Love the predictions from Admin. Turned this up in a google search today, and a real nice read. Enjoy:

 

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/145510-...florida-marlins

 

The Phillies have won two World Series titles since 1883. The Florida Marlins have won two titles since 1993. The Marlins are a pesky team for the Phillies.

 

They give teams the fits with their explosive offense and find a way to remain in the thick of division and playoff races when nobody expects them to. Such was the case last year.

 

For a time, the Marlins were on top of the NL East before giving way to the Mets and Phillies down the stretch. But the Marlins, for a second straight year, helped to foil the postseason plans of the Mets on the last weekend of the season. What kind of season will 2009 be for the team?

 

Here to continue our series of NL East team previews is Admin from MarlinsBaseball.com.

 

 

 

Questions about the Florida Marlins

 

The Marlins were in the thick of the NL East for a while last year before fading into third place. What held them back in 2008?

 

The inability to finish off games held them back. Kevin Gregg blew 10 saves, including a crucial game against the Mets down the stretch that sent the Fish seven games back instead of bringing them to within five. If Gregg turns around half of those, they would've been right there.

 

 

I have read some places that Hanley Ramirez may be better suited in the outfield. What are your thoughts?

 

I don't agree with this thought, even though Hanley has grown to be a pretty big shortstop. His defense at SS leaves a lot to be desired as well.

 

However, I just can't see him performing better defensively in the outfield. Considering his speed, if moved to the outfield, he would probably be best in CF. The Marlins have a CF by the name of [Cameron] Maybin already patrolling the ground there.

 

 

 

What are your thoughts on the pitching staff, more specifically with the starting rotation?

 

I really like the rotation going into this season. It could be one of the best in all of Major League Baseball. This year unlike 2008, we enter with an Ace at the front who opened last year in the pen: Ricky Nolasco.

 

We also have Josh Johnson for a full season barring injuries and Chris Volstad in the bigs for a full campaign after a stellar rookie campaign.

 

The bullpen is a major question mark however. I am confident that Matt Lindstrom will do well as closer, but we won't know until the games start.

 

 

 

The offense last year showed real signs of a dangerous club and gave many teams fits (Phillies and Mets included). Can they reproduce those offensive numbers again?

 

Yes, and no. They won't put up the same power numbers because the team is built differently. However, runs should be still scored in big numbers. With Cameron Maybin leading off and John Baker batting second, it should give Hanley Ramirez a lot of RBI chances in the No. 3 hole.

 

Last season, Ramirez led off and set the table but did not get those many RBI chances. As long as Maybin can be somewhat of the player Marlins fans expect him to be, there should be a positive result from the lineup shuffle.

 

 

 

What is the strongest asset to the Marlins in 2009? The biggest weakness?

 

The strongest asset is the starting rotation. The biggest weakness is the bullpen. I like the lineup, and I think the team will improve defensively.

 

The pen though could use a little more experience and preferably a lights-out lefty a la Arthur Rhodes after the trade deadline last year.

 

 

 

The Marlins won the World Series in 1997 and 2003. Do the Marlins have what it takes to surprise the baseball world again in 2009?

 

I truly believe that they do have what it takes. This is going to sound optimistic on my part and may be laughed at, but I really believe the Marlins will compete and could win it all this year.

 

Teams win titles based on their starting pitching mostly and the Marlins have that on paper. Whether it works out remains to be seen but if it does, look out baseball, because the lineup should be able to back up those arms day in and day out.

 

 

 

What player(s) may be flying under the radar that baseball fans should be watching?

 

John Baker definitely. He is not going to get the headlines that Cameron Maybin already is getting, but he could quietly turn in a fantastic year.

 

The Marlins are so optimistic about Baker that they passed on bringing Pudge back into the fold. He showed a lot of promise in 2008 and that should continue on in 2009.

 

 

 

With the news that the Marlins appear to now have a new home stadium secured, what is the general opinion of the Marlins fan? Optimistic?

 

Very optimistic. We finally know the team will be staying and we don't have to hear words such as relocation and contraction again.

 

We know the payroll will eventually increase, and now we may be able to keep guys like Nolasco and Johnson, while before they would most certainly be gone when their salary increased.

 

 

 

Tell us why the Marlins will make the playoffs.

 

We will make the playoffs because our team is hungry to. They are a very motivated and excited group of players who are trying to once again prove the "experts" wrong.

 

 

 

Tell me why the Marlins will not make the playoffs.

 

Defense and the bullpen. We cannot throw games away in the field or at the end. It not only hurts the team that day but it has a carryover effect and can be demoralizing for the players.

 

 

 

What is the biggest question about the Marlins heading into 2009?

 

Can the team make up for the losses of Mike Jacobs and Josh Willingham in the lineup with a rookie in Gaby Sanchez and a guy who hasn't been a MLB regular for long in Cody Ross?

 

This would be the biggest question mark because if Sanchez and Ross fail as regulars, it will have a big effect on the lineup.

 

 

 

Questions about the NL East

 

Please give me your prediction for the final NL East standings (records optional)

 

 

Mets

Marlins

Phillies

Braves

Nationals

 

Not sure where I want to go on the records just yet but this is how I see it finishing. I'd say the Marlins are the Wild-Card in this scenario.

 

 

 

What one player in the NL East would you love to insert into your team's everyday lineup (pitchers excluded)?

 

David Wright. I'd love to put him at third and move Cantu to first. His bat in the lineup along with the improved defense of not having Cantu at third would have a major effect on the team.

 

 

 

Who is the MVP in the NL East?

 

Hanley Ramirez. I may be biased but I really do believe Ramirez is the MVP of the division and possibly of the entire National League.

 

 

World Series prediction

 

Marlins vs. Yankees in a rematch of 2003. I think this is the year the Yankees get back to the Fall Classic and how can I go against the Fish?

What one player in the NL East would you love to insert into your team's everyday lineup (pitchers excluded)?

 

David Wright. I'd love to put him at third and move Cantu to first. His bat in the lineup along with the improved defense of not having Cantu at third would have a major effect on the team.

 

 

LouieCastillo1 and I have a major problem with this! I hate that guy!

 

Well done on the article Admin

What one player in the NL East would you love to insert into your team's everyday lineup (pitchers excluded)?

 

David Wright. I'd love to put him at third and move Cantu to first. His bat in the lineup along with the improved defense of not having Cantu at third would have a major effect on the team.

 

 

LouieCastillo1 and I have a major problem with this! I hate that guy!

 

Well done on the article Admin

 

Add me to the list of David Wright haters.

I have no problem with David Wright, he is a fine young player..

I love the article. May be a little bit homer as we should expect from the host of marlinsbaseball.com , but overall it hit the nail on the head.

 

I have one problem though. You state this teams strength is going to be starting pitching. I feel that we have a strong top of the rotation in Nolasco and Johnson, the other three are very iffy. Anibal coming back from surgery, Miller with his control issues, and Volstad having yet to play a full season. This teams really strength tbqh is the overall balance of our lineup. This offseason, we added new pieces to mix our lineup and try to get away from just the home run or bust team we were. Now we have Maybin to compliment Hanley, we have John Baker for a full season, who adds great contact hitting, and we still have our power hitters in Cody, Cantu, and Uggla in the middle of the lineup. I've got to say our balance really is our strength, not the starting pitching, because our starting pitching AS A WHOLE is still unproven.

Great piece. Nicely done Admin

Personally, I have to be a little worried about Hanley. He hasn't hit for the DR or the Marlins thus far. The team sure doesn't need a slow start from the number three hitter. The starting pitching could be pretty good this year, but the jury is definitely way out there so far. I am less worried about the pen than most. I have developed some faith in Calero, Meyer, Kensing and Nunez this spring. A lot of the spring damage came from guys who won't be with the club come opening day. Pinto is still of matter of huge concern to me.

Just wanted to share with you the link to the original post. I import most of my site's material on Bleacher Report.

 

http://macho-row.blogspot.com/2009/03/nl-e...da-marlins.html

 

I also have Q&A with bloggers representing the Nationals, Braves and Mets up. A collaborative effort of Phillies bloggers is going up in two parts this weekend.

 

Feel free to drop by and leave your comments on the Marlins preview if you want!

 

- Kevin

Macho Row