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JUPITER -- Mike Dunn is tired of the Marlins being overlooked. He has been a member of several different Marlins teams, but in his eyes, there has not been a group as a solid as this one over the past four seasons.
Miami was notably active this offseason, adding Michael Morse, Dee Gordon, Martin Prado, and Ichiro Suzuki to its offense while trading for Mat Latos and Dan Haren to improve the starting rotation. The Marlins want to win now, and according to Dunn, opponents should not want to play Miami in 2015.
"On all the teams I've been on with the Marlins, this is by far the best all around team," Dunn said. "These guys are proven."
Dunn, 29, is expected to break camp as the Marlins' primary left-handed setup option. In 57.0 innings pitched last season, he posted a 3.16 ERA and 3.06 FIP. Miami's bullpen was productive in 2014, but Dunn is confident the additions of veterans such as Aaron Crow and David Phelps will give the Marlins necessary depth as the season progresses.
"I think we've got a good group of guys we put together this year," Dunn said with regard to the Marlins' 2015 bullpen. "I just want to continue to build and get better. It's just ultimately staying true to yourself and doing your job."
While the Marlins may only carry one left-handed reliever, the club is relying on A.J. Ramos and Bryan Morris to bridge the gap to closer Steve Cishek. The Marlins were interested in signing Francisco Rodriguez before he opted to resign with Milwaukee and could still be in on Phil Coke.
Since the Marlins' rotation has been comparatively young over the past few seasons, the club's bullpen has been taxed significantly early in games. However, even though Jose Fernandez may not return until June or July, Dunn is expecting Miami's rotation to go deeper into games in 2015.
"I'm looking at it without Jose right now, and even when he comes back it's an unbelievable starting staff we're going to have," Dunn said. "A group of guys that are going to go deep into games. You've got a group that can take you into the seventh innings every night, and all five of our guys can, and six when Jose comes back. If they can go even deeper than that, it will allow guys to stay fresh and get rest."
Dunn is excited to watch the Marlins' offense, anchored by Giancarlo Stanton, and is confident the bullpen will be able to hold late leads with Steve Cishek in the back of the bullpen. Cishek saved 39 games last season and posted a 3.17 ERA and 2.17 FIP in 65.1 innings pitched.
"It's great being able to turn the ball over to him knowing that as the guy behind you he is going to get the job done," Dunn said of Cishek. "It's great having him. Steve Cishek just as a guy is an unbelievable human being."
After upgrading the roster this season, Dunn does not believe teams will overlook Miami in 2015. And if they do, he thinks they may be surprised.
"Teams used to look at us and kind of overlook us," Dunn said. "Then they come and play us and realize we have a lot of talent."