Sinking Fish

Florida Marlins 2007 Record: 71-91 (5th in NL East)
2008 Prediction: 5th in NL East


In

• Andrew Miller, Cameron Maybin, Mike Rabelo, Eugenio De La Cruz, Dallas Trahern, and Burke Badenhop (DET) - acquired for Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis- 12/5/07
  
• Mark Hendrickson (LAD) - signed to a 1 year, $1.5 million contract - 1/16/08
  
• Jorge Cantu (CIN) - signed to a minor league contract - 1/4/08
  
• Jose Castillo (PIT) - signed to a 1 year contract - 12/24/07
  
• Luis Gonzalez (LAD) - signed to a 1 year, $2 million contract - 2/7/08
  
• Dallas McPherson (LAA) - signed to a 1 year, $425,000 contract - 1/31/08
  

Out

• Miguel Cabrera, Dontrelle Willis (DET) - traded for Andrew Miller, Cameron Maybin, Mike Rabelo, Eugenio De La Cruz, Dallas Trahern, and Burke Badenhop
  
• Todd Linden (SF) - signed to a minor league contract - 11/21/07
  
• Aaron Boone (WAS) - signed to a 1 year, $1 million contract - 12/6/07
  
• Miguel Olivo (KC) - signed to a 1 year contract with a mutual option for 2009 - 12/27/07
  

Remaining Free Agents

• Armando Benitez
  
• Byung-Hyun Kim

Projected Opening Day Starters
C - Mike Rabelo
1B - Mike Jacobs
2B - Dan Uggla
3B - Jorge Cantu/Jose Castillo/Dallas McPherson
SS - Hanley Ramirez
LF - Josh Willingham
CF - Cameron Maybin
RF - Jeremy Hermida

Projected Opening Day Rotation
Andrew Miller
Scott Olsen
Sergio Mitre
Mark Hendrickson
Ricky Nolasco

Projected Opening Day Closer
Kevin Gregg

Improvements: Included in the Cabrera/Willis deal was center fielder Cameron Maybin. He will provide the Marlins with an immediate spark, both in the field and in the lineup. The Fish were missing a center fielder last season, with Alfredo Amezaga getting the bulk of the playing time there in '07. Maybin also gives the Fish another lead-off hitter, allowing them to possibly move Hanley Ramirez down in the order to give them more pop. Catcher Mike Rabelo was also involved in the deal, and while Miguel Olivo gave the Marlins some power in the lineup, Rabelo may be a better overall catcher.
Lack of improvement: Kevin Gregg came out of nowhere last year to compile 32 saves...he had one in all 4 seasons prior. It's hard to figure how Gregg will be able to match last season's output, and the Marlins don't exactly have a back-up closer in case he falters. Additionally, with the departure of Willis, the Marlins are without a reliable, veteran starter to anchor an otherwise young and inexperienced rotation.
Keys to success: That being said, Scott Olsen is now the senior member of this Marlins rotation, and he had an absolutely dismal season in 2007. He finished with a 10-15 record and an ugly 5.80 ERA. He will have to improve on that and, along with Miller, be a stable presence in this young rotation. With the loss of Cabrera, the Marlins also lost some firepower in their lineup, and it will be up to the likes of Dan Uggla, Josh Willingham and Mike Jacobs to make up for the missing pop.