Miami Marlins

Health Check

“A collection of old and new faces will try and set the tone for Derek Jeter’s new vision for the Marlins franchise, which is that of a consistently competitive team, day in and day out. Many outlets predict that the Marlins will struggle to meet that vision in 2018, but the players here today will lay the groundwork for the culmination of that dream...some may even be here while at the zenith of its fulfillment.

Of course, in regard to the present day, we can talk about who is here now all we want, but in the midst of a rebuilding period, there is a very real likelihood that Miami will continue to see old familiar faces replaced with new ones. In 2021, the Marlins front office envisions a packed house night after night watching a highly competitive, fun young team battle for a National League East title. The payroll, undoubtedly bolstered by a sparkling new TV deal, will supposedly support the young team with reliable veteran assistance.

In the lead-up to that, however, Marlins fans can expect the payroll to shrink as the team continues to shed itself of undesirable contracts. It may be a long three to four years as we’re just at the start of this thing, so if you’re a Fish fan, you just have to hope that it ends up being well worth the wait.”

—Fish Stripes

Key Player

Drumming up a reason to watch the 2018 version of the Miami Marlins might be difficult for someone who doesn’t follow the team regularly, so they can be forgiven for not knowing about the treasure that is Justin Bour.

Bour is the Marlins’ 6-foot-4, lumbering, donut-loving first baseman who wears his zest for the game on his sleeve and launches towering home runs. No longer overshadowed by his outfield teammates, Bour will regularly feature in the middle of the Marlins lineup in 2018, where Marlins fans will eagerly await his antics, both on and off the field. Given the current course of the franchise, it is unclear exactly how long that stint will last in Miami, but we’ll enjoy it while we can!

—Thomas Bennett, Fish Stripes

Best Case

Whatever it is, it’s not as good as what it would have been had the Marlins spent the winter trying to improve a strong core at the tail-end of its rebuild instead of gutting the team so Derek Jeter, the new CEO, can get a larger bonus come the end of 2018.

OK, OK, fine, based on the road the Marlins have chosen, hoping the rest of their vets can be dealt for prospects who can help out in the future would work, too. But mostly the bonus thing.

Worst Case

Marlins’ employees keep using the word “rebuild” around Derek Jeter even though he banned the word around the offices. (No, seriously, he did that. Google it if you don’t believe us). Their secret worst case is probably if they just can’t find a taker for Wei-Yin Chen’s contract, reducing investor profits.