When you think of the juggernaut teams of the fantasy world, you don’t necessarily think of the Marlins. They aren’t highly paid, proven superstars like you have found on a team like the Yankees over the years. Still, I think the Marlins are one of the most fantasy relevant teams in all of baseball. 

The Florida Marlins definitely embody all the aspects of this game around the game. This is a team that is always rebuilding but, as proven by their two titles, continually churns out the next players to put on your radar. Let’s take a look at their current roster. 

First of all, we have to start with their superstar. Just in time for the departure of Miguel Cabrera, the Marlins fully developed an even great pool star in Hanley Ramirez. Acquired from the Boston Red Sox in the Josh Beckett deal, the Marlins again found a gem that at the time was an afterthought when compared with Jose Reyes in fantasy rankings. He was a marginal top-50 prospect and now he is top of it all. When you compare his position with his age and production, there is no equal. The Marlins have the most sought after player in our game.  

Around the horn, Hanley’s partner in crime is a different kind of star. He was a late arriving sleeper prospect who started off with a bang in 2005. Dan Uggla was perceived by many, including myself, as a player who was a one-hit wonder. He seemed to be playing over his head and the correction we saw in average was about appropriate for him in 2006. We underestimated Uggla’s ability to adjust back. This season, Uggla is better than ever in the heart of his prime at the age of 28. He is one of the best second basemen in the game and consistently at the top in power.  

Moving to the corners, it gets really interesting. At third, we have a sleeper of a different kind. Jorge Cantu is a fantasy comeback candidate for sure. Like Uggla, except at second with the Rays, Cantu put up monster numbers with 117 RBI in his first full season. Despite that unheard of number at the position, Cantu proceeded to drop from 28 homeruns to 15 homers in his next 149 games over two seasons. Over the course of two years, fantasy players tend to forget about players… even when they are that good in the past and had injuries to blame. Surely enough, Cantu has returned and is back in form.  

One the other side we have the stereotypical short-term pickup candidate. Mike Jacobs is an extremely streaky player who can be your best player for one week and your worst for the next. Still, his role in fantasy is important and useful during injuries or if you are weak at first. This season, he has been even better than that and is a great power source if you can stomach that average.  

Now moving to the outfield, we have a variety of players who I’ve seen on fantasy teams at different points for different reasons. Josh Willingham is the mid-range draft pick who is consistent but doesn’t seem to possess the upside to make him a “sexy” pick. If healthy, you can count on 20-25 homers and a .270 average but that sure would have been extremely valuable behind the plate. Too bad he lost that qualification a while back but John Baker is still an intriguing rookie with some pop and a .321 average in Triple-A before the call up.  

Another outfielder is one who is very much a late sleeper that has gained attention each year for him power. He is having his best season yet but injuries continue to give him trouble. Cody Ross seems like a 30 homer guy if he holds the starting role and is definitely on plenty of watch lists or benches this year as an intriguing snag.  

Finally, in right field, we have the prospect bust. Many feel Jeremy Hermida has already proven himself to be dud but at the age of 24, Hermida is still a very interesting youngster. His once high hype will keep him around but he seems to have shown no improvement from last season and still has not demonstrated the steals we expected to balance his power. One day, he may pull a Brandon Phillips and bust out.  

As their backup, we also have a valuable fantasy element. Alfredo Amezaga serves as their fantasy swiss-army knife and is very useful in deep and specified leagues. He serves as the primary backup in the outfield, at short, second and even third base. 

Third base brings me to the prospects. Florida made another great acquisition in grabbing Dallas McPherson. Dallas has been the best player in the minors with Mr. Cruz all season. He has lead professional baseball in homers most of the season and I still contend he needs the opportunity over Jacobs. McPherson has 39 homers and was once one of the best prospects in the game. He is finally healthy and ready to post 30 homers each season in the majors.  

Speaking of prospects, the Marlins have two great ones back in their lineup now. The six-food-seven Chris Volstad has been huge this season at the age of 21. Anibal Sanchez has already put up a no-hitter in his short career and is finally back to the big club after injury. Josh Johnson is another youngster who has rebounded from major surgery and probably has the most upside of their whole staff. Another very promising rookie, Scott Olsen has dropped his era by two and is the mainstay of the very young staff. Finally, Ricky Nolasco is the veteran of the staff in his 25th year of life. It is amazing that this staff ranges from the age of 25 to 21.

In the bullpen, we have the older reliever who has finally found his niche in playing closer and veteran leader for this young team. Kevin Gregg was another great waiver wire grab and has kept us interested with his trade possibilities throughout the year. Under his wing, he has promising future closers in Matt Lindstrom and Pinto. Renyel Pinto has been a dominant set-up man as well.  

In conclusion, we will finish with their traditional young prospects. As part of the Cabrera trade, the Marlins received a top-10 prospect in Cameron Maybin who should be taking centerfield sooner than later. He is an extremely value prospect to go with a deeper prospect, Mike Stanton, who has some very high upside but is far from a sure bet. If he doesn’t work out, I’m sure the Marlins will find someone else. One day, they will trade Hanley for the next Bruce, Longoria… Cabrera or Hanley Ramirez again. They always find the next best thing and that is why they are FantaCity.