What 'could' the '97 Marlins & '22 Fish have in common?!



There's an old quote, yes even older than 1997😉, that goes "Winter never fails to turn to Spring". In Baseball however, 'Winter' doesn't always turn to 'Wins'. What do we mean? 



How many times do we see a Team quote on quote win the Off-Season via major Signings or Trades, only to not have it translate to success on the field. Heck don't go that far, just look at this past Season in San Diego, where the Padres finished with a losing Record despite all their winter movement. 



Even the Marlins have experienced this themselves back in 2012, finding out the hard way it isn't always solely the flashy moves that could turn out to be quite Major for a Big League Club.




First thing's first, the 1997 Florida Marlins were definitely not shy in going the splashy Free Agent route in the winter of '96/'97, and to much success might we add 🏆. Signing to Free Agent Contracts the likes of Alex Fernandez (5 Years/$35 Million) who we've talked about was the richest Deal at the time for a Pitcher in Baseball history, Outfielder Moises Alou (5 Years/$25 Million), and Infielder Bobby Bonilla (4 Years/$23 Million). All 3 playing Major roles the following summer wearing Marlins pinstripes. 





Hardly ever mentioned was another Free Agent trio signed that same Off-Season in Florida. These 'Winter' Marlins were also not afraid to spend in areas often overlooked by many a Team. 2 Year Contracts were handed out to all 3 of Jim Eisenreich, John Cangelosi, and Dennis Cook. 2 Bench Players and a Lefty specialist out of the Bullpen.




  • Jim Eisenreich (2 Years/$3 Million) suited up for 120 Games during the '97 Campaign, spotting many a Regular, while keeping  bodies fresh in the process. Eisenreich came up big when it mattered most, Starting a pair of World Series Games for the Marlins, Batting .500 in the Fall Classic, and hitting a big Home Run in Cleveland during Game 3 of the World Series.

  • John Cangelosi (2 Years/$1 Million) too helped in giving a fellow Veteran a day off here or there. Cangelosi played errorless Baseball in his 58 Games in the Outfield. Not to mention the experience brought to the Dugout after having previously been a part of a Pennant Chase in Pittsburgh under Manager Jim Leyland in the early 90's. 

  • Dennis Cook (2 Years/$1 Million) may have been Leyland's main Lefty out of the Bullpen, setting-up Closer Robb Nen when the Season began. But Cook may have 'left' his best performances for last that '97 Season, tossing 9 Scoreless Innings throughout the Playoffs, while picking up 2 Marlins Wins during that Postseason.                                                                                                                 


*An honorable mention to that Bench acquisition Squad on the 1997 Marlins was that of the late Darren Daulton. Picked up from Philadelphia at the Trade Deadline, "Dutch" brought a presence from the Left-Hand side in a Pinch, at 1st Base, and especially in the Clubhouse. A Clubhouse in which Darren Daulton became an instant Leader the moment he stepped in the door. Not to mention Daulton's .371 OBP down the stretch, .363 Postseason Batting Average, and a big Home Run of his own in Game 3 of the World Series.    





Forward the clock 25 Years. The Marlins did go out and Sign Avisail Garcia to a 4 Year $53 Million Dollar Contract to roam the Outfield in Miami, they Traded for Gold Glove Catcher Jacob Stallings from the Pirates, and not to be overlooked dealt for Joey Wendle of the Rays. Wendle could possibly come off the Bench for the Marlins in the year 2022, or he could Start, he's proven to have All-Star potential in the Infield. 



Could Joey Wendle be the Marlins everyday Third Basemen next year? Would that shift Brain Anderson to Right Field full time?? Do the acquisitions of the duo Garcia & Wendle mean the Fish could have coming off their Bench the likes/trio of Bryan De La Cruz, Lewin Diaz, and or Garrett Cooper???



It's been 25 years since that winter of '96/'97. Could it have thought us that in Baseball it isn't soley in the big splashes during an Off-Season that can help build a Winner, but in the right ones.    


                       

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