David Schoenfield Ranks Marlins 20th in ESPN Rankings

Nov 19, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; The jumbotron shows a photo of Miami Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton after a press conference at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Spring Training is drawing nearer for the Miami Marlins and the rest of baseball. Real baseball is almost here, but first, we need to get through Spring Training baseball.

Part of the fun of this time of the year has to be reading people’s predictions for the upcoming season. Over on the ESPN Sweet Spot Blogging Network senior editor David Schoenfield has done a power ranking of how teams will fare in 2015.

Unfortunately, he doesn’t see a bright 2015 for the Marlins, as he pegs them as the 20th best team in baseball for the upcoming season.

Obviously, Marlins fans are going to be quick to write David off as a “hater” of the team, but we’ll take a look at what he had to say about the team to see if whether what he said holds any water.

"Big offseason moves: Signed Giancarlo Stanton to a $325 million extension that is heavily backloaded and allows Stanton to opt out after six seasons; acquired 3B Martin Prado and RHP David Phelps from the Yankees for RHP Nathan Eovaldi and 1B/OF Garrett Jones; acquired 2B Dee Gordon, RHP Dan Haren and SS Miguel Rojas from the Dodgers for LHP Andrew Heaney, RHP Chris Hatcher, 2B Enrique Hernandez and C Austin Barnes; acquired RHP Mat Latos from the Reds for RHP Anthony DeSclafani and C Chad Wallach; signed 1B Mike Morse; traded 3B Casey McGehee to the Giants for two minor leaguers; acquired RHP Aaron Crow from the Royals; signed OF Ichiro Suzuki."

Nothing new here for Marlins fans that have kept track of the offseason. David just lists the notable moves of the offseason for the team. There’s nothing to analyze here at all.

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