2005 Florida Marlins Preview

Florida Marlins Preview

ABOUT BASEBALL breaks down & previews the 2005 Florida Marlins.

2004 Record: 83-79, 3rd in N.L. East
Home Ballpark: Dolphins Stadium
Manager: Jack McKeon

2005 Prediction: 95-67, 1st in NL East

Reeled In:
Antonio Alfonseca (RP, rhp) from Braves
Carlos Delgado (1B) from Blue Jays
Todd Jones (RP, rhp) from Phillies
Brian Jordan (OF) from Rangers
Al Leiter (SP, lhp) from Mets
Jim Mecir (RP, rhp) from A's
John Riedling (SP/RP, rhp) from Reds

Gone, Goodbye:
Armando Benitez (RP, rhp) to Giants
Wil Cordero (1B) to Nationals
Chad Fox (RP, rhp) to Cubs
Billy Koch (RP, rhp) to Blue Jays
Carl Pavano (SP, rhp) to Yankees
Mike Redmond (C) to Twins
Rudy Seanez (RHP) to Padres

Lineup:
Juan Pierre CF
Luis Castillo 2B
Miguel Cabrera LF
Carlos Delgado 1B
Mike Lowell 3B
Juan Encarnacion RF
Paul Lo Duca C
Alex Gonzalez SS

Rotation:
Josh Beckett RHP
A.J.

Burnett RHP
Dontrelle Willis LHP
Al Leiter LHP
Ismael Valdez RHP
Guillermo Mota RHP - Closer

Outlook: Obtaining Delgado is going to put the mighty Marlins' lineup right up there with St. Louis' as the NL's best. If young, fireballing hurlers Beckett & Burnett stay healthy and listen to the advice of no. 4 starter/unofficial pitching coach Leiter, the Fish should win this division by a couple of games.