Veteran outfielder Curtis Granderson, in camp with the Marlins on a minor league contract, is expected to break camp with the team, per SiriusXM’s Craig Mish (Twitter link). Granderson has a March 15 opt-out clause in his contract, Mish reports, adding that the Marlins “will add him” to the roster by that point. Granderson, who turns 38 the day after that opt-out provision, split the 2018 season between the Blue Jays and the Brewers and posted a combined .242/.351/.431 batting line with 13 home runs, 22 doubles and a pair of triples in 403 plate appearances. He’ll join some combination of Lewis Brinson, Magneuris Sierra, Austin Dean and Peter O’Brien in the outfield now that Brian Anderson is slated to return to third base. Fellow non-roster options for the Marlins include the likes of Isaac Galloway, Harold Ramirez and Gabriel Guerrero. Prospects Monte Harrison and Victor Victor Mesa, meanwhile, are ticketed for further development in the minors.
Here’s more on the Fish…
- Miami has yet to determine how veteran righty Sergio Romo will be utilized this season, writes Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald. Romo is open to pitching in any role, and the Marlins aren’t closed off to the idea of using an “opener” in front of some of their younger rotation pieces, including Caleb Smith, Pablo Lopez and Trevor Richards, McPherson notes. Romo could also figure into high-leverage spots late in games, although McPherson notes that manager Don Mattingly has suggested the team may not utilize a traditional closer in 2019. The Rays bounced Romo between opening games, closing games and pitching in a setup role last season, and it seems the 36-year-old is in for more of the same this coming year.
- Right-hander Nick Neidert is likely to open the 2019 season in Triple-A New Orleans, MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro writes, but the 22-year-old stands out as a candidate for an early promotion to the Majors this season. Neidert, acquired from the Mariners in the Dee Gordon swap, has yet to even pitch in Triple-A but notched a 3.24 ERA with 9.1 K/9, 1.8 BB/9 and a 45.9 percent ground-ball rate in 152 2/3 innings at the Double-A level last season. Though he doesn’t boast a power fastball, Neidert’s four-pitch mix, strong changeup and excellent control (career 1.7 BB/9 in the minors) help to make up for his lack of velocity. “Nick’s a guy who basically can hit all four quadrants, and he’s got different weapons for different guys,” said Mattingly of Neidert. At present, the Marlins have Jose Urena, Dan Straily, Wei-Yin Chen, Sandy Alcantara, Richards, Smith and Lopez as rotation options to open the season, though Smith is working his way back from surgery to repair a Grade 3 lat tear. Chen, meanwhile, has been clobbered thus far in camp after pitching to a 4.79 ERA in 133 1/3 innings last season. Given the level of uncertainty in the Miami rotation, Neidert (and others) could have ample opportunity to get a look in the Majors with a strong showing early in the year.
“The Grandy Man Can!”… Make the Marlins’ roster…
Good luck, Grandy. Rooting for you. Great role model for kids, happy to have seen you play in your prime.
I did not know wei yen Chen pitched 133 innings last year. Then I guess I couldn’t tell you much about the Miami Marlins last year at all.
Long live Curtis Granderson
All 4 of the alternatives are better than chen alcantara and straily..
Really? I think Alcantara has a lot of upside. Straily is an average guy who will pitch many average games. Chen was really good at home last season and would get straight up devastated otherwise.
A lot of these other guys have upside as well but I think Alcantara can turn it around and be one of the best on staff. Smith was very on and off but showed promise. Richards either struck out 8 guys in a good game or had nothing. I want to see what Neidert can do. Urena was really good after he got in trouble. Pablo was not very good but he’s in camp throwing very hard this year out of nowhere. It should all be interesting because since the team won’t be any good many of these guys will get long looks and every chance to do something.
Completely agree. Don’t know what B-Twice is talking about. Either he hasn’t followed the Marlins or just a troll. Alcantara has the ability to be a solid #2. Chen pitched like a cy young candidate at home. Personally I would like him to be released but as for Dan Straily, he’s average at best, but would make it into many other teams rotations. I can see him making about a 1/3 of other teams rotations. He eats innings and has experience which both have value.
Maybe it’s just because he’s a Marlin, but I had no idea how well Chen pitched at home last year. Those splits are insane. What the hell happened to him on the road?
Grandy. Class act, even though he kinda stunk for the Dodgers, gotta root for him always!
Zac Gallen got so shafted if Neidert debuts before him.
I do think it’s important to have vets hanging around the clubhouse when you are rebuild. Especially “good people, hard working” type vets. But you also feel the money and roster spot can be better used to develop someone else. Maybe he’s just a bench bat, but is there not a player in the minors that likely won’t be any more than a bench bat? Maybe a future career minor leaguer type or a young guy that is putting up decent numbers but not blowing it up. Or simply someone that just needs a shot. CG is a great guy, solid player and he definitely is good for him to have. But idk. He prob be better as a coach in their system than a player at this stage
Ignore his batting average. Just go to the ballpark and enjoy the Grandy Man experience.
Sure, Granderson isn’t the greatest player in the world, but I still wish that Major League Baseball had more players like him, because he is a class act and they don’t have that many of them.
I agree. I’ve never heard a single bad thing about Jim thome. Granderson is like the black version of Jim Thome. One of the nicest players you’ll ever meet.
Would have loved to see the Grandy Mans career come full circle and hang em up on the south side with the Sox in the neighborhood he grew up in. Instead Delmonico and Palka will get the at bats.. they have about as much upside as the grandy man at this stage anyways .
Granderson is so desperate to keep playing he signed with Miami. It’s a real shame he couldnt decline a trade to Milwaukee. Thats just as bad as Miami. It could be worse. It could have been Cleveland where there nothing to do after or before a game..