The Yankees spent big bucks this offseason on free agent acquisitions, the Phillies are World Series champs, and the Rays were everyone’s favorite bandwagon. But what about that other team in Florida? Well, they are pretty good too.This Marlins team reminds me a lot of the one that won the World Series back in 2003 that had Miguel Cabrera and Josh Beckett among other great players. The Marlins front office is great at building a team through the draft and their farm system, and maximizing as much talent as they can from as little funds as they have to work with.
When you think that their highest paid player (Wes Helms at $2.4 million) doesn’t even start for them, you start to realize what an achievement it is for their organization to be as successful as they are. Sure, they are cellar dwellers a lot of years because they can’t pay the big bucks it takes to land free agents like CC Sabbathia, but every few years they seem to be right in the thick of it competing for a World Series.
This will be one of those years. And it isn’t just that they’ve gotten off to a hot start, but because the organization has enough depth to truly compete deep into October and November. Hanley Ramirez is considered by many as one of the best players in the game - of course Pujols is at the top - yet you wouldn’t know it because ESPN only covers 3 or 4 big market teams. The Cubs, Yankees, Red Sox, and Mets are their meal ticket.
If HanRam was playing for the Red Sox he’d be a household name. And it’s not just one player either, the Marlins pitching staff is young and extremely good. Their oldest starting pitcher is 26, which means there is little risk or worry of the staff breaking down or becoming injury prone. These pitchers can still take the punishment of 200+ innings and more when they get into the playoffs.
When you see the Marlins continuing to be successful throughout the summer and deep into the playoffs, don’t be surprised. This team is very good and has the greatest potential of any team in the league with all of their young talent. Don’t worry Yankees and Red Sox fans, the Marlins will lose some of this talent to free agency and be back to the cellar again soon. But for now, watch out.
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Joseph Kelley
FANdemoniumSports.blogspot.com
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