State of the Marlins: Are They Really That Bad?
On Opening Day, the Vegas line on the Florida Marlins was 500-1 to win the World Series this year. Can I argue with that? Definitely not. They just don't have the overall team to compete, especially in the NL East with the Mets, Phillies and the Braves. But does that mean that there can be no value found on the Marlins' roster? Definitely not, again. The savvy fantasy owner will sift through and find paydirt here while his competition sits and hopes that Jason Kubel finds at bats somewhere or that Aaron Miles will hold onto the job in St. Louis. These guys on the Marlins will play every day; they are not in danger of losing their jobs . And while they may not win 50 games this year, these guys will produce some respectable and probably very helpful, fantasy numbers. Let's go through the starting lineup and see....
C Miguel Olivo -- once a high rated prospect with the Chicago White Sox, Olivo never really reached his potential and has bounced around the left coast the past three years between Seattle and San Diego. He's off to a slow start this season, but he will be the primary guy for this team. He's the guy you pick up when your second catcher goes down with an injury.
1B Mike Jacobs -- he's a big lefty with massively untapped power. He will be the power guy for this squad. Obviously, the home ballpark is a disadvantage but don't be surprised to see him still mash 20 HR this year. If the guys in front of him in the lineup can set the table right, he could also be looking at 80+ RBI.
2B Dan Uggla -- what are the chances that this guy never got teased because of his last name? Probably about the same as his chances of losing the starting job in Florida. The team had high hopes for Frank Moore, but he's now a 27 year old sitting in AA Carolina these days. Uggla is off to an average start right now, but hopefully he will be able to bring that average up to .270 where it belongs. He should also kick in 10 HR and maybe 50+RBI, so I'd rather be secure with him than worry about, let's say a Josh Barfield slump.
SS Hanley Ramirez -- For the past two years, he was an untouchable prospect for Boston, but became the price tag the Sox paid to grab Josh Beckett. This one's going to burn Boston. Ramirez has taken to the leadoff spot and is hitting .389 with 10 runs scored and 3 SB. With over 600 AB, he could conceivably steal 35+ bases if he can maintain his solid OBP. I like his chances of being the "sleeper of the year".
3B Miguel Cabrera -- really...what more needs to be said about this guy. Returning to the hot corner, he will produce solid numbers with a probable 30 dingers. The only problem I can forsee is that maybe his RBI numbers take a small dip, but again, that will be determined by the guys in front of him. I still see him knocking in over 100 though.
LF Josh Willingham -- he was supposed to be the primary guy behind the plate, and may have catcher eligibility in some of your leagues. He is already starting the charge for Rookie of the Year with his .344-3-11-5 batting line. If he continues, then he could be good for atleast 20 HR with 70+ RBI. Not bad if you have him behind the plate.
CF Reggie Abercrombie/Chris Aguila/Eric Reed -- O.K., so here's where it gets a little shakey. These guys have split some time in the OF equally and none of them have really done anything. Aguila looks the hottest right now with his .294 average [insert sarcastic eye roll here]. It could be a revolving door all season, so let's just get away from it now.
RF Jeremy Hermida -- a slow start and a hip injury have stalled Hermida who was actually a pre-season pick for Rookie of the Year. He still has 20 HR potential, so if you have him, stash him away for a little bit. If you don't, he could be a great candidate to buy low.
SP Dontrelle Willis -- The D Train will most certainly have his ups and down as always, but his numbers should remain consistent to years past. His wins total could drop as this team is still very green, but he should be a solid starter for your fantasy team all year long.
SP Jason Vargas -- not to slight Sergio Mitre, Brian Moehler, or Scott Olsen, but Vargas, to me, is the only other stable fantasy pick. This young lefty has a good arsenal of pitches not always found in today's younger guys and he's got excellent control. He will find some bumps in the road this year, but how about 10 wins and 135 K's and and ERA under 4.00? I have him in 2 leagues and I plan to keep him active all season long.
CL Joe Borowski -- he won't get many save opportunities this year, but he's a wily veteran who has closing experience. With Travis Bowyer in the minors, Borowski has a firm hold on the job and could end up with 20+ saves this year. Definitely respectable for a second or third closer on your team.
So they're not the New York Yankees...they're not even the Cincinnati Reds, really. But they will be able to help you out in fantasy this year. Guys like Ramirez, Hermida and Willingham all have the ability and potential to out-produce most other guys at their positions in the majors. Don't sit back and watch. Be the guy your rival GMs curse for finding some real significant talent in a team they scoffed at on draft day.
C Miguel Olivo -- once a high rated prospect with the Chicago White Sox, Olivo never really reached his potential and has bounced around the left coast the past three years between Seattle and San Diego. He's off to a slow start this season, but he will be the primary guy for this team. He's the guy you pick up when your second catcher goes down with an injury.
1B Mike Jacobs -- he's a big lefty with massively untapped power. He will be the power guy for this squad. Obviously, the home ballpark is a disadvantage but don't be surprised to see him still mash 20 HR this year. If the guys in front of him in the lineup can set the table right, he could also be looking at 80+ RBI.
2B Dan Uggla -- what are the chances that this guy never got teased because of his last name? Probably about the same as his chances of losing the starting job in Florida. The team had high hopes for Frank Moore, but he's now a 27 year old sitting in AA Carolina these days. Uggla is off to an average start right now, but hopefully he will be able to bring that average up to .270 where it belongs. He should also kick in 10 HR and maybe 50+RBI, so I'd rather be secure with him than worry about, let's say a Josh Barfield slump.
SS Hanley Ramirez -- For the past two years, he was an untouchable prospect for Boston, but became the price tag the Sox paid to grab Josh Beckett. This one's going to burn Boston. Ramirez has taken to the leadoff spot and is hitting .389 with 10 runs scored and 3 SB. With over 600 AB, he could conceivably steal 35+ bases if he can maintain his solid OBP. I like his chances of being the "sleeper of the year".
3B Miguel Cabrera -- really...what more needs to be said about this guy. Returning to the hot corner, he will produce solid numbers with a probable 30 dingers. The only problem I can forsee is that maybe his RBI numbers take a small dip, but again, that will be determined by the guys in front of him. I still see him knocking in over 100 though.
LF Josh Willingham -- he was supposed to be the primary guy behind the plate, and may have catcher eligibility in some of your leagues. He is already starting the charge for Rookie of the Year with his .344-3-11-5 batting line. If he continues, then he could be good for atleast 20 HR with 70+ RBI. Not bad if you have him behind the plate.
CF Reggie Abercrombie/Chris Aguila/Eric Reed -- O.K., so here's where it gets a little shakey. These guys have split some time in the OF equally and none of them have really done anything. Aguila looks the hottest right now with his .294 average [insert sarcastic eye roll here]. It could be a revolving door all season, so let's just get away from it now.
RF Jeremy Hermida -- a slow start and a hip injury have stalled Hermida who was actually a pre-season pick for Rookie of the Year. He still has 20 HR potential, so if you have him, stash him away for a little bit. If you don't, he could be a great candidate to buy low.
SP Dontrelle Willis -- The D Train will most certainly have his ups and down as always, but his numbers should remain consistent to years past. His wins total could drop as this team is still very green, but he should be a solid starter for your fantasy team all year long.
SP Jason Vargas -- not to slight Sergio Mitre, Brian Moehler, or Scott Olsen, but Vargas, to me, is the only other stable fantasy pick. This young lefty has a good arsenal of pitches not always found in today's younger guys and he's got excellent control. He will find some bumps in the road this year, but how about 10 wins and 135 K's and and ERA under 4.00? I have him in 2 leagues and I plan to keep him active all season long.
CL Joe Borowski -- he won't get many save opportunities this year, but he's a wily veteran who has closing experience. With Travis Bowyer in the minors, Borowski has a firm hold on the job and could end up with 20+ saves this year. Definitely respectable for a second or third closer on your team.
So they're not the New York Yankees...they're not even the Cincinnati Reds, really. But they will be able to help you out in fantasy this year. Guys like Ramirez, Hermida and Willingham all have the ability and potential to out-produce most other guys at their positions in the majors. Don't sit back and watch. Be the guy your rival GMs curse for finding some real significant talent in a team they scoffed at on draft day.
posted by Howard Bender at
9:03 PM
