Miami Marlins vs. Philadelphia Phillies Positional Breakdown

With spring training quickly approaching, it's time to start making those way-too-early predictions for the upcoming baseball season. Although the Atlanta Braves will be good also, many analysts and experts have the Miami Marlins just behind the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East for the 2012 season, so let's compare the two teams position by position. 

(Marlins vs. Braves breakdown coming soon.) 

Starting Pitching

Josh Johnson, when healthy, is as good as anyone the Phillies' vaunted rotation can throw out on the mound. The additions of Mark Buehrle and Carlos Zambrano make the Marlins starting rotation one of the best in baseball. Having said that, the Phillies staff is the standard to which all other staffs are compared.

The emergence of Vance Worley made Roy Oswalt expendable this offseason, and the Phillies have Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels and Cliff Lee as their top three starters, maybe the greatest trio since Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and John Smoltz.

Advantage: Phillies

 

Relief Pitching

The Marlins bullpen showed flashes of brilliance last season, with guys like Edward Mujica and Randy Choate among others being reliable all season. The addition of All-Star Heath Bell should make closing games quite a bit less nerve-racking, and youngsters like Steve Cishek should be ready to contribute from Opening Day.

The Phillies added Jonathan Papelbon to close games, although they overpaid dramatically for a big-name closer who probably isn't as good as Bell. The rest of their bullpen looks average at best. 

Advantage: Marlins

Catcher

The Marlins last year gave John Buck quite a free-agent contract, and he underperformed in his first season with the team. The power numbers were decent, but the batting average and defense left quite a bit to be desired. Brett Hayes provided a solid spark off the bench, and earned more playing time as the season progressed. 

The Phillies have their durable catcher in Carlos Ruiz, who put up another nice season for them in 2011. With timely hitting and very good defense, Ruiz is one of the Phillies' unsung heroes. 

Advantage: Phillies

First Base

Gaby Sanchez made the All-Star team in 2011 after a stellar first half of the season. He then tailed off quite a bit in the second half and finished with an average of just .266. His defense is improving, and Sanchez has all the tools to be better than the numbers he finished with last season.

Ryan Howard is a monster; not much more needs to be said. Although his batting average is never impressive, his power numbers are gaudy every season. 

Advantage: Phillies

Second Base

Omar Infante was one of the most consistent performers for the Marlins last season. A very versatile player, Infante was in the running for the Gold Glove at second base, and had a late surge offensively to solidify his spot as second in the batting order for the Marlins. Acquired in the trade for Dan Uggla in the offseason, the Marlins got more than just numbers from Infante. His leadership and knack for the big hit proved immeasurable. 

For the Phillies, Chase Utley is a bit of an enigma at this stage in his career. When healthy, he's one of the game's best second basemen. But when is he ever healthy? Utley has missed over 100 games the past two seasons, and has seen his production steadily decline. 

Advantage: Even

Shortstop

The Marlins' biggest splash this offseason came with the acquisition of Jose Reyes via free agency. Reyes won the NL batting crown last year, and is one of the premier shortstops in all of baseball. Oh, if he could only stay healthy. 

For the Phillies, Jimmy Rollins has been their shortstop for many years now, but much like Chase Utley at 2B, he's starting to see a sharp decline in his stats the past few years. If the injury bug stays away, Rollins can still play, but he's no Reyes anymore. 

Advantage: Marlins

Third Base

The big transition begins for Hanley Ramirez, who moves to third base after playing his whole career at short. How will Ramirez fare? Defensively, third base is usually easier to manage than shortstop, but Hanley has not been quite satisfied with the move, and he is coming off his worst season, albeit an injury-plagued one.

Then there's Placido Polanco for the Phillies. He's a rock. Never flashy, but season after season he remains productive and professional. Is he as talented as Ramirez? Not even close. But the Marlins have no idea which Hanley may show up any given night, whereas the Phillies do. 

Advantage: Marlins (but I don't have a good feeling about Hanley at third) 

Left Field

Logan Morrison's power came around last year, and even through quite a few missed games, finished with solid offensive production. His defense is still a little suspect, but improving. Morrison was bounced around in the trade rumor mill at times, but appears ready to have an even better 2012 season.

Left field could be a revolving door for the Phillies if John Mayberry doesn't quite pan out. The youngster has a great deal of potential, and they hope he will be the answer in left, but that remains to be seen. 

Advantage: Marlins

Center Field

Center field may be the most intriguing position for the Marlins this season. Emilio Bonifacio had an outstanding 2011 season, but is more suited for his utility role. If he is forced into starting most games in center, the Marlins do feel comfortable with that, but with Chris Coghlan also vying for playing time, it remains to be seen what the Fish decide. Then there's that Yoenis Cespedes guy still out there. 

Shane Victorino has held down the fort at center field for the Phillies for a long time, and has been consistently productive either at the top or bottom of their lineup. However, he was injured last year, is nearing his mid-30s and could be on the downside of a very good career. 

Advantage: Phillies (but may be revised should the Marlins sign Cespedes) 

Right Field

Mike Stanton is turning into the player every scout pictured he could be a few years ago. His power is astronomical, and his cannon for an arm in right field is surprising. Going into only his third big league season, Stanton has all the makings of an MVP candidate if the Marlins contend for a playoff spot. 

Hunter Pence, for the Phillies, is one of the more underrated outfielders in all of baseball. Coming off an outstanding 2011 campaign, Pence will be an integral part of the Phillies lineup in 2012. 

Advantage: Marlins (not an indictment on Pence at all, just a testament to the potential greatness of Stanton)

Extras

Manager

Ozzie Guillen and Charlie Manuel are both top-notch managers, and Guillen is very motivated this season.

Advantage: Push

Bench

The Marlins are a deeper team, having re-signed Greg Dobbs, to go along with Chris Coghlan, Aaron Rowand, Brett Hayes and Emilio Bonifacio as super-utility.

Advantage: Marlins

Intangibles

The Phillies have the experience, they have the championship core of their team and arguably the best home-field advantage in all of baseball. Don't rule out the Marlins' new stadium as a huge factor this season.

Advantage: Phillies