| | By now, Cliff Floyd was supposed to be a star.
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MARLINS LOWDOWN |
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|  | | Floyd is one of the few Marlins getting major league money. |
1999: 64-98
Runs: 691, 16th in NL
Allowed: 852, 12th in NL
Key facts
Antonio Alfonseca ranked seventh in the NL by converting 84 percent of his save opportunities (21-for-25).
Luis Castillo had the highest groundball/flyball ratio of any hitter in the majors last season (4.88).
Tim Kurkjian's scenarios
Best-case: They continue to stockpile young players throughout their minor leagues.
Worst-case: Nothing is done to secure a new ballpark in South Florida.
Prediction: 5th in NL East
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He isn't and a lot of people are beginning to wonder if he'll ever
become one. At 27, he should just be reaching his prime, but last year he was
limited to 69 games because of knee and heel injuries. It seems as if he
spends as much time on the disabled list as he does on the field.
What the young Marlins need from Floyd is leadership and production. In
all fairness, it can't be easy to be a leader with the Marlins right now.
They have way too many players who are not ready to perform at the
big-league level -- not to mention the fact that when you're losing close to 100 games per season, the days seem 48 hours long and the drive to the ballpark can be as painful as a root canal.
But Floyd is one of the few Marlins being paid more than average
major league wages and he has to find a way to stay healthy and motivated
even when the losses are mounting. In his limited time last season, he did
show how valuable he can be for the Marlins by batting .303 with 11 home
runs and 49 RBI. Project those numbers over a full season and the Fish have
themselves quite a player. Maybe even in a star, which is what he appeared
to be on the verge of becoming in 1998.
Floyd's presence in the lineup last season definitely mattered. With
him, the Marlins averaged 4.48 runs per game. Without him, the total fell to
4.12.
Although things look bleak now for the Marlins, there are reasons for
hope. Floyd was joined in the Marlins' outfield last season by Preston
Wilson, who was runner-up to the Reds' Scott Williamson for the Rookie of
the Year award. Antonio Alfonseca did just fine after taking over from Matt
Mantei as the Marlins' closer. Alex Gonzalez showed that he is a shortstop
with some pop in his bat. Second baseman Luis Castillo hit .332 after the
All-Star break.
Billy the Marlin is one of baseball's best mascots.
All right, let's face it. It's going to be another long, miserable year
for the Marlins. But it would make it a little bit easier if Floyd was healthy and productive.
-- Bob Brookover
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Lineup comments and grades from ESPN The Magazine
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Player
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Comment
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Grade
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Luis Castillo, 2B
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Speedy (50 SB) switchhitter hits righties/lefties equally well. Fine glove
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B
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A. Gonzalez, SS
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All-Star has got to cut down on the K's (113) or jack up the HRs (14)
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B
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Cliff Floyd, LF
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Has hit .304 vs. LHPs the last five years, including .305 with 4 bombs last year
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C
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P. Wilson, CF
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Led all rookies with 26 HRs. Only tool that's not above-average is his arm
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B
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Mike Lowell, 3B
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Has enough pop to all fields that he has to stop being so pull-conscious
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C
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Mark Kotsay, RF
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Declined from 1998 in every offensive stat except triples
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D
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D. Lee, 1B
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One of NL's top rookies until September 1998. Ever since, he?s been suspect
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C
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R. Castro, C
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Good power and arm. Has to show he can make contact (.179 in 24 games)
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I
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Pitching comments and grades from ESPN The Magazine
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Pitcher
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Comment
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Grade
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A. Fernandez, SP
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After rotator cuff blowout, can only get it into the high 80s
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B
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R. Dempster, SP
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One of the top 5 sliders in baseball. Only 22. Let's be patient
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C
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Brad Penny, SP
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Future stud? 510K, 131 BB in 455 minor league IP
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I
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V. Nunez, SP
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The next Cuban big thing in Miami. Serious heat with quality companion pitches
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C
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Dan Miceli, RP
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Probably a lot more fun setting up for a team that wins occasionally
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C
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A. Alfonseca, RP
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After taking over closer spot went 21-for-25 in save opps
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B
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ALSO SEE
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Montreal Expos preview
New York Mets preview
Philadelphia Phillies preview
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