Miami Marlins should finally have infield stability

Jul 28, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins second baseman Donovan Solano (left) greets shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria (right) after Hechavarria turned the double play in the sixth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Marlins Park. Marlins won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

The Miami Marlins have lacked stability and “franchise players” at most positions in the field over the last several seasons. With the exception of Giancarlo Stanton, the Marlins don’t have a starter at any position that has been with the team since before the 2013 season.

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This offseason, the Fish were very active in both the trade and free agency markets and as a result vastly reshaped the look of their infield. Heading into the 2015 season, Miami will have new faces at first, second and third base surrounding incumbent shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria and catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia. The additions of Martin Prado, Dee Gordon and Mike Morse are improvements over what Miami fielded at those positions last season and they all figure to be cogs in the Marlins lineup for at least the next few years. Add to that the team’s excellent outfield of Christian Yelich, Marcell Ozuna and Stanton, and Miami has an above-average projected lineup and multiple years of club control over nearly every starter.

Assuming everyone stays healthy, this stability will be a relatively foreign sensation for Marlins fans. By now fans have probably gotten used to seeing many, many different names on Mike Redmond‘s lineup cards. It’s been a while now since the Florida Marlins’ diamond featured long-time staples Jorge Cantu, Hanley Ramirez, Dan Uggla and Gaby Sanchez each night.

With the team set to break camp in just over a week, let’s take a look back at the revolving door that has been the Marlins infield for the last few years, starting in 2011.

View image | gettyimages.com

2011 (players with most PA at each position)

First Base: Gaby Sanchez – .266/.352/.427, 19 HR, 113 OPS+

Second Base: Omar Infante – .276/.315/.382, 7 HR, 90 OPS+

Third Base: Greg Dobbs – .275/.311/.389, 8 HR, 91 OPS+

Shortstop: Hanley Ramirez – .243/.333/.379, 10 HR, 95 OPS+

Catcher: John Buck – .227/.316/.367, 16 HR, 87 OPS+

Apr 26, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins catcher

(left) stands next to manager Mike Redmond (second from left) as third baseman

, shortstop

, second baseman

, and first baseman

(far right) look on during a pitching change in the seventh inning against the Chicago Cubs at Marlins Park. The Cubs won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

2013

First Base: Logan Morrison – .242/.333/.375, 6 HR, 95 OPS+

Second Base: Donovan Solano – .249/.305/.316, 3 HR, 72 OPS+

Third Base: Placido Polanco – .260/.315/.302, 1 HR, 72 OPS+

Shortstop: Adeiny Hechavarria – .227/.267/.298, 3 HR, 56 OPS+

Catcher: Jeff Mathis – .181/.251/.284, 5 HR, 48 OPS+

Apr 1, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Nate Eovaldi (left) third baseman

(center) and shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria (right) are unable to make a catch as Colorado Rockies first baseman

(not pictured) reached on infield single during the fourth inning at Marlins Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

2014

First Base: Garrett Jones – .246/.309/.411, 15 HR, 98 OPS+

Second Base: Donovan Solano – .252/.300/.323, 3 HR, 73 OPS+

Third Base: Casey McGehee – .287/.355/.357, 4 HR, 99 OPS+

Shortstop: Adeiny Hechavarria – .276/.308/.356, 1 HR, 84 OPS+

Catcher: Jarrod Saltalamacchia – .220/.320/.362, 11 HR, 89 OPS+

Jun 18, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; San Francisco Giants left fielder

(38) during the third inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

2015 (with Steamer projections)

First Base: Mike Morse – .264/.319/.445, 16 HR

Second Base: Dee Gordon – .281/.322/.348, 2 HR

Third Base: Martin Prado – .283/.329/.408, 11 HR

Shortstop: Adeiny Hechavarria – .260/.295/.324, 2 HR

Catcher: Jarrod Saltalamacchia – .238/.322/.403, 12 HR

The Marlins infield is, at least on paper, much improved over last year’s edition. Morse and Prado are signed through 2016 and Gordon is under club control for the next four years. While Morse and Gordon are projected to regress some on offense, they still represent upgrades over Garrett Jones, who was traded to the Yankees, and Donovan Solano, who will compete for a super utility role.

Constant roster turnover is not a recipe for making the postseason. It’s no coincidence that the ever-changing Marlins haven’t made the playoffs since 2003. Here’s hoping the pieces they assembled this offseason mesh with the rest of the team — unlike the expensive 2012 squad — and the Marlins can sustain long-term success.

Next: The Marlins should pass on K-Rod