March Madness

Lockouts are over. Big League Camps have opened up. Spring Training Games kick off tomorrow. We're right smack dab in the middle of March ladies & gentlemen and it's a good time to be a Baseball fan.


There truly is nothing in the Game like this time of year, when everything starts nuevo. This being especially true for the Marlins in 2022, the first in 5 years without former CEO Derek Jeter. Principal Marlins Owner/Chairman Bruce Sherman had quite the powerful message Monday in Jupiter in regards to kicking off a new Season of Marlins Baseball. 


"This is about success on the field" Sherman said. "We can compete, we're a successful/wealthy ownership group". "We have to see the production on the field and will add the appropriate pieces at the appropriate time to win continually and consistently".


Speaking specifically in regards to the Marlins needs from 1 Season to the next, Sherman was not one to mince words on Monday. "Last year was a disappointment, it was terrible, it was hard to go through" said the Marlins Owner. "We need bats, the 6, 7, 8, in the order last year was tough to watch". All true while maybe even throwing in a little friendly New York jab at former Business partner Jeter in the process ⬇️.

The Marlins were active prior to the Lockout in attempting to shore up the Batting Order. Acquiring the likes of Avisail Garcia, Jacob Stallings, and Joey Wendle. They've since made smaller acquisitions Post-Lockout, singing Willians Astudillo and Roman Quinn to Minor League Deals with Spring Invites.


All indications from Sherman & the Marlins point to General Manager Kim Ng becoming the head of Baseball Op's. "Centerfield is an opening that we need to address", said the second year GM. However, she did also caution that there isn't the "clearest path right now in terms to a true Centerfielder", which is also true. 


It speaks to the Free Agent market this Off Season, something the Marlins had to have known before Dealing Starling Marte in July. 


Michael Conforto could be the only Free Agent Outfielder that makes sense for the Fish at this time, if of course his market is reasonable. Conforto has/can play Centerfield, unlike Nick Castellanos and especially Jorge Soler. Scott Boras is Conforto's & Castellanos' Agent however $$. 

On the Trade front, rumors are circulating that Marlins target Bryan Reynolds' asking price in Pittsburgh is an arm & a leg. The Marlins have "Prospect" resources, but the Pirates acting as if Reynolds was the second coming of Christian Yelich, already. Well, could very well be a bit absurd. 


When the Marlins dealt Yelich in 2018, they received 'a' (as in 1) Top 25 (across Baseball) Prospect in Lewis Brinson and a Top 100 (Only by some) Prospect in Monte Harrison. It was extremely hard to call, even then, Isan Diaz & Jordan Yamamoto "Top Prospects" across the Game.


One thing is for sure, it'll be an interesting next few weeks for the Marlins. Spring Training was cut pretty much in half. Time to impress for Players such as Bryan De La Cruz, along with Prospects J.J Bleday and Peyton Burdick out in the Outfield is less. But competition is still abound, "we need Bats" Ng said. "I love Spring Training, hope, optimism, new beginnings" said Ng, "I love this time of year".     


        

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