Marlins: Three bold predictions for Spring Training

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 23: Jorge Alfaro #38 of the Miami Marlins runs out his second inning home run against the New York Mets at Citi Field on September 23, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 23: Jorge Alfaro #38 of the Miami Marlins runs out his second inning home run against the New York Mets at Citi Field on September 23, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 23: Wilson Ramos #40 of the New York Mets looks on as Jorge Alfaro #38 of the Miami Marlins celebrates his sixth-inning grand slam home run with teammates Starlin Castro #13, Miguel Rojas #19 and Jon Berti #55 (R) at Citi Field on September 23, 2019, in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 23: Wilson Ramos #40 of the New York Mets looks on as Jorge Alfaro #38 of the Miami Marlins celebrates his sixth-inning grand slam home run with teammates Starlin Castro #13, Miguel Rojas #19 and Jon Berti #55 (R) at Citi Field on September 23, 2019, in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

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.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – SEPTEMBER 14: Jose Urena #62 of the Miami Marlins pitches against the San Francisco Giants during the ninth inning at Oracle Park on September 14, 2019, in San Francisco, California. The Miami Marlins defeated the San Francisco Giants 4-2. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – SEPTEMBER 14: Jose Urena #62 of the Miami Marlins pitches against the San Francisco Giants during the ninth inning at Oracle Park on September 14, 2019, in San Francisco, California. The Miami Marlins defeated the San Francisco Giants 4-2. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images) /

Jose Urena Wins Fifth Spot in the Rotation

The Marlins have plenty of high hopes for their young pitchers on the current roster and in the minors. Some appear to be knocking on the door of the Major Leagues (Nick Neidert, Sixto Sanchez), while others still may need time to develop (Braxton Garrett, Trevor Rogers).

There will be plenty of competition in camp to fill the void of the fifth spot in the rotation with at least two players from last seasons rotation – Elieser Hernandez and Robert Dugger – in the running. But what if none of the potential arms make an immediate impression on the coaching staff? That’s how veteran Jose Urena makes his way back to being a starter.

The Opening Day arm the previous two seasons here in Miami, Urena had fallen on hard times, posting a 9-12 record in 2018 and following it up with an injury-filled season where he spent time on the I.L. with a herniated disc. Urena was 4-10 and failed at the chance to secure the team’s closer role.

Urena’s flexibility makes him an instant trade candidate, but he also could start if the young arms in the rotation need stability. I’m not sure how stable a move this is, but seeing Urena in the Marlins rotation is something fans must understand could still happen at some point this season.

DETROIT, MI – AUGUST 22: Brandon Kintzler #20 of the Chicago Cubs celebrates with Anthony Rizzo #44 of the Chicago Cubs after an 8-2 win over the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on August 22, 2018, in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – AUGUST 22: Brandon Kintzler #20 of the Chicago Cubs celebrates with Anthony Rizzo #44 of the Chicago Cubs after an 8-2 win over the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on August 22, 2018, in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

Brandon Kintzler Becomes the Marlins Closer

This is going to be one of those moves in the middle of Miami’s offseason that we all look back on and discover how genius it really was. Brandon Kintzler gives the Marlins a dependable arm out of the bullpen, which allows Drew Steckenrider to become one of the better setup men in the Majors.

“Kintzler, who signed a one-year, $3.25 million contract, is likely the favorite to earn the closer role,” writes Wells Dusenbury of sun-sentinel.com. “Working as a set-up man for the Cubs, the 35-year-old right-hander posted a 2.68 ERA in 62 appearances last season. Two years ago, Kintzler recorded 29 saves in 35 opportunities with the Twins and Nationals.”

Now, he becomes the specialist the Marlins need to stabilize the bullpen.

There is still a chance Steckenrider wins the job. I thought Jarlin Garcia would get an opportunity as well, but the Marlins designated him for assignment. The bullpen got a makeover this offseason. It should be much better in 2020.

If Kintzler is as good as Sergio Romo or even better than Miami could hold onto late-inning leads instead of squandering opportunities.

MIAMI, FL – APRIL 17: A Miami Marlins fan has his glove perched on his head ready for action against the Atlanta Braves at Marlins Park on April 17, 2016, in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – APRIL 17: A Miami Marlins fan has his glove perched on his head ready for action against the Atlanta Braves at Marlins Park on April 17, 2016, in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images) /

Lewin Diaz Wins the First Base Job

Lewin Diaz came to Miami in the deal that sent Romo to Minnesota prior to the MLB Trade Deadline. All he did was display power in the minors and give the team its best first base prospect in some time.

Diaz hit 24 home runs last season at three minor league stops but belted eight of them in 31 games at Double-A Jacksonville, the Marlins affiliate. He comes to camp with everything to prove and nothing to lose. If he does not make the opening-day roster, he will swing for the fences at Wichita, at the Triple-A level.

Miami picked up Aguilar off waivers this offseason, hoping he becomes a 35-40 home run threat in the middle of the batting order. The team now has depth and options at a position that was used as a hot potato last season.

Matt Kemp could win a spot on the roster out of camp and provide a veteran bat at the corner as well. Garrett Cooper is a possibility, as he hit 15 homers last season playing in the outfield and at first when he was in the lineup.

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