The Marlins just lost to the Chicago Cubs. I noticed some problems with the team tonight, and I feel there are ways to fix them going into the 2009 season. No I’m not a pessimist, already giving up on the 2008 Marlins, I’m just a fan who sees some glaring weaknesses and how we can fix them.

1. 1. The Defense: With Jorge Cantu leaving this off season for a bigger contract than the Marlins can offer, there will be a hole at third base again. I already can hear you screaming Dallas McPherson’s name with his 40 homeruns this year in the minors, but I suggest a different approach. Hanley Ramirez has great range as a short stop, the problem is consistency. Moving him over to third base will give the Marlins their best defensive everyday 3rd baseman since Mike Lowell. But who plays short you ask? How about a platoon? Alfredo Amezaga and Robert Andino both are better defensively at short than Hanley. Alfredo can start against right handed pitchers and Robert can start against left handers.
2. 2. Consistent hitting: For leading the league in homeruns the Marlins sure do ruin it by also leading in strikeouts and being one of the worse teams in hitting with runners in scoring position. The struggles of moving runners up and bringing a runner home with a sacrifice fly this year have driven poor Tommy Hutton insane this year.
3. 3. Management: While I like the way Freddy manages this team, Girardi demanded more, and got it. Crack the whip Freddy, crack it! Furthermore you can get more aggressive on base. Start sending runners, forcing these kids to hit in a hit and run situation will make them focus more on making contact.

Ok, I fixed it. No worries fans were going to be good next year. By the way, did anyone notice I haven’t mentioned the pitching? Why would I, Johnson, Volstad, Nolasco, Miller, Olsen, Sanchez, with Tucker, Vandenhurk, and Badenhop waiting in the wings. The pitching is strong, and no longer a weakness. If this team can attack with a small ball mentality, like the 2003 Marlins the sky is the limit. We have better pitching than that team, Mark Redman, Carl Pavano, and let us not forget that we only had 2 arms we could rely on from the bullpen. This new Marlins team can be special, we’ve sensed it for 3 years, but pretty soon potential will become present, and were tired of waiting.