Miami Marlins do have a Troy Johnston problem- just not the one being talked about

No doubt about it- the Miami Marlins have themselves a Troy Johnston problem.

That much has been evidently clear all season long. In truth, it has been going on for much longer than that. It's an issue that has been plaguing the Marlins for years, and one that they have shown nearly zero signs of having a solution for despite repeated attempts to solve it...if you can even call those efforts attempts. It's a problem that has arguably cost the Marlins games this season, and will almost certainly continue to do until it is addressed.

Clearly, something has to be done about first base.

Sorry, what was that? Oh, you were perhaps expecting some kind of spirited defense of Miami as a sports town? Perhaps a bunch of handwringing about the dearth of Marlins jersey wearing foot traffic around loanDepot Park?

Yes, there was a great deal of hubbub the other day when someone put a microphone in front of Johnston after another successful game and he proceeded to expound on the differences between Marlins and Rockies fandom. Almost immediately, it was held up as yet another example by the naysayers of just what a miserable franchise it is that calls South Florida home. Between that and the recent attendance jokes that had been made, Miami might as well pack it in and see if InterMiami wants an extra stadium that has already passed all the building codes.

However, I would offer a few points in reply before moving on from the biggest non-story of the year:

First off, ummm, pot meet kettle? If the Marlins are a shambles, the Rockies are a dumpster fire that has careened into a dry forest. Any objective comparison of the two organizations can't result in a favorable report of Colorado's recent track record. The only thing they have bested the Marlins at in recent years is luck with the lottery balls.

Secondly, you'd be hardpressed to find a player more justified in casting a little shade at his former organization than Johnston. He was repeatedly buried in the minors, only given a chance at the MLB level when there was absolutely zero other choice. The Rockies organization sought him out and wanted him. The Marlins grudgingly accepted his existence until they no longer decided to do so. Perfectly human response on his part, and if anything he let Miami off easy.

Mostly though, of course there are more Rockies fans? Denver cracks the Top 20 population wise, with Miami a distant 42nd. The Rockies might have a long history of making poor roster decisions, but they have zero history of going out of their way to crush their fanbase's spirit in the way Marlins ownership has over the years. Colorado's stadium is the crown jewel of the downtown Denver area, an extremely walkable area with tons to do. The Marlins home ballpark is flanked by a Walgreens and two top notch hot dog carts. This was an apples and oranges comparison and arguably one that had more to do with fans and geography than how the Marlins operate.

As I said, a non-story.

What unfortunately isn't a non-story for the Marlins is the fact that Johnston has been much better than anyone the team seems overly interested in replacing him with. Johnston enters play Wednesday with a .324/.343/.559 slash line. His .902 OPS would rank fifth among Marlins players.

Is Johnston going to maintain those numbers all season long? Unlikely. However, it's not hard to imagine him continuing to be better than any of Miami's presumptive first basemen. Nor is it hard to believe that a similar story will be able to be told about Josh Bell (.265/.395/.559) or Jake Burger (.295/.326/.523).

No, the Marlins Troy Johnston problem is entirely about their continued failure to come up with a long-term answer at first base.

Everywhere else on the roster that the Marlins have made an unpopular move recently, you can argue that either that exact position has been upgraded, or at least that the overall gain was worth whatever subtraction took place. Fan favorite Dane Myers is back in town this week with his new team, but it's not as if he was going to beat out Kyle Stowers, Jakob Marsee, or Owen Caissie for a job. Speaking of Caissie, if he proves to be an everyday starter, that was more than worth the cost of trading Edward Cabrera. Speaking of Marsee, he's probably more valuable than Luis Arraez, and Xavier Edwards certainly is. The list goes on.

At first base though? Much like everyone who has played there for the Marlins these past couple seasons, it's just been a lot of swinging and missing.

That's the problem that needs to be focused on.