Marlins Year in Preview

By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com

 

 

MIAMI -- When catcher Ivan Rodriguez signed a one-year contract on Jan. 22, he proclaimed that 2003 would be the "Year of the Marlin."

Few realized how profound that statement would be, as the Marlins pulled off a shocking World Series championship season.

 

What can they do for an encore in 2004?

 

Florida's chances to repeat have taken a blow, as Rodriguez is gone. So is Gold Glove first baseman Derrek Lee, who was traded to the Cubs for unproven but promising first baseman Hee Seop Choi. Reliable pitcher Mark Redman, who went 14-9 and logged 190 2/3 innings, was traded to the A's, and right fielder Juan Encarnacion was dealt to the Dodgers. Closer Ugueth Urbina, acquired in midseason, is exiting through free agency.

 

 

Season in Preview

A lot can change by Opening Day, but as 2003 becomes 2004, this is who is projected to take the field for the Marlins:

C M. Redmond

1B H. Choi

2B L. Castillo

SS A. Gonzalez

3B M. Lowell

LF J. Conine

CF J. Pierre

RF M. Cabrera

SP J. Beckett

SP B. Penny

SP C. Pavano

SP D. Willis

SP M. Tejera

CL A. Benitez

 

Based on what the champs have lost, it will certainly be difficult to recapture the magic of 2003.

 

That said, it would be equally foolish to write off the Marlins before Opening Day.

 

Actually, sagely 73-year-old manager Jack McKeon hopes that the skeptics make the popular preseason prognostication and go with the Phillies to win the division. The Marlins cherish the role of underdog and being underestimated.

 

Of course, losing a star like Rodriguez is a crushing blow, but it doesn't necessarily mean that the Marlins are destined to nose-dive from their 91-71 record.

 

Holding the nucleus in place was the goal of general manager Admin Beinfest, who stressed from the beginning of the offseason that the Marlins were operating under payroll challenges. Retaining everyone from 2003 would have cost about $90 million. The parameter laid down by owner Jeffrey Loria is about $60 million.

 

Speed, pitching and defense remain the blueprint for the Marlins' success, and the team has plenty of talent returning.

 

Re-signing All-Stars Luis Castillo and Mike Lowell to long-term deals was the top priority. The Marlins achieved that.

 

The infield will once again rank among the best in baseball defensively, even though they suffered a blow with Lee's Gold Glove now in Chicago. But Choi, who ironically was signed by Lee's father, Leon, to the Cubs, is regarded as a future star and an above-average fielder.

 

Shortstop Alex Gonzalez is viewed as a future Gold Glove winner. Castillo won his first Gold Glove at second, and Lowell is regarded as a toss-up defensively with St. Louis' Scott Rolen as the finest fielding third baseman in the National League.

 

In the outfield, speedy Juan Pierre runs down everything in center. Veteran Jeff Conine, a key acquisition from Baltimore in the final month of last season, will be in left field. Replacing Encarnacion in right is budding superstar Miguel Cabrera, who turns 21 in April.

 

The versatile and athletic Cabrera, a converted third baseman, shifts from left field to right. The change shouldn't bother the native of Venezuela. In fact, not much seems to faze him. Despite his youth, Cabrera found himself playing right field and batting cleanup in the World Series.

 

Cabrera, with his unlimited potential, draws comparisons to Albert Pujols. A 30-homer, 100-plus-RBI season is not out of the question.

 

The most unsettled spot is catcher. Veteran Mike Redmond and unproven Ramon Castro, who has the potential to 15 to 20 home runs, will share the position.

 

The catcher's spot will be looked at closely by management, and there's a chance that a move could be made. Trade possibilities include Paul Lo Duca of the Dodgers and Jason Kendall of the Pirates.

 

Beinfest maintains that starting pitching is the strength of the team. If the playoffs are any indication, Josh Beckett is on the brink of becoming a superstar. The World Series MVP blanked the Yankees on five hits and nine strikeouts in the decisive Game 6. As the brash Texan enters his third Major League season, he is striving for his first healthy campaign.

 

Brad Penny and Carl Pavano had shining moments in the playoffs. Rookie of the Year Dontrelle Willis was the rage in the first half. As long as Willis remains in shape, he should avoid a sophomore jinx.

 

Though the staff lost Redman to the A's, the expected return of 2002 ace A.J. Burnett gives the Marlins one of the best rotations in baseball. Burnett's recovery from Tommy John surgery is progressing well, and he is expected to rejoin the rotation before June.

 

Solidifying the bullpen is the most immediate task, as the Marlins search for a closer. Chad Fox is back in a setup role. Newly acquired Mike Neu, brought in from Oakland for Redman, adds help in the middle innings.

 

Although the Marlins are willing to shake up their roster for financial reasons, as long as the moves are within the budget, making a major deal is not out of the question.

 

The Marlins pulled off the stunning signing of Rodriguez for one year.

 

After sipping champagne in 2003, the organization doesn't seem ready for the bitter taste of defeat in 2004. But to get back into the playoffs, some more crafty moves need to pan out.

 

Offseason report card: As long as the Marlins enjoy "payroll flexibility," anything is possible. If the last two seasons have shown anything, it is that the front office is daring and willing to withstand the heat publicly to remain within its financial blueprint. The organization won't remain stagnant, and more deals are possible between now and Opening Day, if need be. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the high, the Marlins are a 4: Too early to tell.

 

Arrivals: 1B Choi, RHP Neu

 

Departures: C Rodriguez, 1B Lee, OF Encarnacion, LHP Redman, RHP Urbina, RHP Rick Helling, OF Todd Hollandsworth, IF Andy Fox

 

Did you know? With 65 steals, Pierre won the Lou Brock Award for the most stolen bases in baseball. It marked the second straight year a Marlin has won the award. In 2002, Castillo took home the honor with 48 stolen bases. Castillo is a two-time Lou Brock Award winner, the other coming in 2000 (62 steals). Five times in the franchise's first 11 seasons, Florida has produced the stolen base leader in the National League. In 1993, Chuck Carr swiped 58 bases, and in 1995 Quilvio Veras had 56 steals. Four times a Marlin was the Lou Brock winner, for most steals in the Major Leagues: Pierre, Castillo (twice) and Veras.

 

Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

 

http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/...t=.jsp&c_id=flo

SP M. Tejera

yeah i didnt like that either, but hey, its only a preview. lets see what happens in ST

SP M. Tejera

...until Burnett comes back, anyway.

SP M. Tejera

There are obviously a few moves left :mischief2

SP M. Tejera

...until Burnett comes back, anyway. exactly, but it hurts my eyes when i see that

Who would you rather have starting, Michael Tejera or Justin Wayne?

 

And when it's all said and done, it's going to be Tommy Phelps untill A.J. comes back IMO.

Although the Marlins are willing to shake up their roster for financial reasons, as long as the moves are within the budget, making a major deal is not out of the question.

 

 

:w00t

 

 

Vlad maybe???? :w00t

SP M. Tejera

There are obviously a few moves left :mischief2 Let's hope we see this hole filled before ST.

:banghead Redmond over Castro :thumbdown

Paper doesn't win you championships unless it is green, stamped by the U.S. Mint and is used wisely.

Who would you rather have starting, Michael Tejera or Justin Wayne?

Justin Wayne.

Michael Tejera, definitely.

Trevor Hutchinson

The catcher's spot will be looked at closely by management, and there's a chance that a move could be made. Trade possibilities include Paul Lo Duca of the Dodgers and Jason Kendall of the Pirates.

:mischief2 Hmm.

guys, this article was written on estimates. like he said this is a first draft, not the final copy. look at spring training for answers, not a new year article.

Trevor Hutchinson

Actually, I wouldn't rule that out if he dominated ST.

WHAT IF.....chop soi and ramon castro have big years???..i mean this team has the possibility of being tough competitors.....we just have to wait and see.

Who would you rather have starting, Michael Tejera or Justin Wayne?

Neither.

Its only a preview and I wouldn't hold too much water to it. :thumbdown

WHAT IF.....chop soi and ramon castro have big years???..i mean this team has the possibility of being tough competitors.....we just have to wait and see.

even if hee sop choi and castro are solid at best we will be tough competitors

Again...I think we have the ability to jump the gun here on these message boards!

 

Im glad to see it since that only solidifies the fact that we are all true, caring Marlins fans.

It is clear though that our FO is commited, and we will already have a VERY competitive team put together. ST will show us who is ready and willing to play starting April, and if need be from today till then the FO has a few tricks up their sleeve I wouldnt doubt to add more strength to certain positions.

 

Think of it like this:

 

Choi - was acquired through trade = dispensable in 1st base

therefore = We could get Vlad, move Cabrera to Left, have conine at 1st and Choi as backup!

 

Creative thinking!

Again...I think we have the ability to jump the gun here on these message boards!

 

Im glad to see it since that only solidifies the fact that we are all true, caring Marlins fans.

It is clear though that our FO is commited, and we will already have a VERY competitive team put together. ST will show us who is ready and willing to play starting April, and if need be from today till then the FO has a few tricks up their sleeve I wouldnt doubt to add more strength to certain positions.

 

Think of it like this:

 

Choi - was acquired through trade = dispensable in 1st base

therefore = We could get Vlad, move Cabrera to Left, have conine at 1st and Choi as backup!

 

Creative thinking!

The problem with Vlad isn't where we could put him. The problem is he costs a lot of money and we would be very lucky to sign him.

Obviously we'd be able to put him in somewhere and have an unproven Korean on the bench.

I guess im also jumping the gun on getting Vlad!!! :w00t

 

The man is....DA MAN. I still dont understand why everything surrounding him has been so under wraps. I guess thats a question to post in the Vlad thread...

Michael Tejera, definitely.

 

I concur. I like the little lefty. more like little righty.