First place Marlins? How long will that last?

The Florida Marlins are leading the NL East with a payroll less than Alex Rodriguez. Through the first two weeks, Hanley Rodriquez is turning into a top tier infielder. OK so I know the NL east is not near as strong as the west or central divisions but who would have though the Marlins would ever be above .500 this season?

Here is the question, with a team led by a 24-year-old shortshop, is there finally reason to be excited about the Marlins? With the team building a new stadium which may actually be comfortable to sit in thanks to the retractable roof, maybe fans will take a new interest in the team. Obviously it will take alot for management to win over the fans of South Florida after what happened to the team following their World Series wins.

Another question could pop up here too: What if the Marlins are still contenders at the All-Star Game break? Will they go out and get a top tier player to help them win a world series. This team could win the NL east. That isn't saying much, but could they go up against the Brewers, Padres, Dodgers, and Rockies in the playoffs?

I find myself rooting for this team this year after all of what has been said about the team. The years the Marlins won the World Series, they had high priced talent. Think back to 2003. Dontrelle Willis, Juan Pierre, and Miguel Cabrerra. In 1997, Bobby Bonilla and Livan Hernandez. I could think of those team's top talent without even looking it up. Could you say that about say the 2002 World Series champs with the Angels? All I remember from that series was Dusty Baker's son interfering the play at home plate (as a member of the Giants Dugout Babysitting Service) and that stupid rally monkey. So show off Marlins, overachieve. Show the Theo Epstein's and George Steinbrenner's of the world that money doesn't buy championships.

A recap of the Blue Jacket's season can be found later on.