Post by marlinsgm on Jan 2, 2023 11:31:30 GMT -5
Heading in to the 2003 season the Marlins find themselves in a precarious situation, attempting to rebuild a depleted farm system while still attempting to put a
competitive product on the field so as not to lose the good will they've built up with the South Florida fanbase after GM Matt Andersen took over the team and led
the Marlins to 5 straight winning seasons while still looking for their first playoff berth. The opening day roster will have an average age of just under 33 and there's
a large chasm between any meaningful minor league help and the major league roster. As we head to spring training, here's how we project the major league squad
to look when the season opens:
Catcher: The Marlins bring back Greg Myers, but this year it will be in more of a backup roll, which is what they had hoped for when they signed him prior to last year,
and he'll be backing up Todd Pratt, back for a second stint with the Fish after coming over in a trade with the Twins after struggling mightily the last two years in Minnesota.
Pratt spent most of 1999 with the Marlins and his gap power and ability to get on base should provide the Fish with a little more from the bat behind the plate. Josh Bard
goes back to AAA to continue to develop after being rushed last year with all of the trades. Bard did put up good numbers at AAA and the Fish are hoping that maybe he can
develop in to a capable backup with Myers being in the last year of his deal.
First Base: Brian Jordan will be moving to first after spending most of last season in RF. Jordan was picked up at the end of the 01 season from Tampa with an eye towards
being a starter in 02 and he didn't disappoint, posting a .782 OPS with 34 doubles. He's in the last year of his deal and is a candidate to be moved at the deadline if the
Marlins don't feel like they are in the playoff hunt.
Third Base: Sean Berry moves from first to third and the Marlins are hoping he returns healthy and can stay healthy. Berry was on pace to post one of his best seasons
at age 36 last year before rupturing his achilles in last June and missing the rest of the season. Berry had an OPS over .800 when he went down and was on pace for 50
doubles. He's 37, but his sweet swing fits Joe Robbie perfectly, letting Berry spray doubles in to the massive alleys.
Middle Infield: Both middle infield spots will be manned by a number of players. The Marlins brought in Todd Haney and Dave Hanson, as much for their gloves as their bats,
but they're also not sold on Orlando Cabrera and Freddy Sanchez as starters. They'd certainly like OCAB and Freddy to step up, but they've covered all of their bases here.
They also return Gary Ingram, who had his best season yet last year when pressed in to starting duty. If Ingram's glove was even average he might be up for a full time gig,
but the Marlins are always going to place an emphasis on defense, especially up the middle. Look for a hodge podge with Haney and Cabrera getting most of the starts vs.
righties and Sanchez and Ingram seeing a lot of time vs. lefties and Hanson getting plenty of at bats as well.
Left Field: Midre Cummings returns after his first season starting. The Marlins talked a lot about trying to find someone to replace Cummings and moving Cummings back to
the bench as the top left handed bat off the bench, but they were unable to identify a replacement so he'll get another go. After starting the season sizzling last year, Cummings
came crashing back to earth pretty hard as the weather warmed. Still, he ended up with 27 doubles and 14 homers, so he'll get another look. Randy Winn will be the top OF off
the bench, and providing great defense will probably get him first look at the job if Cummings struggles. The Marlins also acquired Matt Lawton in a minor deal with Toronto, and
while he'll most likely start the season in AAA, he could also potentially get a look if Cummings struggles and if he looks to be putting together good AB's in AAA.
CF: The Marlins signed 36 year old Moises Alou to a 2 year deal. Andersen is very familiar with Alou as he had him in his time in Colorado, and he was a known Andersen favorite.
His gap to gap swing and great defense should play well here and at 3.65 per year this is a good signing for a team in flux like the Marlins.
RF: The Marlins were in on a handful of the big names in free agency, and they landed one of the best in Jeromy Burnitz. Burnitz went .318/.380/.893 with 33 doubles and 27 homers
for the Dodgers last year and will immediately move in to the cleanup spot in this lineup. He'll be 34 this year and the Marlins signed him to a 13.5 million dollar year for the next
5 years, a comparative bargain when compared to the money the Mets threw at the Marlins other target, 1B Richie Sexson, and the Fish are hoping he can be part of the core of the
next great Marlins team.
DH: Hal Morris was brought in on a one year deal and all he does is hit. Literally. .314 with 41 doubles for the Angels last year, his bat should be a perfect fit for this lineup.
Rotation: Doc Halladay, Kevin Rogers, Tim Hudson, Tomo Ohka, Mike Poehl. The front 3 are all locked in, assuming Halladay is all the way back from his back injury that only
allowed him to make 10 starts last year. Rogers bounced back from a disappointing 01 season to post 11 wins and a 3.04 era. Hudson continues to get better, last year's 15 wins
led the team and he's now thrown over 200 innings two years in a row, and is really becoming a horse. Halladay was as good as ever before going down, posting a 2.34 era. Ohka's
first full season in the rotation was a success, leading to 10 wins and a sub 4 era. If he can hold down the 4th spot in the rotation and post similar numbers the fish will be more than
happy. The Marlins brought in 38 year old Mike Poehl to fill the last spot in the rotation. He's not the innings horse he once was but he still won 13 games last year with a 2.69 era
for Seattle. The Marlins really wanted to bring in an arm so that they could move Melido Perez back to the pen after being forced to start him all of last year and are hoping to squeeze
one more year out of Poehl. They also brought back Scott Chiamparino who was a surprise success last year when forced in to duty. Look for Chiamparino to start the year in the rotation
until Halladay is ready to come back, then most likely provide depth at AAA.
Bullpen: The fish moved their best pen arm at the break in Otsuka, but they brough back Chris Nichting on a reasonable 2 year deal after he saved 20 games last year after taking over the roll.
McMichael and Wilkerson both return and Melido will return to his swing role in which he thrived in 2001. Mike Venafro looked to have found something at the end of last year and will open the
season with the big league squad for the first time as the second lefty, and rookie Mike Koplove will get the last spot in the pen after posting eye popping numbers in the closer role in AAA last year.
Mel Rojas was brought in on a low dollar deal after posting back to back quality seasons. He'll start the season in AAA but will most likely be the first arm called up. The fish have other AAA options
that may see time on the big league squad as well. Brandon Backe struggled in his first exposure to AAA last year, but the Marlins would like to be able to get him some major league innings this
year, probably in a bullpen role, maybe late. Bob File has struggled in his big league looks, but File, Danny Mota, Brian Wolfe, Jack Tachnser, Chris Sampson and others are all getting close to being
able to provide innings at the big league level.
The draft:
1(8) -OF Andre Ethier -The Marlins had their eyes on numerous players here, Ethier is a gap hitting OF that the Marlins hope can develop a little more power, defensively he's a little bit of a mess,
he shows leadership qualities. He'll play the season at 21 years old so the Fish are hoping he can develop at a good pace.
1(17) SP Chad Billingsley -The Fish were ecstatic that Billingsley was still available as they debated between him and Ethier at 8. The hard throwing righty has absolutely filthy stuff and if he can
reign in the control a little projects as a #2 starter.
1(19) SP John Danks - Danks is a real bulldog, only 18 years old, left handed, should be a good compliment to Billingsley in the A rotation. Projects as a #3 or #4 starter.
1(24) OF David Murphy -The Marlins didn't have Murphy that far behind Ethier, they are very similar hitters, like Ethier, Murphy is a gap hitter that the fish hope can find some power. Marlins are deep
in OF's in the minor leagues, but Murphy represented good value here.
2(8) 2B Aaron Hill -The Marlins had their eyes on Hill at the end of round 1 before taking Murphy instead of Hill, so they were glad to see him when he was still available. He can play all over the IF,
has good gap power and the Marlins will work with him on his 2B defense.
2 (16) RP Jose Arredondo- In a draft deep with power bullpen arms, the Fish took the last real dominant reliever on the board here. They were intentionally avoiding bullpen arms as their system is
already deep with arms and their seems to be a glut of good pen arms out there right now. Waiting for all of the other good ones to get drafted before jumping in and grabbing the last one was
good strategy here. Arredondo throws a blazing fastball and if he can reign in the control looks to be a back of the bullpen guy, potential closer.
2 (17) IF Andres Blanco- Blanco was a Marlins favorite and they finally jumped in and took him. Blanco was a doubles hitting machine in high school, just the kind of player the Fish love. He projects as
more of a super utility guy than anything, but at 19 years old it's certainly not out of the question that he could develop in to something more.
3(17) OF Delmon Young- Another OF in a system full of them, Young is a real project at only 17 years old. He does have some gap power but has a lot of work to do on his eye to ever have a meaningful career.
3(19) 1B Jesus Guzman- Guzman is a young, left handed hitting first basemen with average power but a good idea of the strike zone. 18 years old, more of a project, but could develop into more.
The Marlins started their rebuild by adding lots of numbers, which is about the best they could do in a draft bereft of top quality talent. They've added enough veterans to at least be competitive.
.500 should certainly be attainable, anything more may take a handful of surprise seasons from some veteran players. Either way, 2003 should be an interesting transition season in south Florida.
competitive product on the field so as not to lose the good will they've built up with the South Florida fanbase after GM Matt Andersen took over the team and led
the Marlins to 5 straight winning seasons while still looking for their first playoff berth. The opening day roster will have an average age of just under 33 and there's
a large chasm between any meaningful minor league help and the major league roster. As we head to spring training, here's how we project the major league squad
to look when the season opens:
Catcher: The Marlins bring back Greg Myers, but this year it will be in more of a backup roll, which is what they had hoped for when they signed him prior to last year,
and he'll be backing up Todd Pratt, back for a second stint with the Fish after coming over in a trade with the Twins after struggling mightily the last two years in Minnesota.
Pratt spent most of 1999 with the Marlins and his gap power and ability to get on base should provide the Fish with a little more from the bat behind the plate. Josh Bard
goes back to AAA to continue to develop after being rushed last year with all of the trades. Bard did put up good numbers at AAA and the Fish are hoping that maybe he can
develop in to a capable backup with Myers being in the last year of his deal.
First Base: Brian Jordan will be moving to first after spending most of last season in RF. Jordan was picked up at the end of the 01 season from Tampa with an eye towards
being a starter in 02 and he didn't disappoint, posting a .782 OPS with 34 doubles. He's in the last year of his deal and is a candidate to be moved at the deadline if the
Marlins don't feel like they are in the playoff hunt.
Third Base: Sean Berry moves from first to third and the Marlins are hoping he returns healthy and can stay healthy. Berry was on pace to post one of his best seasons
at age 36 last year before rupturing his achilles in last June and missing the rest of the season. Berry had an OPS over .800 when he went down and was on pace for 50
doubles. He's 37, but his sweet swing fits Joe Robbie perfectly, letting Berry spray doubles in to the massive alleys.
Middle Infield: Both middle infield spots will be manned by a number of players. The Marlins brought in Todd Haney and Dave Hanson, as much for their gloves as their bats,
but they're also not sold on Orlando Cabrera and Freddy Sanchez as starters. They'd certainly like OCAB and Freddy to step up, but they've covered all of their bases here.
They also return Gary Ingram, who had his best season yet last year when pressed in to starting duty. If Ingram's glove was even average he might be up for a full time gig,
but the Marlins are always going to place an emphasis on defense, especially up the middle. Look for a hodge podge with Haney and Cabrera getting most of the starts vs.
righties and Sanchez and Ingram seeing a lot of time vs. lefties and Hanson getting plenty of at bats as well.
Left Field: Midre Cummings returns after his first season starting. The Marlins talked a lot about trying to find someone to replace Cummings and moving Cummings back to
the bench as the top left handed bat off the bench, but they were unable to identify a replacement so he'll get another go. After starting the season sizzling last year, Cummings
came crashing back to earth pretty hard as the weather warmed. Still, he ended up with 27 doubles and 14 homers, so he'll get another look. Randy Winn will be the top OF off
the bench, and providing great defense will probably get him first look at the job if Cummings struggles. The Marlins also acquired Matt Lawton in a minor deal with Toronto, and
while he'll most likely start the season in AAA, he could also potentially get a look if Cummings struggles and if he looks to be putting together good AB's in AAA.
CF: The Marlins signed 36 year old Moises Alou to a 2 year deal. Andersen is very familiar with Alou as he had him in his time in Colorado, and he was a known Andersen favorite.
His gap to gap swing and great defense should play well here and at 3.65 per year this is a good signing for a team in flux like the Marlins.
RF: The Marlins were in on a handful of the big names in free agency, and they landed one of the best in Jeromy Burnitz. Burnitz went .318/.380/.893 with 33 doubles and 27 homers
for the Dodgers last year and will immediately move in to the cleanup spot in this lineup. He'll be 34 this year and the Marlins signed him to a 13.5 million dollar year for the next
5 years, a comparative bargain when compared to the money the Mets threw at the Marlins other target, 1B Richie Sexson, and the Fish are hoping he can be part of the core of the
next great Marlins team.
DH: Hal Morris was brought in on a one year deal and all he does is hit. Literally. .314 with 41 doubles for the Angels last year, his bat should be a perfect fit for this lineup.
Rotation: Doc Halladay, Kevin Rogers, Tim Hudson, Tomo Ohka, Mike Poehl. The front 3 are all locked in, assuming Halladay is all the way back from his back injury that only
allowed him to make 10 starts last year. Rogers bounced back from a disappointing 01 season to post 11 wins and a 3.04 era. Hudson continues to get better, last year's 15 wins
led the team and he's now thrown over 200 innings two years in a row, and is really becoming a horse. Halladay was as good as ever before going down, posting a 2.34 era. Ohka's
first full season in the rotation was a success, leading to 10 wins and a sub 4 era. If he can hold down the 4th spot in the rotation and post similar numbers the fish will be more than
happy. The Marlins brought in 38 year old Mike Poehl to fill the last spot in the rotation. He's not the innings horse he once was but he still won 13 games last year with a 2.69 era
for Seattle. The Marlins really wanted to bring in an arm so that they could move Melido Perez back to the pen after being forced to start him all of last year and are hoping to squeeze
one more year out of Poehl. They also brought back Scott Chiamparino who was a surprise success last year when forced in to duty. Look for Chiamparino to start the year in the rotation
until Halladay is ready to come back, then most likely provide depth at AAA.
Bullpen: The fish moved their best pen arm at the break in Otsuka, but they brough back Chris Nichting on a reasonable 2 year deal after he saved 20 games last year after taking over the roll.
McMichael and Wilkerson both return and Melido will return to his swing role in which he thrived in 2001. Mike Venafro looked to have found something at the end of last year and will open the
season with the big league squad for the first time as the second lefty, and rookie Mike Koplove will get the last spot in the pen after posting eye popping numbers in the closer role in AAA last year.
Mel Rojas was brought in on a low dollar deal after posting back to back quality seasons. He'll start the season in AAA but will most likely be the first arm called up. The fish have other AAA options
that may see time on the big league squad as well. Brandon Backe struggled in his first exposure to AAA last year, but the Marlins would like to be able to get him some major league innings this
year, probably in a bullpen role, maybe late. Bob File has struggled in his big league looks, but File, Danny Mota, Brian Wolfe, Jack Tachnser, Chris Sampson and others are all getting close to being
able to provide innings at the big league level.
The draft:
1(8) -OF Andre Ethier -The Marlins had their eyes on numerous players here, Ethier is a gap hitting OF that the Marlins hope can develop a little more power, defensively he's a little bit of a mess,
he shows leadership qualities. He'll play the season at 21 years old so the Fish are hoping he can develop at a good pace.
1(17) SP Chad Billingsley -The Fish were ecstatic that Billingsley was still available as they debated between him and Ethier at 8. The hard throwing righty has absolutely filthy stuff and if he can
reign in the control a little projects as a #2 starter.
1(19) SP John Danks - Danks is a real bulldog, only 18 years old, left handed, should be a good compliment to Billingsley in the A rotation. Projects as a #3 or #4 starter.
1(24) OF David Murphy -The Marlins didn't have Murphy that far behind Ethier, they are very similar hitters, like Ethier, Murphy is a gap hitter that the fish hope can find some power. Marlins are deep
in OF's in the minor leagues, but Murphy represented good value here.
2(8) 2B Aaron Hill -The Marlins had their eyes on Hill at the end of round 1 before taking Murphy instead of Hill, so they were glad to see him when he was still available. He can play all over the IF,
has good gap power and the Marlins will work with him on his 2B defense.
2 (16) RP Jose Arredondo- In a draft deep with power bullpen arms, the Fish took the last real dominant reliever on the board here. They were intentionally avoiding bullpen arms as their system is
already deep with arms and their seems to be a glut of good pen arms out there right now. Waiting for all of the other good ones to get drafted before jumping in and grabbing the last one was
good strategy here. Arredondo throws a blazing fastball and if he can reign in the control looks to be a back of the bullpen guy, potential closer.
2 (17) IF Andres Blanco- Blanco was a Marlins favorite and they finally jumped in and took him. Blanco was a doubles hitting machine in high school, just the kind of player the Fish love. He projects as
more of a super utility guy than anything, but at 19 years old it's certainly not out of the question that he could develop in to something more.
3(17) OF Delmon Young- Another OF in a system full of them, Young is a real project at only 17 years old. He does have some gap power but has a lot of work to do on his eye to ever have a meaningful career.
3(19) 1B Jesus Guzman- Guzman is a young, left handed hitting first basemen with average power but a good idea of the strike zone. 18 years old, more of a project, but could develop into more.
The Marlins started their rebuild by adding lots of numbers, which is about the best they could do in a draft bereft of top quality talent. They've added enough veterans to at least be competitive.
.500 should certainly be attainable, anything more may take a handful of surprise seasons from some veteran players. Either way, 2003 should be an interesting transition season in south Florida.
