October 30, 200521 yr Florida Marlins 2005 Review By Jared Trexler, MLB Analyst (Sports Network) 2005 FINISH (83-79) - Third place (NL East) OVERVIEW A group of live, young arms were supposed to carry the Florida Marlins back to the playoffs. The addition of first baseman Carlos Delgado was to solidify a right-left-right middle of the order with speed and power. The other two components of the trio, Miguel Cabrera and Mike Lowell, were coming off big seasons and were expected to shine. On paper, the 2005 Florida Marlins were a closer away from serious World Series contention. They found that closer in journeyman Todd Jones, who out of nowhere saved 40 games. However, the rest of the championship equation didn't pan out, and they finished 2005 with the exact same record as 2004. Cabrera had a huge season, batting .323 with 33 home runs and 116 runs batted in. He led the Marlins in every major offensive category and will represent the franchise for years to come. Delgado was his normal self, batting above .300 and clubbing 30 homers, but the rest of the lineup was up-and-down. Juan Pierre was the only player with more than ten steals, yet his average dropped 50 points from 2004 to 2005, and he doesn't walk enough -- 41 walks in 656 at- bats -- to make up for such a rapid decline. Lowell's descent was even steeper, going from an All-Star who hit nearly .300 in 2004 to a platoon player who hit .236. Luis Castillo played just 122 games because of nagging injuries, and Alex Gonzalez hit only five home runs in his walk year. When healthy, Josh Beckett, A.J. Burnett and Dontrelle Willis may be one of the most formidable pitching trios in the majors, but the problem is they are never at full strength. Beckett did win 15 games and sported a 3.38 ERA but spent several critical two-week stretches on the disabled list. Coming off Tommy John surgery, Burnett won 12 games with a 3.44 ERA, but his earned run average approached 6.00 in September and he let his on-field struggles carry over to the clubhouse. He made critical comments about the coaching staff, particularly manager Jack McKeon, late in the season. Burnett then became a free agent after the World Series. Speaking of McKeon, he decided to retire at the end of a tumultuous season where the 74-year-old lost control of a frustrated, talent-laden team that just didn't produce. PEAK PERFORMER Willis. Jones, while productive, had what very well may be a flash-in-the-pan season, but Willis' second straight solid campaign may prove he is for real. With his quirky delivery and long arms, his ball jumps on hitters. He isn't overpowering, but with how well he hides the ball, he doesn't have to be. The numbers don't lie. He compiled 22 wins, a 2.63 ERA and was a serious Cy Young candidate from May until October. He also was a workhorse, throwing 236 1/3 innings and tying St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Chris Carpenter for the league-lead in complete games with seven. WEAKEST LINK Lowell. The lineup just wasn't as fierce with Juan Encarnacion batting fifth. Early season struggles firmly cemented a mental roadblock in Lowell's head. Baseball is a sport based on instinct. Lowell's facial expressions at the end of at-bats told the entire story. He tried to think his way through a slump instead of playing through it. The result -- a humbling season that saw him hit only eight home runs and knock in 58 runs -- crippled a lineup that already had major flaws at the top and bottom. OFF-SEASON NEEDS To be honest, reshaping the entire team philosophy. That began when New York Yankees bench coach Joe Girardi was hired as manager on October 20, and he could be looked at as a younger version of McKeon. Though 34 years McKeon's junior, Girardi is an aggressive, hard-nosed prototype without the big league coaching experience. He isn't too far removed from the game he loves, so his passion should be evident. The team has 13 free agents and most of them will not be brought back. Burnett was almost traded to Baltimore at the deadline, and his public tirade about management sealed his one-way ticket out of Miami. The team would like to bring Gonzalez back, but he likely can get a long-term deal elsewhere. Jeremy Hermida should get plenty of playing time in the outfield next season, with Cabrera moving back to third base. Hermida should open the floodgates to a younger Marlins nucleus built around speed, defense and pitching.
October 30, 200521 yr I like the idea of a younger nucleus built around speed, defense, and pitching. :thumbup
October 30, 200521 yr If we keep Lowell, I would hate to waste the BEST third-base glove in the majors in another position.
October 31, 200521 yr If we keep Lowell, I would hate to waste the BEST third-base glove in the majors in another position. We have Ryan Zimmerman? :o
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