3. Miami Marlins
-Season story lines: Team President David Samson says improving from last year’s 90-loss, last-place finish to .500 would be “a complete failure.” With new manager Ozzie Guillen, free agent acquisitions Jose Reyes, Heath Bell and Mark Buehrle and a trade for often-volatile Carlos Zambrano, this clearly is a chemistry experiment with plenty of strong personalities but also an intriguing collection of talent. Hanley Ramirez getting bumped from shortstop to third to make room for Reyes should make them stronger but it’s also one of the opportunities for controversy.
-Season stat: 24.8 — percentage of fly balls hit by right fielder Giancarlo Stanton that left the ballpark in 2011. That was the highest percentage in the majors, and it was from a 22-yearold now entering his third season.
-Sco-ts’ take: Stanton is scary, scary, scary. He could be ready for a monster year. And don’t miss batting practice when he’s in town. . . . Going to the NL should be a boost for Buehrle. Josh Johnson still is their best pitcher, but Buehrle looks sharp. . . . Zambrano might turn out to be a steal. He looks composed. I think the dynamic with Guillen will be good. . . . Ramirez has been more than good. It’s early, but he has shown no signs of lapses. . . . Emilio Bonifacio has embraced the importance of getting on base. I’ll think he’ll be a good No. 2 hitter. . . . The lineup has a chance to be overpowering.