September 3, 20168 yr Author Seasons not over. Yes, there is another meaningless month left, but some good things have happened.
September 3, 20168 yr In wider terms I'd say Conley has been a big plus and has performed better than I expected. The continued consistency of Yelich has been encouraging, especially with adding some more HR's. And guys like Barraclough, Wittgren and Ellington showing they can hopefully be relied upon in the bullpen for a few more years.
September 3, 20168 yr In wider terms I'd say Conley has been a big plus and has performed better than I expected. The continued consistency of Yelich has been encouraging, especially with adding some more HR's. And guys like Barraclough, Wittgren and Ellington showing they can hopefully be relied upon in the bullpen for a few more years. I think a hugely underrated point in this entire season has been the future of the bullpen and the three guys you mention. All those guys are 25/26 and have proven that they can be effective bullpen arms next season. The emergence of these guys makes it completely acceptable for the team to look to trade AJ Ramos this offseason (and is a move the team should desperately look to do). I know people hate this thought but Rodney as closer next season, Phelps as the 8th inning pitcher, and Barraclough/Wittgren/Ellington around those two makes for a potential formidable bullpen. I think there have been some important contributors this season and some positive signs people are overlooking with the recent collapse. People forget that J.T. Realmuto was a question mark going into this season, with many people wondering if we'd need to find a new catcher in the offseason. Realmuto's established himself as a franchise guy now. Justin Bour has solidified first base, and Prado was huge this year (although he may have worked himself out of Miami's price range next year). Yelich being consistently great, Ozuna having a respectable year, Ichiro being red hot the first half of the year, Dietrich hitting well, and Conley growing into a trustworthy rotation guy. There's quite a few positives this season, even if there are question marks about sustainability for next year. As for the negatives, the two major ones that I have (and things that concern me going into next season), are Giancarlo Stanton and the starting rotation. No matter the team around him, Stanton not being able to play a full season or be a consistent lineup presence should be pointed out as the #1 reason we are not in the playoff lead right now. He's supposed to be a big lineup presence and has played like a middle tier outfielder this season. That can't happen. The starting rotation at this point is Fernandez, Conley, and Chen. It's likely the team keeps Phelps in it to start next season (even if I'm apprehensive about it), and Koehler is the #5 unless there's a trade. The biggest problem is that the Wei-Yin Chen signing has backfired. Even before the injury, Chen did not show signs of improving in his move from the AL to the NL, and his pure stuff was just not good. We signed him to be a #2 pitcher here, and he didn't even perform like a #5. Conley/Phelps/Koehler as the team's #3-5 would barely be acceptable if Chen was pitching like a #2, but without it we've got four #5 pitchers pitching outside of Fernandez. Only a team with the Chicago Cubs lineup could survive with a pitching staff like that. The team desperately needs to find new starting pitchers (as the farm and majors are filled with #4/5 potential guys). Unfortunately, Prado is about to get paid, Chen's contract is adding to the cap, and Stanton's average salary is about to skyrocket ($14.5 million next year, then $25 million regularly). Even if the Marlins weren't a stingy team, the significantly rising team cap is going to prevent the team from signing most of the good names available. There are no minor league trade chips to acquire such players, and dipping into the major league squad would mean replacing those guys. It's a tricky spot that is going to need some clever maneuvers to put a winning team together next season. Something this front office has shown no ability to do in recent moves.
September 4, 20168 yr yeah Chen's performance was crippling. They finished 20 games below .500 last season so 2016 will be a big improvement.
September 4, 20168 yr yeah Chen's performance was crippling. They finished 20 games below .500 last season so 2016 will be a big improvement. there's a pretty okay chance they go 10-20 in sept tho
September 4, 20168 yr Yelich, Conley, bearclaw, JT, Prado, Phelps, bour breakouts are all positives urena probably too
September 4, 20168 yr Enough of this bottom 3 in payroll bullshit. If you can get a 1B or a #2 to go with Jose, you fucking get that guy. Not scrape the free agent market for #5's or draft poorly, trade away first rounders you should never have drafted and destroy the system in stupid trades. Our #1 this year hasn't pitched yet and there is no one in the system I give a fuck about. Say what you will about Loria's restrictions, but Hill put us in this mess. I see a cheap payroll, patchwork roster and shitty farm system for years.
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