Miami Marlins Could Be Featured in Showtime's 2nd Season of "The Franchise"

After an offseason makeover of epic proportions, the Miami Marlins are ready for the world to see what they can do, on camera. With Showtime picking up a second season of "The Franchise," the Marlins become a perfect fit for the show that follows an MLB team (last season was the then reigning World Series champion San Francisco Giants) and offers a behind-the-scenes look. 

I brought up the idea earlier in the week, even before the show was renewed and posed a question to Marlins beat writer Joe Frisaro who answered in his weekly offseason inbox segment (look for question under "James B"). 

Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald wrote on Saturday that the Marlins are being considered as the featured team in the Showtime series. 

In any other year, teams such as the Texas Rangers, Tampa Bay Rays, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, or Los Angeles Angels might make more sense but not as much as the Marlins. 

The Miami Marlins are entering a new state-of-the-art ballpark (Marlins Park), have a new outspoken manager (Ozzie Guillen), and are fielding a controversial set of uniforms and a logo which weren't well received by fans and others alike. Moreover, there is the cast of characters that would make for an intriguing show. 

We all know Logan Morrison is operating his Twitter machine 24/7 and he never shies away from attention. Ozzie Guillen commands an audience with his press conferences; have a bad game and Showtime will be there with the local media putting on a show worthy of a cliffhanger. 

We can't forget about the new additions either. The Marlins traded for volatile pitcher Carlos Zambrano who is known for his in-game tirades. Showtime might want to have insurance for their expensive filming cameras. Heath Bell, Mark Buehrle, and Jose Reyes are new signings by the ballclub and that will draw audiences in who want to see how they play.

Oh, and then there is Hanley Ramirez. We all know there was controversy surrounding the now third baseman for the Marlins because he wasn't receiving his move to the hot corner in good spirit. With cameras in the fold will "H2R" swallow his pride or give a Hanley performance of a lifetime? Hanley Ramirez did say we will see a "new Hanley" this year so we'll see. 

I can go on and on about the abundance of storylines surrounding the Marlins and potential ones that could arise during the season. Can Josh Johnson remain healthy? Will Mike Stanton emerge as a potent force and All-Star in 2012? Could a certain Cuban star be making the rounds sometime during the season with the ballclub (Yoenis Cespedes)? Could the Marlins overtake the NL East powers (Braves and Phillies)?

So you see, the Marlins are the team that have the "must-see TV" label on them. Will Showtime turn to them in a heartbeat? They'd be dumb and ridiculous not to.