Marlins determined to push forward in 2017

MIAMI — In the face of tragedy, the Marlins bonded together. As one, they dealt with the death of Jose Fernandez, lifting each other’s spirits and making it through a trying time.

Now, collectively, the organization is determined to push forward. Without its ace and most energetic player, Miami remains committed to the core of the club, and the organization believes it can be a contender in 2017.

“Things are going to have to still fall our way,” manager Don Mattingly said. “We need to be able to stay healthy. That’s why we sit in our rooms and talk over the winter. You talk about trying to create depth in your system, trying to create depth with your players so you can sustain injuries. And that’s one of the things that we worry about.”

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The Marlins finished 79-82 in 2016, a season in which they were over .500 much of the year and in Wild Card contention.

“The loss of Jose puts us in a different spot because we’ve lost one of the best pitchers in the game,” Mattingly said. “We’re not going to be able to replace that.”

But not having Fernandez around every day, pitching every fifth day, means the rest of the club must step up for 2017 to be a rewarding year. For that to happen, here are five areas that must be addressed:

1. Rotation, Rotation, Rotation Just how …

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