2006 Florida Marlins vs. 2006 "Florida Marlins"
An interesting look at what might have been
Many experts have compared this 2006 Florida Marlins ball club to the 1998 Marlins squad. Both years marked a large cutback on payroll, which assumed a cutback on victories. However, this 2006 team have proved a substantial amount of money loss could translate into a negligible drop in wins. Halfway through this season, the Marlins are just eight game behind the pace of last years 60 million dollar team. Many feared that the result of the 1998 dismantling of the Marlins which saw 92 wins turn into 108 losses within a year would occur again.
The 1997 World Series Champions finished 92-70 with a payroll of 47,753,000 (according to USA Today's salary database). Within months, most of the stars were traded. Moises Alou to
Fast forward to this 2006 Marlins Squad. As said by floridamarlinsbaseball back in March, "The Marlins have parted ways with 916 runs, 847 hits, and 39 wins. Even if the Marlins filled the holes left from last season, they would still finish third in the East." General Manager Larry Beinfest was asked to trim the payroll down from 60 million to 15 in a matter of weeks. We are all aware that he loaded up on quality pitchers while saying goodbye to two Gold Glovers, a World Series MVP, and nine All-Stars. What you may not know is how this Marlins squad would have looked like.
*Please note that Miguel Cabrera's numbers are not included in this explanation because, well he's the only fielder still on the team. Instead I'll compare Josh Willingham to Mike Lowell.*
Had the Marlins kept the seven players in their 2005 batting order, the payroll for them would be 46.15 million dollars. Six of the seven "replacements" on the current team get the league minimum of 327,000. The current Marlins batting order earns 2.7 million dollar.
This season, the 2006 Marlins are hitting .262 with 71 homeruns and 308 RBI (minus Cabrera). The seven former Marlins are collectively hitting .276 with 53 homeruns and 236 RBI total for their 2006 respective teams.
Injuries would plague this team of former Marlins. Luis Castillo, Paul Lo Duca, and Carlos Delgado are playing hurt. Castillo injured his right knee and his batting average has dropped to .272 and is one error shy of his 2005 total which earned his third consecutive Gold Glove. Lo Duca has been playing with a bruised thumb and Delgado's sore rib cage has him hitting .252.
The 2005 team was 44-39 on July 7 while this year’s team is 36-46. The savings of 43.45 millions dollars actually cost the Marlins just eight games and a .014 difference in batting average. So ask yourself what exactly is 43.45 million dollars actually worth? In baseball statistics, absolutely nothing.
Position-by-Position Stats (2005 players with 2006 stats are bolded)
Avg-HR-RBI
RF- Juan Encarnacion .282-11-46 Salary:3.5 Million
Jeremy Hermida .281-2-13 Salary: 327,000
Synopsis: Encarnacion has been healthy all season for the Cardinals and his 46 RBI is very solid for his price tag. If Hermida stays healthy he will be the better pick of the future.
Telling Stat: At-Bats: Encarnacion 308 vs. Hermida 153
Edge: 2005 (1-0)
CF- Juan Pierre .270-1-12 Salary: 5.75 Million
Reggie Abercrombie .211-4-17 Salary: 327,000
Synopsis: The Centerfield position has plagued the Marlins this season. With it being their weakness, any option would be great. Pierre has always found ways to get on base and his 26 stolen bases don't compare to Abercrombie's 4
Telling stat: Hits: Pierre 96 vs. Abercrombie 42
Edge: 2005 (2-0)
LF/3B- Mike Lowell .298-9-41 Salary: 9 million
Josh Willingham .267-10-43 Salary: 327,000
Synopsis: Making nearly 28 times more than a player means there better be a huge difference in stats. Willingham's bat has led the Marlins to key victories. However his trip to the DL due to a strained ligament in his left hand is reason for concern this season.
Telling Stat: OBP: Lowell .353 (9,000,000) vs. Willingham .353 (327,000)
Edge: 2006 (2-1)
SS- Alex Gonzalez .272-5-26 Salary: 2.7 Million
Hanley Ramirez .274-5-23 Salary: 327,000
Synopsis: With both players having nearly identical offensive numbers it's hard to choose. Gonzalez hit in 12 of 13 games during the month of June and saw his average jump from .219 to .272. Ramirez also has his off and on streaks but has been a reliable leadoff man for the Fish.
Telling Stat: Errors- Gonzalez 2 vs. Ramirez 11
Edge: 2005 (3-1)
2B- Luis Castillo .272-2-29 Salary: 5.1 Million
Dan Uggla .311-13-50 Salary: 327,000
Synopsis: We struck gold with Uggla. Simple as that. Uggla is among the best second basemen this season. Castillo's nagging injury has lead to a drop in numbers this season but still has three Gold Gloves to fall back on.
Telling Stat: Uggla is an All-Star.
Edge: 2006 (3-2)
1B- Carlos Delgado .252-22-56 Salary: 13.5 Million
Mike Jacobs .274-11-44 Salary: 327,000
Synopsis: Basically swapped for each other, both players seem to have equal stats. Jacobs has hit mostly cleanup and his power has been shown. Jacobs is second on the team with 21 doubles and his 11 homeruns puts him three behind All-Stars Cabrera and Uggla. Delgado on the other hand must enjoy getting a much needed raise. He got paid four million dollars as a Marlin last season. Sandwiched in between quality hitters, Delgado should more than surpass his 33 homers last season.
Telling Stat: Homeruns- Delgado 22 vs. Jacobs 11
Edge: 2005 (4-2)
C- Paul Lo Duca .292-3-26 Salary: 6.6 Million
Miguel Olivo .291-9-34 Salary: 700,000
Telling Stat: Strikeouts: Lo Duca 17 vs. Olivo 50
Edge: 2005 (5-2)
