Don't Get Too Comfortable..

 

The Marlins have a relatively straightforward week ahead of them. They're playing the Rockies right now [and have already dropped a game], then get to play the Rays, Pirates and Nationals. All teams that aren't terribly competitive, and all teams where they have a chance of winning some games. And hopefully they do, because after that stretch the next time they get to play a team with a record close to theirs is the Orioles series...right before the ASG break.

Which means the Marlins are about 10 days away from spending practically a month facing teams that are trying to compete. Fasten your seatbelts, boys...

I think there was a belief that the Marlins would be better this year, because so many pieces got set up last fall, and they'd be going in with a healthy Sandy Alcantara, and really nothing productive has happened. Alcantara has completely fallen apart since coming back from his surgery, with an 8.47 ERA and a 2-7 record. Whatever the case, he was clearly not like this before, and hopefully he's able to rebound over time. Meanwhile, Jesus Sanchez, thought to be the marquee star this year, has barely factored into the Marlins' season at all, hitting .268 through 40 games. Most of the slack is being picked up by people like Dane Myers, Xavier Edwards and Derek Hill, all of whom have [or continue to] spent time on the IL this year. 

And so once again, the biggest WAR guys on the Marlins are the unsung role-players, rather than full on dominators [though Kyle Stowers and Anthony Bender are getting there]. Otto Lopez, for the second year in a row, has put together a great season on the grounds of his own defensive prowess. He's only hitting .239, but he [like Hill, Myers and Javier Sanoja] has above-average defensive ability, and his SS work has given the Marlins a crucial piece. Myers is similar, having a great season in center while also batting .315 with 14 RBIs in 33 games. According to the WAR chart, the Marlins' best starter right now is Valente Bellozo, he of the low-Ks and keep-it-in mentality, though Edward Cabrera and Ryan Weathers are certainly gaining on him with their more conventional seasons.

You can see the skeleton of a decent team with this Marlins club. Kyle Stowers, Ryan Weathers, Otto Lopez and Anthony Bender are the kind of guys you can build a team around...that is, if you decide not to trade them. And considering they've all arrived in Miami through trades, that's kind of ironic. 

Coming Tonight: Another Lopez, ironically a former Marlin himself. Currently on a much better team.