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The NL East was there for the taking this season. In spring training, the Marlins' organization was filled with optimism. And why not? Florida had a young pitching staff that was the envy of a lot of organizations. As the season went on, the Braves were having what many termed a "down" year, and the Marlins were, by all accounts, a team on the rise. But instead of taking control in the division race, the Marlins (76-86) finished with a whimper, ending the season closer to the last place Expos than to the first-place Braves. Florida's long-term success will depend more on what happens off the field than on it (more on that later), but the Marlins have core talent in place to be good for many years.
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Road Woes
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Home
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Away
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W-L
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46-34
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30-52
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ERA
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3.74
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4.93
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HR All.
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69
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82
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BB All.
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294
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323
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Best Pitcher: Yes, we know Josh Beckett (2-2, 1.50 ERA) has impressed in his short stint with the Marlins, but we can't give this to him based on four starts. Here's a bold prediction -- (alright, it's not bold at all) Beckett, barring injuries, will be in this spot next season. The starting staff, with youthful and talented arms, was expected to be a strength, but they showed signs of their youth --inconsistency. A.J. Burnett (11-12, 4.05) and Ryan Dempster (15-12, 4.94) probably have better "stuff", but Brad Penny was the team's most consistent pitcher. We know the 10-10 record is mediocre, but so is the team. That's not Penny's fault. He had a respectable 3.69 ERA and pitched a workhorse-like 205 innings.
Best Position Player: Is Cliff Floyd really this good? Simply put, yes. When Floyd is healthy, he's one of baseball's unheralded stars. Floyd was healthy this season, and he posted the best numbers of his major-league career. He led the team in nearly every offensive category, including batting average (.317), home runs (31) and RBI (103). The real question in the offseason is will Floyd be traded as part of the team's cost-cutting measures. He is scheduled to make $6.5 million in the final year of his contract. If the team does move him, the Marlins lose their MVP and another team will gain one of the game's best players.
Grading The Manager (s): John Boles was blamed for the struggles early on, and he was fired on May 28 because there was a perception (thank you very much Dan Miceli) he had lost control of the clubhouse. Tony Perez was hired and Florida, which was 22-26 when Perez took over, enjoyed a honeymoon period, going 19-10 in his first 29 games as manager. The honeymoon, like the Marlins' postseason chances, ended far too early. Boles gets a C, given the expectations of this team, realistic or not, to compete for a playoff spot. Perez didn't do any better than his predecessor, so we'll also be fair and give him a C. Mediocrity, in this case, loves company.
Most Improved: Kevin Millar. Was this guy really the second best offensive threat on the team? Indeed he was, which tells you something about the Marlins' offense this season. Regardless, Millar's great season shouldn't get overlooked in the team's puddle of mediocrity. The fact that he hit over .300 in five of the six months (not counting October) tells you a lot about his consistency. And the month he didn't hit at least .300? He batted .292 in limited at-bats (24). Although no one will confuse him with a franchise player, Millar is the type of player good teams need in order to win.
Biggest Weakness: Sure, they could use another hitter or two. And it wouldn't hurt to add some veteran pitching as you can never have enough arms. But the biggest weakness for this team is its instability and uncertainty off the field. If the same core of players, including Floyd and catcher Charles Johnson comes back, they can compete. However, that's a big if. The offseason is filled with more questions than answers. Will the Marlins stay in Florida? If so, owner John Henry will need to reduce the payroll, which means Floyd and Johnson, who has an escape clause that allows him the option of leaving if the team moves or does not get a new ballpark, will likely have a one-way ticket out of town. Also, who will be the next manager now that Perez has bolted? There's too many questions for this team to answer before next season, and if you're a fan of this team, the answers, right now, don't look good.
Gaining momentum: Quick, what does Josh Beckett have in common with Roger Clemens, Nolan Ryan and Kerry Wood? If you guessed that they all hail from Texas, you are correct. But give Beckett a couple of years, and the comparisons will extend beyond that. The right-hander has a future that is as bright as any young pitcher out there. He was the minor leagues' prized jewel this season, and if his September call-up is any indication (24 IP, 24 K, 1.50 ERA), comparisons to Clemens, Ryan and Wood are not that farfetched. Obviously, he still has to get it done on the mound, but stardom is written all over this 21-year-old flamethrower.
Kicked Off The Island: Where have you gone Alex Gonzalez? Perhaps a better question, were you ever here? While fellow young shortstops Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Nomar Garciaparra and Miguel Tejada have become stars, Gonzalez has not come close to fulfilling his potential. There was a time when baseball observers thought Gonzalez was capable of being among the best at his position. That time, however, may have passed.
In Gonzalez's defense, he's still young and talented. However, potential can only carry you so far, and after a while, fans want results. He has yet to provide any, which leads us to the question, if he hasn't done it by now, will he ever? Some say that Gonzalez could still develop into a good player. Great, however, is unlikely.
Anna Sivadasan is an assistant editor at ESPN.com.
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