This is probably going to hurt - A Marlins franchise

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Marlins make major International signing

Miami's new GM hasn't been afraid to make big moves in his first week on the job, and the newest move may be the best yet.

The Marlins announced this morning that they've signed international free agent shortstop Robert Puason.

Puason (18), a native of the Dominican Republic, was one of the prospects involved in the infamous Braves scandal that resulted in them losing among many other things, 12 prospects, as well as most of their front office staff being dismissed.

Puason joins a prospect pool in Miami that has taken a significant step forward in the past week, with the recent addition of 3 top 100 prospects from the Tampa Bay Rays.

Other notable international signings:
CF Jhon Diaz (NYY)
CF Jasson Dominguez (NYY)
SS Yolmer Sanchez (BAL)

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Opening day lineup announced
Riddle among final cuts

Lineup
C Jorge Alfaro
1B Ben Paulson
2B Starlin Castro
3B Christian Arroyo
SS Andrew Velazquez
LF Curtis Granderson
CF Lewis Brinson
RF Magnerius Sierra

Bench
Util Rusell Herrera
Util Miguel Rojas
1B/OF Martin Prado
C Bryan Holaday

Rotation
Jose Urena
Caleb Smith
Trevor Richards
Sandy Alcantara
Pablo Lopez

Bullpen
Wei-Yin Chen
Adam Conley
Austin Brice
Jarlin Garcia
Julian Fernandez
Sergio Romo
Tayron Guerrero
Drew Steckenrider

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Marlins hold off Rockies to take opener 5-4

Bullpen allows only 3 hits over 4 innings

Opening day in Miami saw the Marlins use seven different pitchers to hold off one of the major contenders from the NL west.

In front of a crowd of just over 25,000, trade candidate Starlin Castro (1-4, BB) led the game off with a homer to put the Marlins up early in a game that they would never trail in.

Two of the key pieces in the Brian Anderson trade, Andrew Velazquez (2-4, 2R, BB, SB), and Christian Arroyo (2-3, 2 RBI, SF), put up significant offensive contributions in their first game with the team.

Jose Urena pitched well in his season debut, striking out 8 batters over 5 innings (5.0, 7 H, 3R, 3ER, 2BB, 8K).

Rockies opening day starter German Marquez struggled early, walking 4 batters. He ended up holding on to put up a quality start, but his inability to hit the strike zone early allowed the Marlins to take advantage early (6.0, 6H, 3R, 3ER, 4BB, 3K, WP).

Charlie Blackmon (2-5, 2B, HR, 2RBI), Mark Reynolds (1-1, HR, RBI), and Daniel Murphy (1-3, RBI, BB), contributed offensively for the Rockies.

Former starter Wei-Yin Chen picked up the win for the Marlins, pitching a clean inning and striking out one.

Miami manager Don Mattingly used seven different pitchers in the opener, with only Drew Steckenrider allowing a run on a Mark Reynold pinch hit homer in the ninth.

Game two of the four game set goes tomorrow, with Kyle Freeland facing off against Caleb Smith

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Marlins trade Castro

Hours after hitting a lead-off home run for the Marlins, Starlin Castro was traded to Cleveland.

Castro, along with reliever Drew Steckenrider were sent to the Indians in exchange for first base prospect Bobby Bradley, lefty Sam Hentges, and veteran second baseman Jason Kipnis.

Cleveland, a team that seemed intent this past off season to lower their payroll, acquires a second baseman that fills a void created by the declining Kipnis.

Miami further bolsters their farm system, adding the number 6 and 10 prospects from a thinning Cleveland prospect pool.

Kipnis, a two time allstar, has seen his numbers decrease significantly over the past two seasons. The 32 year old put up 18 homers and 75 RBI in 2018, but hit a paltry .230/.315/.389 in a season that saw him play in 146 games for the Tribe.

The ever consistent Castro, a salary throw-in involved in the much criticized Giancarlo Stanton trade, heads to Cleveland after a season in which he put up 3.4 oWAR, with a .278/.323/.400 line.

Bradley immediately steps in as the top first base prospect in the Marlins system. The power-first hitter put up 27 homers between AA and AAA in 2018. He hit only .214 in AA (albeit with an impressive .477 slugging percentage), but rebounded in AAA with over 32 games with a .254/.318/.430. He'll start the season with the New Orleans Baby Cakes, but could find himself in the majors with only minor league free agent signing Ben Paulson and veteran Martin Prado standing ahead of him.

Hentges, a 23 year old 6'8'' lefty, joins a very young group of high potential pitching prospects. He'll join the rotation in AA Jacksonville. He pitched well in high A Lynchburg in 2018, putting up a 6-6 record over 23 starts, to go along with a 3.27 ERA. He features a fastball that has hit 96 MPH, a sometimes-plus curveball, and an average change up that he's showed better feel for as of late. The former 4th round pick has missed a tonne of time due to injury, and will need plenty of time to develop his craft, but the long term payoff could be worth it, as many scouts see him as a potential middle of the rotation workhorse.

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Updated Marlins Prospect Rankings:

1-RHP Sixto Sanchez: ETA 2020 (MLB.com #26)
2-LHP/DH Brendan McKay: ETA 2020 (MLB.com #28)
3-OF Jesus Sanchez: ETA 2020 (MLB.com #36)
4-OF Victor Victor Mesa: ETA 2020 (MLB.com #94)
5-2B Vidal Brujan: ETA 2020 (MLB.com #96)
6-1B Bobby Bradley: ETA 2019
7-OF Monte Harrison: ETA 2020
8-RHP Nick Neidert: ETA 2019
9-OF Connor Scott: ETA 2022
10-LHP Braxton Garrett: ETA 2021
Not yet ranked: SS Robert Puasson: ETA 2022

Overview: New GM Ken Griffey Jr's plan to revamp the farm system high level prospects that are within a year or two of making the jump to the majors took a big step forward during spring training, with third baseman Brian Anderson netting the Marlins a boat load of prospects.

With Bobby Bradley and Nick Neidert both being expected to contribute at some point in 2019, the Marlins suddenly have a much brighter outlook. Bradley comes over from Cleveland with a solid scouting ranking, with potential 60 grade power.

2020 could see the debuts of pitchers Sixto Sanchez and Brendan McKay. Both begin the season in AA, but could see themselves promoted aggressively if they see early success. Don't count them out for potential September call ups.

Mesa is the wildcard of the bunch. Scouts say that his speed and defense are MLB ready right now, but the bat needs a lot of work. Many compare him to Albert Almora, but with more speed. If Lewis Brinson doesn't improve his bat this season, there's a good chance that he gets leapfrogged as the every day center fielder. Outfielder Magneuris Sierra surprised many by making the opening day roster after a failed 2018 season, but his impressive spring, combined with game changing speed led the Marlins to keeping him up with the big club. A 2020 outfield with Sierra and Mesa would have the potential to be one of the top defensive outfields in the majors, with Jesus Sanchez also in the running to snag a position next season.

Outlook:
2019 is still going to be rough. Hot start aside (7-3), the Marlins are extremely thin when it comes to major league ready pitching. This has been highlighted early, with recent minor league free agent signing James Shields already being called on to replace the injured Sandy Alcantara.

2020 has the potential to be much different though. A rotation headlined by the young trio of Alcantara, McKay and Sanchez, and filled out by any of Caleb Smith, Jose Urena, Neidert, Pablo Lopez, Trevor Richards, could give opponents nightmares.

The teams bullpen may continue to be a question mark, but early season success by lefties Jarlin Garcia and Adam Conley, as well as some stellar outings by young setup man Julian Fernandez, should give some comfort to the organization.

[kinsmen7]

Red hot Marlins playing above their heads

7-3

Marlins 5 Urena 5.0IP, 7H, 3ER, 2BB, 8K
Rockies 4 Marquez 6.0IP, 6H, 3ER, 4BB, 3K
Arroyo 2-3, 2RBI
Marlins sign RHP James Shields to minor league deal. Assigned to AAA

Marlins 10 Smith 7.0IP, 3H, 4BB, 9K
Rockies 1 Freeland 4.0IP, 5H, 4ER, 2BB, 4K
Rojas 2-5, HR, 3RBI

Marlins 3 Richards 6.2IP, 7H, 5ER, 2BB, 10K
Rockies 11 Gray 8.0IP 3H, 3ER, 2BB, 11K
Brinson 1-3, HR, 2RBI

Marlins 1 Alcantara 1.1IP, H, ER, 2K
Rockies 4 Anderson 6.0IP, 6H, ER, 11K
Velazquez 2-4, SB
Alcantara placed on 10 day IL, Marlins recall SP James Shields.

Marlins 6 Lopez 7.0IP, 6H, 2BB, 6K
Mets 5 Matz 4.0IP, 8H, 4ER, 5K
Prado 3-5

Marlins 5 Urena 6IP, 7H, 3ER, BB, 5K
Mets 3 Vargas 5.2IP, 6H, 4ER, BB, 5K
Rojas 2-4, 2B

Marlins 4 Richards 5IP, 2ER, 3BB, 6K
Braves 3 Teheran 6IP, 7H, 3ER, BB, 5K
Granderson 3-5, HR, 3RBI
|Velazquez day to day with a strained groin

Marlins 4 Shields 6.0IP, 6H, ER, 2BB, 8K
Braves 1 Gausman 6.1IP, 6H, 4ER, 2BB, 3K
Alfaro 2-4, 2 2B

Marlins 2Smith 5.0IP, 6H, ER, BB, 9K
Mets 1deGrom 6IP, 5H, 2ER, 8K
Granderson 3-4, 2 2B, 2RBI

Marlins 3Lopez 3.2IP, 4H, 6ER, 4BB, K
Braves 6Newcomb 6.2IP, 9H, 3ER, 1BB, 3K
Herrera 4-5