It might be time for Michael Corleone to send the 2015 Miami Marlins season out for a fishing trip.
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According to ESPN’s Tim Kurkjian, Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton will miss four to six weeks with a broken bone in his hand. The injury occurred on a swing and miss in the sixth inning of the Marlins loss Friday night to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The injury couldn’t have come at a worse time, as the Marlins have lost their past five games, including the first four games of what some believe is a “make-or-break” (sorry) homestand that saw them hosting three of the top five teams in the National League – the Dodgers, St. Louis Cardinals, and San Francisco Giants. A losing record during that stretch more than likely would have pushed them far enough back in the Wild Card race to force them to become sellers at the trade deadline.
A glimmer of hope, the Marlins are expecting to get Jose Fernandez back for Thursday’s games against the Giants. But losing Stanton puts a damper on that.
Stanton, who leads the Major Leagues in home runs (27) and RBIs (67), has been one of the few bright spots on a Marlins offense that is 12th in the NL in runs scored, 11th in on base percentage, 10th in slugging percentage, and 11th in OPS. To make matters worse, Marlins not named “Giancarlo” have hit a combined 35 home runs this season.
Stanton is second in NL All-Star votes for outfielders, putting him in-line to be elected a starter.
The Marlins have called up Cole Gillespie from Triple A-New Orleans, while placing Stanton on the DL.
To highlight the ineptitude of the Marlins offense, manager Dan Jennings placed shortstop Adeiny Hechavarría, and his 10 career home runs, in the third spot on Friday night to somehow spark the bats. Before the game, one might have had to confirm whether the Marlins called up some secret mega-prospect of the same name, before reality set in and realizing there was only one Hechavarría.
A season that started with much optimism has gone up in flames like it were directed by Michael Bay. Between injuries to several pitchers and key offensive players, to the managerial turmoil – because Marlins – have quickly turned 2015 into a disaster. Now the very real chance of the Marlins trying to get some prospects in return for free agents to be – Mat Latos and Dan Haren – or teams might begin kicking the tires on reliever AJ Ramos.
For the Marlins, a dream season is officially a nightmare.
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