Just in time for prospect season, we take a look at the idea of "windows" and a team's prime time to win. Inspired by what seems to be a once every three years rebuild for the Oakland Athletics, is there going to be a time where all their premier prospects hit and they'll have the best chance to win? Here we present the pleasures of trying to maximize production during one's service time.
16h in the series, we look at the Miami Marlins. Ranked 29th overall by John Sickels, they have no A-rated prospects but 8 B-rated prospects. Keith Law's 2012 organizational rankings sees their system slightly lower at 28th overall.
As one of the most active teams in free agency this offseason, are the Marlins seeing their window open now?
The additions of Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle and Carlos Zambrano should lead to about 7.6 wins according to CAIRO projections.
Reyes: 3.0 WAR
Buehrle: 3.4 WAR
Zambrano: 1.2 WAR
Finishing at 72-90 last season, hopefully they can get closer to 80 wins with this acquisition. In CAIRO's projected standings, they have the Marlins at the 82 wins. Here's what the Marlins are looking at for their 2012 roster.
*New acquisition, Current roster info from MLB Depth Charts
Starting Lineup
1 SS Jose Reyes*
2 CF Emilio Bonifacio
3 3B Hanley Ramirez
4 RF Giancarlo Stanton
5 LF Logan Morrison
6 1B Gaby Sanchez
7 C John Buck
8 2B Omar Infante
Bench
C Brett Hayes
IF Donnie Murphy
IF/OF Greg Dobbs
OF Scott Cousins
OF Bryan Petersen
Starting Rotation
1 RHP Josh Johnson
2 LHP Mark Buehrle*
3 RHP Anibal Sanchez
4 RHP Ricky Nolasco
5 RHP Carlos Zambrano*
Bullpen
CL RHP Heath Bell*
SU RHP Juan Carlos Oviedo
SU LHP Mike Dunn
MID RHP Ryan Webb
MID LHP Randy Choate
MID RHP Steven Cishek
LR RHP Ed Mujica
The thought is that their young lineup improves and propels them into possible wild card contention, which CAIRO thinks will take 88 wins. To Marlins fans, you'll be happy to hear that your window is now.
See the previous graphics in this series: Mariners | Athletics | Astros | Cubs | Pirates | Royals | Twins | Indians | Padres | Diamondbacks | Rays | Jays | Braves | Nationals | Mets
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