Spring's eternal


The Marlins kicked off Spring Training last week with Pitchers & Catchers (more on the former in a second). The entire full Squad got things going "officially" Monday, though a substantial amount of Position Players were in Jupiter long before, chomping at the bit. Admittedly we began this post over the weekend prior to Owner Bruce Sherman & President Peter Bendix holding their recurrent specious media scrum to kick off the Spring. As has been the case with these sort of gatherings of Fish higher-ups of late, the terminology of being 'utterly oblivious' to the surroundings of the Ballclub, I think fits to a baseball tee.    




It doesn't necessitate a listen to all the 'analysts' on pods or read the many projections from so called 'insiders' to know the Marlins have or will be picked by almost everybody to finish dead last in their Division and probably the entire National League. That's something that's been brought upon themselves mostly, after signing EXACTLY ONE MLB FREE-AGENT, a week ago. Don't ask Sherman that: "Everybody wants you to sign every Free-Agent that's available". "We have signed Free-Agents". ..Yes Bruce, ALL OF TWO F.A SIGNINGS, IN THE LAST 2 YEARS!! Coupled with the fact Atlanta's been in the Postseason 7 straight years, the Mets signed Juan Soto after their NLCS appearance, and Philadelphia capped 3 consecutive Playoff berths with a Division crown last year.





The Free-Agent the Fish inked was Cal Quantrill, on a 1 Year/little over $3 Million Dollar deal. Quantrill in essence is taking over Jesus Luzardo's spot in the Rotation. Luzardo, whom keep in mind has had a heck of a time staying healthy/probably more importantly is slated for about a 1 Million Dollar Salary bump via Arbitration (from $5 Million in '24 to $ix in '25), was Traded to the Phillies in December. Sherman again: "We have done more Trades than almost any Club in baseball". This after he patted himself on the back in essence for actually having signed "Minor League Free-Agents"; you can't make this stuff up! While in regards to Trades, no shit!! The Marlins under Bendix have shed almost every Player whom was either making a chunk over the Major League minimum or who was even scheduled to in the near future.





Slugger Jake Burger wasn't headed for Arbitration until 2026, yet was also dealt during the Off-Season. Griffin Conine told Fish on First last week: "The Burger trade was the one that hurt a lot just because he was kind of that (veteran presence)", when speaking in regards to the Marlins' Offense and how young the Club is as a whole.





Of the 32 Position Players the Fish currently have in Camp, NOT ONE has ever hit 20 Homers in a Big League Season. Undoubtedly the Offense as per usual with the Franchise, will be the major concern heading into the baseball new year. 




This all obviously puts more strain on the Mound for the Marlins. Where talent (if healthy, and big *if obvouisly) is second to not many. Led by returning '22 Cy Young Winner Sandy Alcántara, the Staff certainly seems like will have to carry the load for the Club to have any kind of success. Luckily for them, the Rotation also projects to feature big Ryan Weathers, flame thrower Edward Cabrera, the aforementioned Quantrill, former 1st Rd. Pick Max Meyer, and 2nd Year gamer Valente Bellozo.





Waiting in the wings are prospects Thomas White & Robby Snelling, while a little more closer to Major League ready is Adam Mazur, who had a cup of coffee with San Diego last Season. Young phenom Eury Perez will also be looking to return to a Major League mound around the midway point of the Campaign following Tommy John surgery last year.





That's a Starting staff that could be an envy for many a Major League Ballclub, however the Marlins know first hand how key depth will always be. It wouldn't hurt Mr. Sherman to do what he's claimed to already have done. That's add a little more to the MLB Club in the current in order to, and I quote from the Shermanator: "Win a lot more Games than you think we're gonna Win this Year". ..Starting Pitching could help in that department, but so would actually caring a little more about the fans of you're Organization!



    

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