The Florida Marlins finished 80-82 in 2010, which put them in third place in the division race. They have decided to stick with Edwin Rodriguezas manager, who took over for Fredi Gonzalezlast season.
Like years past, Florida could surprise with young talent all over the field, but it is not going to be easy for this team to jump the Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves.
Here is a quick look at Florida’s 2011 starting lineup and starting rotation, plus our MLB predictions on how they will end the season in the NL East.
Starting Lineup
The Marlins lost a lot of power with the trade of second-baseman Dan Uggla, but they are hoping a lot of different players will make major improvements this year. It all begins with shortstop Hanley Ramirez, who has the talent to become one of the elite players in the game, but struggles to consistently bring it on a daily basis.
Ramirez batted .300 with 21 home runs in 2010, but has the potential to hit hit .330 with 30 or more home runs and carry the Marlins to a surprise finish.
Other players Florida is hoping will really turn it on this season are first baseman Gaby Sanchez, newly acquired catcher John Buck and right-fielder Mike Stanton, whom we think could be in for a much better season if he doesn’t get hurt.
The Marlins got Omar Infante in the trade that sent Uggla to Atlanta, and while he doesn’t have the pop, he hits for a great average and should really help this offense put some runs on the board.
What the Marlins get out of guys like Matt Dominguez, Logan Morrison and Chris Coghlan will make a huge impact on just how good Florida’s offense is this year, which will in turn play a huge role in their chances on winning the division.
Starting Rotation
The Marlins rotation is top-heavy this season with the likes of Josh Johnson and Ricky Nolasco, who returns from a solid season. Johnson finished 11-6 with a 2.30 ERA and 9.1SO/9, and if the offense would help him out, he has a great shot at becoming the NL Cy Young winner this season.
Nolasco has brought in an average of 14 wins over the last three years, including a 14-9 campaign in 2010 where he posted a 4.51 ERA. That high ERA is a concern, but it’s hard to look past the 14-win average.
The Marlins acquired veteran Javier Vazquez to help solidify the rotation, and it could go either way for the 34-year-old this season. Vazquez went 10-10 with a 5.32 ERA with the New York Yankees last year, but should benefit from no longer pitching in the AL East.
The final two spots in the rotation should go to Anibal Sanchez and Chris Volstad. Sanchez went 13-12 with a 3.55 ERA last season, but also could have had a lot better run support.
If he can stay healthy, something he has struggled with in the past, he could be in for a monster season.
Volstad showed some great improvements last season, going 12-9 with a 4.58 ERA. He improved his ERA from 5.21 in 2009, and at just 24 years of age, we like his odds of getting even better again this year.
2011 Projections: Third Place NL East
Florida has proven in its brief history that they can strike out of nowhere to make the playoffs and contend for the World Series.
While that isn’t out of the question in 2011, we just don’t know enough about this team to pick them ahead of Phillies and Braves.
The Marlins’ MLB odds to win the NL East this season are plus-700.
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