3 Bizarre Lineups Ozzie Could Use to Try to Break the Miami Marlins' Slump

By (Contributor) on July 7, 2012

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Mike McGinnis/Getty Images

Ozzie Guillen has done almost everything he can to try and turn this season around.

The Miami Marlins find themselves desperately trying to make a run at the postseason. Meanwhile, the team stands nine games back in the division and 4.5 games out of a Wild Card spot.

Guillen is a very unconventional big-league manager who isn't afraid to shake things up a bit when it comes to setting a lineup.

With the All-Star break approaching and the recent acquisition of first baseman Carlos Lee, the Marlins hope to turn things around in the second half of the season.

Now with Giancarlo Stanton reportedly out four-to-six weeks (according to an earlier tweet from CBS Sports) due to knee surgery, Guillen and the rest of the Marlins staff have to experiment with their lineup in hopes that one may stick.

For a team that is struggling to keep a .500 record, here are three rather bizarre lineups Guillen could try to break this Marlins slump.

The Power Lineup

MILWAUKEE, WI - JULY 05: Carlos Lee #45 of the Miami Marlins squares up this pitch against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on July 05, 2012 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images)
Mike McGinnis/Getty Images

The Miami Marlins have plenty of power hitters on their roster. Scoring runs has been a constant struggle for the team this season, so this lineup gives them five home-run power hitters from the three through seven spots.

The top of the lineup provides the speed to get players on base. The rest can take wiffle-ball type hacks at the plate.

Let's also not forget that SP Carlos Zambrano has 24 career home runs and is 15 short of the record for most home runs by a pitcher in a career.

1. Reyes SS

2. Bonifacio CF

3. Ramirez 3B

4. Lee 1B

5. Morrison LF

6. Ruggiano RF

7. Infante 2B

8. Buck C

9. Zambrano SP

The Hot Hand Lineup

ST. PETERSBURG - JUNE 16:  Outfielder Justin Ruggiano #20 of the Miami Marlins is congratulated by Jose Reyes #7 after scoring the winning run against the Tampa Bay Rays during the game at Tropicana Field on June 16, 2012 in St. Petersburg, Florida.  (Pho
J. Meric/Getty Images

Nobody could have guessed that 30-year-old Justin Ruggiano—who was acquired for next to nothing—would be the hottest player on the team as of late.

Ruggiano has been playing out of his mind and currently has a 10-game hitting streak and is batting .410 for the season. He's going to make it very hard for Ozzie Guillen to take him out of the starting lineup when starting center fielder Emilio Bonifacio comes back from injury.

Now that Giancarlo Stanton—the team's best power hitter—is out with an injury, Justin Ruggiano will have his share of starts in right field in replacement.

Ozzie Guillen could use the following lineup to feature Ruggiano while he is still on fire with the bat. This lineup also doesn't feature Emilio Bonifacio in CF.

1. Reyes SS

2. Ramirez 3B

3. Lee 1B

4. Ruggiano CF

5. Morrison LF

6. Infante 2B

7. Kearns RF

8. Buck C

The Desperation Lineup

MIAMI, FL - JUNE 07:  Hanley Ramirez #2 of the Miami Marlins breaks his bat during a game against the Atlanta Braves at Marlins Park on June 7, 2012 in Miami, Florida.  (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

There are many factors that can continue to derail the Marlins' season. The team has already been plagued with injuries to Giancarlo Stanton and Emilio Bonifacio.

Catcher John Buck is struggling to produce on offense and could be replaced by a younger Brett Hayes. Hayes also has a higher batting average compared to the awful .178 Buck is producing this year.

The Marlins' newest acquisition, Carlos Lee, adds depth to their lineup, but is also having one of the worst statistical seasons of his career. If he can't produce, Guillen could potentially turn to Hanley Ramirez at the fourth spot in the lineup.

Ozzie Guillen made it a point to express his respect for Hanley Ramirez this past offseason when the team brought in Jose Reyes at his position. Dismissing trade rumors to the side, it could be Hanley Ramirez that helps anchor this lineup in the absence of Giancarlo Stanton.

This lineup would include Bonifacio's return and would show Ramirez's worth to the Marlins franchise.

1. Reyes SS

2. Ruggiano RF

3. Lee 1B

4. Ramirez 3B

5. Morrison LF

6. Infante 2B

7. Bonifacio CF

8. Hayes C

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