Marlins versatility shows at the plate and in the lineup

The moves the Miami Marlins made this offseason will give the team more versatility at the plate.

One of the many things that Marlins manager Don Mattingly has wanted to do over the past three seasons is to find players who provide versatility by play multiple positions and batting in multiple spots in the team’s lineup.

This season, with the addition of Jonathan Villar and Corey Dickerson, these Marlins are better on paper already but have a chance to prove it in the batter’s box.

The best part of the subplots that will make up the chemistry of this ball club, how does Mattingly get the most use out of third baseman Brian Anderson, having more power in the lineup at different positions on the field?

More from Marlins News

• Why didn’t the Miami Marlins sign JDM?
• Miami Marlins rejected Boston‘s trade offer
• Miami Marlins are pursuing Michael Conforto
• Miami Marlins need to spend to win
• Miami Marlins can’t afford to botch this trade

Once again, it sounds like repetition, but these Marlins have a chance to hit the ball out of Marlins Park with more alacrity and should put the ball in play at a greater rate.

Imagine a young pitching rotation that improves by 20 games this season and a lineup and approach is 200 home runs? Those kinds of numbers would certainly change the opinions of fans that might expect this to be another 90-100 loss season.

The Anderson-Villar combination is one Miami fans should watch closely. Anderson hit in front of his teammate on Sunday, and help provide a spark at the plate. Villaris a switch hitter, which gives Mattingly yet another chance to mix things up on a daily basis.

"“Obviously, we put him there, but we’re able to go back and forth,” Mattingly said via MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro. “Jonathan is a switch-hitter, then you have Andy.”"

Anderson hopes to continue to take the next step in his development on the Major-League level this season. With 20 home runs last season and making more contact at the plate, a season free of injury should help him even more.

"“Hitting behind Villar is going to be fun,” Anderson said. “The guy gets on base. He swipes bags. He’s quick on the bases. He obviously gets on base a lot. It’s exciting for me. If I’m in the two-hole, or wherever I am, I’m going to be OK with it. Either way, up and down, I feel our lineup got a lot more solid this year.”"