Defeat the Empire

Many people, including myself, were impressed by the Florida Marlins in the runup to the 2005 season. They had acquired Carlos Delgado and Al Leiter to complement strengths in the rotation and lineup. I even had them winning the National League, but my vision of the future was uncanny: "This could be Florida's last chance to win as a team, and much of their young core hits free agency and arbitration. Josh Beckett, A.J. Burnett, and Juan Pierre will see their salaries jump substantially after this year, and Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis will hit arbitration after 2006." (My words from February 2005.) Beckett and Burnett are now gone to the AL East, as is Delgado, and the rebuilding project in South Florida is fully underway.

At best, 2006 will be a rebuilding year for the Marlins. At worst, it will be a disaster. Outside of Cabrera and Willis, they have no proven major league caliber players in either the lineup or the rotation. Despite this, they seem to have a solid future based upon the slew of prospects they acquired in multiple trades. Studs Jeremy Hermida, who is homegrown, and Mike Jacobs, whow as acquired in the Delgado trade with the Mets, will hit in the middle of the Marlins batting order and provide power and protection for Cabrera. Hanley Ramirez, who came over from Boston in the Beckett deal, may get a chance to start in the middle infield by opening day, is a five-tool prospect who had a disappointing 2005. Eric Reed is Juan Pierre's replacement, and has a skill set similar to that of Pierre, who was traded to the Cubs. In short, this offense is young and raw, and will with little doubt struggle, but has great potential for future seasons.

The pitching staff is similar to the offense, in that it has one proven star (Willis), and several young guns with high ceilings. Youngsters Jason Vargas, Sergio Mitre, and Scott Olsen will start the year in the rotation, and likely will be joined later on by Yusmiero Petit, the other key piece from the Delgado deal. The bullpen is in a similar state, with stud prospects such as Travis Bowyer possibly closing games. Bowyer is unlikely to be ready at this point, but he's the best option the Marlins have after letting Todd Jones walk and trading Guillermo Mota and Ron Villone.

This team has a decent shot to lose 110 games. The crowds in South Florida will be miniscule, and rumors of relocation rampant. (Jeffrey Loria and other Marlins officals have already discussed the topic with the cities of Las Vegas, Portland, and Oklahoma City). The talent is there, but the time simply isn't now. Outlook: 5th Place, NL East