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Marlins relying on group effort to take step forward in ’17
- Updated: October 3, 2016
MIAMI — Time heals, they say. The Marlins are about to find out how much and how fast as they enter the offseason with heavy hearts after the most devastating loss in franchise history.
The death of ace Jose Fernandez has touched the organization and South Florida on so many levels. You can’t just replace the talent and charisma of the 24-year-old who made such a large impact in such a short period of time. Aware no one person or player can fill the void, the Marlins will rely on a group effort more than ever as they plan for 2017.
“We like our group of guys,” manager Don Mattingly said. “We knew we had a good, solid, group of players. With that, you have to try to get better. We’re a .500 [caliber] club. So with all that, we’re going to have to find a way to get better.”
• Season of promise ends in tragedy for Marlins
Arbitration-eligible: RHP Tom Koehler, RHP David Phelps, RHP A.J. Ramos, SS Adeiny Hechavarria, OF Marcell Ozuna, INF Derek Dietrich.
Free agents: OF Ichiro Suzuki ($2 million club option for 2017), RHP Andrew Cashner, LHP Mike Dunn, RHP Fernando Rodney ($2 million club option for ’17), C Jeff Mathis, INF Chris Johnson, OF Jeff Francoeur, RHP Dustin McGowan.
Rotation: The organization was planning to keep building around Fernandez, not search for a new ace. Wei-Yin Chen, Adam Conley and Koehler will be counted on more heavily in 2017. Conley (left middle finger) and Chen (left elbow sprain) both dealt with injuries. Koehler remains durable and dependable. Phelps is versatile, and could either be in the rotation or return to the back end of the bullpen. Jose Urena, Justin Nicolino, Jake Esch and Odrisamer Despaigne offer depth. Cashner, a free agent, isn’t expected back.
Bullpen: Ramos is coming off an All-Star season, and he is just the fifth closer in club history to reach 40 saves. The right-hander has been a fixture in the back end, but the question is whether he remains as the closer in 2017. He may be pushed by Phelps, if he isn’t starting. The Marlins have a $2 million club option on Fernando Rodney for 2017, but it includes bonuses, making it doubtful …
