marlins, got new uniforms, a new logo and inked several of the biggest name free agents available. After the on-field results were far less than desired, the ownership traded away all of those big-name talents in a move that reverted the franchise back to its modus operandi of developing young talent and hoping to squeeze all it can out of those players before they get too pricey.
After the overhaul was done, the management crafted the plot line from Jim Henson’s “The Dark Crystal” to their purposes and made a prophecy about 2015. All the missing pieces that would be needed to create a playoff team in Miami would be united before the 2015 regular season and the result would be a playoff berth.
Like Aughra in the film, owner Jeffrey Loria hopes that the hero of this drama, right-fielder Giancarlo Stanton, can lead his team to a wild card berth this season. If not, the destruction of his house is imminent. Loria is counting on the team competing this season to prove that he knows what he is doing and redeem some of his hated status on South Beach.
There are two fates but many ways that they could be achieved. A swell of injuries could expose the Marlins’ lack of depth at most positions and cause them to further sell the farm to try to salvage the season. Miami could also fall victim to widespread underachievement. Dee Gordon‘s speed could be wasted by not getting on base regularly. Michael Morse‘s slugging percentage could tank, leaving Stanton no protection in the lineup. Marcell Ozuna‘s less-than-impressive spring could carry over into the regular season. Martin Prado could start to decline. José Fernandez could suffer setbacks in returning or be a shell of himself when he gets back on the mound. The Marlins could get more bad Dan Haren and Mat Latos than good versions of those guys. There could be a struggle all season long to build the bridge to closer Steve Cishek.
All those things could go right, and Miami could challenge the Washington Nationals for the National League East title on the road to hosting a wild card game. The sun is moving into position for the Marlins, and all these pieces have to come together now. If not, the Skeksis – in the form of perpetual mediocrity at best – will rule forever in Marlins Park. Start thinking about 2016.
Up next: the Milwaukee Brewers. Interested in the Los Angeles Dodgers edition?
Follow Derek Helling on Twitter and like him on Facebook for more news and analysis from around Major League Baseball.
Like Outside Pitch on Facebook and follow Outside Pitch on Twitter!
Filed under: Dan Haren, Giancarlo Stanton, Jose Fernandez, Jose Fernandez, Mat Latos, Miami Marlins Tagged: Baseball, Dan Haren, Dee Gordon, Giancarlo Stanton, Jeffrey Loria, Jose Fernandez, Marcell Ozuna, martin prado, Mat Latos, Miami Marlins, Michael Morse, MLB, Sports, steve cishek
