NewsMarlins meet some expectations, not all
No playoffs, but Florida finds bright spots in 2009
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By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com
10/05/09 2:16 AM EST
MIAMI -- Success wasn't quite as satisfying as the Marlins had hoped in 2009.Yes, they finished with a winning record for the second consecutive year. Yes, they remained in playoff contention until being mathematically eliminated after game No. 158. Yes, Hanley Ramirez proved he's one of the game's top players, and Josh Johnson emerged as an ace and an All-Star.
Yet in summarizing the overall season, falling short of the playoffs is disappointing.
"We've suffered through with some interesting injuries," Marlins president David Samson said. "We had some interesting lack of performance at times, great inconsistency and some history was made.
"When you put it all together, we start every year saying we want to be one of eight [playoff teams], and then be one of one and win the World Series. If it doesn't happen, that's disappointing. We'd certainly call it disappointing not to make the playoffs, but we're proud of the fact that five of the last seven years we've had a winning record."
So much of the expectations coming out of Spring Training were centered on the young rotation. The bright spot was Johnson, who demonstrated why he is regarded as one of the top performers in the game.
Ricky Nolasco, who started on Opening Day, had an inconsistent year.
The way Nolasco finished his season, though, provides hope for 2010. In Atlanta on Sept. 30, the right-hander struck out a franchise-record 16. He had a stretch of striking out nine in a row, one shy of Tom Seaver's Major League record of 10 in 1970.
Chris Volstad struggled after a promising 2008 rookie season. Andrew Miller also had his problems. At various times, Nolasco, Miller and Volstad all were optioned to Triple-A New Orleans.
Then there was Anibal Sanchez, who showed flashes of his strong 2006 rookie season. But a sprained right shoulder kept him on the disabled list for half the season.
"I always thought, if we couldn't get in the playoffs, at least play meaningful games until the end of the season," manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "When you play games that you have to win, it's got to be good experience."
Record: 87-75, 2nd place in National League East. Defining moment: Coming out of the All-Star break, the Marlins were swept in three games by the Phillies, but they responded by sweeping the Padres in San Diego before taking two of three against the Dodgers. That 5-1 West Coast road trip -- from July 20-26 -- reinforced to management that the team was in contention. Instead of being sellers at the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline, first baseman Nick Johnson was acquired from the Nationals for pitching prospect Aaron Thompson. What went right: Ramirez elevated his game to be a serious MVP candidate, and Johnson anchored the rotation in his first All-Star season. The bullpen, while overworked, stepped up to keep the team in contention as the rotation went through its ups and downs. What went wrong: Inconsistencies to the rotation eventually prevented the squad from taking the season to a playoff level. Demonstrating the extra work placed on the bullpen was the fact the Marlins matched a Major League record of 29 consecutive games with a starter unable to pitch at least seven innings. That streak was snapped on Sept. 19 in Cincinnati, where Nolasco pitched seven strong innings. Biggest surprise: In Spring Training, Chris Coghlan worked with the infielders, seeing some action at third base and second base. The 24-year-old opened the season at Triple-A New Orleans, and by May, he showed he was big league ready. What the Marlins, however, asked him to do was something he's never done. He was switched to left field, getting all of one Minor League game out there, and he eventually took over the leadoff spot. Throughout the Minor Leagues, Coghlan hit mostly third, with some second. He hadn't been a leadoff batter.Coghlan is a strong NL Rookie of the Year candidate, and without him, it's doubtful the Marlins would have stayed in contention for so long.
Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
