Will the changes the Marlins made this offseason finally prove to be the missing links to a successful MLB campaign in 2020?
The Marlins are putting their puzzle together, piece by piece, with the hope it means a move from obscurity to mediocrity and beyond this coming season.
With many new faces to organize and remember, this franchise begins Spring Training this week in Jupiter, Florida with a simple mantra everyone is getting behind – to be better than last season.
That shouldn’t be hard to do given this roster has to improve from a 57-105 record that left the front office and other MLB insiders scratching their heads a bit. The Marlins were better in 2019 from the previous season, but statistics and their record did not show change for the better.
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Never fear as this team right now on paper is better than the previous two seasons, and the players who walk into camp know the buzz is about progression, not regression.
"“All offseason, the Marlins searched for fits to help upgrade a lineup that ranked last in the Majors in homers (146) and second to last in runs (615) in 2019,” writes Joe Frisaro of MLB.com. “The front office feels it has addressed many of the needs with the additions of infielder Jonathan Villar, first baseman Jesús Aguilar, outfielders Corey Dickerson and Matt Joyce and catcher Francisco Cervelli.”"
Those are just a few of the improvements made. The coaching staff is changed as well, with a new gameplan to get more out of the players at the plate. The rotation will be tweaked a bit and the bullpen has new arms to fit in the right moments.
Miami is on the rise. Baseball is about to become exciting again for the Marlins. And with the smell of Spring in the air, here are three bold predictions for this squad heading to camp this week.