[MLB The Show 19] Miami Marlins Iron Man

[ShowTyme15]

I'm definitely going to give this a follow.

[coachmac75]

July 2019: Closer to .500 and late





Please note this update is done on 6th August in game date.

• Overall record 45-66 with a monthly (July) record of 11-14.
• We are still last in NL East 20 games behind Phillies.
• A new trend has developped after the ASG: blown saves.

Steckenrider plays in ASG then looses his closer role

We unfortunately developped a new trend: blowing saves. In the second half of July Marlins have failed to secure not less than 5 wins in the final inning. Most spectacular example has been in a loss against Arizona where Miami enterred the 9th up 4-3 to end up loosing 4-7.

Drew Steckenrider was the most valuable player so far in the first half of the seasons. He was the only Marlins selected for the All Star Game. Secuing 21 saves he was a reliable option to secure a win late in the game. But ''Steck'' has not been the same after the ASG.

In the first week of August the staff had to make a tough decision by making Steckenrider more of a middle reliever with Tyler Kinley or A.J.Ramos beconming the new options for late game innings. "We do not have an identified closer at the moment. We will see on a case by case who we feel is the best option to get the late inning pitchingh when we are in save situation" commented Manager Don Mattingly.

Trade deadline

The Marlins were a seller with not much to sale by trade deadline. We tried to create deals for players who have moved to Miami IRLand for which the move would make baseball sense for our team.

While Aguilar and Villar looked out of reach we were able to secure two deals for real Miami Marlins players:

• RHP Ryne Stanek from Tampa Bay Rays for 3B Christian Villanueva. Stanek is the typical player proving (once more) how ovr is meanningless. He has already provided a much needed improvememnt to the bullpen.
• Prospect LHB Jazz Chisholm for Utility switch hitter Rossell Herrera and starting RHPs Trevor Rogers and Elieser Hernandez.

What is next ?

Fair question because we are obviously behind schedule.

The new Custom league in MLB 20 makes clear that offline franchise is the only way to have immersive MLB like experience. So clearly we will move this franchise to Show 20.

Initially I wanted to move for Spring trainings. Given where I am, I may however switch before and test sliders for the final month which given our record may not be much of an issue.

Team stats

• Scored Runs - 30th (394) - Astros lead 586
• Home runs - 30th (93) - Twins lead 181
• Hitter strikeouts - 2nd (742) - Astros lead 725
• SLG - 30th (.371) - Twins lead .453
• OBP - 29th (.310) - Dodgers lead .348
• ERA - 15th (3.86) - Astros lead 3.00
• Runs allowed - 6th (442) - Astros lead 352
• Pitchers strikeouts - 30th (770) - Angels lead 1,106

Injuries

Pos	Player	Injury Note
CF	James Needy	Broken forearm 1-2 Months (60 days list)
CF	Wei Yin Chen	Broken forearm 3-4 Weeks (60 days list)

Team transactions

• Acquired RP Ryne Stanek from the Rays for 3B Christian Villanueva.
• Acquired SS jazz Chisholm from Diamondbacks for SP Trevor Rogers, RP Elieser Hernandez and CF Rossell Herrera.

Players stats

2019 Miami Marlins Stats - Hitting
NAME	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	CS	BA	OBP	SLG
RHB - B.Anderson	406	35	104	13	0	5	37	35	70		.643	.256	.318	.325
LHB - J.T.Riddle	313	19	67	10	3	6	32	27	72		.593	.214	.277	.316
LHB - D.Dietrich	308	40	89	11	0	13	35	31	57	2	.806	.289	.355	.451
LHB - Hyun Soo Kim	288	39	87	23	2	4	39	19	29		.782	.302	.345	.437
RHB - J.Alfaro	255	38	82	16	1	16	51	14	75		.936	.322	.355	.580
RHB - G.Cooper	199	22	48	16	0	7	20	27	31		.762	.241	.335	.427
RHB - Lewis Brinson	188	19	43	9	0	1	12	18	38	4	.591	.229	.298	.293
SWH - N.Walker	176	16	35	9	2	5	23	15	36		.625	.199	.267	.358
RHB - J.Osuna	117	11	28	3	1	3	11	14	22		.695	.239	.336	.359
LHB - J.Thole	105	13	30	8	0	4	13	16	28		.875	.286	.398	.476
LHB - W.Wilkins	65	9	16	4	0	4	11	3	22		.792	.246	.300	.492
RHB - P.O'Brien	62	2	10	2	0	1	6	6	10		.474	.161	.232	.242
SWH - Y.Solarte	54	5	14	2	0	1	5	3	11		.662	.259	.310	.352

2019 Miami Marlins Stats - Pitching
NAME	GP	GS	W	L	SV	QS	HLD	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	SO	WHIP	ERA
RHP - J.Urena	23	23	6	9				135.0	120	1.9	1.60	0.60	7.27	0.96	3.80
RHP - S.Alcantara	21	21	6	7				121.0	114	2.4	1.26	0.60	7.29	1.01	4.02
RHP - P.Lopez	20	20	5	13				108.1	134	1.1	1.66	1.00	6.48	1.35	5.23
RHP - C.Khul	14	14	5	3				88.0	76	0.7	1.53	1.23	5.42	1.00	2.97
RHP - R.Stanek	21	0	4	4				61.1	63	-0.2	1.32	4.84	7.04	1.57	4.84
LHP - C.Smith	15	11	2	5			1	54.0	72	0.5	1.67	1.00	6.00	1.44	6.33
RHP - D.Steckenrider	53	0	1	5	21	6	0	49.1	40	0.6	1.28	0.91	7.30	0.91	3.28
LHP - A.Conley	64	0	2	2	2	2	15	48.1	37	0.7	1.12	1.30	8.01	0.91	2.05
RHP - A.J.Ramos	53	0	2	4	0	1	13	48.0	48	1.1	1.13	0.56	10.31	1.06	3.38
RHP - T.Kinley	40	0	2	0	0	0	13	42.1	22	1.3	0.43	0.21	8.72	0.54	0.85
RHP - N.Anderson	30	0	1	0	0	1	5	24.1	36	0.2	1.48	1.48	7.40	1.64	3.70
LHP - B.Moran	17	0	1	0	0	2	4	19.0	17	-0.2	1.89	0.95	3.32	1.00	3.32
RHP -J.Needy	3	3	0	1				13.0	14	0.0	1.38	1.38	2.08	1.23	4.85

[coachmac75]

August 11th: MLB The Show 20 first win

MLB the Show 20 Transfer

The franchise has been moved succesfully to MLB the Show 20. Here below the key informamtion about that transition.

• Default HOF hitting and pitching for the moment (following actively sliders activity on OS and will change when we see something interesting).
• Rest of the settings similar to the one described in Introduction: Directional hitting and pure analog pitching.
• The transfer did not present issues outside of few players missing in Show 20 version for which the name and apparence was edited: Kuhl, Ramos, Krol and Meyer.
• With the new 26 active roster rule implemented in MLB the Show 20 Marlins decided to take an additional reliever.

I wll simply carry on with Show 20 on that very enjoyable journey with the Marlins.

We actually already played a couple of games on the new version. The transfer happened in the middle of a 4 games serie at Marlins Park against the Braves. Note that our great MLB the Show 19 campaign finished with a tough loss 1 to 9.

The throwing is definitely different (as advertised), and for the first game on MLB the Show 20 we comitted 5 errors for an embarrassing loss 2 o 10.

Wilkins for the first HR and W on Show 20

August 11th was the final game of that 4 games serie versus Atlanta. The matchup was Fried 2.82 ER vs lcantara 3.97 ER. Thanks to a heroic 3 runs blast from Andy Wilkins in the 5th and a succesful run from Alfaro beating the throw in the 8th Miami ended up with a close win 7-6 avoiding to concede the sweep at home.


We are 47-70 on August 12th, can we do better than 57 wins this season ?

So the story for a realistic turnaround in Miami continues still playing each snap of each game... Looking forward to the September call-ups.

[coachmac75]

August 2019: Finally we are getting to roster expansion...

• Overall record 55-80 with a monthly (August) record of 12-16.
• Still dead last in NL East 23 games behind Phillies.
• Still not really settled on sliders with test of Armor and Sword and Mike Lowe sliders.

Diaz up in major, Dietrich struggling

Derek Dietrich acquired from the Reds earlier in the season has been a very reliable hitter at #4 spot. However, the shift seems much more effective since we moved to Show 20 and have recently dropped his production. His recent struggle make us consider whether we should review his current approach at the bat regarding directional hitting.

The month of August has been as well the moment I decided to pull the trigger on Isan Diaz. Originally a 2nd round selection from Diamondbacks in the 2014 MLB draft, Diaz was part of Christian Yellich deal which sent him to Miami. Given the lack of production from veteran Neil Walker I decided to send Walker to the minor and to call up Diaz for his Major League debut.
It is still early to have an opinion from his 63 AB but Diaz who appeared at 2B and SS already showed some interesting slug potential.

Rotation almost figured out...

With Alcantara, Lopez, urena, and Kuhl Marlins have 4 reliable starters.

Now the 5th spot has been quite difficult to lockdown to someone.

Hector Noesi started his last game this season in this last day of August.

Best case scenario the 5th arm would be a LHP considering that all other starters are righties.

Caleb Smith would be the obvious choice, but he has been terrible when given the chance to start earlier in the season and has been recycled into a long relief bullpen arm.

James needy is still recovering from broken forearm, while Robert Dugger, called up earlier in the month and who appeared in 4 games with two start did not look like ready.

So the job for the final month of the season could simply end with Wei Yin Chen who looks healthy again after being sidelined for 3 weeks with a broken forearm.

What is next ?

September call up and AA jacksonville Jumbo Shrimps Playoffs.

Team stats

• Scored Runs - 26th (501) - Dodgers lead 687
• Home runs - 27th (122) - Twins lead 218
• Hitter strikeouts - 2nd (943) - Astros lead 919
• SLG - 28th (.377) - Twins lead .459
• OBP - 28th (.313) - Dodgers lead .352
• ERA - 22th (4.14) - Astros lead 3.09
• Runs allowed - 21th (586) - Astros lead 440
• Pitchers strikeouts - 29th (934) - Angels lead 1,301

Injuries

Pos	Player	Injury Note
CF	James Needy	Broken forearm 1-2 Months (60 days list)
CF	Yordan Yamamoto	Back Stiffness 1-2 Weeks (10 days list)

Team transactions

No transaction.

Players stats

2019 Miami Marlins Stats - Hitting
NAME	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	CS	BA	OBP	SLG
RHB - B.Anderson	495	44	130	14		5	45	41	83		.643	.263	.322	.321
LHB - D.Dietrich	381	55	106	16		18	46	43	72	2	.815	.278	.353	.462
LHB - Hyun Soo Kim	351	45	104	26	2	4	44	23	37		.759	.296	.343	.416
LHB - J.T.Riddle	377	25	78	12	2	8	42	36	90		.589	.207	.276	.313
RHB - G.Cooper	267	31	72	21		8	29	37	39		.799	.270	.361	.438
RHB - J.Alfaro	327	53	103	19	1	22	59	21	97		.938	.315	.357	.581
RHB - Lewis Brinson	264	24	61	10		1	15	31	63	7	.598	.231	.318	.280
RHB - J.Osuna	145	14	34	5	2	3	13	18	29		.690	.234	.331	.359
RHB - J.Thole	144	20	42	12	1	8	27	18	36		.940	.292	.385	.556
LHB - A.Wilkins	116	14	30	9		8	25	8	34		.866	.259	.323	.543
RHB - J.Berti	99	10	17	2	2	2	9	12	25	3	.554	.172	.261	.293
SHB - Y.Solarte	70	6	16	2		2	6	4	12		.623	.229	.280	.343
LHB - I.Diaz	63	12	14	3	1	6	14	7	22		.222	.306	.587	.893

2019 Miami Marlins Stats - Pitching
NAME	GP	GS	W	L	SV	QS	HLD	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	SO	WHIP	ERA
RHP - J.Urena	27	27	7	11		11		160.0				0.56	7.20	0.96	3.71
RHP - S.Alcantara	26	26	7	8		13		150.2				0.66	7.29	1.03	4.00
RHP - P.Lopez	25	25	5	15		5		132.2				0.95	6.38	1.33	5.36
RHP - C.Khul	19	19	7	5		10		115.0				1.33	5.56	1.10	3.76
LHP - C.Smith	20	12	2	6		2		65.1				0.83	6.06	1.50	6.61
RHP - H.Noesi	8	8	3	2		2		42.1				1.06	5.95	1.39	4.89
RHP - J.Needy	3	3	0	1		1		13.0				1.38	2.08	1.23	4.85
RHP - R.Dugger	4	2	0	1				13.0				1.38	8.31	1.46	6.23
RHP - R.Stanek	33		6	4				70.0				4.24	7.59	1.54	4.63
RHP - D.Steckenrider	66				21			63.0				0.71	7.71	0.90	3.00
LHP - J.Garcia	54		2	1				57.0				0.47	6.63	0.96	3.00
RHP - A.J.Ramos	66		2	5				57.0				0.79	10.74	1.21	4.74
LHP - A.Conley	74		4	3	2			55.2				1.29	8.25	1.02	2.91
RHP - T.Kinley	47		2	0	2			50.1				0.18	7.87	0.64	1.79
RHP - T.Guerrero	30		1	3				34.1				0.79	7.60	1.28	6.29
RHP - N.Anderson	34		1	0				29.2				1.21	6.98	1.52	3.64
RHP - J.Milbrath	11		0	0				11.2				1.54	6.17	0.69	3.09
RHP - B.Graves	2		0	0				1.2				5.40	5.40	1.20	5.40

[coachmac75]

September 2019: Finally the final...

I finally completed my first "Ironman" season with the Marlins. It tooke me lots of time but I played my 162 games. So it is now the best time of any rebuild: the offseason.

In this article i will just focus on season results and team standings.

Standings

MLB Standings - Updated: Sep 29, 2019
AL EAST	W	L	GB	RS	RA
y - Rays	95	67	.586	661	605
Red Sox	83	79	.512	687	691
Yankees	77	85	.475	714	717
Orioles	76	86	.469	638	684
Blue Jays	62	100	.383	578	752
AL CENTRAL	W	L	GB	RS	RA
y - Indians	93	69	.574	675	593
w - Twins	84	78	.519	773	661
Royals	82	80	.506	611	638
White Sox	70	92	.432	592	716
tigers	60	102	.370	579	752
AL WEST	W	L	GB	RS	RA
z - Astros	111	51	.685	786	508
w - Angels	90	72	.556	750	666
Rangers	81	81	.500	706	636
Mariners	75	87	.463	674	698
Athletics	70	92	.432	663	757
NL EAST	W	L	GB	RS	RA
y - Phillies	97	65	.599	799	618
w - Nationals	92	70	.568	721	646
Braves	81	81	.500	710	701
Mets	76	86	.469	616	676
Marlins	64	98	.395	589	701
NL CENTRAL	W	L	GB	RS	RA
y - Cubs	94	68	.580	733	594
Brewers	81	81	.500	662	663
Pirates	77	85	.475	652	710
Cardinals	74	88	.457	639	756
Reds	73	89	.451	677	802
NL WEST	W	L	GB	RS	RA
z - Dodgers	99	63	.611	814	647
w - Giants	92	70	.568	713	638
Rockies	79	83	.488	677	703
Padres	74	88	.457	646	716
Diamondbacks	68	94	.420	585	675

Marlins record and series results by team

We finished 64-98 just sligthly better than real life Marlins (57-105). Interestungly we performed better away than in our park and we have a much better record on night time than daytime...

• Home overall record 31-50 (.383)
• Away overall record 33-48 (.407)
• Against Division opponents 34-42 (.447)
• Daytime games 14-34 (.292)
• Nighttime games 50-64 (.439)

The series overall view just confirm the above, we were slightly more competitive against division rivals than against the rest of the league.

• Series overal record 17-32 (.347)
• Series against NL East 10-13 (.435)

Schedule

1. Rockies - L 0-7
2. Rockies - L 0-5
3. Rockies - W 11-4
4. Rockies - L 0-6
5. Mets - L 2-5
6. Mets - L 2-3
7. Mets - L 4-5
8. @Braves - L 5-7
9. @Braves - L 1-7
10. @Braves - W 8-2
11. @Reds - W 6-0
12. @Reds - W 5-2
13. @Reds - L 0-5
14. Phillies - W 7-5
15. Phillies - L 0-7
16. Phillies - W 4-1
17. Cubs - L 2-7
18. Cubs - L 0-3
19. Cubs - L 1-2
20. Nationals - W 7-5
21. Nationals - W 4-1
22. Nationals - L 3-4
23. @Indians - W 4-0
24. @Indians - L 2-7
25. @Phillies - L 3-7
26. @Phillies - L 1-2
27. @Phillies - W 7-4
28. @Phillies - W 6-4
29. Indians - L 2-5
30. Indians - L 2-4
31. Braves - W 4-0
32. Braves - W 6-2
33. Braves - L 3-5
34. @Cubs - L 3-4
35. @Cubs - W 5-2
36. @Cubs - L 1-4
37. @Cubs - L 2-3
38. @Mets - W 5-4
39. @Mets - L 1-5
40. @Mets - L 2-3
41. Rays - W 4-2
42. Rays - W 3-1
43. Mets - L 2-4
44. Mets - W 7-1
45. Mets - L 2-3
46. @Tigers - W 1-0
47. @Tigers - W 6-1
48. @Tigers - L 0-5
49. @Nationals - L 3-5
50. @Nationals - W 6-3
51. @Nationals - L 2-5
52. @Nationals - L 1-4
53. Giants - L 1-2
54. Giants - W 3-2
55. Giants - L 1-5
56. @Padres - W 4-2
57. @Padres - L 1-2
58. @Padres - L 3-6
59. @Brewers - W 4-3
60. @Brewers - L 0-1
61. @Brewers - L 7-8
62. Braves - W 2-0
63. Braves - W 4-2
64. Braves - L 3-4
65. Cardinals - L 5-6
66. Cardinals - W 13-6
67. Cardinals - W 1-0
68. Pirates - L 2-3
69. Pirates - L 5-6
70. Pirates - L 3-5
71. @Cardinals - L 4-5
72. @Cardinals - L 2-4
73. @Cardinals - L 3-4
74. @Cardinals - W 8-2
75. @Phillies - W 6-1
76. @Phillies - L 5-9
77. @Phillies - L 2-9
78. Nationals - W 3-0
79. Nationals - L 7-9
80. Nationals - W 3-2
81. Phillies - L 5-8
82. Phillies - L 3-5
83. Phillies - W 5-2
84. @Nationals - W 4-3
85. @Nationals - L 1-4
86. @Nationals - L 2-6
87. @Braves - W 7-5
88. @Braves - L 1-6
89. @Braves - W 8-7
90. Mets - W 5-4
91. Mets - L 3-4
92. Mets - W 3-2
93. Padres - L 2-7
94. Padres - W 6-2
95. Padres - L 0-7
96. @Dodgers - L 1-3
97. @Dodgers - L 5-6
98. @Dodgers - W 6-2
99. @White Sox - W 5-0
100. @White Sox - L 4-9
101. @White Sox - L 3-4
102. Diamondbacks - L 4-7
103. Diamondbacks - W 5-1
104. Diamondbacks - L 0-4
105. Diamondbacks - W 8-1
106. Twins - L 0-2
107. Twins - L 5-9
108. Twins - L 2-6
109. @Rays - W 3-2
110. @Rays - L 1-7
111. @Mets - W 10-4
112. @Mets - L 1-4
113. @Mets - W 6-2
114. Braves - L 8-9
115. Braves - L 1-9
116. Braves - L 2-10
117. Braves - W 7-6
118. Dodgers - L 4-6
119. Dodgers - W 12-8
120. Dodgers - W 9-5
121. @Rockies - W 10-3
122. @Rockies - W 6-4
123. @Rockies - L 2-9
124. @Braves - L 2-6
125. @Braves - W 2-1
126. @Braves - L 5-12
127. Phillies - W 2-1
128. Phillies - L 2-7
129. Phillies - L 2-12
130. Reds - L 4-5
131. Reds - W 10-9
132. Reds - L 2-5
133. Reds - L 1-2
134. @Nationals - W 7-2
135. @Nationals - L 1-7
136. @Nationals - W 8-2
137. @Pirates - L 1-2
138. @Pirates - W 3-1
139. @Pirates - W 3-2
140. Royals - W 5-2
141. Royals - L 2-4
142. Royals - L 1-2
143. Brewers - L 5-9
144. Brewers - W 8-2
145. Brewers - L 0-3
146. Brewers - L 1-2
147. @Giants - L 3-9
148. @Giants - L 0-3
149. @Giants - L 3-5
150. @Diamondbacks - L 0-1
151. @Diamondbacks - L 1-7
152. @Diamondbacks - L 3-4
153. Nationals - W 6-5
154. Nationals - L 1-7
155. Nationals - L 2-3
156. Mets - L 1-2
157. Mets - W 11-6
158. Mets - W 8-1
159. Mets - W 2-0
160. @Phillies - L 1-9
161. @Phillies - L 8-15
162. @Phillies - L 1-7

[coachmac75]

Good offseason always start by a good evaluation

After finally getting off that first season, we now have to evaluate the team where to put the main effort keeping in mind our constraint: we want to keep things as much realistic as possible.

Team offensive stats

• Batting average: 29th (.243) / 1st Dodgers (.267)
• Runs scored: 27th (589) / 1st Dodgers (814)
• Doubles: 28th (224) / 1st Rays (305)
• triples: 28th (19) / 1st Phillies (49)
• Home runs: 30th (142) / 1st Twins (270)
• Stolen base percentage: 30th (.343) / 1st Phillies (.760)
• Strikeout: 3rd (1,160) / 1st Astros (1,093)
• Slugging percentage: 30th (.369) / 1st Twins (.463)
• On base percentage: 30th (.311) / 1st Dodgers (.352)
• GIDP: 30th (164) / 1st Orioles (69)

Team defensive stats

• Fielding percentage: 19th (.988) / 1st Braves (.993)
• Errors: 15th (71) / 1st Indians (44)
• ERA: 20th (4.10) / 1st Astros (3.01)
• Saves: 30th (30) / 1st Rays (66)
• Blown Saves: 9th (19) / 1st White Sox (13)
• Hits allowed: 30th (1,521) / 1st Cubs (1,304)
• Runs allowed: 19th (701) / 1st Astros (508)
• HR allowed: 30th (234) / 1st Astros (158)
• Strikeouts: 29th (1,098) / 1st Astros (1,524)

Pitching staff stats






Position players stats





Conclusion

The first thing first is to say that these stats for me are the best advertising for the sim approach of playing with directional hitting (to minimise user impact and increase players skills impact) and solid Armor and Swords slidders. I played over two games version but the outcome looks really good i think stats wise.

Then more specifically on the team evaluation

Need more power
These stats first have confirmed what I felt playing all these hours during that season in the sense we lack true hitting. I struggled most of the year to find a valid #3 hitter. So that has to be the very first attention of the offseason.

When bringing power we need to really rebuild the outfield. Think that this team had Yellich, Stanton and Ozuna just a couple of years ago. We have no one nowadays. So bringing power with a clear aim to have new outfielders is one offseason main goal.


Bullpen talent must improve
We suffered from lots of issues with the bullpen. Steckenrider selected for the All star game totally collapsed after that and eventually lost his closer role. So this team needs a solid closer we can rely on.
Then if lefties look decent with Conley and Garcia, the righties are really a question mark. So need to take the best from the opportunities which we will see.

Should we invest in rotation ?
Initial view playing games pitch after pitch was to think that our rotation was good enough. Moreover Wei Yn Chen contract does not give us much options...
But we are dead last in HR allowed, 29th on strikeouts, last in hits allowed... I may need to figure out if the improvement of the bullpen will be enough to give some better chance to the team to win more games in 2020.


Fielding concerns
I have a lots of errors which costed lots of runs and that was especially true in September. So need to think a bit on how things should lineup.

• Catchers are settled with Alfaro, Thole and Wallach.
• I will not keep Derek Dietrich who enters an arbitrage year., he totally collapsed during the summer and I do not see him as a valid investment. So first base is probably open with currently the platoon of Hyun Soo kim and Garrett Coopper as an option.
• Second base is a question mark, and probably a spot open to get a new starter. Currently left with an option to platoon betwen Diaz and Barreto but not sure they are both ready for such a role in the major especially Barreto.
• I would to establish Anderson as a fix 3rd base. So that means I need to get a starter to play at RF.
• Shortstop should remain controlled by Riddle. Chisholm is growing in AAA and will likely get action in September if not erarlier.
• On Center field, i do not expect lots of options available, so likely a battle between Berti and Lewis Brinson... not really great but I dont think we can do better.
• Both outfield corners are wide open for new joiners.

[coachmac75]

Playoffs and awards

Season is over nad the Houston Astros have won the world series...

It took 7 games between the Phillies and Nationals to send the Phillies in the Workd Series. So AFC East was strongly represented in these playoffs.

• World Series MVP: C Max Stassi - Astros
• NL MVP: 1B Anthony Rizzo - Cubs
• AL MVP: CF Mike Trout - Angels
• NL Cy Young: LHP Jacob Degrom - Mets
• AL Cy Young: RHP Gerrit Cole - Astros
• NL Rookie of the year: 1B Pete Alonso - Mets
• AL Rookie of the year: RHP Griffin Canning - Angels

[coachmac75]

2020 Off season free agency update

The marlins are finally back after a busy offseason in which we intended to
take the opportunities the market would open.

Early Free Agency moves: Abreu at 1st base ? or Dozier for second base or maybe Puig in the outfield ?

The very first priority, even before it happened in reality, was to lock Corey Dickerson. He brings a solid lefty bat and will take an "everyday" role at left field with potential to bat at #3 spot of the lineup.

Then, after that obvious addition, Marlins had multiple option avaiable to improve a lineup which ranked at the bottom of all main team stats in 2019.

So first we did not pursued the big names who obviously would be looking to land into a bigger payroll. So Smoak or Rendon or even Gregorius have not been pursued.

Between the remaining candidates we picked a few names...

Former Dodger Yassiel Puig was an obvious match for Miami. First because Marlins enterred the off season without any valid starter in the outfield, Puig has the canon arm and speed you want to field from the right corner. Obviously, on top of that, Puig offers that slugging power you want for your #4 spot. Coming up an average season with the Reds (.722 OPS and 22HR), Puig is looking to bounce back in Miami. He should land an "everyday" role with #4 spot potential in the lineup.

Former San Francisco Giants Pablo Sandoval simply offered too much flexibility above his natural hitting skills to pass. Comfortable in fielding at any of the infield spot, switch hitter, Sandoval could emerge as well as an "evryday" starter in the lineup mostly excepted to play at 1st or 3rd base.


Now there is a Closer in town

Marlins main attention was the lineup and strategy was clearly not to invest into a starter but Miami bulklpen really struggled when Drew Steckenridder collapsed eventually loosing his closer role.

So Marlins invested 19M$ into a 3 years contract offer to former Brewers Jeremy Jeffress who is expected to provide better management of close game final inning.


Late Free Agency moves

After the big early moves, Miami still managed to monitor few more names which signed to more friendly deals during the winter.

Since trading castor to oakland, Miami was missing a veteran second base. Josh Harrison was still there unsigned . After few hesitation he got finally signed. Harrison is a decent hitter with experience in the big league at #1 or #2 spot. He provides as well a veteran presence at 2nd base which protect the Diaz/Barreto duo to go too early into the major.

Former baltimore Orioles Mark Trumbo was as well signed to provide a much needed talent for pinch hit and depth at the outfield or eventually 1st base.

Left handed reliever and former Giants Derek Holland was as well signed to provide depth in the bullpen.

Free agency Transaction Update

• Signed LF C.Dickerson (Pirates) to a 5y/52.5M contract
• Signed RF Y.Puig (Reds) to a 3y/46.6M contract
• Signed CP J.Jeffress (Brewers) to a 3y/19.5M contract
• Signed 3B P.Sandoval (Giants) to a 2y/12M contract
• Signed RF M.Trumbo (Orioles) to a 2y/1M contract
• Signed RP D.Holland (Giants) to a 2y/1M contract
• Signed 2B J.Harrison (Tigers) to a 2y/7.5M contract