I really really hope that this team is for real. It'd be one hell of a story for this team to go somewhere with this kid leading the charge

Marlins 2014 WS Champs, Stanton NL MVP, Fernandez NL Cy Young

obviously we aren't going to lead the league in run differential like we are right now but this team isn't bad. I said before the season, this team is going to be good this year and great next.

 

Mcgehee was a huge addition and if he can produce even 20 hr's and 90 rbi's that is a huge piece for this team and will help keep us in the race. I think if we are still in it come later in the year we will add an offensive piece to help us out be it a 2b or a 1b.

 

With the ridiculous amount of quality pitching we have this team will not go away and when you have a legit superstar in Stanton to go along with that pitching and a good bullpen we will not go away.

 

Exciting to see a quality and fun product for the first time in a long time.

I really really hope that this team is for real. It'd be one hell of a story for this team to go somewhere with this kid leading the charge

I think we should just take it game to game, im not getting my hopes up, I just enjoying watching em at da moment

This team will eventually come back to earth. Until then I'm enjoying the f*** out of this.

See what the Marlins management has done to the fan base, has caused a level of pessimism, even when things are going good. They have trained us well...

18 of our next 21 games are against the NL East. I think we'll have a clearer picture of who this team is after that stretch. In the next series, specifically, we'll have 3 pretty unfavorable pitching matchups. Let's see how they hold up.

18 of our next 21 games are against the NL East. I think we'll have a clearer picture of who this team is after that stretch. In the next series, specifically, we'll have 3 pretty unfavorable pitching matchups. Let's see how they hold up.

Exactly why I've not gotten my hopes up, but like squall, I am enjoying this opening week.

Marlins 2014 WS Champs, Stanton NL MVP, Fernandez NL Cy Young

 

This is realistically possible. I don't think the world series part is in 2014, but the Stanton and Jose part are. Those two are premiuim, elite talents. You got to do everything you can to keep them.

 

obviously we aren't going to lead the league in run differential like we are right now but this team isn't bad. I said before the season, this team is going to be good this year and great next.

 

Mcgehee was a huge addition and if he can produce even 20 hr's and 90 rbi's that is a huge piece for this team and will help keep us in the race. I think if we are still in it come later in the year we will add an offensive piece to help us out be it a 2b or a 1b.

 

With the ridiculous amount of quality pitching we have this team will not go away and when you have a legit superstar in Stanton to go along with that pitching and a good bullpen we will not go away.

 

Exciting to see a quality and fun product for the first time in a long time.

 

I actually think the starting pitching isn't as good as advertised. It's a superstar, three number four starters and Jacob Turner, potentially an albatross.

 

Heaney can change that though (and hopefully Rodon ). And the pen is strong.

 

And 20 and 90 fro Mcgehee is realistic. I'm still very hesitant on Adeiny as a top of the order mainstay. Though. I would be elated if his OBP was .320.

I don't think our pitching is as great as some people say either, but Eovaldi and Alvarez are probably better than "#4 starters." Eovaldi, in particular, is an intriguing arm. I still believe he has the potential to be a lot better than he's been/rack up more K's.

 

I also don't think that the bullpen is as strong as people think. It's a pretty good pen, but nowhere near as good as it's been so far. Cishek is the only elite arm in the pen. Our middle relievers walk too many guys so I don't expect this to be a top-5 bullpen or something by the time the year ends.

Who cares if they're overachieving. Who cares if they don't finish on top of the east. They're playing fun baseball and that's all fans can ask for. Just enjoy the ride

They remain a pleasure to watch.

 

The big guys are doing what they're supposed to do. Dietrich is hitting well. Yelich is getting going. Hech is showing signs that he understands what he's doing at the plate. McGehee is a new big guy. Salty is doing damage. Ozuna woke up. Jones and Baker are at least passable. The starters are carrying on their high level of performance from last year and the BP is almost bullet-proof. They're playing decent defense. What more could one ask?

 

Next, comes the test against the NL East. On the road.

 

No matter what happens in the short-term, I think they're gonna be a lot of fun to watch all year. It's a totally different team.

 

Ozuna and Deitrich in particular I am hopeful for. If those two young guys can be good starters this team's outlook suddenly changes. Ozuna is explosive, although he may have to play first long term to fit in.

See what the Marlins management has done to the fan base, has caused a level of pessimism, even when things are going good. They have trained us well...

Nah, that's not it. They're not going to win 100+ games. That's realistic and accurate. But why not enjoy the fun? And damn, it's been fun.

I don't think our pitching is as great as some people say either, but Eovaldi and Alvarez are probably better than "#4 starters." Eovaldi, in particular, is an intriguing arm. I still believe he has the potential to be a lot better than he's been/rack up more K's.

 

I also don't think that the bullpen is as strong as people think. It's a pretty good pen, but nowhere near as good as it's been so far. Cishek is the only elite arm in the pen. Our middle relievers walk too many guys so I don't expect this to be a top-5 bullpen or something by the time the year ends.

 

From a projection standpoint, I like the outlook of Ramos, Cishek, Caminero and Hand in that pen over the potential of Eovaldi and Alvarez. It makes sense to envision Eovaldi developing and learning to pitch around that fastball but development isn't always linear and his secondary stuff is limited.

 

Alvarez is another one where sure, he might right the edges, but odds are....he's a backend starter.

Ozuna and Deitrich in particular I am hopeful for. If those two young guys can be good starters this team's outlook suddenly changes. Ozuna is explosive, although he may have to play first long term to fit in.

 

Marcell Ozuna will never, ever play first base.

Marcell Ozuna will never, ever play first base.

 

So give me the altermative argument. Marisnick is hopefully up at some point. What do you do

Marcell Ozuna will never, ever play first base.

 

I get that first is a waste of his defensive ability but I'm thinking his bat is worth finding a spot for

So give me the altermative argument. Marisnick is hopefully up at some point. What do you do

Stanton or Yelich.

Stanton or Yelich.

 

Fair

Notice how all of Ozuna's throws to the plate are absolutely perfect? Dead-on to the plate with never more than one hop, usually short?

 

He learned the trick last year from John Rauch, all of people. Probably Rauch's greatest contribution to the team. No more movement. Ozuna has a gun for an arm and now it's deadly accurate. So, now, NOBODY runs on him. Probably one of the reasons he won the roster spot.

 

Rauch told Ozuna he would receive better results if he threw a two-seamer with the palm of his hand "behind the seams." That slight adjustment flattened Ozuna's throws. "The ball was diving before," Ozuna said. "Jon Rauch told me to grab the ball with the seams behind. [i don't know exactly what that means, seams are everywhere on a ball, front, back, behind, you name it, I'll take it as "throw a 2-seamer," as opposed to a 4-seamer or some random-seam grip, and it obviously works] I saw the difference right away. The ball went straight, straight, straight -- no movement."

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/fish_bytes/2013/07/marcell-ozuna-credits-ex-marlins-reliever-jon-rauch-for-throwing-accuracy.html

 

I hope Ozuna teaches it to the rest of them. His throws to the plate are amazing. If you were going to make an instructional video, Ozuna would be your guy. I doubt he will ever play 1B. He's too valuable to us or someone else in CF. Plus, he can hit. I hope he's around here for a long time.

Fair

 

Or Jensen. But yea, Most likely scenario if all the OFers work out it will be Yelich (who was drafted as a 1B, technically) or Stanton if he's still here and injury prone.

Meanwhile in Dodgerland, Hanley has 2 homeruns. He really loves that ballpark

Stanton or Yelich.

Yelich is fast and tracks balls well. Stanton has a great arm. I agree Ozuna has awesome defense as well. I'd put Marisnick at first, honestly.

Yelich is fast and tracks balls well. Stanton has a great arm. I agree Ozuna has awesome defense as well. I'd put Marisnick at first, honestly.

Marisnick is probably the best outfielder of all of them.

Marisnick is probably the best outfielder of all of them.

Eh he runs good routes but the arm isn't always accurate. Would rather have Ozuna/Yelich/Stanton. At least right now.

Eh he runs good routes but the arm isn't always accurate. Would rather have Ozuna/Yelich/Stanton. At least right now.

 

No, but really. He's supposed to be a plus plus fielder. That's the one guy you don't put at first, especially if his bat is questionable. Stanton has a good arm, but he's also had injury problems and is our best bat. It's better for him to be in a less strenuous position.