Three Things that Could Sink the Miami Marlins in 2015

Feb 18, 2014; Jupiter, FL, USA; Miami Marlins

(79) in spring training action at Roger Dean Stadium Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports

Organizational depth – State of the Organization Address

At this point last year the Marlins were not close to being postseason contenders and they definitely weren’t a sexy pick to make it to the World Series but they were full of potential.

The Marlins farm system in 2014 featured Jake Marisnick, Colin Moran, J.T. Realmuto and Avery Romero on the position player side and Andrew Heaney, Anthony DeSclafani, Justin Nicolino along with Adam Conley and Jose Urena. The Marlins had so much pitching depth in the organization last year coupled with the young, cost-controlled pitching already in the majors it was hard to imagine few teams that had more assets than the Marlins.

The picture is much different today as we stand on the verge of another season. Moran and Marisnick begat Jarred Cosart, Heaney was integral in the Marlins acquiring Dee Gordon and DeSclafani was key to the Mat Latos trade.

Realmuto is no longer a prospect but an integral part of the Marlins’ plans at backstop which effectively only leaves Romero as a top hitting prospect for the in the minor league system. Many other characters like Justin Bour and Viosergy Rosa are not prospects as such but just a necessary part of a roster given Michael Morse‘s injury history.

Ironically, the Marlins were better suited to dealing with injuries (especially to the starting rotation) last year than they are this year. The team sold the so-called farm this off-season in order to contend right now no matter what the cost was. The major league roster is undoubtedly stronger but the entire organization isn’t better off today than it was last year.

Next: The Disaster Behind the Plate