Miami Marlins’ roster is improved, but will it be enough to compete in NL East?
Yuli Gurriel has been part of what the Miami Marlins are trying to achieve.
The veteran first baseman spent his first seven MLB seasons with the Houston Astros. Outside of that first season, when Houston finished third in the American League West, all Gurriel has experienced is winning. The Astros have reached at least the American League Championship Series each of the past six seasons, played in three World Series and won titles in 2017 and 2022.
The Marlins... have not had that kind of success. Houston’s current run, which came after a four-year rebuild process from 2011-2014 and two more years hovering around the middle of the league, almost entirely overlaps with Miami’s rebuild that has began with the start of the Bruce Sherman ownership group in 2018. Outside of a playoff appearance in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, the Marlins have seen minimal on-field success during the past five years. This included a 69-93 finish last season.
Could Miami be on the verge of an Astros-like breakthrough? Gurriel sees it as a possibility.
“People ask me why I signed here. The team hasn’t been constantly winning,” Gurriel said. “Let me tell you, what I see around here, this team looks even better than when I arrived in Houston seven years ago.”
If that is indeed the case, then it bodes well for the Marlins, who open the 2023 season — Year 6 of the Sherman ownership group, Year 3 under general manager Kim Ng, Year 1 under new manager Skip Schumaker — at 4:10 p.m. Thursday against the New York Mets at loanDepot park.
The Marlins say they are in win-now mode despite the challenges they face in a grueling National League East that features the high-spending Mets, the five-time reigning division champion Atlanta Braves and reigning National League pennant-winning Philadelphia Phillies.
But, at least as the season begins, the Marlins are optimistic they will be able to contend even if the odds are against them.
“If we stay together and play baseball together, I think we can do a lot of damage,” said Luis Arraez, the reigning American League batting champion who the Marlins acquired in a trade with the Twins. “Everybody knows it’s a hard division, but it’s not impossible.”
For their part, the Marlins did make moves to significantly improve the roster. Gurriel, who will split time at first base with Garrett Cooper, was the final of those additions. Arraez gives the Marlins a true table setter at the top of the lineup, and infielder Jean Segura, who was part of the Phillies’ run to the World Series last season, gives Miami another steady bat in the lineup.
“For me, after being here for a few years, this is the best offensive team that we’ve definitely had for the past couple of years,” said Marlins All-Star Jazz Chisholm Jr., who will move from the middle infield to center field this season. “I see a lot of potential. If we work hard and everybody stays healthy, this is a winning team.”
The Marlins also beefed up the bullpen by trading for JT Chargois, Matt Barnes and A.J. Puk to add three more high-leverage options along with Dylan Floro and Tanner Scott. After going 24-40 in one-run games last season, Miami hopes its added relief pitcher depth will help them lock down close games.
“We’re going to be nasty,” Scott said of the bullpen.
And then there’s the starting rotation, which will once again be the team’s backbone.
Ace Sandy Alcantara, the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner, will make his fourth consecutive Opening Day start on Thursday. Lefty Jesus Luzardo and righty Edward Cabrera will follow. Both are poised for big seasons after putting together quality albeit injury impacted 2022 seasons. Lefty Trevor Rogers, the runner-up for the 2021 NL Rookie of the Year award, can further bolster the group if he can return to his 2021 form after a sluggish 2022 season. Veteran righty Johnny Cueto, entering his 16th MLB season, will add experience at the back end of the rotation.
“I don’t think there’s really a limit or a ceiling for us,” Luzardo said. “I feel like we could be potentially one of the best rotations in baseball as long as everyone goes out there and pulls for each other and does what they need to do.”
The chance to prove that begins Thursday.
“Just making sure they’re prepared,” Schumaker said. “They’re prepping themselves, taking care of themselves and their bodies, playing the long game here. Obviously, you’d like to get out to a good start, but as far as expectations ... I don’t think anything changes.”
This and that
▪ Scott, Floro and Puk are the main three “in the mix” for save situations to start the year, Schumaker said.
▪ The Marlins’ rotation order to begin the season: Alcantara on Thursday, Luzardo on Friday, Cabrera on Saturday, Rogers on Sunday and Cueto on Monday.
▪ Bryan De La Cruz will begin the season getting the bulk of the reps for Miami’s third outfield spot along with Chisholm and Avisail Garcia. Jorge Soler will likely get most of his playing time at designated hitter.
