2021 Pre-Season Profile: Miami Marlins

 #20

The Miami Marlins were the surprise of the 2020 season, fighting through COVID issues to somehow make the playoffs and even win a series.  Was that a crazy 60 game anomaly, or are the Marlins ready to be a perennial contender?

2020 Predictions

#22 - 5th in NL East

MIH - Brian Anderson

MIP - Sandy Alcantara

PTW - Jesus Sanchez

FP - The Marlins will win a World Series in the next 5 years.

2020 Results

#14 - 31-29, 2nd in NL East, lost in NLDS

As you can tell by my Fearless Prediction from last year, I could see some Miami Marlins success coming soon, but no one saw it coming this soon.  The Marlins also dealt with most COVID issues of any club in the league, yet through all that they made made a postseason run thanks to the expanded playoff setup last year that allowed all 2nd place finishers a spot in the tournament.  There has never been a more deserving Manager of the Year award handed out than Don Mattingly in 2020.

Additions / Subtractions

The Marlins roster looks practically the same in 2021 as it did at the end of 2020.  There was some turnover in the bullpen as there is with every club.  Jose Urena, their Opening Day starter in 2018, was allowed to walk.  They also brought in Adam Duvall to man a corner outfield spot.  Other than that, the roster looks roughly the same.  The biggest news the Marlins made over the offseason was the hiring of their new GM, Kim Ng.  She is the first woman to hold that role in MLB so there will definitely be a spotlight on her and the decisions around this roster this season.

Most Important Hitter

Starling Marte

In 2020, the Marlins actually found themselves as buyers at the Trade Deadline and made an incredibly savvy move by acquiring Starling Marte from the Diamondbacks.  Instantly, his presence in the lineup made it feel more legitimate.  It wasn't just a group of kids anymore.  Moving into 2021, Marte will serve that same role of being a quality veteran presence in the heart of the lineup and also provide the leadership needed for the upcoming young core.

Most Important Pitcher

Sixto Sanchez

It's rare that a player that still has his rookie status is the most important player on a club, but that is the case for Sixto Sanchez.  A highly regarded prospect and the centerpiece of the J.T. Realmuto trade to the Phillies, Sanchez made his debut in late August and in only 7 stars, he worked his way up to being 3rd on the team in WAR and was the #2 starter during the Marlins' playoff run behind ace Sandy Alcantara.  Now the Marlins need Sanchez to make the jump from phenom to established dominant ace at the top of their rotation.  It's a lot to ask for a kid only entering his age 22 season, but he has the stuff to do it.

Prospect to Watch

Jazz Chisholm

The Marlins currently have 5 players (including Sixto Sanchez) in MLB's Top 100 Prospects list.  Although Sixto is still technically a prospect, the most exciting rookie to watch this season for the Marlins might be Jazz Chisholm.  Ranked the 66th best prospect in baseball, Jazz played in 21 games for the Marlins last season with marginal success.  Now he is slated to be their starting 2nd baseman on Opening Day.  He has all the tools to be a star with the personality (and the name) to go along with it.  He will be a fun watch for this young and exciting team moving forward.

2021 Prediction

5th in NL East

I know the Marlins finished 2nd last year.  I know they are a team on the rise.  I know everything is moving in the right direction for this franchise that has often struggled to do that.  The problem is this is, in 2021, the most competitive division I can remember.  In this division, you have four other teams that have built super rosters and are fully committed to winning right now.  In a full 162 game season, I don't see the Marlins overtaking any of the other four.

Fearless Prediction

2021 will be the last time the Miami Marlins finish in the cellar of the NL East for the next decade.

Like I said, the Marlins are moving in the right direction and are very close to breaking out into an elite team.  2021 is not the time, but in the next few years they will be hitting their peak.  Behind Kim Ng and CEO Derek Jeter, look for the Marlins to have sustainable success moving forward.  Who would've thought this was possible after they traded away Giancarlo Stanton, Christian Yelich, Marcell Ozuna, and J.T. Realmuto just a few short years ago.

2020 Pre-Season Profile: Miami Marlins

#22

The Miami Marlins had the lowest attendance in the National League in 2019 after yet another season of floundering in the "rebuilding" stage.  Will 2020 finally see a change in the fortunes of South Beach?

2019 Predictions

#28 - 5th in NL East

MIH: Lewis Brinson

MIP: Dan Straily

PTW: Sixto Sanchez

FP: The Marlins' starting rotation will all be under 30 years old by the end of the season.

2019 Results

#28 - 57-105, 5th in NL East

The Marlins spent a second straight season in the cellar of the NL East after trading away their All Star outfield after the 2017 season.  They are still waiting for some of the prospects they picked up in those trades to hit big at the top level.  Lewis Brinson, the centerpiece of the Christian Yelich trade, only played in 75 games hitting .173 and an OPS+ of 24.  Dan Straily was my Most Important Pitcher last season, and he didn't make the Opening Day roster.  Miami is still eagerly awaiting the debut of top prospect Sixto Sanchez, the centerpiece of the J.T. Realmuto deal.  As for my Fearless Prediction, there were a total of 4 games started by someone 30+ years old for Miami last season (Hector Noesi) while most were made by sub-25 year-olds.

Additions / Subtractions

The Marlins had an interesting offseason as they decided to pick up some veteran players that could make an impact to go along with their developing young core.  So enter Jesus Aguilar, Jonathan Villar, and Corey Dickerson to stabilize the batting order.  The only impact players leaving the team were Starlin Castro, leaving in free agency, and Curtis Granderson, who retired.

Most Important Hitter

Brian Anderson

The best player on the Marlins last season was Brian Anderson, hitting his way to an OPS+ of 114 and a WAR of 3.7.  At age 26, his peak could still be ahead of him as he makes a case for being a centerpiece moving forward.  Either that, or he is trying to be a candidate for the next Marlin star traded away for prospects.

Most Important Pitcher

Sandy Alcantara

Sandy Alcantara was a rookie in 2019.  He also was the Marlins only All Star and their best pitcher all season, having an ERA+ of 109 and almost hitting 200 innings.  If the Marlins have done anything right in their successful seasons, it has been developing great young pitching, and with Alcantara entering only his age 24 season, he should be the next in a great line of aces in Miami if he continues to develop.

Prospect to Watch

Jesus Sanchez

There are five Marlins prospects listed in the Top 100 Prospects in all of baseball, with Sixto Sanchez topping the list at #22.  He is going to be a stud when he hits the big leagues, but I decided to highlight another prospect that might have a great debut in 2020.  Jesus Sanchez is the 4th best prospect in the Marlins system and the 80th best prospect in baseball.  This 22 year old outfield is an all-around player and has a chance to be a standard in the Marlins lineup for the foreseeable future.

2020 Prediction

5th in NL East

There is very little chance the Marlins leave the cellar of the NL East in 2020, but that doesn't mean they will take strides forward.  I love the moves they made to improve their lineup, and when you combine that with their young players about to take a step forward, and the young rotation ready to burst out, I could see the Marlins being a pleasant surprise throughout the season that flirt with a .500 record.  It isn't like they will threaten for a playoff spot, but ... baby steps.

Fearless Prediction

The Marlins will win a World Series in the next 5 years.

The Marlins are one of the most interesting teams in baseball.  Fronted by CEO Derek Jeter, they are heading in the right direction and should be threatening for a playoff spot soon.  The Marlins have made the playoffs twice in their 25+ year history.  Both times they made the playoffs they won the World Series.  If they finally make their way back to the playoffs soon, don't be surprised if they just go all the way.

2019 Pre-Season Profile: Miami Marlins

#28

The Miami Marlins have been working to completely remake their franchise ever since Derek Jeter and his ownership group took over the franchise before last offseason.  Now in year two after the complete teardown of their roster, will the Marlins start to show some results from trading away every recognizable face they had?

2018 Predictions

5th in NL East

Half of the Marlins' Opening Day starting lineup will not be on the roster by season's end.

2018 Results

63-98, 5th in NL East

The Marlins went from an interesting team on the verge of doing something great in 2017 to tearing it all down to nothing for 2018.  The new ownership group saw a lineup that wasn't sustainable financially.  What was left for the 2018 season was a Marlins team that resembled some of their early years.  A cheap, young roster with promise and the ability to compete maybe in a few years, but not at all competitive now.  There were a few veterans left on the roster, and I thought they would be gone before the season ended.  However, Justin Bour seemed to be the only to get out mid-season.  They seemed to keep the rest of the lineup in tact the rest of the season.

Additions / Subtractions

The main subtraction seemed to be final piece that needed to be moved from the epic teardown the year before.  J.T. Realmuto's trade to the Phillies brought back their new catcher, Jorge Alfaro, and some top prospects.  Outside of that, the only other moves made were signing some veterans to lead the kids, fill out the roster, and be trade bait come July.  This veteran crew includes Neil Walker, Curtis Granderson, and Sergio Romo.  The most notable change this year will have nothing to do with the roster.  New logo, new jerseys, and no more gigantic statue in centerfield of Marlins Park.

Most Important Hitter

Lewis Brinson

Of all the prospects brought back in the deals from last offseason, Lewis Brinson (acquired in the Christian Yelich deal with Milwaukee) was the biggest name and the most ready to make a major league impact.  He was their Opening Day centerfielder and stayed there most of the season.  However, he had far from a successful season.  Only tallying a .199 batting average and a 62 OPS+ (league average is 100), he was quite a disappointment for such a highly touted prospect.  Brinson has to make huge strides forward this season if he plans to stay a centerpiece of the Marlins' plans going forward.

Most Important Pitcher

Dan Straily

Dan Straily has been quite a journeyman considering he hasn't even reached 30 yet.  He has had one great year in 2016, his only year with the Reds.  The last couple seasons with the Marlins have been good but not great, posting an ERA+ just slightly below average.  If Straily comes out with a strong 2019, then he can help give the Marlins a much more successful season, and possibly be a trade piece at the deadline.  He needs to be above average to have a successful season though.

Prospect to Watch

Sixto Sanchez

The centerpiece of the J.T. Realmuto deal with the Phillies, Sixto Sanchez is thought to be one of the best pitching prospects in the league.  The 20 year old has been often compared to Pedro Martinez thanks to his slight stature and power arm.  After only throwing 46 innings in 2018 in the minors, and knowing how teams are trying to manipulate service time to delay free agency as much as possible, chances are the Marlins will be moving Sanchez along slowly throughout the 2019 season.  However, if the season goes really south for the Marlins and they need something to get the fans excited, they might not be able to help themselves and give Sixto a shot in the big leagues this year.

2019 Prediction

5th in NL East

The Marlins are still rebuilding and have a chance to be better than they were last season, but there is no way they finish anywhere other than the cellar of the NL East.  This has more to do with the strength of the rest of the division than the mediocrity of the Marlins.  All four of the other teams in this division will be competing for a playoff spot.  The Marlins are not there.  They will play better than last year, but might still finish with a worse record simply because of the competition in the division.

Fearless Prediction

The Marlins' starting rotation will all be under 30 years old by the end of the season.

There are only two starters right now that the Marlins have that are 30 years old or over (Dan Straily, Wei-Yin Chen).  With the pitchers the Marlins have that are getting ready to break into the big leagues, these two pitchers might be gone by the end of the season.  Straily will probably be traded, and Chen might just be released with how poorly he has pitched since he has come over from Baltimore.  In their place, look for guys like Sandy Alcantara, Nick Neidert, Jorge Guzman, and (like I said earlier) maybe even Sixto Sanchez to get to starts in their place.