2. Miami Marlins
There used to exist a cycle: the Marlins would make the playoffs, win the World Series, and then dismantle their team. Repeat.
In reality, this phenomenon was overblown, as it only occurred twice in the team’s existence, but the most amazing quirk to this trend was that, not only did the Marlins win both titles as a Wild Card team, but they did it in their only two playoff appearances. Ever.
Since capturing the ’03 World Series, Miami — then, Florida — has amassed a total of four winning seasons, while finishing second in its division only once. The franchise has suffered an extended drought, brought upon largely by the fire-sale set in place over a decade prior.
While the baseball world has gotten wise to no longer assuming the Marlins will return to a winning form without cause, it may actually be overlooking one of the rare times when the pieces are in place for a breakout. Miami has committed an incredible amount of money to slugger Giancarlo Stanton, and has cultivated or acquired talent elsewhere in the form of Christian Yelich, Dee Gordon, Henderson Alverez, and Jared Cosart.
As some of the team’s key pieces enter their collective primes, is this Marlins team vastly different from those of the late 21st century? With question marks surrounding the ‘favorite’ to win the National League East from Washington, why can’t the Marlins slide to the top of the division?
It is easy to forget how quickly the Marlins had been able to return to form seemingly from the dead. It is easier to cast them off again without giving too much thought. This year, however, it looks like Miami might be lurking in the shadows, ready to pounce.
