The Underlying issue for the Marlins...

I think its now very obvious and apparent what the big issue is for the Marlins are going into the 2013 season since 2012 is for fun now. Its an offensive consistency issue. This team can score runs on any given day, even with guys batting under .200 in the lineup. Just look at the 13 run outburst in NY and 12 run outburst in Arizona. The consistency was none more evident yesterday. After going two games with 18 runs on 35 hits, they combine in a doubleheader to score 2 runs on 11 hits and all of a sudden they have gone 15 innings without scoring. Halfway to that dreaded 30 number! Ozzie will not be happy then.

The pitching on the other hand has been great. What more could this team ask for yesterday then not one but TWO quality starts from their pitchers. Jacob Turner went a nice 6 innings, 3 runs allowed in his longest (and best) start ever in the big leagues. Wade LeBlanc did one better by going 7 innings and only allowing three runs and most of the hits allowed were jam shots...

 

 

Also important to note that the Marlins now have 7 starters on their roster who all seem prime to take one of the 5 available spots on next years roster. Each pitcher has done well in their own right even with Jacob Turner's one start, it's evident he is ready for the show.

 

-Josh Johnson: the stud of the rotation should be the ace.

-Mark Buerhle: the innings eater that consistenty keeps you in the game.

-Wade LeBlanc: he has shown all year that he can throw and throw well since spring training and should of made the roster then. He has earned a 2013 job

-Carlos Zambrano: he is a free agent and will most likely walk unless he takes a huge paycut, and he may want to play with Ozzie some more being that Ozzie was the one who gave him the shot.

-Ricky Nolasco: He is owed one more year and has been the most inconsistent of the bunch who seems to regress year by year with reduced strikeouts. He may be sent to the bullpen now but he will most likely start next year instead of being an expensive reliever. Look for a trade here to upgrade the offense.

-Nathan Eovaldi: He has done great here for a youngster and it will be hard to send him down.

-Jacob Turner: He is also the future and will have this time to prove to all he is the real deal.

 

Prediction: It seems that right now Turner will take Nolasco's spot in the rotation especially after he gave up 5 early on Tuesday, but coming into next year I believe either Turner or Eovaldi will start the year in the minors to make space for a rotation of JJ, Buerhle, LeBlanc, Nolasco, and Eovaldi/Turner. Zambrano will walk as someone will give him a nice contract. The only possible change would be if the Marlins can complete a trade sending Nolasco away for a bat.

 

So the good news is the Marlins have a plethora of pitching for 2013, but the big issue is what we started with, scoring runs on a consistent basis. We know Stanton and Reyes will do it, but who else. Thats where winter 2013 becomes intensely interesting for the Marlins who believe they are close if they can score more runs.

 

-The Marlins are off to Hanleywood Los Angeles for 3 games. Nathan Eovaldi gets to face his former team Friday night at 10:10 ET as the Marlins try to drop LA more behind in the NL West.