Tell me if you've seen or heard this one before. A baseball team has a successful season only to start trading the best players on their roster and the following year have a completely different team only to finish in last place in the league. Yes, it's our least favorite re-run in South Florida, the Marlins. Just a couple of weeks after trading first baseman Mike Jacobs, the Fish unloaded Josh Willingham and Scott Olsen to the Washington Nationals who are in their division for a little used second baseman and two minor leaguers. Sigh....just when this team had a chemistry and team that was fun to watch play, and gave teams in the NL a reason to worry, the Marlins will be considered the front runners to finish last in the East.
However, I will say this, the Marlins won't miss Jacobs, Hammer, or Olsen. Olsen was a cancer in the clubhouse and wrote his ticket out of town when he was arrested by police for his drunken behavior a while back. Jacobs, may of hit a ton of homers, but he struck out way too much and was hurt for a good portion of the year. Also, Jorge Cantu will most likely play first base now with Jacobs being shipped out to Kansas City and Cantu I think is just as good if not better offensively. As far as Willingham goes, the team was going to start Cameron Maybin in center field next season anyway, and now they have a chance to play either Cody Ross everyday or re-sign Luis Gonzalez who was a great influence in the clubhouse. So don't sweat it, this club still has Hanley Ramirez, Dan Uggla (for now) Cantu, Jeremy Hermida, and Cody Ross. They will still be able to hit too. The pitching won't miss Olsen. Josh Johnson, Ricky Nolasco, Anibal Sanchez, Andrew Miller, Chris Volstad will anchor the rotation.
So just remember, there is a method to Larry Beinfest and Mike Hill's madness, and in every trade the Marlins make, they get value in return. I have no doubt the same can be said about the trades they've made here. So go ahead and pick the Marlins last again. Then be pleasantly surprised when they win 84 games again next year.
