The Florida Marlins finished in last place in the N.L. East with a 72-90 record, as they were 30 games behind the Phillies. Still, brighter days are in the near future with the Fish moving into their new digs starting in 2012. Here is a look at the things that really stood out about the Marlins in 2011:

TEAM MVP: 21-year old righty swinging Mike Stanton is a rising force for the Marlins. Stanton played in 150 games for the Marlins in 2011 and he was 135 for 516 (.262 avg, .893 OPS) with 79 runs scored, 34 homers, 87 RBIs and 5 stolen bases. No player in major league baseball has more pure power than Stanton, who rarely hits a “cheap” homer.

BEST PITCHER: 35-year old righty starting pitcher Javier Vazquez was awful in the first half and uttering dominating in the second half of the year for the Fish. Vazquez pitched in 32 games (all starts) for the Marlins in 2011 and he was 13-11 with a 3.69 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP. I think the Marlins would be smart to bring him back for 2012 if he wants to continue pitching in the major leagues.

PLEASANT SURPRISE: 26-year old switch-hitting IF/OF Emilio Bonifacio really stepped up for the Marlins in 2011, especially after Jack McKeon took over as the manager and turned him loose on the basepaths. Bonifacio played in 152 games for the Marlins in 2011 and he was 167 for 565 (.296 avg, .753 OPS) with 78 runs scored, 5 homers, 36 RBIs and 40 stolen bases.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT: 27-year old righty swinging shortstop Hanley Ramirez was incredibly lazy in the first season of his contract extension. Ramirez played in only 92 games in 2011 before being shut down with a shoulder injury. He was 82 for 338 (.243 avg, .712 OPS) with 55 runs scored, 10 homers, 45 RBIs and 20 stolen bases. The Marlins expect him to bounce back big time in 2012 and beyond.