MLB Preview 2008: Florida Marlins Lineup

After reviewing the pitching for the upcoming season in Part 1, I will be going over the team's lineup and defense on the field. Will the Marlins improve on the field after pacing the league in errors last year? How will that lineup hold up? Here are the rest of the answers you've been waiting for.

Starting Lineup:

1. Hanley Ramirez, SS - Is there anything I really need to say about him? He probably should've won the NL MVP last year and should win a few before he hangs them up. The most feared shortstop in the game since A-Rod moved over to Third Base. Ramirez has 40/40 potential later on down his career, and I do fully expect him to achieve 30/30 this year.
2. Dan Uggla, 2B - The best power hitting second basemen next to Chase Utley. He had 31 homers last year and may add on that this year. Will need to work on making more contact this year, although I still think hes destined for high strikeout numbers. Will definitely be affected adversely by the loss of Miguel Cabrera and will probably end up dropping down in the lineup as the season rolls along.
3. Jeremy Hermida, RF - Will start the year on the DL (I know, I'm shocked too) but should be back by the 2nd week, and this is why I have included him as being in the starting lineup. The sky is still the limit for him as he is still 24. Ended the year ON FIRE last year and will hope to continue to pick up on this note. If he stays away from injuries, he could be the next Hanley, minus the speed.
4. Josh Willingham, LF - Like Jeremy, Willingham needs to stay focused on staying off the DL. If he stays healthy there's no doubt he can produce in the 4-hole, as he has hit at every level hes been at (including the majors). One of the older young guys on this team, he will need to take a leadership role and guide the younger guys, by showing them how to get it done on the field.
5. Mike Jacobs, 1B - Another Marlin player that needs to stay healthy (yes, I know thats like the 100th guy), because if he does we may see why he was traded for Delgado straight up. Jacobs can hit 'em out of the park and there's no denying that, but can he eliminate that hole in his swing that he's been working on with Jim Presley? I think this can be Jacobs' break out year, but if he doesn't break out, look for the Fish to move on at 1B after this year.
6. Jorge Cantu, 3B - WOW, where did this come from. No doubt the biggest surprise in camp, as there usually is one. Cantu did nothing but hit in spring training and hit himself onto this team. Jorge isn't a .300 hitter for the season, but he can get you 25 hr and 85 rbi, and alleviate that loss at 3B in Cabrera. Let's hope he has reverted back to his 2005 self and is not merely a flash in the pan.
7. Cody Ross, CF - I see the Alejandro de Aza injury as a blessing in disguise. Why hasn't Cody Ross been allowed to play a whole season, it sure looks like he can hit after hitting way over .300 (.335) last year. If Fredi can only hold off on the temptation to run Alfredo out there against the right handed pitchers we can finally see if Cody is a full time player or a pinch hitter against left handed pitchers. My money is on the fact that he can hit against righties as well as lefties.
8. Matt Treanor, C - At age 32, this can be Treanor's time to shine. With Mike Rabelo starting on the DL, I think Treanor is going to show us that he can handle the stick well enough to be starting in majors (.265). Not only will he hit a little, just know that he had a 4.66 cera (Cather's Earned Run Average) a half a point lower than Miguel Olivo's last year catching the same pitchers. That stat to me alone is worth starting him for a full season and seeing if he can handle a pitching staff.

  Bench:

• Alfredo Amezaga, UTIL - How did the Angel's let him go? Yes he's not the best hitter, but he played at every position except for catcher and pitcher last year. Amezaga is scrappy enough to get a few hits, and fast enough to get 20 sb playing part time. He'll get some time at center field while de Aza is on the mend.
• Luis Gonzalez, Corner OF - A nice offseason pick up by the Marlins and will pay off immediately as he is the opening day starter at RF. Gonzalez, although already 40 years of age can still handle the bat and will play a similar role to Aarone Boone and Wes Helmes in the last couple years. He'll get some playing time because Willingham, Hermida, and Jacobs are bound to get hurt (sorry I jinxed us).
• Robert Andino, SS - This may be Andino's lucky year as he might have the opportunity to showcase his skills to other teams. With de Aza out for a month or two, he'll probably start a few games to relieve Uggla and Hanley. The question with Andino has always been can he hit, well if he hits a bit look for him to be traded as he's being blocked by Uggla and Hanley in the majors.
• Jason Wood, INF - The feel good story of last year, as this 37 year old rookie made a MLB team for the first time ever out of spring training. He can play all the positions in the IF if need be, but is most comfortable at the corners. Had a knack for picking up clutch hits last year.
• Mike Rabelo, C - The biggest variable on this team in terms of a fielder, and we're going to have to wait a few more weeks to find out what Rabelo can do. The Marlins feel he may be a able to start 100 or more games at catcher, but all other information outlets tab him as a backup. A switch hitting catcher is always a good thing to have, but you still have to be able to hit the ball. We shall see what the future holds for Rabelo.

Defensive Notes:

Look for the Marlins to get marginally better in the field as this is all they've heard from their coaches this spring. They didn't make any personal changes to improve on their defensive woes of last year (leading the MLB in errors), but they did release Olivo, and Treanor has to be better than him. It seemed like when trading Cabrera that they would at least upgrade defensively at third, but who really knows with Cantu as he is a natural second basemen. I would've loved to see Uggla moved to third base, but I'm not the coach or GM, just a sports blogger. Just have your water with alka-seltzer ready as this season doesn't look much brighter defensively.

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