Why is it so far-fetched that the Marlins are playoff contenders in 2008?

 

Around the horn, there are six position players with the potential to hit at least 20 home runs and 80 RBI (Mike Jacobs, Dan Uggla, Hanley Ramirez, Dallas McPherson, Josh Willingham, Jeremy Hermida). Besides that, the team has top depth. With the best utility player in the game in Alfredo Amezega, and two solid infield back-ups in Jose Castillo and Jorge Cantu, the infield can be easily patched if needed. Same goes for the outfield, with top left-handed and right-handed options in Cody Ross and veteran Luis Gonzalez.

 

The rotation has plenty of questions, but there's also plenty of reason for optimism. Scott Olsen will hopefully benefit from Mark Wiley the same way Dontrelle Willis did. You can say the same about lefty stud Andrew Miller, who has the potential to be one of the top arms in the game if he can remain consistent. Mark Hendrickson hopes to provide veteran leadership and a solid arm in the back of the rotation. Ricky Nolasco could be great again if completely healthy come April, and Rick VandenHurk will hope to take his much needed experience from last season into the rotation. On top of that, there are other near-MLB ready arms in the lower levels that could be ready if someone falls.

 

The bullpen is one of the top in the NL. Kevin Gregg proved himself to be a great closer for the Marlins, while others solidified their spots in the bullpen for 2008. If they can repeat their success, this seems to be a great strength for the Marlins.

 

Overall, if the rotation holds, the lineup produces the way it can, and the bullpen has an '07 repeat, how can you NOT see at the very least an above .500 season, and possible post-season contender?

I think it's more likely we'll be fighting with the Nats to stay out of the basement. The bats are decent, but way too many questions in the rotation- just take a look at the words used in your analysis: "hopefully," "potential," "if," "hopes," "could." I don't know that Nolasco was ever "great" at the major league level, so I don't know how he could be that "again." I think we've been spoiled with guys like Olsen and Willis having breakthrough debuts that we're thinking that happens all the time....but it doesn't. I'm referring to Miller, who if I recall, was hit hard in the majors last year. If Hendrickson's ERA is below 5.00 this year, that'll be a positive.

 

As for the bullpen...on paper it looks good (because it's most of the same from last year), but odds are low that guys like Justin Miller and Lee Gardner can repeat the success they had last year.

The rotation sums it up right there. It deffinately has alot of questions right now I am just hoping Olsen can bounce back and really step it up this year. I also want to see Nolasco get back to his old self and take that 5th spot in the rotation.

 

Bullpen is solid, lineup deffinately has the pop. But the starters gotta get us deeper into games then they did last year.

i think a big step in the right direction is playing better defense...if we can do that...the pitchers will be less worried about having to make perfect pitches and just let it go...dont forget how many games we lost because of sh*tty defense and walking everyone...if we turn that around...we are at least 10 games better than we were last year

rotation is in rough shape, but maybe all these extra bench guys they can trade away for a pitcher or two.

Rotation, rotation, rotation.

I think the team we're going to put out on the field this season, even without cabrera and willis, is going to put up more wins than the 07 team. Top to bottom our lineup is solid and the rotation, as questionable as it is, is in considerabley better shape than last year's injury-beaten rotation. The offense will probably be in the top 5 in the league again and the defense, in my opinion, won't finish in the bottom 4 in the league. As much as Miggy's bat will be missed, neither his or Olivo's glove will be. Treanor/Robelo is an immediate upgrade defensively over Olivo and with either Dallas or Castillo at third base is also an upgrade. There's also guys like Ramirez, Hermida, and Jacobs who I all expect to improve in that area next year, not to mention Maybin.

 

Even with the improved defense, I think making the playoffs is hoping for too much. Not to say I don't think we'll be a .500 team, I believe the Marlins have a feasible chance at .500, but the playoffs is pushing it.

 

However, I think we can compete for third place against the Braves and Nationals. If we manage third place in the east it will have been a succesful season IMO.

I think the team we're going to put out on the field this season, even without cabrera and willis, is going to put up more wins than the 07 team. Top to bottom our lineup is solid and the rotation, as questionable as it is, is in considerabley better shape than last year's injury-beaten rotation. The offense will probably be in the top 5 in the league again and the defense, in my opinion, won't finish in the bottom 4 in the league. As much as Miggy's bat will be missed, neither his or Olivo's glove will be. Treanor/Robelo is an immediate upgrade defensively over Olivo and with either Dallas or Castillo at third base is also an upgrade. There's also guys like Ramirez, Hermida, and Jacobs who I all expect to improve in that area next year, not to mention Maybin.

 

Even with the improved defense, I think making the playoffs is hoping for too much. Not to say I don't think we'll be a .500 team, I believe the Marlins have a feasible chance at .500, but the playoffs is pushing it.

 

However, I think we can compete for third place against the Braves and Nationals. If we manage third place in the east it will have been a succesful season IMO.

nail, meet head

Rotation, rotation, rotation.

 

and rotation.

Rotation, rotation, rotation.

 

and rotation.

Not to mention rotation.

I love the fish but I'm not holding my breath.

 

Still a little depressed about Cabrera.

Rotation, rotation, rotation.

 

and rotation.

Not to mention rotation.

 

While those are all valid points, let's not forget rotation.

Playoffs? Playoffs? The Marlins should be happy if they win at least 63 games this season.

Playoffs? Playoffs? The Marlins should be happy if they win at least 63 games this season.

you are kidding right jim mora?

Nope. When Sergio Mitre and Mark Hendrickson are going to start 60+ games you can't feel good about the team's prospects for this season.

Nope. When Sergio Mitre and Mark Hendrickson are going to start 60+ games you can't feel good about the team's prospects for this season.

I'll take the under, and say more like 40-45. They are gone at the break when Anibal, Volstad, and Gaby/Vanden Hurk are ready.

i think you guys are nuts...especially when there is so much parity in the national league...but hey everyone is entitled to their opinion...

johan santana vs luis gonzales.

yeah, we have a good shot.

the marlins are not a good team. could they turn out to all play well? sure. could any team in the mlb? yeah.

too optimistic.

u gotta remember too that while we might not be "THAT bad"...the Mets, Phils, and in some ways even the Nats have upgraded significantly...and that hurts us...we were in contention late into the 2006 season (or it might have been 2007) solely cause the rest of the NL, especially the East, was considerably weaker...thus we seemed to be "in it" when we were actually just as bad as the rest of the league and division.

I'll take a year closer to 2006 and less like 2007. 06's team was fun to watch despite being under .500....last year's team was like a trip to the dentist most of the time. I think this could be a fun year, but the starting pitching must be better than it was last year. Last year's rotation was awful despite having D-Train involved, Olsen, Miller, Nolasco, VandenHurk, Sanchez, Mitre, Hendrickson, whoever else is in the mix can be effective....or at least more so than last year. Combine that with some type of production from the CF and C positions and the team should be better than the 07 team. Mostly, I'm looking forward to watching Maybin, Miller, McPherson, Hermida and the other young players this year and building toward another playoff run because I believe the talent is there.

Nope. When Sergio Mitre and Mark Hendrickson are going to start 60+ games you can't feel good about the team's prospects for this season.

I'll take the under, and say more like 40-45. They are gone at the break when Anibal, Volstad, and Gaby/Vanden Hurk are ready.

 

that's when it gets fun. :mis2

Rotation, rotation, rotation.

 

and rotation.

Not to mention rotation.

 

While those are all valid points, let's not forget rotation.

 

Hitting and fielding are OK to mention, but the key is ...rotation

Nope. When Sergio Mitre and Mark Hendrickson are going to start 60+ games you can't feel good about the team's prospects for this season.

 

If Mitre and Hendrickson start 60 games betwen them this season it will be for one reason and one reason only, they are both having good years.

 

If either falters they will be replaced quickly. If Hendrickson is underperforming he won't be given the chance to reach the threshold where incentives kick in. If Mitre shows signs of fatigue he'll be replaced as well so as Marlins fans you should be rooting for both guys to start 30 games in 2008 not the opposite.

The short answer is yes: yes it is THAT far-fetched.

we have a lot of potential but too many questions. imo, there are too many "what if" factors to accurately predict with any certainty of how the marlins will finish. i think we can win anywhere from 55-85 games this year.

 

i actually love this uncertainty, it makes the preseason very exciting.