Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald says the Marlins will be forced to trade away some of their arbitration-eligible players this offseason unless management is willing to double their payroll into the $50MM range.
Jackson takes a closer look at which players may be on the move…
- Two scouts and a GM told Jackson that the Marlins will likely explore the market for Mike Jacobs, noting they have other options at first base.
- Jackson feels the Marlins won’t want to give Dan Uggla a long-term deal and will look to trade him.
- With Cameron Maybin ready to take over, Jackson sees one or two of the starting outfielders, Cody Ross, Josh Willingham and Jeremy Hermida, being traded.
- Closer Kevin Gregg will be gone if Matt Lindstrom shows he can handle the job.
- Of the pitchers in the rotation, Scott Olsen seems the most likely to be traded. One scout told Jackson the Marlins could "get a lot" for Olsen and they have Andrew Miller who could take his spot.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.