Revenge of the Bottom Feeders, Part II
Marlins players not buying predictions club is destined for last place
By Joe Frisaro/Man On Second Baseball
JUPITER, Fla. — Messaging was a big part of the Marlins’ success in 2020, and the players once again have a message for their detractors: They’re better than you think.
After being MLB’s biggest surprise team a year ago, the Marlins once again find themselves in a familiar spot. They’re not getting much respect from the prognosticators.
“We got picked again to be last in the division,” Marlins shortstop Miguel Rojas said in a Zoom call on Tuesday. “So, that chip on the shoulder is still there. It’s going to be there.”
Man On Second Baseball asked Rojas what message the Marlins plan to send this season. The team’s unofficial captain said it was the same as last year.
“It doesn’t matter what you did last year,” Rojas said. “They are going to have their predictions, and that kind of stuff. Our mentality is, it’s a whole new year, with more experience in our guys. And our team got better. There’s no reason for us to continue to think we’re bottom feeders. We’re not in the bottom of the division any more.”
With a young core of talent, and one of the deepest farm systems in the sport, the Marlins feel they’re building something special for the long haul.
There is still plenty of room for improvement, reflected by several significant statistical categories.
In runs scored, they were 21st in the Majors with 263, and they ranked 25th in home runs (60) and slugging percentage (.384).
Pitching-wise, they were 21st in overall ERA (4.86). Much of their high hopes hinge on a group of young starters. The starters ERA in 2020 was 4.31, 14th overall.
The vibe at the Marlins’ Spring Training camp is much like a year ago. There is an internal confidence, and a universal rejection to the notion that they’re not good enough.
The 2020 Marlins effectively fed off their disbelieving naysayers. From ownership, to manager Don Mattingly, on down to the players, their rally cry started off, “Why not us?”
Eventually, it became “Bottom Feeders” after a Philadelphia-based TV sportscaster referred to Miami as a “bottom feeder.”
From that point, Marlins players sported shirts with “Bottom Feeders” across the front in warmups.
Miami ran with it all the way to the playoffs. The Marlins finished 31-29, in second place in the National League East. They reached the postseason for the first time since 2003, and advanced to the NL Division Series, where they were swept in three games by the Braves.
Obviously, the rest of the division added significant upgrades, which has once again led to predictions the Marlins are destined for the cellar.
“I don’t care what anybody says, or what anybody predicts,” Rojas said. “We’re not in the bottom of the division any more.”
The Marlins may not have the star power players, like Atlanta’s Freddie Freeman or Ronald Acuna Jr., or a Francisco Lindor of the Mets, or a Juan Soto of the Nationals or a Bryce Harper in Philadelphia.
What the Marlins do have are plenty of talented players, willing to stare anyone who doubts them in the eye, and remind them things will be settled on the field.
“What we took away from [the playoffs] is that we legitimately have a chance to win here,” third baseman Brian Anderson said.
Long-suffering fans have witnessed plenty of years where the Marlins were devoted to development. Now, their focus is on contending.
“Some guys, you go into the season, especially as a younger guy, you’re just trying to learn your place,” Anderson said. “You’re trying to develop. You’re trying to grow individually. But I think as a team, you realize, we can compete with these teams in the N.L. East. We’re going to go out there, and we’re going to try to win games.”
Achieving sustainable success has been the blueprint since Derek Jeter stepped in as chief executive officer after 2017 season.
The building process was never intended to be completed overnight, or in a season or two.
After a disheartening 105 losses in 2019, about the only people who thought the playoffs were possible in 2020 were those wearing Marlins’ uniforms. Granted, it was a shortened 60-game schedule, but every team had the same opportunity to capitalize on the format. Bottom line is the Marlins did.
“The organization thought that we would do it earlier than what everybody expected,” Rojas said. “So, we’re going to continue to get better. Our mentality is, we’re not bottom feeders any more. “
2 thoughts on “Revenge of the Bottom Feeders, Part II”
Wouldn’t surprise me if Miami finishes fifth in East, but would have finished no worse than third in every other division. Maybe we can get that Phillies broadcaster to open his mouth again.
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