Miami Marlins Will Contend in 2015

Jeffrey Loria

Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

The Miami Marlins lost 100 games in 2013 and it’s easy to write them off for the foreseeable future but it’s also not correct to. The team will improve in 2014 and set the stage for a playoff run in 2015. Just three seasons after dismantling the roster, the Marlins will be in a position to contend and at a much more affordable rate. With the current roster and the probability of additions after 2014, it’s not a crazy theory but more of a realistic outlook for the team.

Led by Jose Fernandez, the Marlins have a young and exciting starting rotation that should only get better with the arrival of Andrew Heaney likely sometime in 2014. Heaney has the potential to be an ace or on this team, a very solid No. 2 behind Fernandez, falling in line behind Heaney are Nathan EovaldiHenderson AlvarezJacob Turner and Tom Koehler all of whom have shown glimpses of fantastic talent in their starts. Not to be forgotten are Justin NicolinoAnthony Desclafani and Brian Flynn who are all waiting in the wings as well. Some of these names may end up traded for other needed pieces before 2015 but they will contribute to the contending status in one way or another.

On the offensive side of things, the Marlins still have Giancarlo Stanton and will by all signs do everything they can to have him in 2015 as well Sharing the outfield with him is Christian Yelich, who should only continue to get better as well as a young slugger with a lot of potential in Marcell Ozuna. The free-agent addition of Jarrod Saltalamacchia factors into this as well as his multi-year contract will have him taking the field in 2015 as well for Miami.

On top of all those names mentioned above, there also remains the distinct probability that when push comes to shove, owner Jeffrey Loria will make a signing, if it is needed, a la Ivan Rodriguez prior to the 2003 season. If the team shows they are one or two guys from contention, those pieces will be found and added. This is going to be the scenario heading into 2015 and it’s something Marlins fans should begin looking forward to now.

You can follow Larry Walansky on twitter @larrysw, like him on Facebook, and add him to your network on Google.

Around the Web

ZergNet