Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
There weren’t many around baseball who expected the Miami Marlins to be potential playoff contenders this past season. But Miami didn’t listen to the noise and instead put together a nice season.
While the team did miss the postseason, they came within just a few games as the final week of the season opened. Heading into this offseason, the Marlins have a lot of work to do across the roster, but there is some level of hope for the future.
This front office needs to continue addressing the problems on the team, and add to this group for next year. One major issue that plagued Miami all year was the lack of a consistent offense.
Miami finished the year tied for 11th in the league for offense, hitting a combined .250 team average. This team will likely be looking to bring more pop to the lineup, and if they do, maybe a postsason berth can be had.
With how open the lower end of the postseason bracket was this past season, the Marlins don’t need to spend a lot to improve this team. But adding a power bat to the mix could make a world of difference heading into next season.
However, it remains to be seen how aggressive this front office will be this winter. Miami has the pieces in place to contend next year, but it will be up to the front office to put them into better places to succeed.
This is just a prediction, NOT a report!
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Marcell Ozuna Returns to Miami Marlins
As the Marlins search around the league, the front office may want to consider bringing back a former All-Star. That would be veteran Marcell Ozuna, who has spent the last few years playing for the Atlanta Braves.
Ozuna played his first few seasons with the Marlins, and he made two All-Star teams with Miami. The veteran slugger could be the perfect addition for this club, especially since he won’t cost them too much on the open market.
This past season, Ozuna saw his numbers drop a little bit, but he did increase his walk rate, showing strong improvement in this area. Overall, he hit .232 with 21 home runs and 68 runs batted in for the Braves.
Miami would be hoping that Ozuna’s power would fully return, but he would still be a welcome sight for this lineup. If anything, he would give them another reliable bat on the roster, and it could help power this group forward.
This could be a solid reunion between the two sides, and Ozuna may welcome a return to Miami. Both need a fresh start, and the Marlins could be one of the better landing spots for the veteran hitter.