The Miami Marlins have gone to having one of the best offseasons in thier history to trading them all away after one season. After trading them all away it has been a rebuilding session. All of this led to a 100 loss season in 2013, and a fan base that clearly isn’t interested in showing up to the ballpark. Their attendance was last in the National League.
This winter, the Marlins are making some moves. They have signed Jarrod Saltalamacchia to a three-year deal and Rafael Furcal to play second base, while they have let go of Justin Ruggiano and Logan Morrison.
The Marlins are also looking for a third baseman according to the Miami Herald. If they can pick up a solid bat and a decent glove in that move, that will really help them moving forward.
Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
None the less, the Marlins are moving up and doing what it takes to get better, a little bit at a time. It all isn’t going to fall into their laps over nights, it will take some time to rebuild the roster and find Major League talent. If they can continue to do that, they will give a reason to Jose Fernandez to stay around a little while longer.
Fernandez and Giancarlo Stanton are the faces of the organization, but they are getting some young players in to give them a chance to show what they have on the Major League level. If they can progress the Marlins will have a chance to compete in 3-4 years. I know that isn’t something fans want to hear but that is the reality in Miami right now.
What does this mean for the Nationals? Really nothing. The Nationals have a lot more talent than the Marlins do and should be able to beat them pretty easily. The pitching will overpower their young bats and the offense will beat up on their young pitching. Jose Fernandez will be a good challenge though for the powerful Nats offense.
The Marlins are moving up and will not lose 100 games in 2014, in my opinion. The league is becoming more balanced every single year and things are changing. No matter what the teams look like on paper, you never know what can happen on the field.
Marlins fans have something to look forward to, but shouldn’t expect too much out of 2014. They do need to get to the ballpark each and every night to see the young players play and give them a little support. It can’t be easy playing in front of 10,000 every night while every other team is getting 20,000-22,000.
