The Miami Marlins opened up the vault last winter adding Mark Buehrle, Jose Reyes, Heath Bell and Ozzie Guillen. They had high hopes of contending in their first season in their brand new stadium, but things just didn’t work out that way. The Marlins finished in last place in the N.L. East with a 69-93 (42.6%) record, 29 games behind the Washington Nationals. Here is a look at the players that made the biggest difference for the Marlins in 2012, in my opinion:

Team MVP: Giancarlo Stanton - 22-year old righty swinging RF Giancarlo Stanton was outstanding when he was healthy in 2012. Stanton played in 123 games for the Marlins last year and he was 130 of 449 (.290 avg, .969 OPS) with 75 runs scored, 37 homers, 86 RBIs and 6 stolen bases. The Marlins went into the tank when he was injured.

Best Pitcher: Mark Buehrle - 33-year old lefty starting pitcher Mark Buehrle delivered like he always does in 2012. He started 31 games for the Marlins in 2012 and he was 13-13 with a 3.74 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP. He worked 202 1/3 innings for the Fish, helping give the bullpen a little rest every five days. Buehrle would have had a lot better record if he had more help on the days he pitched.

Biggest Surprise: Justin Ruggiano - 30-year old righty swinging Justin Ruggiano got called up when injuries ransacked the Marlins’ outfield and he excelled. Ruggiano played in 91 games for the Marlins in 2012 and he was 90 for 288 (.313 avg, .909 OPS) with 38 runs scored, 13 homers, 36 RBIs and 14 stolen bases. He likely won himself a starting job in the Marlins’ outfield for 2013.

Biggest Disappointment: Heath Bell - The Marlins gave 35-year old righty reliever Heath Bell a huge deal last winter, hoping that he would be the closer. But, he was so awful early in the year that he lost the job before the All-Star Break. Bell pitched in 73 games (0 starts) for the Marlins last year and he was 4-5 with 19 saves, a 5.09 ERA and a 1.56 WHIP.

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.