Miami Marlins: The All-Time 'One Year and Gone' Team

The Marlins, whether they be Florida or Miami, are not known for keeping their quality players for long periods of time. Every four or five years, the team has a total purging of their well known and well paid players and young unknown talents are ushered in.

Along the way, the team has stumbled into two World Series titles, as many as the Indians, Phillies, Cubs and Mets have won in their longer histories.

But few players have stuck around in South Florida long enough to be associated with the Marlins. In fact I was able to compile a 25 man roster of players who played one season or less as a member of the Marlins.

Several All Stars, a few future Hall of Famers, some batting champions and many bright stars have just one season of Marlins baseball on the backs of their baseball cards.

The list does not include Bobby Bonilla, who spent 1997 and part of 1998 as a Marlin. Several relievers such as Dennis Cook, Graeme Lloyd and Ed Vosberg were left out.

And I also omitted Ozzie Guillen as the team's manager as another one and done skipper passed through town and picked up the Manager of the Year award along the way.

So don't blink Marlins fans. You might miss a star on your team in the The All Time "One Year and Gone" Team!

Starting Catcher: Ivan Rodriguez

In his lone season as a Marlin, Pudge Rodriguez did everything he could have been asked to do. After 12 years with the Texas Rangers, including his 1999 AL MVP season, Rodriguez signed a one year deal with the Fish.

He batted .297 with 16 homers but most importantly helped guide the young pitching staff into the post season. There he turned the playoffs into his own personal showcase.

His two out, two strike two run walk off single in Game 3 of the Division Series turned a Giants 2-1 series lead into a Marlins 2-1 lead. He then scored the winning run in Game 4 and famously held onto the ball as J. T. Snow was thrown out at home plate to end the series.

His follow up was a .321 average and 1.031 OPS in the NLCS comeback against the Cubs. He drove in 10 runs and seemed to spark every Marlins rally.

He continued to hit and throw out baserunners in the World Series as the Marlins upset the Yankees to win the crown.

In the off season, he went packing to Detroit where he would help lead that franchise to the World Series in just a few short years. But his lone ring came with Florida.

Starting First Baseman: Carlos Delgado

One of the most underrated sluggers of his era, Carlos Delgado joined the Marlins in 2005 after 12 years with the Toronto Blue Jays.

He did not miss a step, finishing sixth in the MVP vote. He batted .301 with 33 homers, 115 RBI, an OPS+ of 160 and an OPS of .981.

But at the end of the first year of his four year, $52 million deal, the Marlins sent him packing to the New York Mets in a trade involving Mike Jacobs and other prospects.

Starting Second Baseman: Homer Bush

The one time New York Yankee reserve and World Series pinch runner, Homer Bush became an effective starter as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays.

However after some injuries and slumps, he was released in 2002 and picked up by the Marlins (via Baseball Reference.)

His highlight as a member of the Marlins was driving in the game tying run off of Greg Maddux in a 2-1 Florida victory over the Atlanta Braves on July 22, 2002 (via Baseball Reference.)

He missed the 2003 season due to injuries and did not return to the Marlins.

Starting Shortstop: Jose Reyes

The former New York Mets batting champion was the shocking offseason move for the newly Christened Miami Marlins before the 2012 season.

They had a new ballpark, new revenue, a new manager, a new name and a new attitude. And Reyes' arrival moved Hanley Ramirez to third base. As Showtime cameras were rolling, catching the highlights, Reyes was poised to become the new face of Miami baseball.

It lasted a year. Reyes stayed healthy and led the National League in plate appearances. His average, OPS, OPS+, WAR and slugging all dipped as the hype of the Marlins fizzled.

First Ramirez was dealt in mid-season. Then Reyes was sent packing to the Toronto Blue Jays after his only season as a Marlin.

Starting Thirdbaseman: Todd Zeile

When the Marlins were purging the 1997 World Champions, they mainly received minor leaguers in return. However when they sent Bobby Bonilla, Gary Sheffield, Charles Johnson and Jim Eisenreich to the Los Angeles Dodgers, they got two veterans back. Mike Piazza and Todd Zeile joined the most feeble World Series defense in the history of baseball.

Piazza was shipped off to the New York Mets within two weeks, but more about him later.

Zeile played 66 games with the 1998 Marlins, batting .291 with an .801 OPS. On June 8, 1998, Zeile hit a walk off single against the Toronto Blue Jays' Erik Hanson in the 17th inning to give the Marlins a 4-3 triumph (via Baseball Reference.)

In July, he was mercifully traded to the Texas Rangers, his third team that season. They would go on to win the AL West title. In 2000, Zeile and Piazza were reunited as members of the New York Mets.

Starting Left Fielder: Moises Alou

History records that Livan Hernandez won the 1997 World Series MVP. For those who watched the World Series, there was no doubt the real MVP was slugging left fielder Moises Alou.

After six seasons of playing for his father, Felipe, as a member of the Montreal Expos, Alou struck it rich with a multi-million dollar contract with the Marlins. He rewarded the still young franchise with an All Star season that had him finish 10th in the MVP vote.

But in the World Series against the Cleveland Indians, Alou shone like never before. He batted .321 with an OPS of 1.101, smacking three homers and driving in nine runs during the seven game victory.

His three run homer won Game 1, he drove in a critical run in Florida's Game 5 victory and hit the single that sparked the 9th inning comeback in Game 7.

Before the 1998 season, he was dealt to the Houston Astros but not before helping to deliver the first title to Florida.

Later as a member of the Chicago Cubs, he entered Marlins lore again. Steve Bartman interfered with the foul pop by the Marlins Luis Castillo, a ball that could have been caught by Moises Alou.

Starting Center Fielder: Mike Cameron

One of the best defensive center fielders of his era, Mike Cameron was an All Star who once hit four homers in a single game.

Best remembered for his days as a member of the Seattle Mariners where he replaced Ken Griffey Jr., the 38-year-old Cameron was dealt from the Boston Red Sox to the Florida Marlins on July 5, 2011.

He hit a pair of home runs in the Marlins 8-4 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on September 3, 2011 (via Baseball Reference.)

A week later, the Marlins released him. According to USA Today, his release was hastened after an incident with a flight attendant.

Usually considered one of the good guys in the game, Cameron never played in the big leagues again.

Starting Right Fielder: Austin Kearns

The former Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals slugger landed with the Miami Marlins to be outfield depth in their hyped 2012 season.

He played 87 games for the Marlins, starting in left field, right field and first base.

His season highlight was a four hit game on May 21, 2012 against the Colorado Rockies. His two RBI singles helped the Marlins overcome a 4-0 hole to win 7-4.

He is an unsigned free agent after his only season with the Marlins.

Reserve Catcher: Mike Piazza

For a period of time, Mike Piazza was the face of the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was a handsome superstar who could hit like an MVP and whose backstory of being Tommy Lasorda's Godson made him a unique figure of Dodger-lore.

Then Piazza became one of the most beloved Mets of all time. He crushed towering homers, played hurt and lifted the city's spirit with his post 9/11 heroics.

In between his days with the Dodgers and Mets was his surreal five game cameo with the 1998 Florida Marlins.

The nominal defending World Champions, Florida was dumping star players left and right to cut payroll and sell the team.

Meanwhile Piazza and the new Dodgers management could not agree on a contract extension that would essentially make Piazza a Dodger for life.

Instead of signing their MVP candidate, the Dodgers sent Piazza to the Marlins in the deal that brought over Charles Johnson, Gary Sheffield, Bobby Bonilla and Jim Eisenriech.

Everyone knew that Piazza was not going to last the season in Florida, but the professional hitter did his best to contribute. He averaged a run batted in a game and hit a rare triple in a Marlins uniform.

Eight days after the Dodgers parted ways with him, Piazza was welcomed into the Mets family where he became a beloved legend and will eventually be enshrined in the Hall of Fame with a New York cap.

Chances are his plaque will not feature a Marlins cap.

Reserve Infielder: Walt Weiss

Walt Weiss, the current manager of the Colorado Rockies, had a solid 14 year big league career. He was a Rookie of the Year and World Champion as a member of the Oakland Athletics. He played in the post season with the Blake Street Bomber Colorado Rockies. And he was an All Star who played in the World Series with the 1999 Atlanta Braves.

And along the way, he was also an original Florida Marlin.

The A's traded Weiss to the Marlins after the 1992 ALCS.

In the Marlins first ever game on April 5, 1993, Weiss singled, tripled, and drove in the first two runs in Marlins history (via Baseball Reference.)

Weiss signed with the Rockies before the 1994 season.

Reserve Outfielder: Tim Raines

Rock Raines had a wonderful and possible Hall of Fame career that stretched from 1979 to 2002. Along the way he won a batting title, made six All Star teams, won four stolen base titles and a pair of World Series rings.

After playing with his son in 2001 with the Baltimore Orioles, he played the final 98 games of his career with the 2002 Florida Marlins. He did not fare well as a 42-year-old spare outfielder.

In his final game on September 29, 2002, he singled off of Phillies pitcher Joe Roa in the Marlins 4-3 victory (via Baseball Reference.)

Soon after, he retired and started his Hall of Fame clock.

Reserve Outfielder: Luis Gonzalez

The hero of the 2001 World Series finished his 19-year career as a member of the 2008 Florida Marlins. One of the few veterans on the squad, the team put together a surprising winning season.

No longer an elite slugger, he batted .261 with an OPS of .749 over 387 plate appearances.

On June 7, 2008, Gonzalez hit a bottom of the ninth RBI sacrifice fly that began the scoring in a three run game winning rally as the Marlins defeated the Reds 8-7 (via Baseball Reference.)

He retired after his only season in Florida.

Pinch Hitter: Darren Daulton

Dutch Daulton spent more than a decade with the Philadelphia Phillies as a fan favorite, All Star catcher, MVP candidate and heart throb.

Midway through the 1997 season, the Marlins traded for Daulton to give them depth for their first ever post-season push. He helped the Marlins to the World Series and batted .389 with an OPS of 1.121 against Cleveland.

He homered in the Marlins come from behind Game 3 victory. When the Marlins won Game 7, the NBC cameras followed Daulton into the clubhouse where he was greeted by teammates and staff thrilled he was finally a champion.

He retired after the World Series.

Pinch Hitter: Nick Johnson

The frequently injured but talented left-handed swinging Johnson was acquired from the Washington Nationals for the stretch run at the 2009 trade deadline.

In his 35 games with the Marlins, he batted .279 with an OPS of .890. On September 10, 2009, Nick Johnson got two hits and drove in four against the New York Mets as the Marlins won 13-4 (via Baseball Reference.)

That off season he signed with his former team, the New York Yankees. He got hurt in 2010 and missed the entire 2011 season due to injuries.

Starting Pitcher: Mark Buehrle

After 12 years, a World Series title, a pair of no hitters and several Gold Gloves and All Star appearances with the Chicago White Sox, star left handed pitcher Mark Buehrle joined his former manager Ozzie Guillen in Miami.

His job was to be a veteran anchor for the pitching staff.

True to form, he gave the Marlins more than 200 innings, double digit victories, an ERA below 4.00 and Gold Glove defense. He held up his end of the bargain.

The Marlins did not put a winner on the field. After the 2012 season, Buehrle was shipped off to Toronto in a massive payroll purge.

Starting Pitcher: Tony Saunders

One of the few products of the Marlins farm system on the 1997 World Champions, Tony Saunders was known as a Braves killer. He went 3-0 against the two time defending National League Champions with a 1.65 ERA over 27 1/3 innings.

He was 1-6 with an ERA above 5.00 against the rest of the league.

True to form, he pitched well against the Braves in the NLCS but was roughed up by the Cleveland Indians in the World Series.

After the 1997 World Championship, he was selected by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the Expansion Draft.

A freak injury where Saunders broke his arm in mid pitch ended his career at age 26.

Starting Pitcher: Jack Armstrong

Jack Armstrong pitched four seasons in Cincinnati, highlighted by starting the 1990 All-Star Game and helping pitch the Reds to the World Series title.

After an unsuccessful season in Cleveland, he was selected by the Marlins in the 1993 Expansion Draft. An Original Marlin, he fared about as well as one could hope on an expansion team.

His record was a dismal 9-17 but his 4.49 ERA was mediocre, not terrible.

He pitched 7 1/3 shutout innings on September 17th, 1993 to defeat the Chicago Cubs 2-0 in Wrigley (via Baseball Reference.)

The next season, 1994, he was a member of the Texas Rangers. Ultimately, rotator cuff issues ended his career.

Starting Pitcher: Bobby Witt

Bobby Witt had an up and down 16-year career highlighted by two successful turns with the Rangers and a World Series title with the 2001 Arizona Diamondbacks.

After the 1994 strike and 1995 lock out, many free agent pitchers scrambled to get jobs as the season began. Witt was one of the homeless pitchers who signed with the Marlins in April of 1995 (via Baseball Reference.)

Witt's performance in Florida was unpredictable. Some games he was ineffective. Others showed his brilliant stuff. He threw a complete game victory against the San Francisco Giants on July 25, 1995.

In August, 1995, he was traded to the Texas Rangers where ultimately he helped pitch them to the 1996 Division Title.

Starting Pitcher: Javier Vazquez

The enigmatic Javier Vazquez could be brilliant one season and awful the next. He played for six different teams in his 14 seasons, each one thinking they had an ace on their hands.

His final season, as of this writing, in the major leagues was in 2011 with the Florida Marlins. The right hander went an impressive 13-11 with a 3.69 ERA over 192 2/3 innings.

In his final three starts of his career, he threw a complete shutout against the Washington Nationals on September 16th, 2011, seven innings of shutout ball for the win against the Atlanta Braves on September 21 and a complete game victory against the Nationals on September 27th (via Baseball Reference.)

He finished his career with a 29 scoreless inning streak, best in Marlins history. He struck out 28 and walked four in that stretch.

Originally I have Julian Tavarez in this spot. Bleacher Report columnist Sam Cooper suggested Vazquez's inclusion.

Relief Pitcher: Ugueth Urbina

The 2003 Florida Marlins needed stability in their bullpen. In July of 2003 they traded for Texas Rangers reliever Ugueth Urbina to give Braden Looper support in the closer role.

The price was steep. The Marlins gave up on Adrian Gonzalez to get him. But Urbina pitched to a 1.41 ERA in his 38 1/3 innings of relief.

As a closer he got the final out of both the Division Series against the San Francisco Giants and the NLCS against the Chicago Cubs. He would also save Games 1 and 5 of the World Series, helping the Marlins clinch the title against the New York Yankees.

He signed as a free agent with the 2004 Detroit Tigers. His career was derailed by a 7 1/2 year prison sentence after he attempted to murder five workers at his home with a machete.

According to ESPN.com, he is looking to return to baseball. Hopefully he will be as stable as he was in his half season with the Marlins.

Relief Pitcher: Todd Jones

Todd Jones was the 2000 Rolaids Reliever of the Year and an All Star while with the Detroit Tigers. But he stumbled the next year with Detroit and during forgettable tours with the Minnesota Twins, Colorado Rockies, Boston Red Sox, Cincinnati Reds and Philadelphia Phillies.

In 2005, he signed with the Florida Marlins and regained his form. In his lone season in Miami, he saved 40 games, posted a 2.10 ERA with a WHIP of 1.027.

The next year he rejoined the Tigers and helped pitch them back to the World Series as their closer after regaining his confidence with the Marlins.

Relief Pitcher: Heath Bell

Heath Bell replaced beloved San Diego Padres closer Trevor Hoffman and became an All Star and a Cy Young candidate. Before the 2012 season, the Miami Marlins signed Bell to be the closer in their new ballpark.

His one season in Miami was a disaster. He blew eight saves and lost his closer job several times. His 5.09 ERA for the season was as ugly as it could be. And he blasted manager Ozzie Guillen in the press several times.

After the 2012 season ended, he was traded back to the National League West, this time to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Relief Pitcher: Billy Koch

At one point an MVP candidate closer with the 2002 Oakland Athletics, Koch found himself on the 2004 Marlins after the White Sox dealt him in June of 2004 (via Baseball Reference.)

Armando Benitez was the closer that year so Koch got few save opportunities. He picked up four holds and a win in relief. He was released at the end of the season and never pitched in the big leagues again.

Relief Pitcher: Joe Borowski

Joe Borowski is one of only three pitchers to ever clinch a post season series for the Chicago Cubs. He is also only one of six pitchers to ever clinch a post season series for the Cleveland Indians and one of the only pitchers to throw the final pitch of a post season series for two different franchises.

Between his 2003 Division Series triumph for the Cubs and the 2007 Division Series glory with the Indians, he saved 36 games for the 2006 Florida Marlins.

On June 22, 2006, the Marlins came from behind against the Baltimore Orioles with four in the ninth inning to tie the game and three in the tenth to take the lead. Borowski came in and got Melvin Mora, Miguel Tejada and Javy Lopez out 1-2-3 to notch the save.

After his one season in Florida, Borowski moved on to Cleveland where he helped pitch them into the 2007 ALCS.

Relief Pitcher: Trevor Hoffman

Trevor Hoffman was selected from the Cincinnati Reds organization by the Florida Marlins in the expansion draft. He would make his big league debut for the white and teal on April 6, 1993 as an original Marlin.

On April 29, 1993 he recorded his first save (via Baseball Reference.) With the tying run in the form of Otis Nixon on base, Hoffman retired Jeff Blauser, Terry Pendleton and David Justice to end the game.

He would save one more game for the Marlins before being traded to the San Diego Padres in the deal that brought Gary Sheffield to Florida.

Sheffield helped deliver a World Series title to South Florida.

Hoffman would set the saves record and become a Cy Young candidate and possible Hall of Famer for the Padres.

Both sides did fine in the deal.

Manager: Joe Girardi

Joe Girardi moved from the Yankee coaching staff to the Marlins managerial position thinking he was inheriting a talented team coming off of an 83 win season.

Instead he witnessed the team being gutted with Josh Beckett, Mike Lowell, Carlos Delgado and other veterans being sent packing. The payroll was slashed to an insanely low $16 million total.

Girardi did his best and the team had a winning record as late as mid September. He may have clashed with ownership, but he kept the team on the periphery of a Wild Card spot until a late season slump in mid September did them in.

Joe Girardi won National League Manager of the Year that season for his work with the over-achieving team. But the tension with owner Jeffrey Loria was too much and the Marlins fired him after only one season. He would go on to win the World Series as the manager of the 2009 Yankees.

The Marlins have changed managers six times since then.