Five Miami Marlins that need to step up their games in 2015

May 2, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Dee Gordon (9) is tagged out at second base by Miami Marlins second baseman Derek Dietrich (32) during the first inning at Marlins Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

The new-look Miami Marlins show a lot of promise as the 2015 season looms near. Over the past few months, the infield has been almost completely revamped, the bullpen has been solidified and the team has added quite possibly the best fourth outfielder in baseball to what was already arguably MLB’s best starting outfield.

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Despite all the moves to improve, the Marlins still find themselves looking up at teams like the Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Dodgers. The projection systems like ZiPS and the Vegas computers don’t give the Marlins favorable outcomes for 2015; by most advanced metrics Miami is only around a .500 club.

The additions of Dee Gordon (starting second baseman), Martin Prado (starting third baseman), Mike Morse (starting first baseman) and Mat Latos (will probably be number two starter in rotation) were designed with the intention of winning, and winning right now. The Marlins didn’t give up much major league talent in the slew of trades they made this winter, but they did part with several top prospects. So it would appear the team now has a rather small window in which to contend, with the minor league system expected to be lacking for the next couple years.

For the Marlins to contend in 2015, it will likely take a perfect storm of overachieving and luck. Right now, the Nationals are the class of the National League East, and the New York Mets are expected to match the Marlins pound-for-pound. Of course, there’s always the potential for injuries or players underperforming, so the Nationals by no means already have the division in the bag, nor should Marlins players start planning their October vacations yet. Anything can happen; that’s why they play the games.

Giancarlo Stanton can’t carry the team on his back all season. The Marlins will need production from all 25 men on the roster. Let’s take a look at some names that will need to step it up for the Marlins to end their 12-year playoff drought in 2015:

Next: START SLIDESHOW (use left and right arrows)

May 2, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman

(9) scores a run during the eighth inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Dee Gordon

The Marlins think they’ve found their second baseman of the future in Dee Gordon, and they were willing to give up their top prospect to acquire him from the Dodgers. He had a career year in 2014, hitting .289/.326/.378 in 650 plate appearances, leading the National League in triples (12) and stolen bases (64).

Unfortunately, last season was also the only full season Gordon has spent at the major league level. From 2011-13, he never topped 303 PA, and never posted an OPS higher than .686. The Marlins love his speed and the casual fan will look at his .289 batting average and think they’ve found their new leadoff man and that Gordon should provide an immense boost to the Marlins lineup.

The problem is he doesn’t walk and was aided by a .346 BABIP in 2014. Gordon walked just 4.8% of the time last year, drawing just 31 base on balls in those 650 PA. Mike Redmond has said that he will tinker with several lineup ideas in Spring Training, but is expected to bat Gordon first or second most of the time.

But, who knows? As I said, last year was the only time we’ve seen a full year of Dee Gordon. He’s still pretty young (turns 27 in April) and could still be improving his game. If Gordon can keep that average around .300 all year and learn to draw a few more walks, he could be valuable to the Marlins. Otherwise his speed is his only saving grace. 64 stolen bases is an absurd total for one season, but for that speed to matter, Gordon has to get on base.

Next: Southpaw rotation candidate

Jul 25, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher

delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Houston Astros (52)at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Brad Hand

Hand should make the Marlins roster no matter what, as he is out of options and didn’t pitch poorly in 2014. He will have a chance to make the rotation in Spring Training, likely competing with David Phelps for the number five spot. Should Hand get the rotation nod, Miami will need him to pitch like he did the second half of last season while Jose Fernandez rehabs from Tommy John surgery. Fernandez is expected back in June or mid-July, and Hand pitched to a 3.33 ERA in his last five starts of 2014. Those numbers would complement a Marlins rotation that projects to be above-average, with All-Stars aplenty and an excellent offseason addition in Mat Latos.

Hand could also be used in long relief if Phelps, or perhaps someone else, earns the fifth rotation spot. In 2014, Hand started 16 games and appeared in relief in 16 more, so he has experience at both roles. Hand also has the advantage of pitching left-handed and would be the only southpaw in the Marlins rotation if he earned the opportunity.

Next: A Miami backstop. No, not Jeff Mathis. He's hopeless.

May 18, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher

(14) reacts after giving up a home run to Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman

(12) at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Dan Haren

The Marlins have always been enamored with veteran players with previous track records of success who are proven “winners” and are “tough matchups” or whatever intangibles their scouts look for in a player. The Dan Haren they got in the Dodgers trade is not the Dan Haren that anchored rotations a half-decade ago. This Dan Haren is a bottom of the rotation arm with a high 80’s fastball that relies on the defense behind him and big ballparks to keep fly balls in the yard. He still eats innings, and that might be his most valuable asset to the Marlins as they try to stay afloat with their ace returning from surgery in a few months.

There’s also that whole ordeal that Haren didn’t want to pitch in Miami and threatened to retire if he didn’t get traded back close to his home in California. He finally gave in and committed to being a Marlin in 2015, and as I wrote last week, he will have to pitch his way out if he truly doesn’t want to be in Miami.

For the Marlins, a season of the Dan Haren of old would be a huge boost to the team. Miami will need consistent good starts from the question marks in the rotation behind Henderson Alvarez and Mat Latos. And Dan Haren didn’t pitch badly last year; He had a 4.02 ERA and 4.09 FIP in 186 innings with the Dodgers. That would have been the second-most innings pitched of any Marlins starter last season. The Marlins would be just fine with those same numbers this year, but for the team to get over the hump, they’ll need even more from Dan Haren.

Next: Yeah, Deets!

Jul 1, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins second baseman Derek Dietrich (32) takes infield practice before a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Marlins Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Derek Dietrich

Remember Derek Dietrich? If he could’ve just stayed healthy, Dietrich had the chance to be the Marlins second baseman of the future a couple years ago. He showed some pop his rookie year of 2013, hitting nine home runs in 233 PA. Then last year, he hit five in 183 PA. He posted a .405 SLG in ‘13 and .386 in ‘14, so the power is definitely there. Unfortunately, Dietrich’s development might have been stunted by his rushed callup out of desperation in 2013.

He’s still just 25 and is expected to be healthy and ready to go in Spring Training. But now with Dee Gordon in Miami for the foreseeable future, Dietrich has virtually no shot at a starting job with the Marlins. He could still get a chance at a utility role, as he can play all over the infield. The Marlins also tried him at first base in the Arizona Fall League, but he went down with injury once again, and saw very little playing time.

If Dietrich does make the Marlins, he could have a ton of value pinch-hitting and spot-starting. The Marlins haven’t had a reliable left-handed hitter off the bench since the surprisingly solid 2011 version of Greg Dobbs. They will have Ichiro Suzuki as an option, and Dietrich could supplant him on days Ichiro starts games. Dietrich can also make spot starts at third, second, shortstop and maybe first base if needed.

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