Miami Marlins RTD: Marcell Ozuna’s Future; Thoughts on Next Manager

Sep 27, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins third baseman Martin Prado hits a two rbi single in the fifth inning of a game against the Atlanta Braves at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

Welcome to another Miami Marlins Round Table Discussion. On today’s agenda, we’ll be discussing the recent hot streak for the Miami Marlins, Marcell Ozuna‘s future with the team, as well as some thoughts on the next Miami Marlins manager.

1. What do you make of the Miami Marlins September success and does it mean anything for the 2016 season?

Ehsan Kassim: Not much can be made of their recent success and it actually could hurt them in the long-term. At the end of August, the Marlins were well positioned to land a top 3 pick in the MLB draft next year. Now they are looking at the number 6 pick. While there is still great value at the number 6 pick, the Marlins need elite level talent, something harder to find around that pick. Also, the Marlins front office will make too much of one month of success and not do enough to improve the team for the 2016 season, with the team finishing with a similar record to this year.

Daniel Zylberkan: The Marlins have played a remarkably easy schedule in October. They played the Braves, Phillies, Brewers and a reeling Nationals team. If there is something to be taken away from a one month sample size is that Adam Conley has pitched like a middle of the rotation arm. Also a major part of the success has been related to how well Martin Prado and Marcell Ozuna have played recently who will both be keys to 2016

Michael Sonbeek: I make nothing out of it. They beat bad teams and I doubt it means anything for 2016.

Sean Millerick: The September success of the team means two things. First, it will convince Jeffrey Loria that the team is still close to competing in 2016. However, and this is where I think I differ from some of us here on the staff, I don’t think that’s an unfair expectation. The talent at the position player level has never been in doubt, and the team has won against teams that have something to play for, and doing so without their best player in Giancarlo Stanton.

Any team would be happy to build around a core of Stanton, Christian Yelich, Adeiny Hechavarria, and even Dee “Let’s Get Over The Fact He Isn’t Andrew Heaney” Gordon. The problem starts with the second thing this September success could result in: a serious overvaluing of Justin Bour, and a belief that this a roster that doesn’t need fixing. I’d say they are two to three pieces from competing, and three to four from doing so effectively. Along with two SPs, Miami desperately needs another impact, threatening bat in the lineup to pair with Yelich and Stanton. With nine September dingers and counting, the club might well decide to go all in on Bour in ’16. And there’s nothing wrong with that- just so long as they also sign David Price and Yoenis Cespedes. Bour is his average month, not his September; offensive help is needed beyond what currently exists on the roster.

Charlie Clark: It’s reassuring. The Fish hadn’t posted a winning month in 2015, so one to cap off the year is helpful. I really hope that momentum can be carried over, but I’m not sure it will. The offseason will be filled with managing rumors and acquisitions, so I think September may be forgotten. But I also think the players want to use this last month as a carry-over month into 2016.

Christian La Fontaine: I’m of two minds about this. First, as a fan it’s been fun. As silly as it seems seeing the Marlins win makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside, regardless of context. Given that they haven’t done that a lot this year, a whole month solidly above .500 has been a nice change. Then; unfortunately, the analyst in me creeps in and the doom and gloom returns. This month has been nothing short of a disaster in how it impacts the future. By no means is this a realistic or sustainable level of performance for this roster as constructed. All indications point to their true talent being only slightly better than what we’ve seen in every other month. Like it or not the losing record this season isn’t because of injuries, it’s not because of bad luck, and we’re not one or two guys away from contending, these Fish just aren’t very good at Baseball and all September has done is obscure that fact making it less likely we’ll get the rebuild we need this off-season.

Schedule