The Miami Marlins

I still like this logo better 

For a long time this off season I really thought the Marlins were up to something big. They were extremely reluctant and still are in trading Giancarlo Stanton and they made some notable additions to their team. They signed powerful catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia to a deal. They also acquired Brian Bogusevic, Garret Jones, and Rafael Furcal.

Almost all of the additions the Marlins made this off season were to their lineup. They switched out Polanco for Furcal, Morrison for Jones, and Pierre for Bogusevic, but some younger faces are likely to make the starting lineup. Here is how the lineup for the Marlins might look like in 2014.

1. S. Rafael Furcal              SS 85 OPS+ in 2012
2. L. Derek Dietrich            2B 85 OPS+
3. R. Giancarlo Stanton       RF 131 OPS+
4. L. Christian Yelich          CF 112 OPS+
5. S. Jarrod Saltalamacchia C 118 OPS+
6. L. Garrett Jones              1B 99 OPS+
7. R. Casey McGehee         3B 77 OPS+ in 2012
8. L. Brian Bogusevic           LF 112 OPS+

Giancarlo Stanton and Jose Fernandez

The pitching rotation for the Marlins is also up in the air, but anchored by one very special talent, Jose Fernandez. This guy puts endless amounts of work into improving his body and becoming better at everything he does. He came up and made his debut for the very first time in 2013 and finished 3rd in Cy Young voting. His ERA was the second lowest for a starting pitching, only one better was Clayton Kershaw. Here his how the rotation for the Marlins may look in 2014.

1. R. Jose Fernandez        176 ERA+
2. R. Henderson Alvarez  108 ERA+
3. R. Jacob Turner           103 ERA+
4. R. Nathan Eovaldi        114 ERA+
5. L. Brian Flynn                46 ERA+

In the bullpen for the Marlins is closer Steve Cishek along with some other significant names. The pair of lefties, Brad Hand and Mike Dunn can be used to mix and match in late innings. The one time great pitcher Carlos Marmol will be a Marlin for the 2014 season along with several other young players who hope to make the team.

Baseball in the Big Citi

The All Star Game is next week and this year it will be held at my home. New York City. Its been 5 years since the All Star Game was held it Yankee Stadium, this time the venue will be at the Mets' Citi Field.

Bryce "The Warrior" Harper and Chris "Crush" Davis

First the Home Run Derby will take place Monday, but Citi Field doesn't yield many home runs, so they will have to be blasted. The participants for the National League: David Wright, Carlos Gonzalez, Michael Cuddyer, and Bryce Harper. For the American League: Robinson Cano, Prince Fielder, Chris Davis, and Yoennis Cespedes. I predict Harper will win the Home Run Derby at Citi Field.

I know I'm not the only one hoping Gonzalez's injury will sideline him from the All Star Game and Giancarlo Stanton will have to be added to the Home Run Derby. That guy will hit them all the way to Brooklyn.

The actual All Star Game will be exciting as well. Matt Harvey will probably get the start for the National League, because it's his home ballpark, although Clayton Kershaw clearly deser
ves the start purely based on statistics. For the American League, I think Jim Leyland may go Felix Hernandez to start the game, and it almost certain Mariano Rivera will be pitching at some point. I predict the American League will win the All Star Game this year.

First time All Star Patrick Corbin will be returning to his home state and will be fun to watch pitch, for he has dominated the Major League this season. Manny Machado has been ripping doubles left and right and he is on track to break the record for most doubles in a single season. Marlins starter Jose Fernandez also made the roster for his stellar first half and is a huge promise for the future of their organization.

You can view the rest of the roster here http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130706&content_id=52391804&c_id=mlb

But there were some huge All Star Game Snubs. Grant Balfour, Evan Longoria, Matt Carpenter, Jacoby Ellsbury, and Mike Leake.

Vote in the poll for who you think was the biggest All Star Game snub.








Dont Forget to submit your vote for All Star Game Final vote. Vote Puig! and Vote Robertson!