David Schoenfield Ranks Marlins 20th in ESPN Rankings

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"Oct 7, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Hanley Ramirez (13) is congratulated by second baseman Dee Gordon (9) after scoring a run against the St. Louis Cardinals in the 6th inning during game four of the 2014 NLDS baseball playoff game at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports I’m just the messenger: The Marlins made a lot of moves and acquired some big names … but did they really do anything but reshuffle the deck chairs? Gordon led the NL in steals and triples but also struggled to get on base in the second half. Haren has stated his preference to pitch for a California team and he hasn’t had an ERA under 4.00 since 2011, so is he really an upgrade over Eovaldi? Latos had bone chips removed after 2013, had knee surgery in spring training, had a strained flexor mass in his elbow, eventually made 16 starts but his strikeout rate and velocity were down and then was scratched down the stretch with a bone bruise in his elbow. Going out on a limb, but he’s not a good bet to give the Marlins 30 starts."

The Marlins had a good offseason, there’s no denying that. The team should be improved for their 2014 roster, and has a chance to contend. But David is not wrong here questioning some of the moves, as we have on Marlin Maniac.

To get Dee Gordon, the Marlins did give up quite a haul. As David points out, Gordon didn’t have the best second half, which ironically is the reason the Marlins decided to rid of Casey McGehee.

In the first half of 2014, Gordon posted a .292/.344/.398 slash line, but finished the second half with a .284/.300/.348 slash line. This was despite his BABIP going up .04 points in the second half. In the second half Gordon walked just over 1% of the time and struck out 18% of the time.

The Marlins believing in him the way they do is a little scary.

More from Marlin Maniac

Mat Latos is a fine pitcher, when he’s healthy. But he was not in 2014 and Steamers actually has he and Anthony DeSclafani, the guy he was traded for, posting similar numbers in 2015. If that’s the case, the Marlins could be in trouble.

Haren is not a better pitcher than Eovaldi at this stage, so the Marlins rotation took a slight hit, filling Haren into Eovaldi’s slot in the rotation.

If Latos can return to his 2013 form and Gordon can be first half 2014 Gordon all season long, the Marlins will be in great shape. If not, they invested a lot in two players who aren’t who the Marlins believe to they are.

Next: The Verdict?

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