September 1st marks the point in the MLB season at which teams can expand their rosters for the final month of the season, either to give rookies a chance at the major league level or add depth for a playoff push. Dallas McPherson, Robert Andino, and Eulogio De La Cruz were the 3 players the Marlins have added to their roster for September’s push.

Among the group, McPherson brings the most potential in the present. McPherson, a 3B by trade who is also capable of playing 1B, brings power to the Marlins line up. McPherson leads all professional baseball players with 42 home runs this season. Although all his homeruns have been hit in the minors, mostly at AAA Albuquerque, they are not cheap shots that just drop over the fence. Many of McPherson’s are tape measure 500+ foot shots.

Andino is a reliable infielder, capable of playing SS and 2B and though he might not be as clutch at the plate as Hanley Ramirez and Dan Uggla can be, he is a much better fielder and less prone to making errors. De La Cruz adds another arm to a bullpen that quite frankly has been pathetic.

I’m not going to suggest that any of these men can make a big enough difference to bring a World Series title to South Florida. However, McPherson in particular should be able to have an impact and perhaps help push the Marlins toward the playoffs. If nothing else, the Marlins will get a look at players (McPherson and Andino in particular) that could have starting spots on the 2009 Marlins. Good performances from them in September 2008 could land them important roles in April 2009.

If you read the title of this article and answered yes, SHAME ON YOU! No true fan would ever say their team is down and out when mathematically and realistically speaking the Florida Marlins aren’t finished yet. Despite Sunday’s loss, the Marlins aren’t out of the race for the NL East yet. Sure, they are a dark horse at best now, but don’t fillet them just yet. Sunday’s 6-2 loss to the Mets put the Marlins 7 games back of first place. A brief look at history will tell you that entering September last season, the Mets looked a lock to win the NL East and make a tear through the playoffs. Except the Philadelphia Phillies, 7 games back, had other ideas. Why can’t the Marlins be that team this year?

First, lets examine the negatives. Aside from Josh Johnson and Ricky Nolasco none of the Marlins’ starters have been living up to their billing. Scott Olsen was unable to pull himself out of his horrible slump as of late, going 6 1/3 innings and giving up 7 hits and 6 ER. Olsen has 2, yes 2, wins since May 6th and even those 2 wins haven’t occured sine July 9th and 19th. Rookie Chris Volstad continues to pitch extremely well, but is still just that, a rookie. The Marlins batters are horribly inconsistent, often failing against starting pitching and then feasting on the scraps of beat up bullpens, a strategy which clearly doesn’t work night in and night out.

So what about the positives the Marlins face. Perhaps the greatest advantage the Marlins have is the lack of expectations. This team was picked by ALL experts prior to the season to win 50 games at best. Instead, the Marlins sit after today at 69 wins and have lots of opportunites to finish the season above .500. The Marlins have a chance this week to bounce back with 3 games against the Atlanta Braves in Miami. The Marlins also still have 6 games against the Washington Nationals as well. On top of all this, they still have 6 games against the Phillies and 3 against the Mets.

The Fish aren’t done yet, this team has accomplished too much this season to roll over and die. Tomorrow is September 1, and the Marlins are 7 games back with opportunities to erase that deficit. Changes may be necessary, but consistency will be the key. Come to the park each and every night prepared to do all you can and do that each night, and we could be in for a very exciting September. I’ll count the Marlins out only when they truly (mathematically, physically, and mentally) stand no chance of making the playoffs. Until that time I’ll put on my jersey and hat and catch every game along with the other true fans and say, GO FISH!

As if management didn’t have enough ammunition to show Kevin Gregg the door, they certainly got it tonight. With their backs against the wall and the nets closing in on the Marlins, they came out agains the New York Mets, 6 games out of 1st place and put in a great effort. Rookie Chris Volstad, facing the Mets for the first time in his career, held the Mets in check going 6 1/3 innings allowing 5 hits and striking out 5.

Naturally, as the 9th inning rolled around and the Marlins were ahead 2-1, Manager Fredi Gonzalez turned to closer Kevin Gregg to save the game and move the Marlins closer to 1st place. Unfortunately, as he’s getting much better at, Gregg blew the save opportunity in spectacular fashion. Gregg easily retired the first two batters before allowing a Luis Castillo single, David Wright single, and then hit Carlos Delgado with a pitch to load the bases. Then to top it all off, Gregg served up a Grand Slam to Carlos Beltran, and though the Marlins fought back in the bottom of the 9th, they ultimately fell 5-4. The loss moves them to 7 games back of 1st place.

Gonzalez dodged questions after the game as to whether or not he would replace Gregg as the closer. There is a very good argument in favor of it. From a morale standpoint, Gonzalez needs to strongly consider doing so as Gregg’s errors late in the season are really starting to cost the Fish. Starters and bats are putting in great efforts only for Gregg to throw it all away. In his last 7 outings, Gregg is 0-4 with a 16.20 ERA.

Unfortunately, the Marlins really don’t have many options to replace Gregg. Renyel Pinto is on the DL, Doug Waechter is returning from a shoulder injury, and Mark Hendrickson is in the bullpen because he faded mid season after a strong start in the starting rotation. Youngster Logan Kensing or Matt Lindstrom may be options, but are inexperienced and Jonathon Papelbon aside, many youngsters don’t experience early success closing. Arthur Rhodes may be a possible replacement, though he hasn’t had much work since joining the Marlins and has long been more of a hold pitcher. Its a tough gig, which makes it all the more important for the Marlins to go out and get a solid closer in the offseason if they wish to make a challenge next season.