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Yesterday, MLB.com released its Top 100 prospects list. Despite the lack of depth of the Marlins' system, the team did end up with two players in the top 100 prospects in baseball. Unsurprisingly, Christian Yelich tops the list among Marlins, coming in at 35th on the list. Surprisingly, Matt Dominguez still found his way on the list, coming in at 87th.

As has been pointed out both at SB Nation's Minor League Ball and our very own site by our prospect expert Eric Weston, Yelich stands a (small) league ahead of the four players at the level of Dominguez in the organization. Let's see how Jonathan Mayo and the rest of the MLB.com crew evaluated Yelich and Dominguez and compare that to how Eric W. and I see them.

Yelich

Here is a tad of what was said about Yelich by MLB.com.

Upside potential: A No. 3-type hitter who competes for batting titles while also driving in runs and stealing bases, like a John Olerud with speed.

What did Eric W. see in Yelich?

Yelich makes hitting look easy with his smooth left-handed swing and disciplined plate approach. Unlike some other tall left-handed batters, Yelich is able to combat the inside fastball due to his quick hands and plus bat speed. His swing won’t enable him to generate enormous power, although he did manage to put up a decent .171 ISO last year.

Most of what has been said about Yelich is in agreement. I have heard him consistently described as a natural hitter with an excellent swing. He also is a good baserunner with enough speed and athleticism that the team moved him to center field despite his awkward throwing mechanism and his first baseman size. Eric W. mentioned some concern about his platoon splits, but Yelich otherwise seems like an excellent player who should be on his way to the majors in the next two or three seasons.

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Have fun with this hypothetical path. Miami this off season trades away a bunch of relievers and a starting pitcher, for two starting pitchers, and an elite closer. Great move. Especially considering the bullpen was a strength last season. The team is still good there.

Now look at the position players. Miami gave up nothing, and got back last season's batting champion, an above average defensive outfielder (Rowand), and potentially a five-tool Cuban center-fielder. I know there are a dozen teams that have contracted the agent for Yoennis Cespedes now that he is eligible for free agency. But all along we have read how the Marlins and this 'great unknown' are meant for each other.

Again, further notes on how great this offseason has been to the Marlins. Cespedes recently said the Cubs have been the most aggressive suitor for his services. And mentions the Marlins, Cubs, White Sox, Orioles, Tigers, and Indians as the teams with "most interest." Forgive me if I see this as a slam dunk. The Tigers are probably out now that they got Prince Fielder. The Orioles and the White Sox have more holes than swiss cheese. The Indians might get in if Cespedes admits he's never liked the beach and instead likes cold weather six months out of the year. And as for those Cubs... Theo Epstein is savvy, but the Cubs still have a very expensive payroll with players nobody wants. So adding is not the problem for the Cubs. Its moving pieces out.

Going back to that hypothetical. Its not about what team had the best off season. For obvious reasons many teams had a great off season (Angels, Tigers, Rangers, etc.). But how wonderful for the hometown Fish they gave up very little, and got back a much improved roster.

- If Cespedes does not sign with the Marlins, Bonifacio will do fine out in center. However, if Chris Coghlan is ever going to make an impression, he may want to do it now. Its about time he gets it together and returns to the field. His trade value is so low right now, I don't think teams remember he is a former rookie of the year.

- Check out this review on Marlins prospect Christian Yelich. He is predicted to be Juan Pierre (he can beat out the ground ball) meshed into Josh Hamilton type (extra base hits galore). Looking forward to seeing him up with the big league club someday soon.

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With yesterday's announcement that Yoennis Cespedes has been granted free agency (H/T MLB Daily Dish), let the derby begin for his 2012 and future services. You have better believe that the Miami Marlins are major suitors for Cespedes's services according to MLB.com's Joe Frisaro, as they have been linked to him ever since his first viral workout video came out. The Marlins are said to be "aggressive right to the point of stupidity" in terms of their chase for Cespedes's services.

Of course, the Fish are not the only suitors for Cespedes. In Frisaro's piece, he lists five other teams besides the Marlins who may have some interest.

Recently, Cespedes said the Marlins, Cubs, White Sox, Orioles, Tigers and Indians had expressed the most interest.

He also mentioned that the Marlins would be willing to go four to six years with Cespedes. In an offseason that has already been jam-packed with free agent goodies, picking up a supposedly premium power hitter like Cespedes, even if he is raw, seems like an interesting situation. But with the competition the team could have, we should at least consider which team might want Cespedes the most.

Marlins

Depending on who you ask, Cespedes could either a capable center fielder or a future corner outfielder; the Washington Nationals actually believe he may be a future first baseman. But right now, the Marlins' only remaining "hole" in terms of position players is center field, and Cespedes would fit nicely in that area. Add the potential for great development, and Cespedes could be a perfect long-term fit for the Fish even when the immediate core of players potentially leave the team.

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With just 30 days until pitchers and catchers report, that means the inevitable countdown counter must begin. The best news, we are just 30 days from hearing how guys like Josh Johnson, Mark Buehrle, Heath Bell and Carlos Zambrano are doing. Oh and as a former Mets fan, expect Jose Reyes in camp early...he has a knack for that.

Speaking of Josh Johnson, the Marlins ace has some great news. It looks like ole JJ will begin throwing off a mound next week and plans to be ready for Spring Training. His plans for staying healthy all season are up for debate.

In what will probably the first of many Ozzie Guillen stories we will read this season, our manager denies quitting on the White Sox. The question is...who didn't quit on the White Sox? Buehrle did...he's a Marlin now!

Al Yellon of SBNation says the Marlins are the worst thing ever. I don't know about you, but that seems pretty trollish to me. Our fearless leader, again on the top of his game, Michael Jong tackles that issue, here.

Speaking of trolling, Marlins Diehards has the ultimate troll scenario involving Mike Piazza laid out here. But for it to actually work, the HOF voters would have to take the stick out of their nether regions and let Piazza in the hall.

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If you are a Marlins fan and saw this article from SB Nation's own Al Yellon, you would probably have opinions ranging from "mad" to "ugh." And that's kind of how I felt when I read it. Yellon is the editor over at Bleed Cubbie Blue, our awesome Chicago Cubs blog. This must have something to do with it, as Yellon admits that he isn't particularly happy with the Marlins' 2003 vanquishing of the Chicago Cubs in the NLCS, among other things. But it seems Yellon is just mad because our team is, well, tacky.

Then there's this affront to baseball logos:

And this affront to humanity:

Seriously, what are these people thinking? That's right: "tired lounge act." As if that's not enough,the team's marketing department regularly taunts the Chicago Cubs whenever they come to town...

Yellon then goes on claim that the acquisitions of players like Carlos Zambrano and Ozzie Guillen as manager are leading to a circus-like clubhouse atmosphere. So three of the four complains were due to the tacky nature of the ballclub, and only one had anything to do with something legitimate, which was the sleaziness that is Jeffrey Loria.

And you know what? Marlins fans would probably agree with all of that. The logo is odd, though it has grown on me enough that I have been looking for a cap at a local store for some time. The home run piece is, well, words cannot describe it really. The clubhouse will be an interesting one to manage, though if there is someone to do it, it is probably Ozzie Guillen. And you would be hard-pressed to find an owner less liked by his team's fans than Loria.

And you know what? None of that really matters. Because deep at the heart of it all, it is not really about any of those things. People just hate the Marlins, and there's no real rhyme or reason to it.

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Last week 167 readers voted for which starting rotation they would want. Here are the results:

• 35% (1st) want JJ, Buehrle, Sanchez, Nolasco, Zambrano
• 22% (2nd) want JJ, Sanchez, Buehrle, Nolasco, Zambrano
• 14% (3rd) want JJ, Buehrle, Sanchez, Zambrano, Nolasco
• 100% want JJ as the #1
• 61% want Buehrle as the #2
• 29% want Sanchez as the #2
• 05% want Nolasco as the #2
• 50% want Sanchez as the #3
• 31% want Buehrle as the #3
• 14% want Nolasco as the #3
• 57% want Nolasco as the #4
• 19% want Zambrano as the #4
• 16% want Sanchez as the #4
• 03% want Buehrle as the #4
• 76% want Zambrano as the #5
• 19% want Nolasco as the #5
• 0% thought Zambrano deserved a 1, 2, or 3 slot
  
  Now on to this week:
  Even though the Marlin attendance jokes got old with Fish fans years ago, you still continue to hear them today. With the new ballpark making its debut, attendance will no doubt be up this year, but how much?
  
  This week I ask readers:

With just about a month away from the time pitchers and catchers are due to report to their spring training facilities, the Miami Marlins will have multiple players showing up to Roger Dean Stadium as a Marlin for the first time next month. With the addition of two new pitchers, Mark Buehrle and Carlos Zambrano, catchers John Buck and Brett Hayes will have their work cut out for them. After being familiar with Chris Volstad and Javier Vazquez, both Buck and Hayes are likely prepared to take on the challenge.

While the adjustment shouldn't take too long, there are noticeable differences between the two pitchers that the Marlins lost this offseason, and the two that they acquired. Tall, right hander Chris Volstad features multiple different off speed pitches and a mid to upper nineties curveball, while the pitcher taking his spot in the rotation, Zambrano, typically has a fastball in the lower nineties range. Additionally, Vazquez, who pitched well for the Marlins last year, relies on his off speed pitches to get outs, while soft tossing lefty Mark Buehrle uses a fastball on the inside corner to compile strikeouts. Despite the differences, both Buehrle and Zambrano will likely make the Marlins a better team.

-The Sun-Sentinel released an article in which Juan Oviedo, known as Leo Nunez during his tenure with the Marlins, wants to fulfill his late father's dream, which was to see his own name on the back of Juan's jersey instead of his friend's. Oviedo had been on the restricted list, but was tendered a contract earlier this week. A trade is very possible.

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