The problem with the Marlins is that they haven't done a good enough job developing their own players. The megatrade they did haven't addressed that issue.

The 2013 team looks pretty scary bad. From the b-r "starting" lineup:

Buck -- gone
Lee -- gone I assume; Sanchez also gone
Infante -- gone
Reyes -- gone
Hanley -- gone
Morrison -- still there I think, had a lousy year
Bonifacio -- gone
Stanton -- Sisyphus

also, 25 and under:

Solano, 2B -- 674 OPS in 900 AAA PA
Gorkys, CF -- 726 OPS in 650 AAA PA, no power
Brantly, C (23) -- 727 OPS in 1100 ml PA, may have a future

Buehrle -- gone
Johnson -- gone
Sanchez -- gone
Z -- gone I assume
Nolasco -- 88 ERA+ 2010-12, maybe gone
Bell -- gone

25 & under:

Eovaldi (23) -- looks interesting
Turner (22) -- looks BIPish but OK

The only ML guys they got back from Toronto was Escobar right?

I'm willing to believe these trades made the 2015 Marlins a better team but no way the 2013 Marlins will be better. They might not lose 93, although I see no reason not to expect that, but other than Stanton they are looking very Astros/Cubs-like.

Of course Samson's going to put a positive spin on the whole thing wherever he can. What's he going to say? "I haven't been this embarrassed since the time I had to escape Thranduil's halls riding a barrel in a river?"

The only ML guys they got back from Toronto was Escobar right?

No. They got Henderson Alvarez who is 22 and made 31 starts last year. Also, Hecchavaria could well stick. It's questionable if he can hit at the MLB level, but his fielding is slick enough to find out.

They also got Jeff Mathis!

Really wish this interview was with David Simon instead.

the SOBs are trying to get a death grip on the 2013 #1 pick - thinking they can outsuck the astros who have 2 actual major league players on the roster

Am I missing something with Jeff Mathis? Why do people think he should be on a ML roster?

Am I missing something with Jeff Mathis? Why do people think he should be on a ML roster?

You've obviously never tasted his wife's bean dip.

You've obviously never tasted his wife's bean dip.

Euphemism of the year.

I know Expos fans are still angry at Loria, but why do they call Samson "Le Bâtard"? :-)

They got Henderson Alvarez who is 22 and made 31 starts last year.

Hmmm ... with a 3.8/2.6 K/BB and 1.4 HR/9. That's not gonna project well!

Just have him pitch the 7.6 innings where he doesn't give up home runs. Duh!

Alvarez is an odd guy. He throws hard (up to 97-98 with an average of 93 per fangraphs) with all kinds of movement on his fastball, but doesn't strike anyone out.

Also, he seems like a cool guy. He hung out after a Jays game to watch my brother's men's league play their All-Star game at the SkyDome this year. Sat with the friends and family and had some good natured heckling of the Spanish-speaking players.

some good natured heckling of the Spanish-speaking players.

Stuff like "dude, even I could strike you out"?

Well, translated into Spanish. What is Spanish for dude?

Alvarez is actually a decent-enough prospect. The minor-league K-rate's not great but it's over 6 and the walk and HR rates are excellent. I have no idea how well that stuff translates but I suppose he's got an upside of Buehrle (whose brief minor-league career was pretty similar) and a reasonable shot at Joe Saunders (also pretty similar).

some good natured heckling of the Spanish-speaking players.

hopefully he wasn't wearing eye black