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MLB division preview and predictions: NL East

By Jack McKenney

Sep 4, 2022; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves center fielder Michael Harris II (23) hits a single to drive in a run against the Miami Marlins during the eighth inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 4, 2022; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves center fielder Michael Harris II (23) hits a single to drive in a run against the Miami Marlins during the eighth inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Miami Marlins second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr.
Jun 7, 2022; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Marlins second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. (2) rounds the bases and flexes after connecting for a grand slam home run in the 2nd inning against the Washington Nationals at loanDepot park. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

NL East preview: 4. Miami Marlins

After adding Jean Segura and Luis Arraez to the lineup, the Marlins will look to make a playoff push while developing their young talent at the big league level. They’ll be competing in an NL East in which they clearly the fourth-best team.

While the lineup has improved, Miami will need just about everyone in the starting lineup to have a stellar year if they want to contend. More importantly, Jorge Soler and Avisail Garcia will need to bounce back from poor performances last year. Soler has a player option next year, and could land a massive deal if he puts up another 40-homer season. Garrett Cooper had another strong campaign last year, posting a 115 wRC+ in 469 at-bats last year. The 31-year-old will look to replicate a similar slash, likely checking in at the four hole in this lineup. A lot of this lineup’s success will fall on Jazz Chisholm, who is coming off a spectacular 139 wRC+ slash in 241 plate appearances last year. The All-Star second baseman was named as the cover athlete for this year’s edition of MLB The Show, but still has much to prove if he wants to be ordained as a true superstar in this league. Joey Wendle and Jon Berti are great utility pieces in this lineup, providing great versatility and speed to the group. Jean Segura was Miami’s best signing over the offseason, providing them a solid veteran bat with experience at multiple infield positions. Jose Iglesias and Yuli Gurriel are two additional veterans set to join the group, hoping to provide strong depth and experience to the lineup. Miami will hope for 25-year-old Jesus Sanchez to bounce back this year after posting a lousy .214/13HR slash in 2022.

Despite dealing away Pablo Lopez in the offseason, this rotation is still young and full of potential. Reigning NL Cy Young Winner Sandy Alcantara was remarkable last season, posting a 2.28 ERA over 228 innings. Alcantara finished with six complete games, a higher total than other starting staff combined. Alcantara will look to lead an inexperienced, high-ceiling group that has a lot to prove. After posting great numbers coupled with an All-Star appearance in his rookie season, Trevor Rogers regressed heavily last season. The 25-year-old lefty posted a 5.47 ERA in 100+ innings of work, hoping to improve that mark this season. Lefty Jesus Luzardo seems to have found consistency in Miami. The former A’s top prospect posted a 3.32 ERA (3.12 FIP) in 100 innings of work, mainly thanks to his improved changeup which was 8.3 runs above average last season. Two time All-Star Johnny Cueto will join the rotation, who is currently dealing with some arm soreness after the WBC. While Cueto’s fastball hit 94 MPH in his lone WBC appearance, he did get a bit roughed up, giving up three earned runs in two innings against Puerto Rico. Cueto will bring a veteran presence to help lead and mentor this young group of arms. Edward Cabrera will likely get the last spot in this rotation, coming off a season full of interesting statistics. Over 71 innings, Cabrera posted a 3.01 ERA. On paper this is an impressive mark, but looking deeper Cabrera registered a 4.59 FIP. Cabrera’s ERA should have been a lot higher…perhaps suggesting he got very lucky. Regardless, the 25.8% strikeout rate is quite impressive for the soon-to-be 25 year old. It’s unclear when we will see young studs Max Meyer and Sixto Sanchez return, two additional powerful arms apart of this young staff. Sanchez reported to camp in great shape, hoping to compete for innings at the big league level. Sanchez hasn’t pitched since the 2020 playoffs, but is fully capable of becoming an ace. I’m really hoping we get to see him on a big league mound sometime this season.

Interestingly enough, another reason Sandy Alcantara had eight complete games last year was because the Marlins bullpen was so unreliable. Oftentimes Alcanatara would refuse to leave games because he was afraid his bullpen might blow a stellar outing. Miami addressed this issue over the offseason, bringing in three potential closing options. AJ Puk is a relatively young lefty arm who posted a strong 3.12 ERA (3.69 FIP) in 66 innings last year. JT Chargois was a reliable arm for the Rays last season, posting a 2.42 ERA in 22 innings. Matt Barnes is hoping to bounce back, coming to Miami in a trade with Boston. Hopefully one of these three relievers can establish themselves as a reliable closing option for the sake of the starting rotation.

While Luis Arraez was a great addition, analytically speaking he was the third-best hitter on a Twins team that missed the playoffs. Yet again, another offseason goes by and the Marlins lineup just still isn’t strong enough to make them a serious contender. Granted, Miami has done a great job acquiring high-ceiling talent over these past few years, but until they spent serious money or groom elite offensive production this team will be stuck at the bottom of the division for a very long time.

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