Marlins: Starting pitchers remain the backbone of the organization

Starting pitching depth remhttps://marlinmaniac.com/editorials/ains one of the Miami Marlins strongest positions throughout the organization.

The Miami Marlins won’t be asking Santa Claus for any new starting pitchers on their wish list this season, or so it would seem.

Michael Hill, the team’s president of baseball operations made it clear at the Major League Baseball Winter Meetings in San Diego this week that the front office stands firm in its belief in the arms it has on the roster and the depth that exists in the minor league system.

Any thought of the organization making a run at one of the existing top-tier arms is nothing more than a dream for fans who hoped the team would take the chains off the checkbook and sign big-names to bolster the pitching staff.

The team’s belief in never having too many starting pitchers remains the mantra of the franchise and has drawn some solid interest from other teams looking to take some of the riches the Marlins have worked hard to add to through trades and in-season deals the last two seasons.
It was a hot topic of conversation for Hill when he talked to the media on Tuesday.

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So it is Sandy Alcantara, Caleb Smith and a host of arms that follow.

“It’s something we talk about a lot,” Hill said. “You can look at it both ways. When you have young starters like these guys — these are guys who gain experience in major league games and by going through the ups and downs of navigating a lineup, so there’s inherent value in that. So when you think about a young guy, that’s what we try to manage.“We’ve got Jose Urena who can be that type of [back-end] stabilizer potentially, but it’s going to be a competition and he’s going to have to compete. We have ultimate flexibility when it comes to the rotation and the five best guys will be in the rotation.”

Urena still may be on the trade block, as the team may use him in the bullpen, but there is no real place for him. He will still have a chance to win the closer role or become a long reliever. He was tendered an offer to remain with the team this offseason.

The Marlins also have Adam Conley they must decide on where he fits in the bullpen. The rotation, however, is full of potential, which is something Hill and the rest of the front office aren’t willing to let go of unless there is an over-the-top offer no one can refuse.

Last season, Marlins starters posted a 4.59 ERA, which was 10th out of 15 National League teams.

Miami has depth on all levels of the minor league system that guarantees teams will want to make deals with Hill, Derek Jeter, and the Marlins for years to come.

“You’re talking about frontline starting pitching all the way from the majors to Double-A,” Hill said. “From that standpoint, you feel you’re in a pretty good spot, not that you can have enough of, you feel good in terms of the quality and quantity.”