MLB Preview: Florida Marlins

The Florida Marlins finished another disappointing season in 2007 as the team struggled to win 71 games last season. Even more disappointing for Florida fans was the events that happened shortly after the season. The club traded it's two most recognizable faces Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera to the Detroit Tigers.

That deal thus threw in the towel for another Marlins season in 2008, and gives fans very little motivation to head out to the ballpark this year. The team still does have some talented players, but not nearly enough to contend this season.

Now it's time to answer three questions about the 2008 Florida Marlins.

(1) Will the Marlins ever retain any of their top talent?

This is the question on the minds of every fan in Florida, and on the minds of baseball fans throughout the country. The Florida Marlins are the poster child for what can go wrong in the current baseball economic climate. The fact that the team allowed Miguel Cabrera to leave is no surprise as the organization has a history of letting top quality young talent walk away.

Two seasons ago they traded Josh Beckett to the Red Sox as they saw his arbitration price tag go up, and ownership had no interest in paying that. The Beckett trade did bring in Hanley Ramirez, who is quickly becoming the game's best young star. That is one thing the Marlins have been able to do during this endless cycle of rebuilding, the front office has been able to at least get top young talent in return for their star players.

The team's payroll is at an embarrasingly low figure considering they receive nearly 20 million in luxury taxes from teams like the Yankees and Red Sox. The Marlins are playing in an old ballpark and plans are in place to give the city a new park, but until that is done Marlins fans will have to get used to seeing top young talent flee the city of Miami for greener pastures.

(2) Did the Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis trade bring in enough talent?

The Marlins have never been afraid to deal young superstars, and this deal may involve two of the franchise's most popular players in their brief history. Cabrera came on to the scene as a teenager during the team's impressive run in the 2003 playoffs and World Series title. Willis had a dominant regular season in 2003, and was a big reason the club made the post-season.

Now that both of those players will be wearing Detroit Tigers uniforms, it's important to see what the club got in return. Cameron Maybin and Andrew Miller were regarded as two of the best young prospects in all of baseball heading into last year. Both players were called up to the big club last summer and although both were overmatched, they did display their natural raw talent.

Maybin did look like he needed additional seasoning in the minors last year, as he struck out 21 times in only 53 at bats. The Marlins made the right decision by sending him down to the minors to start the season as Maybin must gain confidence before making his destined return trip to the majors. It will be hard for Florida to keep Maybin down in the minors, as fans will want to see something in return for their former two star players.

Andrew Miller was a first round pick two seasons ago, and advanced rapidly through the Tigers minor league system. Miller received his first big league start last June, and was shuffled between Detroit and the minor leagues for much of the 2nd half. Miller started 13 games last season and won five of those while posting a 5.63 ERA.

Although the club lost two stars, it's important to remember that Willis was just finishing his worst season as a major leaguer, and was having trouble consistently finding the strike zone. It's unclear if he will make a seamless transition to the American League, as he has posted an ERA of over 8 this spring. Miguel Cabrera is a superstar, and will probably be one for years to come, but he did frustrate the Marlins organization by not coming into camp in shape, and was as much as 30 pounds overweight last season. It's unlikely that Cabrera's new found commitment to the game would have taken place in Florida as he shed those 30 pounds this off-season.

(3) What can Florida fans expect to see this season?

This Marlins team will resemble the Washington Nationals in many ways this season. The club has plenty of exciting young talent in the lineup, but their pitching staff looks suspect at best. Mark Hendrickson is their opening day starter, and that is never cause for optimism. The team is hoping Scott Olsen will have a rebound year, but that is a big questionmark.

If fans have one reason to go to the ballpark this year, it's to see Hanley Ramirez. Ramirez is a viable candidate for posting a 40/40 season at some point. Ramirez hit over 330, while posting 29 homers for the Marlins last season. Ramirez is an MVP candidate in the waiting, and the only weakneess in his game is his defense. Ramirez will likely be moved to another position in the infield, or like B.J. Upton with the Rays, be called upon to play the outfield in the future.

The team also has another power hitting infielder who's defense has been called into question. Dan Uggla once again posted another impressive season at the plate as he hit over 30 home runs last season. The team also has Josh Willingham in left field who may not be the superstar that everyone thought he would be, but is still a solid major leaguer nontheless.

The 2008 season will be another season that Marlins fans are accustomed to. Exciting young talent with very little pitching, and virtually no chance at contending. It's a scenario that will hopefully change for the organization, otherwise they may be playing in a completely empty stadium in a few years.