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Miami Marlins: Being cautiously optimistic when baseball returns

By David Levin |
JUPITER, FLORIDA - MARCH 11: Miguel Rojas #19 of the Miami Marlins gives Jordan Yamamoto #50 of the Miami Marlins hand sanitizer after shaking his hand prior to a Grapefruit League spring training against the New York Yankees at Roger Dean Stadium on March 11, 2020 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
JUPITER, FLORIDA - MARCH 11: Miguel Rojas #19 of the Miami Marlins gives Jordan Yamamoto #50 of the Miami Marlins hand sanitizer after shaking his hand prior to a Grapefruit League spring training against the New York Yankees at Roger Dean Stadium on March 11, 2020 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

What happens now as the Marlins and Major League Baseball patiently wait to get back to the business of playing the game?

If the first half of spring training baseball was any indication of how the Miami Marlins would play this coming season, then the team many predicted was headed for the basement of the National League East is ready to take another step forward.

The team’s top prospects delivered in ways the front office and coaching staff could not have expected so soon. It was a joy to watch youngsters who are just getting their feet wet in baseball make such an impact early on in their Marlins career.

As Craig Mish pointed out on his Twitter account, there was so much promise the team showed in a brief time period. It’s a disappointment the Grapefruit League had to come to an end and that the start of the MLB season has been pushed back.

I am in complete agreement with the decision by MLB. It’s just so depressing at the moment. Marlins front office was so optimistic. The young kids were really exceptional. You could sense what was happening. No baseball. Just stunned.

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You could not help but feel the energy of this young franchise and its significant growth spurt.

As a writer who covers the team, this is something many of us have been waiting for. For the fans, it presents hope. And for the first time since the team was sold in 2018, you get the sense everything is falling into place correctly. But the work stoppage is certainly a gut punch for the organization at the moment.

Like every other team in MLB, the Marlins are following the lead of the league office, making sure the front office keeps in contact with players and continues to map out the plan for 2020. Mish also said on Twitter he believes there is a good chance that 162 games are still played this season.

It means pushing dates back that will take this game well into November if that does happen. Now, there is talk, as it was covered by That Ball’s Out of Here on FanSided.com, the resumption of baseball may be further delayed and the start of the regular season might be months, not weeks away.

Per MLB.com’s Anthony Castrovince, “After a meeting between Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association on Friday, players were told they are allowed to leave their Spring Training sites in Florida and Arizona during the national emergency created by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

MLB issued a press release explaining more about baseball’s precaution with the worldwide pandemic.

The Marlins still have decisions to make about their roster and which players and prospects will remain in South Florida. Outfielder Monte Harrison and pitcher Nick Neidert are still in camp and could crack the 26-man list. The front office also must determine where minor leaguers open the season as their farm system will start their later in the season as well.

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