Miami Marlins: The Five most disappointing Marlins of 2015

Aug 2, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins left fielder Ichiro Suzuki (center) celebrates with teammates after scoring a run against the San Diego Padres during the first inning at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

2015 has been an obvious frustration for the Marlins organization and fans alike. After promising offseason moves, the current Marlins team looks nothing like it did on April 6th. Playoff hopes are gone, and fans have grown increasingly pessimistic, as the Fish seemingly continue their cycle of doom.

So what has been the root of disappointment in Miami?

For the answer, fans can look towards every aspect of this Marlins ball club. The rotation, bullpen, and lineup have been question marks all year, ravaged by injuries and underperforming players.

Front office management has also drawn negative attention. Players in the clubhouse have voiced frustration surrounding Loria, Hill, and co.’s decisions to ship players away for nearly no return. Fans have ripped management apart for being ‘cheap.’ Not much is going right in Miami.

But as fellow Marlin Maniac author Sean Millerick noted, the front office may not deserve all the blame they’ve received. Plus, as Sean claims, the Marlins could be competitors next year.

But again, hopes for winning in 2015 have come and gone, so it’s time to rank the five most disappointing Marlins this season.

Sidenote: This list includes recently traded players

Jun 9, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Miami Marlins center fielder Marcell Ozuna (13) reacts after being called out by home plate umpire

(55) during the sixth inning in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. The Toronto Blue Jays won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

Number 5: Marcell Ozuna

By the end of 2014, Marcell Ozuna had quickly matured into one of the most well-rounded center fielders in baseball. Ozuna slashed .269/.317/.455 with 23 homers and 85 RBI, holding a 3.7 WAR. In his sophomore season, he all but slumped.

His ‘slump’ came a year late, in his junior season with the Marlins. The power numbers went down, with just four homers in 79 games, posting an ISO of just .088 compared to his .186 ISO from last year. His average dropped 20 points and as of now, Ozuna owns just a 0.4 WAR.

So the Marlins sent him down, and kept him there……where he still plays in Triple-A New Orleans. Because he hasn’t produced with the Marlins yet this season, he still remains as one of the team’s biggest disappointments.

Although it looks as if Ozuna has regained his power stroke and upped his average with the Zephyrs, Miami seems to be working around his arbitration situation, in effort to save the franchise money.

Haven’t heard that before.

May 13, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Miami Marlins starter Jarred Cosart delivers a pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Number 4: Jarred Cosart

Miami was looking for Jarred Cosart to play a key role in their rotation for 2015. Instead, Cosart has been battling vertigo and is likely to return to healthy form just for the final month of the season.

In his starts with the Marlins, Cosart has pitched to a 1-4 record, owning a 5.36 ERA and a negative war (-0.3). He hasn’t fared any better during his stints in New Orleans, where he holds a 6.02 ERA in 16.1 IP.

While Cosart may become productive later in the season, he has been one of the Marlins’ biggest disappointments up to this point.

Jun 13, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins catcher

(left) hands starting pitcher Mat Latos (right) the baseball during the second inning against the Colorado Rockies at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Number 3: Mat Latos

Latos was yet another rotation piece who could’ve been of major help to the Marlins throughout 2015. The 6’6 righty came from Cincinnati, a known hitters ballpark, where he pitched well for the Reds. Marlins Park, a known pitchers park, could have improved Latos’ numbers dramatically.

But it didn’t. In his first start, Latos pitched just 0.2 innings of seven-run ball. Since then, he hasn’t been close to his normal self, pitching to an ERA which hovered around 4.50 all year. He simply wasn’t effective as a Marlin, which was very underwhelming for a team looking to compete.

Miami shipped him at the trade deadline to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Marlins dumped his contract, receiving essentially nothing in return.

Jul 22, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Miami Marlins first baseman Michael Morse reacts against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Number 2: Michael Morse

A postseason hero for the Giants, Michael Morse seemed like a great acquisition to bolster Miami’s lineup in terms of power. Marlins Park plays similarly to AT&T Park, where it becomes tough to hit home runs.

In 2015, Morse did all but add another power presence to the lineup. His average dropped as well, as did nearly every offensive number other than his strikeout rate. Morse struggled mightily, and was eventually traded.

With the Marlins, Michael Morse batted just .214, holding a .276 OBP and -0.8 WAR. At the trade deadline, he was traded to the Dodgers, who released him. Now, Morse plays with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Apr 24, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins relief pitcher Steve Cishek (31) delivers a pitch during the ninth inning against the Washington Nationals at Marlins Park. Marlins won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Honorable Mention: Steve Cishek

There are many players I have left out on this list who have been disappointing, but Steve Cishek stands above the rest. Cishek had performed well in all four seasons prior to 2015 with the Marlins.

The long time closer struggled right out of the gate, posting more blown saves than recorded ones. Many claim that he lost Mike Redmond his job. By the end of May, Cishek held a 6.98 ERA, but improved in his final days with the Marlins.

Cishek was eventually traded to St. Louis in exchange for Kyle Barraclough, a Double-A pitcher. What little return Cishek yielded for an excellent career in Miami.

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Next: Trade Deadline Review

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