Miami Marlins: Looking for success from new veteran trio

The Miami Marlins front office hopes the addition of veterans this offseason will lead to greater success on the diamond and in the clubhouse in 2020.

Miami Marlins manager Don Mattingly may have tipped his hand a bit these past few days talking about how the team’s prospects are holding their own in camp, potentially earning a spot on the Opening Day 30-man roster. But don’t for a second think Mattingly, who will have some tough choices to make in the next few days, isn’t going to rely on veterans to provide leadership in the clubhouse and on the field this season.

Because of the changes, all MLB teams are making to this shorter season, veterans may be counted on at the beginning of the season more than Mattingly or other managers would like. There is plenty of depth to choose from between now and July 24. And just because the lineup might look a bit veteran-heavy to begin the 2020 campaign, it does not mean that will be the case 20 or 30 games into the season.

The Marlins added veteran depth this offseason in an effort to help the team score more runs and to find consistency on the bench. As Joe Frisaro wrote in his latest on MLB.com, Jesus Aguilar, Jonathan Villar, and Corey Dickerson will all play a big part in the success and failure of the team this year.

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“Jonathan Villar, Corey Dickerson, and Jesús Aguilar are each projected to hit in the top four spots in the lineup, as well as to provide clubhouse leadership,” he explains. “The three are major additions to a lineup that ranked 29th in the Majors in runs (615) and last in home runs (146) in 2019.”

Don’t expect the trio to be the only ones adding to their resume of stats this season. The belief is this team is better on paper and will have more chances to score runs with the designated hitter now part of Mattingly’s arsenal to use.

There is always a chance the Marlins front office decides to add more players to the mix. There are veteran free agents who have not signed with other teams yet.

The Marlins are counting in Villar to play all over the field and use his speed on the bases this season – which is something the Marlins need. Jon Berti was their lone base-stealing threat in 2019. Aguilar will add stability at first base and can move over to the designated hitter role as well, giving Garrett Cooper at-bats during the season.

Dickerson figures to bounce back from an injury-filled 2019 campaign and will play in the outfield every day.

“Not only can [the three] help us, obviously, on the field and in the game,” said hitting coach Eric Duncan, “but their impact also is in the cage, their impact is during BP, their impact is during advance meetings when we’re talking about opposing pitchers.”

This is still a young team that Mattingly has his hands round. Having veterans, which also include Miguel Rojas and Brian Anderson will be key to the stability of the roster.

Duncan hopes Dickerson’s ability to hit for average and consistency will once again shine in Miami.

“Guys like Dickerson have a track record of hitting, and lengthy ones as well,” Duncan said.

Don’t be shocked if the trio of newcomers set the tone for this team as the season starts and the prospects who remain on the roster catch on and produce. Like with many other MLB teams, it’s a formula that works as long as everyone buys into the process.

The Miami Marlins have nothing to lose this season. Nationally, not a lot is expected of them. That’s a good thing for Mattingly, Duncan, and the organization. If this team does produce more than expected, then the process and veteran leadership will prove to be a major plus in 2020.