15 Questions Surrounding the 2011 Marlins.

Can Javier Vazquez get back to his 2009 form?

-I don't believe that he will return to his 09 form, but he may come pretty damn close and either way his IP total and leadership will definitely help the Marlins young staff.

Can Matt Dominguez handle MLB pitching?

-I very seriously doubt it. I'm hoping that he can at least provide the Marlins with a .250AVG with 15 homers, but that seems like a reach.Can Chris Volstad stay in the MLB all year?

-I think Volstad's 2nd half was a sign that Volstad has found what made him successful in his rookie campaign and I think he'll build on that and be a very solid pitcher for the Fish this upcoming season and for many ahead.

Can JJ, Nolasco, and Anibal stay healthy all season?

-Not too worried about JJ and Nolasco staying healthy, bets are off on Sanchez though. He was healthy all last season. Marlins though have built enough depth that losing one of these pitchers for a start or two wouldn't be the end of the world.Can Coghlan handle center?

-Very highly doubt this. I, like many Marlins fans are against this idea. I do however hope it works out. But my estimation is that the Marlins back off of the idea when Coghlan re aggravates his knee injury.

Is Infante going to come even close enough to replace Uggla's production at second?

-He won't replace the power or the OBP, but if he can field average, thats all the Marlins can ask for. Defense is key for Infante.Can LoMo, Gaby, and Stanton avoid sophomore slumps?

-LoMo and Gaby IMO are professional enough hitters that they avoid a major sophomore slump. Stanton, however I am worried about. I expect his K's to continue to be troublesome, but he will still have his share of homers.Is the Marlins rebuild bullpen really that reliable?

-Bullpen success is a crapshoot IMO. But the Marlins have added some guys with more experience, so that is a plus.Whose the closer and can we cut down on 9th inning blow ups?

-Leo Nunez was very unlucky last season and I think he'll bounce back and have a very strong season.Can Hanley return to his MVP form?

-This is the key to the Marlins season. IMO, Hanley will have his best season and even win a GG.

Is Chris Coghlan the ROY showing up or will he be like Hermida, a one-half wonder?

-Chris Coghlan is NOT Jeremy Hermida. Coghlan rebounded very well from his April slump last season and at the rate he was going, he was likely going to be hitting around .300 at the seasons end if it weren't for his injury.
Whose going to protect Hanley or will he be pitched around?

-This will be up to Stanton, Morrison, and Sanchez. None of these guys are Dan Uggla, who had been Hanley's protection in the past. But these guys are MLB hitters and can hit the ball like crazy. Morrison and Sanchez won't strike out a ton, so this will also open up more running opportunities for Hanley on the base-pads.

Was Buck's last season a fluke or can he repeat that success?

-This will remain to be seen, but Buck never played as much as he did last season. Also, the Marlins have another guy in John Baker who can handle catching everyday if needed. But he won't be ready to catch till May.
Has the defense really improved? 

-Replacing Uggla with Infante does that. If Matt Dominguez makes the team, 3B is finally stabilized. I have already stated I expect a strong season from Hanley defensively. The outfield however is a mess. While Stanton in RF could be a potential GG'er. We have two guys in LF and CF respectively that don't have much OF experience period.
What's the bench production going to be like?

-Helms, Bonifacio, Baker, Murphy, and Hayes is my guess for who'll be on the bench for the Fish to begin the season. The Marlins will need these guys to come up clutch in late game pinch hitting appearances as well as be ready to give the Marlins spot starts at least 1-2 games a week. Versatility will also play a key role. 

Can Hanley win GG in 2011?

Hanley in 2008 and 2009 was about an average fielder. He has already started working out on his defense one month before he's to report to camp. He will also be working with infielder coach guru Perry Hill. Marlins manager Edwin Rodriguez has also been raving about Hanley's new work ethic.

We all know that Hanley has the athletic ability to field short and Hill has stressed that he's going to work on Hanley's positioning pre-pitch. Watching a lot of Marlins games, positioning was what hurt the Marlins IMO when it came to fielding.

This all leads me to believe that Hanley can and will win a GG in the upcoming season. Will he be the best fielder at SS? Not a shot in hell, but he will be about average to above average.

This is just my take.

Ozzie out?

If Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria still wants a high-profile manager when the team’s new ballpark opens in 2012, it doesn’t look like Ozzie Guillen will be the guy. The White Sox picked up Guillen’s option for 2012, making it far more likely than ever that he’ll be keeping his managing talents on the South Side instead of taking them to South Beach. Of course, Guillen could still come to Miami. He could get fired, although thats doubtful. Loria, who asked the White Sox for permission to interview Guillen last year, will surely still keep his eye on Ozzie this season. Interesting to see if Bobby Valentine’s name surfaces again. But the bottom line now is that the Marlins owe it to manager Edwin Rodriguez to throw their full support behind him this season and not flirt with anyone else until October. If the Marlins finish with a winning record in 2011, Loria would be hard-pressed not to bring Edwin back in 2012. Then again, the owner nearly fired Fredi Gonzalez after the team finished the 2009 season with the third-best record in franchise history. Stay tuned…

http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/marli...iguez-in-2012/

I don't think the Marlins FO has put Edwin in the best position to win though. Matt Dominguez should begin the season in the minors and Coghlan should be playing 2nd base. I also believe the Marlins are a bat short of contending.

I will post later on (probably tomorrow in detail about my Marlins projections for next season)

Marlins Outfield Situation

The Marlins outfield right now the way it lines up, they have 2 guys who before making the MLB, barley had played in the outfield. And now the team is trying to move Chris Coghlan, a player coming off of a knee injury, who also is a below average left fielder to center. Center field its self is a very tough and demanding position, but its especially in a stadium like the Marlins. The Bermuda triangle, the dimensions, the fact the stadium is so huge all go against an inexperienced outfielder trying to play center.

Then in left field the Marlins have Logan Morrison, who is a converted first baseman. Morrison is still learning left field and is a below average defender out there. Last season, he ran into the Marlins center fielders quite often. He's a pretty big player and him running into Coghlan could be very dangerous for the Marlins.

In right field, the Marlins have a primer defender who has already made a name for himself with his defense. His name is Mike Stanton. Stanton's the only reliable guy for the Marlins playing defense in the outfield. He made 10 assists in just 98 games in the majors.

Heres where my suggestion to the Marlins FO comes. Mike Stanton in his minor league career has also racked up time in CF. Something that Coghlan and Morrison can't say that have experience of. Stanton was actually a really good defender out in center in fact. In 46 games in center, Stanton has RF/G of 2.52 (actually higher then what his numbers in right. And his RTZ is pretty good as well. Stanton also has the speed to play center. Mike Stanton could make the perfect center fielder for the Marlins.

Chris Coghlan would then shift over to right field for Stanton. IMO, Coghlan could handle right field. He'd be much better suited there then in center. This would also keep the two inexperienced outfielders on the opposite sides of each other so there would be no collision issues. 

Everyone keeps looking outside of the organization for what the Marlins should do for their CF position. I think the answer could be found within the organization. And it could be the best choice for the Fish.