Feb. is coming up soon for players to report to Spring Training...everyone talking baseball and debating whether to list the marlins as a contender again, but I do not think we are bad off...

 

1) Still have one helluva starting rotation and AJ aint back yet... :w00t

 

2) If Castro can show consistency at the plate when hitting, bonus

 

3) Pierre and Castillo - as long as they get on base...with Gonzalez one helluva defensive up the middle

 

4) Conine and Lowell - SOLID!!!

 

5) Cabs - GOD!!!! he pushed out Enc, no big deal

 

Things to address:

 

1) Can Choi produce at 1st? Or move Conine to 1st and get another OF/hitter

 

2) Bullpen needs some bulking up

 

3) Haris, Banks, Redmond on bench, I'd still like a little more depth there

 

 

really doesn't seem much different minus Lee "Anti-Clutch" and Pudge who really showed up in September...No reason to write this team off...Starting pitching must execute, Pierre and Luis must get on base, bullpen must be solid, little less power and speed in '04 unless trades are made in spring, but solid hitters are there and Cabs will only get better

 

THoughts??

good analysis

 

armando needs to be HUGE.

I think this is a very solid review of the major issues facing this team this season. I think the Marlins will contend, not just because I am a huge fan, but objectively because they still have great pitching and defense - the formula that won last season.

 

Let us not forget, we get McKeon for a whole season. The fans and players are behind him - and so is the media. Who would have thought he would be a media darling? With him at the helm, I think we are good for another 5 wins right away.

 

I dont think we will improve on our record of last year that much. It wouldnt shock me if we did, this team is very smart and knows how to win. But I am not expecting more than 90 wins this year and believe we are in the Wild Card range once again. There are somethings to consider though, our division is rebuilding. The Mets have improved their middle defense, and could be a little stronger this year but I dont see them being more than a .500 team at best. Their pitching is weak. The Expos are losing Vlad, but gaining Everett. They will be tough, but again, not more than a .500 team I think. Nick Johnson could put up good numbers though, but their starting pitching, after losing Vazquez, is going to struggle. The Braves seem to be making solid moves and you cant count them out - yet. The only team that seems to be strong (on paper) is the Phillies. They should be the favorite, but you know what they say about teams on paper...

 

The story for the Marlins is how will Benitez respond? Will Choi begin to live up to his hype? If those two things happen, watch out. We have 6 of 8 World Series starters returning. Most of our pitching staff is intact, and those that have left have been replaced. Urbina - Benitez. Looper - Neu. Fox...Fox. That is a pretty solid pen and who knows what happens this ST and offseason.

 

There are plenty of reasons to feel good about this team. Heck, we still may come out of this with Vlad Guerrero. You neva neva know...

My Key Issues of 2004

1) The Phillies

2) Benitez as closer

3) Bullpen

We still need two more relievers to fix the pen. We can't rely on Neu to be as good as our missing relievers. It's not very likely to happen. Sign Scott Sauerbeck or Mark Guthrie to help the pen, and I'll feel much better.

Good analysis. I agree with all of the above, and would add a 5th starter until we see how AJ is progressing. I'm worried about putting too much stress on him, and would rather see him start in the BP and work his way into the rotation....that could take until 2005.

My Two gripes about the the team are:

 

1) A lack of a lefty specialist

2) Should we let Choi develop another year at AAA and sign an OFer/First basemen. Vlad for of and we can move Conine to first, if not, then try and sign Rafy Palmeiro to play 1st base.

2) Benitez as closer

3) Bullpen

Don't these two tie together?

I guess the Vlad discussions have died down :mischief2

Ugh, the phillies again next season. They have improved there bullpen with Wagner as their closer. We better keep in pace with them, we dont want to lose them like we almost did last season.

 

Our starting pitching is the best thing we have so thats solid, but we need more relief pitchers. Maybe adding a lefty and a long relief RHP.

we dont want to lose them like we almost did last season.

id love for that to happen

Hey guys let's give some young guys time to develop. We don't need to overspend to fill the entire 25-man roster with major league veterans. Phelps is a servicable 5th starter for two months, Choi had a very good rookie season last year, and Neu is better than some relievers who made the trip from Jupiter to Miami last April.

Hey guys let's give some young guys time to develop. We don't need to overspend to fill the entire 25-man roster with major league veterans. Phelps is a servicable 5th starter for two months, Choi had a very good rookie season last year, and Neu is better than some relievers who made the trip from Jupiter to Miami last April.

Agree. We might be better off saving a few $$ for those mid-season trades to fill holes, although I still would like to see us get a 5th starter and left specialist if we can do so without breaking the bank.

I guess the Vlad discussions have died down :mischief2

When I heard that Vlad, who has chronic back problems, wants a long term deal with a lotta years guarenteed, I gave up on that whole thing...Yeah, I'd like Vlad on the Marlins, but he's gonna turn into Albert Belle, and ride the bench and tie uppayroll longterm..If the Orioles wanna go down that road again and lock up millions into a injured player, they are welcome to do so...