The absolute worst

 

There have been 32 Seasons of Marlins Baseball. 2 World Championships 1997 / 2003, only 3 Teams (Yankees, Red Sox, Giants) have Won more in that time period, think about that for a sec. There have been 2 other Marlins Playoff appearances ('20 / '23). 8 winning Seasons. A new Stadium in Miami. An MVP Campaign (Giancarlo Stanton '17). A Cy Young Award Year (Sandy Alcantara '22). 6 No-Hitters, 4 Rookies of the Year, 1 Cycle. 

There was also a baseball Season ('94) that ended in a League wide strike. Another in 2020 that was not a marathon but rather a 60 Game sprint due to Covid-19. There have been 3 Marlins Squads who've lost a 100 or more Games. 4 DIFFERNT Fire Sales. 4 different Owners.

Yet not 1 single Team in 31 Seasons of Marlins Baseball (that featured an All-Star Break) finished the First Half with a worse Record than the 2024 Marlins. Not one, think about that for a second. 30 Games under .500 does 2nd year Manager Skip Schumaker's Squad find themselves to start this 2nd Half today. While first year President Peter Bendix now at the helm, has also helped direct this hot mess right out the gate.

Bendix Traded the Club's best offensive weapon in Luis Arraez on May 03. May 3rd! This after sitting on his hands during his first Off-Season, with the most profile acquisition and only Free Agent signing being the absolute complete bust which was Tim Anderson, who was DFA'd then Released earlier this month.

The Marlins knew they had a big problem behind the Plate coming into the Year, with their Catchers giving them so little Offensively last Season. Bendix's solution was to pluck Christian Bethancourt off Waivers from Cleveland in November. The Panamanian Backstop if you can believe it, gave the Club even less at the Dish than what the Fish previously had. Bethancourt was also DFA'd then let go by the Club last month.

The Fish's Rotation has been absolutely ravished by Injuries. We knew Sandy Alcantara would miss the Season with Tommy John Surgery. He was joined in that same operation room by Eury Perez. Edward Cabrera, Jesús Luzardo and Braxton Garett have all been on the I.L twice already since Spring Training, with the former 2 down with Injuries as we speak, joining Sandy, Eury and David Weathers.

The Marlins once Top Prospect Max Meyer began this Season in the Big League Rotation, made 3 impressive Starts, then was promptly sent down to Triple-A. We knew Meyer would be monitored closely coming off his own TJ Surgery in 2022. But his Demotion and lack of Recall is yet another example of how much Bendix & his brass truly cared about 2024. A Marlins Season that followed a Playoff berth.

The Organization headed by Owner Bruce Sherman obviously didn't/doesn't mind punting on this '24 Campaign and who knows if beyond. I'm assuming looking to build for a better future. But what is being done at the Big League level to revamp that future as we speak? $16 Million Dollar Josh Bell is still at 1B, while First Base Prospect Troy Johnston's yet to make his MLB Debut.

It took the Anderson Designation to finally allow Xavier Edwards some Infield reps, at Shortstop none the less. All while the decision was made last weekend out of the blue to have Jazz Chisholm play 2B again, in what seems to be a move to strictly build up more of his Trade stock.

Bendix and the Marlins netted 3 Prospects for 3 time All-Star and 2 Time Batting Champion Arraez. Jakob Marsee, whose Hitting .187 in Double-A Pensacola. Nate Martorella whose slashing .173/.235/.254 on the same Blue Wahoos Club since the Trade. Oh, and I guess centerpiece Dillon Head, a 19 year old whose had hip surgery since the Swap between Bendix/Staff and the San Diego Padres.

I'm sure Trading Jazz and All-Star Closer Tanner Scott in a couple weeks will workout just fine.