I say the Marlins should go all in trading with the Red Sox. I feel like there is a way we could make a "blockbuster"deal to get Craig, Middlebrooks, and Betts without having to deal Andrew Heaney. This is what I feel the Marlins should propose.
Marlins (to Boston):
- PJustin Nicolino (main piece of the deal, 2014 Marlins Minor League Pitcher of the Year, 14-4, 2.85 ERA)
- P Anthony Descalafani (posted 3.78 ERA between New Orleans and Jacksonville last year in 102 innings)
- C J.T Realmuto (2014 Marlins Minor League Hitter of the Year, hit .299, only 24)
- P Adam Conley (bad year, but still top 5 prospect in Marlins system, don't mean to be a "rankings bitch")
- 2B Avery Romero (21 years old, hit .320 between Jupiter and Greensboro)
- 2B Austin Barnes (24 years old, .304/.398/.472 in 464 at-bats between Jupiter and Jacksonville)
- P Jose Urena (23, 3.33 ERA in Jacksonville over 162 Innings)
1B Garrett Jones
Red Sox (to Miami)
3B Will Middlebrooks
1B Allen Craig
2B Mookie Betts
Middlebrooks could platoon with McGehee at 3B if McGehee struggles at the plate to start the year. If this is the big deal the Marlins make this offseason, our roster could look something like this to start the year:
2015 Line-Up
1. SS Adeiny Hechavarria (hit .276 last year w/ 10 triples, decent speed at the top of the line-up)
2. 2B Mookie Betts (stole 38 bases in minors in 2013, 33 in 2014, hit over .300 career in minors)
3. RF Giancarlo Stanton (he's going for Sheffield's single season record next year)
4. CF Marcell Ozuna (23 HR's, 85 RBI's; Ozuna could very well be due for a breakout a.k.a "All-Star type of year, I think he could hit 30 HR's with 90 RBI's and over .290)
5. LF Christian Yelich (.284 average with .362 OBP, not bad, but would like to see him eclipse the .300 mark, hopefully, he can win another gold glove and make an all-star appearance)
6. 1B Allen Craig (terrible 2014, however in his career, hit .300 twice with All-Star appearance in 2013 with St. Louis)
7. 3B McGehee/Middlebrooks (McGehee won 2014 Most Improved Player, however if he struggles, Middlebrooks should get a shot at third)
8. C Jarrod Salty (horrible average, but career high 55 walks in 2014)
9. Pitcher
Bench:
C Jeff Mathis
IF/OF Jeff Baker
IF/OF Kike Hernandez
IF Derek Dietrich
IF Donovan Solano
Starters
Fernandez (when he comes back healthy in mid-2015)
Alvarez (12-7, 2.65 ERA (6th, NL) 2014 All-Star)
Cosart (13-11, 3.69 ERA between Houston and Miami in 2014)
Koehler (10-10, 3.81 ERA in 2014, 191.1 Innings Pitched)
Heaney/Eovaldi (one will be starter, other will be LHP, Heaney should get his chance this yea in my opinion, one of the top Left Handed Pitching Prospects in all of baseball)
Relievers:
Heaney/Eovaldi
Aaron Crow (2014: 6-1, 4.12 ERA, 59 IP)
Bryan Morris (2014: 8-1, 1.82 ERA, 64.1)
A.J Ramos (2014: 7-0, 2.11 ERA, 64 IP)
Sam Dyson (2014: 3-1, 2.14, 42 IP)
Mike Dunn (10-6, 3.16, 57 IP)
Closer:
Steve Cishek (2014: 39 saves/43 Save Opportunities, 3.17 ERA, 65.1 IP, most of any reliever in 2014)
Conclusion: The fact that Fernandez doesn't get back until mid-2015 hurts our playoff chances significantly for 2015. However, we could shock the world and make the playoffs in 2015. However, I will say this. In 2016, Marlins fans should expect "playoffs" and for Giancarlo Stanton, Jose Fernandez, and Co. to be "Title Contenders". Hopefully, Ozuna and Yelich can play at an all-star caliber level in 2015 and beyond. Stanton, Yelich, Ozuna, Fernandez, and Alvarez are ALL ALL-STAR Caliber and those five serve as a great core for a baseball team.
Marlins 2015- 84-78, 2nd Place in NL East
Marlins 2016- between 90-100 wins, Title Contender
Thoughts?