The Marlins were well-represented at Jose Dariel Abreu's most recent showcase, according to MLB.com's Joe Frisaro, who reports that the team is giving serious consideration to meeting his price tag, which could exceed $40-50MM. The Marlins have become enamored with Abreu's bat and "are all-in" on signing him, says Frisaro.
MLB Network's Peter Gammons noted recently that new Marlins president of baseball operations Dan Jennings was on-hand at the showcase and notes that the team could build interest and boost attendance by pairing Abreu with fellow Cuban Jose Fernandez. One club executive opined to Gammons, "Two years from now, if they had Christian Yelich, Colin Moran, Giancarlo Stanton and Abreu at the front of their order with the young pitching they have, they could be serious contenders."
The Marlins aren't expected to be very active on the free agent market for domestic players, but they consider the international market a more attractive alternative, writes Frisaro. He adds that the team would be willing to stretch payroll past its initially projected $38MM figure to add an international player like Abreu.
Miami has Logan Morrison as its first baseman right now and could retain him even if they sign Abreu if they believe Abreu can be adequate at third base. Frisaro notes that some believe he could play third base at the same level as Miguel Cabrera, which isn't exactly a glowing endorsement of his defense but could be passable if he can meet expectations with the bat.
