Interested in a baseball team that has an ace starter, perhaps the most feared home run hitter, a strong 1-2 backend bullpen, one of the most promising outfields and a stud second baseman? Would you be even more interested to know you could find 120-1 odds on that team winning the World Series?
I present the 2016 Miami Marlins.
Jose Fernandez is past his injury. So is Giancarlo Stanton. He forms a high upside outfield with Christian Yelich and Marcell Ozuna. Dee Gordon tops National League fantasy lists for second basemen. Closer A.J. Ramos and flame-throwing Carter Capps are outstanding late-inning relievers. Underrated first baseman Justin Bour and catcher J.T. Realmuto stand a good chance of combing for 35 homers. Martin Prado is one of the best utility players and newcomer Wei-Yin Chen strengthens the starting pitching staff.
I see the Marlins being much improved. They have a shot at the playoffs and once in the playoffs hedging opportunities arise.
But the books give the Marlins no chance because of the Mets and Nationals. It’s not beyond the scope of imagination, though, to imagine the Mets slipping while the Nationals stay dysfunctional making the NL East a wide open division.
