NFL Tickets
Last season, the Miami Marlins fell flat on their face after many expected them to be a sleeper to compete in the NL East. This year, few are expecting much from the Marlins, giving them a chance to sneak up on some teams and do some damage. However, to do so things will have to go close to perfectly for Miami, and that means staying healthy. Here are five players the Marlins need to stay healthy in 2016.
5. Adeiny Hechavarria
Credit: Steve Mitchell - USATODAY Sports5. Adeiny Hechavarria
Hechavarria is incredibly talented, but he hasn't exactly been one of Miami's most productive hitters over the past couple of seasons. That being said, Miami's depth at shortstop behind him is almost non-existent. The Marlins don't have many good options if he goes down with an injury, and as long as he stays healthy, there's at least a chance he finally has a breakout season.
4. A.J. Ramos
Credit: Getty Images4. A.J. Ramos
Closers are always difficult to replace if they get injured, and Ramos is no exception. He established himself as the closer in Miami last season, and the Marlins will need him to shut down the ninth inning again in 2016 if they expect to compete. Carter Capps had a good season last year as well, and while he'll be a nice setup man, his success last season was not consistent with his track record. So who knows if he can repeat that performance and make a viable closer if Ramos were to get hurt.
3. Dee Gordon
Credit: Getty Images3. Dee Gordon
Gordon was the engine that made the Marlins go last season, and they definitely need him playing every day in 2016. Losing their leadoff hitter to injury would throw Miami's entire lineup out of balance, and that's not something the Marlins can afford. If Miami couldn't win games last year with the NL batting champ in their lineup, they surely won't this year if Gordon gets hurt.
2. Giancarlo Stanton
Credit: Steve Mitchell - USATODAY Sports2. Giancarlo Stanton
Stanton only played 74 games last year because of injury, and look how that turned out for the Marlins. Having Ichiro and Derek Dietrich around does give Miami some depth in the outfield, but opposing pitchers won't fear the Marlins' lineup unless Stanton is hitting in the middle of it. He's arguably the biggest game changer among position players in baseball, and the Marlins aren't going anywhere in 2016 if he's not on the field.
1. Jose Fernandez
Credit: Getty Images1. Jose Fernandez
Fernandez returned from Tommy John surgery the second half of last season and looked great in 11 starts. The Marlins better hope he can pitch a full season this year. Miami has a couple promising young pitchers, but the team's rotation leaves something to be desired outside of Fernandez, especially compared to their division rivals in New York and Washington. If Fernandez can't make 30-plus starts in 2016, the Marlins won't be competitive in the NL East.
Share 
