http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&id=6087058

 

 

I think a B is the right grade for the Marlins.

 

 

Florida Marlins

 

 

BIGGEST ADDITIONS: Javier Vazquez, John Buck, Omar Infante, Edward Mujica, Ryan Webb, Randy Choate, Dustin Richardson

 

BIGGEST SUBTRACTIONS: Dan Uggla, Cameron Maybin, Ronny Paulino, Jose Veras, Andrew Miller, Will Ohman

 

 

 

Scott Wachter/Icon SMIMike Stanton hit eight of his 22 homers last season in September.

 

For a team that had to trade away its leader in home runs, slugging, OPS, runs scored and RBIs (Uggla), the Marlins had one of the best, under-the-radar offseasons in the NL.

 

They've transformed one of the worst bullpens in the league by trading for Mujica, Webb, Mike Dunn and Craig Richardson, and by signing Choate (.202 average, .263 SLG by opposing left-handed hitters last year). They could easily luck out in their gamble on Vazquez, whose career ERA in the NL (4.02) is more than six-tenths of a run lower than his ERA in the AL (4.65). And while they probably overpaid for Buck, they had to fill their black hole behind the plate somehow.

 

We're forced to deduct points for Uggla's lost offense, even though burgeoning stars Mike Stanton and Logan Morrison could well make up for all of it. And the Fish have left themselves with major questions about whether Chris Coghlan can handle the demands of playing the vast center field in Sun Life Stadium. Nevertheless, this is a team on the rise.

 

 

Grade: B

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&id=6087058

 

 

I think a B is the right grade for the Marlins.

 

 

Florida Marlins

 

 

BIGGEST ADDITIONS: Javier Vazquez, John Buck, Omar Infante, Edward Mujica, Ryan Webb, Randy Choate, Dustin Richardson

 

BIGGEST SUBTRACTIONS: Dan Uggla, Cameron Maybin, Ronny Paulino, Jose Veras, Andrew Miller, Will Ohman

 

 

 

Scott Wachter/Icon SMIMike Stanton hit eight of his 22 homers last season in September.

 

For a team that had to trade away its leader in home runs, slugging, OPS, runs scored and RBIs (Uggla), the Marlins had one of the best, under-the-radar offseasons in the NL.

 

They've transformed one of the worst bullpens in the league by trading for Mujica, Webb, Mike Dunn and Craig Richardson, and by signing Choate (.202 average, .263 SLG by opposing left-handed hitters last year). They could easily luck out in their gamble on Vazquez, whose career ERA in the NL (4.02) is more than six-tenths of a run lower than his ERA in the AL (4.65). And while they probably overpaid for Buck, they had to fill their black hole behind the plate somehow.

 

We're forced to deduct points for Uggla's lost offense, even though burgeoning stars Mike Stanton and Logan Morrison could well make up for all of it. And the Fish have left themselves with major questions about whether Chris Coghlan can handle the demands of playing the vast center field in Sun Life Stadium. Nevertheless, this is a team on the rise.

 

 

Grade: B

I agree. It's just tough because even as a Fish Fan, I have to admit the Braves and Phillies both had better offseasons than we did on paper.

 

But that's why they play 162 games.

I agree. It's just tough because even as a Fish Fan, I have to admit the Braves and Phillies both had better offseasons than we did on paper.

 

But that's why they play 162 games.

Good to see consistency in Richardson's first name in the article.

Good to see consistency in Richardson's first name in the article.

Good to see consistency in Richardson's first name in the article.

 

 

Yeah our new pen is stacked... Not to mention Choate, Webb, Mujica and Dunn... but we got both Dustin AND Craig Richardson! I'm psyched!

Good to see consistency in Richardson's first name in the article.

 

 

Yeah our new pen is stacked... Not to mention Choate, Webb, Mujica and Dunn... but we got both Dustin AND Craig Richardson! I'm psyched!

LOL. Andrew Miller wouldn't have been a big subtraction for a AA team at this point.

LOL. Andrew Miller wouldn't have been a big subtraction for a AA team at this point.

Like I said, not big sellers.

Like I said, not big sellers.

Wow, an extremely accurate writeup from ESPN.

Wow, an extremely accurate writeup from ESPN.

They should get an F for not replacing Gaby Sanchez.

They should get an F for not replacing Gaby Sanchez.

I'd give them around a B+.

They only lost Uggla because Paulino, Maybin, Miller, Veras were all easily replaced.

They then revamped the bullpen with solid proven relievers and a stud in the making with Dunn.

The lineup is basically the same minus Uggla and plus Buck/Infante and hopefully Dominguez.

Rotation has the addition of the solid Javi Vasquez who could break out and have a lights out season again after a subpar year in New York and the AL East to go with the Ace J.J., studs Nolasco and Sanchez and the proven Chris Volstad.

 

Overall the important part is that on paper we have gotten better and that should reflect on the field with Stanton and Lo-Mo for more then half a season and hopefully Dominguez can get in a solid 100 starts with productive offense and great defense along with the resurgance of the leagues former batting champ Hanley Ramirez.

I'd give them around a B+.

They only lost Uggla because Paulino, Maybin, Miller, Veras were all easily replaced.

They then revamped the bullpen with solid proven relievers and a stud in the making with Dunn.

The lineup is basically the same minus Uggla and plus Buck/Infante and hopefully Dominguez.

Rotation has the addition of the solid Javi Vasquez who could break out and have a lights out season again after a subpar year in New York and the AL East to go with the Ace J.J., studs Nolasco and Sanchez and the proven Chris Volstad.

 

Overall the important part is that on paper we have gotten better and that should reflect on the field with Stanton and Lo-Mo for more then half a season and hopefully Dominguez can get in a solid 100 starts with productive offense and great defense along with the resurgance of the leagues former batting champ Hanley Ramirez.

Wow, an extremely accurate writeup from ESPN.

 

 

The baseball writers on ESPN are usually extremely knowledgeable.

 

It's the basketball and some of the football writers that make ESPN look stupid.

Wow, an extremely accurate writeup from ESPN.

 

 

The baseball writers on ESPN are usually extremely knowledgeable.

 

It's the basketball and some of the football writers that make ESPN look stupid.

ESPN is actually losing all the baseball writers. The most recent one to leave was Rob Neyer. It seems like it's only Olney, Stark, and Kurkjian, at this point.

ESPN is actually losing all the baseball writers. The most recent one to leave was Rob Neyer. It seems like it's only Olney, Stark, and Kurkjian, at this point.

I'd actually give us an A-, job well done. Other than CF, we didn't leave any really big holes that cant be filled easily .

I'd actually give us an A-, job well done. Other than CF, we didn't leave any really big holes that cant be filled easily .

I'd actually give us an A-, job well done. Other than CF, we didn't leave any really big holes that cant be filled easily .

 

 

I'm more along with MMP. Solid B+ You are right about CF, but I think we are counting on Perry to work a little too much majic to warrant anything as an A or above.