Biggest Offseason Additions
Free Agents: Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Garrett Jones, Casey McGehee, & Rafael Furcal
Trades: Carter Capps & Brian Bogusevic
Biggest Offseason Losses
Free Agents: Juan Pierre, Placido Polanco, & Chad Qualls
Trades: Logan Morrison & Justin Ruggiano
Name to Watch in Spring Training: Giancarlo Stanton
Stanton had a down season in 2013 and will look to bounce back, and it will all start in spring training. After two seasons in which he hit over 30 home runs, scored over 70 runs, and knocked in over 80 runs he struggled to produce. Many point to the fact that the supporting cast around him was far inferior in 2013 than it was in 2012 when management put together a so called “Super Team” but that notion does not really hold water when you look at the line up from 2011 where Stanton actually finished better in the MVP vote. Spring Training will be huge for Stanton to prove that he is ready to bounce back as he could be auditioning for a new team in the 2014 season.
Biggest Spring Training Battle: Christian Yelich and Bogusevic
Late in the 2013 season Yelich got the call up to the big leagues and made 62 starts at the end of the season, and he was impressive. He hit four home runs, scored 34 runs, and knocked in 16 earning himself a shot at winning the starting left field job in 2014, but management wasn’t completely sold on the idea and traded for Bogusevic as a back-up plan.
Bogusevic has not be impressive so far in his short career, but has only had one season where he was the everyday starter in 2012 with the Houston Astros where he played in 146 games.
He has been brought in two give Yelich competition, though, hoping that at least if he could give the team some left handed depth off of the bench. Both hitters a left handed batters, so it will not be a platoon situation and there will be one clear winner.
What Went Right in 2013
With the struggles of the mainstays on offense, Morrison and Stanton, not much went right for the Marlins in 2013. One thing did go right, though, and that is starting pitcher Jose Fernandez. The 20-year-old Cuban gave the fans in Miami something to cheer for as he represented the team in the all-star game and later went on to win the National League Rookie of the Year Award and also finished in third in the National League Cy Young voting.
Biggest Areas of Improvement in 2014
After having a fire sale during and after the 2012 season the Marlins had a lot of holes to fill and again had to fill similar holes in the 2013-14 offseason. The biggest areas of improvement for the team, though, are in the infield at first, second, and catcher. They added veteran leadership at second and first base with the additions of Furcal and Jones, and while there is a health risk with Furcal his leadership and World Series experience will bring something this team seriously lacks. At catcher Saltalamacchia brings a leadership behind the plate that they haven’t had in the past and an offensive presence that could help protect Stanton in the lineup.
Overall Spring Training Preview
While most people look at Spring Training as meaningless warm-ups for players this spring will be important for the Marlins.
They have a number of positions that will be decided by competition including most of the bullpen roles, multiple starting rotation spots, and spots in the outfield.
The team is very thin at starting pitcher with only Fernandez and Nathan Eovaldi the only two who should be guaranteed spots in the rotation. The bullpen is also wide open other than Capps, whom they traded for, and incumbent closer Steven Cishek.
On top of the competitions, spring will be important for the Marlins as they need get a look at the health of Furcal as well as the performance of possible backups at second base. Furcal missed the entire 2013 season due to injury and if he cannot get fully healthy in 2014 it could pose a serious problem for the Marlins.