Stark: Marlins Could Be Big Players This Off-Season UPDATE: All Big Names In Play

[Bobbob1313]

We are talking about the second worst offense in franchise history in 2010.

Do you think last year was the 6th best pitching staff we've ever had?

It was the 8th worst offense we've ever had.

[Party]

Really? Because only the 1993 Marlins scored fewer runs.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/FLA/
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And no bob, the pitching staff was not good. Who cares if your bullpen is awesome when the starting pitcher gives up 4 in the first.

[Bobbob1313]

I already went over this.

This year was the lowest scoring environment the Marlins have ever played in, by a pretty significant margin. I want to say league scoring was down 8-10% from any other season since the Marlins began playing.

In 2002, 1994, 1996, 1998, 1993, 2000, and 1999, we were ranked lower in the NL in runs scored.

This was the 6th lowest RPG we allowed for a season, but it was the in 9 other seasons we were ranked higher.

Just looking at raw numbers like that skews things.

We were certainly not any good offensively. But it was also not the second worst offensive team we've ever had.

[Party]

Fine.

We still need a bat.

[Bobbob1313]

Absolutely.

But I think we have more internal options and hope for internal improvement amongst our bats than our arms.

If it becomes an either or, like either Beurhle OR Aramis, there's no question who I'm choosing.
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For me, a realistically perfect offseason from a baseball standpoint is:

Adding: Beurhle, Ramirez, Zambrano (on the cheap, obvs), and someone like Coco Crisp who can be a league average CFer and play good defense for around $3-4m.

That gets you right around the $90 million mark, which may be a tad high, so worst case, drop Crisp and use Emilio every day.

It addresses our biggest weaknesses but still leaves money to play with if Loria wants to go all out at the deadline to shore it up. The Pujols/Fielder situations put us in a situation where we basically have to win with what we go into the season with.

[Party]

If this team is serious about next year it doesn't become a question of Buerhle OR Aramis but Buerhle AND Aramis. There are millions of dollars at stake after 2012 and hanging your hopes on another "we need everything to click in order to win 87 games" roster is setting yourself up for another disastrous season and mediocre '13, '14 and '15 at the gate.

[Bobbob1313]

Well, like I said, I don't think it comes to it. But in a hypothetical where you've already added CJ Wilson, let's say, and there's really no way to sign all three, you double up on the pitchers and hope the bats we have can make up for it. Because I don't see any in house starting options being remotely competent.

[Erick]

I think some people are putting way too much into the '11 season and, thus, underrating the upside of our lineup.

Pitching is a far greater concern.

[muhammad shahid]

well get over it. besides, the DH is the best thing that happened to baseball.
when all 9 batters are dangerous hitters its no wnder AL pitchers have to be soo much better. Its just natural selection.

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[HUGG]

true

[kylekash]

sorry, but I just can't get over it.

[Metes]

I believe natural selection gave us muhammad shahid

[Fritz]

You know the Department of Homeland Security gon keep tabs on this place now that a guy named Muhammad Shahid posts here.

[THE_REAL_MIBS]

A little blurb from this week's mailbag by Frisaro.

Is there a good possibility that the Marlins will try to go after left-hander C.J. Wilson in free agency? If so, how much money would the Marlins be willing to spend on him?
-- Jonathan V., Pembroke Pines, Fla.

I anticipate the team making a run at one impact position player. The big targets out there are Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder. As for the Pujols speculation, it is very much real. There are many in the game who anticipate the Marlins to be strongly in the mix for Pujols.

Aside from that, I feel the club will focus the rest of its attention on pitching. Wilson should definitely be a target. For how much? That's a guess, since the market has yet to be established. Perhaps four years, $60 million.

From what I'm hearing lately, Wilson may be a long shot to wind up with the Marlins.

Some feedback I've received is, Wilson will either return to the Rangers or wind up on the West Coast. Keep an eye on Arizona making a push for his services.

And, there are reports the Yankees will get in the bidding.

For the Marlins, perhaps a more realistic free-agent lefty starter is Mark Buehrle.

As far as a closer, Ryan Madson is a name to keep an eye on in free agency.

Inbox: What free-agent moves are forthcoming?

[Omar]

I don't understand why Buerhle's name keeps popping up. Dude refuses to unroot his family and leave the midwest.