The Miami Marlins have not made the playoffs since the 2003 season. They won the World Series during that postseason against the New York Yankees in six games.
Miami is currently in a rebuilding phase. Derek Jeter and Bruce Sherman took over ownership after the 2017 season was finished because Jeffrey Loria decided he did not want to own the team anymore.
This put ownership in a bad spot because they had a decision to make right away in whether or not they should have kept most of the 2017 roster intact or just start over. Ownership decided to start over.
They traded away outfielders Marcell Ozuna, Christian Yelich, and Giancarlo Stanton. Dee Gordon, Justin Bour, and J.T. Realmuto were eventually traded as well.
All six of those players were on the 2017 roster. They finished in second place in the National League East that season with a 77-85 record. Miami was ready to turn the corner next season and potentially contend for a playoff spot in the National League.
Ozuna is only 27 years old, Yelich is only 28 years old, and Stanton is only 29 years old. Giancarlo Stanton won the National League MVP in 2017. Christian Yelich won the National League MVP last season. Marcell Ozuna wasn’t an MVP caliber player, but he is also a very good outfielder.
Dee Gordon and Justin Bour are both 31 years old. J.T. Realmuto is only 28 years old.
It wasn’t like the 2017 Miami Marlins team was old and hit their peak. They were about to potentially hit their stride and be a team to be reckoned with for the next few years at least.
In the long run, this could potentially be better for Miami. Even though they have the worst record in the National League right now, the Marlins will get another high draft pick this season and they could even get another high draft pick in 2021 and maybe 2022 or 2023 for all we know.
As of right now, Miami has one of the best prospect pools in all of baseball because of the trades they have made.
Right-handed pitcher Sixton Sanchez is the top prospect in the system. He is the No. 24 best prospect, according to MLB.com.
Outfielder J.J. Bleday is the second-best prospect in Miami’s system right now. He is the No. 30 best prospect, according to MLB.com.
Outfielder Jesus Sanchez is the third-best prospect in the Miami Marlins system right now. He is the No. 40th best prospect, according to MLB.com.
Shortstop Jazz Chisholm is the fourth-best prospect in the Marlins system right now. He is the No. 57 best prospect according to MLB.com.
Second baseman Isan Diaz is the fifth-best prospect in the system right now. He is actually in the big leagues at the moment. According to MLB.com, Diaz is the 84th best prospect in all of baseball.
Outfielder Monte Harrison is the sixth-best prospect in the Miami system’s right now. He is the 86th best prospect, according to MLB.com.
If they didn’t make those trades, Miami would still have one of the worst farm systems in baseball today.
Youth is very important in baseball. The Chicago Cubs, the New York Yankees, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Houston Astros went this route.
The Baltimore Orioles and the Miami Marlins are heading in this route as well. Other teams need to follow suit as well.
Miami is heading in the right direction even though they got rid of some studs. Once the Marlins have depth within the organization, they could be around for a very long time.
