Three Moves that Sunk the Miami Marlins in 2015 and Beyond

Jul 29, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins left fielder Ichiro Suzuki (51) is tagged out by Washington Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond (20) in the fourth inning as umpire Mark Ripperger looks on at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

Last July, the Miami Marlins were on a great track to be a contending team by 2016, maybe even 2015 at the earliest. With Andrew Heaney, Colin Moran, and Jake Marisnick, the Marlins had a decent farm system and an outfield that was the envy of the league. 

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Flash forward one year, the Miami Marlins future doesn’t look as great. The outfield is potentially down one man, with Marcell Ozuna struggling a bit in 2015, their starting pitching is in shambles, and the farm system will probably the worst in baseball, after the Tigers complete their sale of David Price and Yoenis Cespedes. The 2016 season does not look as bright as it did a year ago.

What has changed in the past 12 months that has changed the course of the Marlins’ franchise?

Well, I’ll argue three moves (or non-moves) have set the franchise back: Drafting Tyler Kolek over Carlos Rodon, the Jarred Cosart trade, and the Dee Gordon trade.

Let’s take a further look into each.

Next: Kolek over Rodon?