With the Marlins reaching the vaunted 100-loss mark, CEO Derek Jeter spoke on Friday about his team’s approach to the impending offseason, with the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson speculating on what the winter may hold. This season, the club ranked second-to-last in payroll, dishing out just $70MM in total salary expenditures. However, with Martin Prado slated to hit free agency and the team likely to decline Starlin Castro’s club option, a considerable portion of that number will come off the books following the season, leaving the Marlins with just about $31MM in guaranteed contracts for the 2020 season, per Roster Resource. That number will rise as the team inks players under team control, but the point stands that the Fish will have significant room to seek upgrades in the offseason. After a trade deadline that saw them bolster the farm system through the acquisitions of Lewin Diaz, Jazz Chisholm, and Jesus Sanchez, the Marlins now find themselves with one of the Majors’ better farm systems, featuring a solid crop of position-player prospects, though few in that group will be ready to contribute in the coming season. With that in mind, Jeter sees his team as needing to strike a balance between seeking positional upgrades and developing youngsters: “You want to give [prospects] enough time to continue to develop but you don’t want to block their way,” he said on Friday. The team has needs all over the diamond, though outfield, first base, and the bullpen stand out as perhaps the most glaring. Jackson lists a number of potential free-agent targets to keep an eye on, including big-name hitters with south Florida roots like Jose Abreu and Nicholas Castellanos; however, it remains uncertain whether the team will target big fish, since projections of increased revenue have yet to actualize, though attendance-related issues may be remedied by making a splash in the offseason.
Here are the latest tidbits from the ever-competitive NL East…
- Just over a week ago, the Mets found themselves at the heart of quite a controversy when Mets starter Noah Syndergaard expressed his proclivity for catchers not named Wilson Ramos, who has been the most productive hitter out of the Mets’ catching group. For the first time, Ramos offered his thoughts on the situation, as relayed by Mike Puma of the New York Post. Evidently, the veteran catcher isn’t bothered by the drama, understanding that there are times when pitchers feel a heightened comfort with a particular catcher. Ramos, who’s been around since 2010, is certainly no stranger to the dynamics of a big-league clubhouse and is instead choosing to focus his energy on getting the Mets into the postseason. Coming off a win last night, his club finds themselves 3.5 games out of the second Wild Card spot with nine games left to play—a deficit that, while not insurmountable, makes them a longshot to play in October. After making a pair of starts with Ramos behind the dish, Syndergaard got his wish on Wednesday, when he threw to Rene Rivera, though that combination didn’t yield much better results. With his next start scheduled to come on Tuesday, it will be interesting to see whether Mickey Callaway turns again to Ramos.
- One of the unsung heroes of the Nationals bid for the postseason has been veteran Howie Kendrick, who has excelled as a pinch-hitter and occasional infielder. As Todd Dybas of NBC Sports writes, he’s enjoying a career year that might not have happened if he weren’t under contract for 2019 following an Achilles tear suffered early last season. Of course, the free agent market has been notoriously cruel to players in their 30s, and Kendrick, 36, may not have gotten another chance in the Majors after such a significant injury. However, with a $4MM salary already in place for 2019 after inking a two-year deal with Washington, Kendrick has carved out a nice role and now projects to play an instrumental part in a potential Nats playoff run, all while setting himself up to draw interest for yet another contract this coming offseason.
That was very Brave of Noah to make those comments. Some might think he’s taking a Chop at Ramos. Some probably think he should just Clinch his teeth and keep it that stuff in house. But I respect it. #GoBraves
That would be shameful of Jeter to let Starlin Castro leave. Castro is one of the few Marlins that should even be stepping on a MLB field on a daily basis. Talent has gotten watered down. MLB needs to get rid of at least 2 if not 4 teams to make MLB more competitive. Too many AAAA players.
the Marlins should try an extend Starlin and build around him. he’s no stanton, but he’s still a very good player.
lofl
Marlins should build around Brian Anderson not Castro.
Enjoy the AAAA, cuz at the Marlins aren’t going anywhere.
Contraction is not the answer. Many of those AAAA players are on MLB rosters by choice of front offices and not due to a lack of other alternatives. Miami could have fielded a more competitive team this year if they CHOSE to.
shameful of Jeter to let Starlin Castro leave. lol the guy over stay his welcome . he was suppose to be traded by now .
Castro’s stuck in the worst season of his career with minus-1.2 fWAR in first half you think it better from their . when marlins put him at 3b sho marlins dont need him no more i dont know what you plain are to help marlins in rebuild .castro does not help.. just taking a spot . just like Dan Straily was . get over it
I see what you did there
I mean, if you gotta have glaring needs, OF and 1B are generally pretty easy to take care of. Bullpen? The line forms to the right.
i wouldnt be surpised if Prado bounces back with a healthy year somewhere else.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Prado go sign with his old team as a super utility guy/injury insurance and camargo included in a trade this offseason.
Braves want Prado back in their organization long-term 100%.
prado would weather have then Castro .
i can see braves , yankees in him
Jeter is only there to make a profit. Could care less if they win. With revenue sharing the Marlins will make hundreds of millions this year with the worst team in the league. MLB needs to implement a minimum salary cap like the NHL did. Make teams at least try to put a competitive team out there every day.
Its pretty pathetic what Jeter is doing considering he is HOF player who made 265 million alone in mlb salary (not even mentioning the millions he made in advertising/endorsements). He still has to make more dollars helping make a mockery of Major League Baseball.
He’s not a ball player anymore, he’s a businessman. Though the financial parallels are nearly identical-make as much money as you can while you can.
I don’t really understand this. If they hadn’t spent the way they did in this years draft and the last two IFA periods, it’d make more sense. But they did, and while it’s things you should be utilizing anyways, the Loria regime never tapped into the IFA market and half assed the draft. There’s also another DR academy being built and that can’t be cheap, but I’m not sure which regime greenlit that so I’ll stay neutral on that one. Lastly, what are they supposed to do, sign the Chens of the world to 80m? Do what the Angels do and give middling pitchers 10m+? When the times right, they have to spend, and should be criticized if they don’t, but it’s not like they haven’t been following their own plan of building something sustainable.
MARLINS SHOULD DO THE FOLLOWING:
1. Offer Starlin 2 years, 15 million per year. I think he will be seeking something around 30 – 35 million guaranteed money over 2-3 years… He’s a valuable player for the rebuild and should stay… Remember, he was major part of Cubs rebuild years… and seems to be in his prime right now. Yes we have Isan Diaz, Rojas, Devers, Chisholm as 2B/SS options, but Devers and Chisholm should stay in the minors until at least mid 2021. Diaz hasn’t proven much yet.
2. Offer Brian Anderson 7 years, 100 million. This is self-explanatory.
3. Sign a veteran reliever to supplement the group of Staneck, Steckenrider, Urena, Garcia, Guerrero, Kinley, etc… Non tender Conley please. Offer a guy like Brandon Kintzler a 2 year, 10 million contract, or something in that vicinity. Maybe bump salary to 7-8 million per year if neccesary… Would not go higher than that though. It’s important to have good bullpen pieces to protect starting pitchers.
4. Sign Jarrod Dyson to a 2 year deal. Offer something in the 10-12 million range per year.
5. Offer 1 year deal around 8-10 million to Mitch Moreland or Justin Smoak (preferaby Moreland).
Lineup
CF Dyson
SS Rojas
3B Castro
RF Anderson
1B Moreland
LF Cooper/Ramirez
2B Diaz
C Alfaro
Bench
OF Brinson
UT Berti/Riddle
C Holaday
OF Sierra/Dean
Rotation
Alcantara, Lopez, Smith, Yamamoto, Dugger/Hernandez/Neidhart
You’ve vastly overestimating what Dyson, Moreland and Castro would get in FA. They’d be lucky to get what you think they’ll get per year over 2 years.
Probably am… My bad.
You get my point though. 2 year deals.
Marlins are not picking up Castro’s 15mil option to then offer him a 2 year deal with 30 mill. I’m all for bringing back Castro. 2 yr deal at 7.5 mil annually sounds about right.
Moreland would be a great pick up but I’d prefer Adam Jones over Dyson.
3B Castro lol i would weather lose him . then to disrespect Anderson. and marlins can find better players
Dyson lol Victor Victor Mesa be better dont say not ready after much marlins use Lewis Brinson /plus scotts say Mesa’s speed and defense are big-league ready right now. He’s a well above-average runner with the savvy to steal bases and he chases down balls from gap to gap in center field. Few players at his position can match
also Billy Hamilton be cheaper then your offer to Jarrod Dyson to a 2 year deal. Offer something in the 10-12 million range per year. plus Billy Hamilton give done more option on base path
1B Moreland would not do to old o much to offer
“Vaunted” means worthy of praise or boasts, usually to excess. Seems like kind of an inappropriate word to use to describe 100 losses, unless I missed something.
“Irony” means using language that normally signfies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect.
Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap!!!
Well done
Wouldn’t it be ironic if the word wasn’t being used ironically?
Move to Secaucus, New Jersey, with the Rays.
I truly feel for Marlin fans. What a franchise they’ve had to endure.
They still have more World Series wins than 10 other teams.
Yep – and then there’s a fire sale.
Who?
I hope the Angels bring Howie back as veteran off the bench. And as a mentor to the young players. It also helps if Adell isn’t ready to start in the majors after spring training, they can platoon Howie and Goodwin in right field.
Contraction is not the answer. Many of those AAAA players are on MLB rosters by choice of front offices and not due to a lack of other alternatives. Miami could have fielded a more competitive team this year if they CHOSE to.
So could’ve the Astros and Braves as recent examples of teams selling off talent and tanking in order to rebuild the franchise.
The Marlins are finally doing it the right way. Having said that, Sherman/Jeter Group still have a long way to go before even coming close to changing the perception of the team to Marlins fans and the community, that they’re not just in it to make a millions.
I’m cautiously optimistic and moreso than ever under the Loria administration.
than the Loria administration**
back to back last place in nl east is doing the right way . wow not improving under a rebuild . Braves as recent examples of teams selling off talent lol they did not sale of like marlins . braves keep their best player Freddie Freeman . unlike marlins yelich …. plus not once did marlins finish last place back to back under any rebuild under loria .2011 to 2013 marlins finish last place but 2012 was not a rebuild year .
2013 was a rebuild year 62–100 they improve 2014 77–85 they improve in n.l. trades made at 2019 trade deadline lost me . set marlins back second half and will next year
Uh, is this Dave Sampson talking?
FYI – Yelich wanted out and the Jeter group made it clear that they didn’t want to keep any player that didn’t want to be here. Same reason they traded Realmuto. Yelich was signed already for a while. It was a trade due to him wanting out. Also of note, Yelich wasn’t likely to start knocking 35+ HRs if he stayed in Marlins Park. It’s not hitter friendly like it is in Milwaukee. Yelich hit a lot of balls to the warning track that are getting out in Milwaukee. His game would’ve been different where he would’ve been more of a gap hitter with more SBs, while maintaining the Bavg.
Castro should not return with marlins.
it wont help marlins . when guy having one worst years in first half. and wont get better from their.
Noah Syndergaard and Rendon to be picked up by the Cardinals this off season. Now John Mozeliak of the Cardinals wouldn’t do this. He’d rather sign people like Brett Cecil. Or give an aging loss of skills player $36 million over 2 years. However, those 2 players fit the bill to make the Cardinals dominant in the 2020 season.
I love when people who don’t know baseball and/or don’t know the Marlins situation make comment based on what tabloid networks like E!SPN and FOX Sports tells them.
1) Why would the Marlins bring Castro back? He’s in the prime of his career and isn’t a franchise player who’s next contract won’t be worth it for the Marlins situation. If he were this player that he is now, but two or three years younger, then you buy in. The Marlins are going to give Isan Diaz the shot at 2B. If that doesn’t work out, as they give Jazz Chisholm the chance at SS, Miguel Rojas (a better defender) will handle 2B. 3B is Brian Anderson’s job. Anyone that knows baseball and the Marlins knows that Anderson is the Marlins 3B. I’m pretty sure that those who stated Castro at 3B have no clue of the existence of Brian Anderson.
2) Why add any infielders at all, other than a vet utility guy? The Marlins are locked in next year with C-Jorge Alfaro, 1B-Garrett Cooper, 2B-Isan Diaz, SS-Miguel Rojas, 3B-Brian Anderson. They are giving those guys the jobs.
3) Why go out of the way to add any OFs, unless an already proven young stud? Next year, there will be a stable of kids competing for the starting and bench jobs there. Harold Ramirez is almost a lock to be starting in OF somewhere, so that’ll leave just two starting OF spots and one fourth OF spot to the guys competing for those roles. This is the case while the kids that will be competing this spring are Magneuris Sierra (who looks like a favorite to win at least a platoon role), Lewis Brinson, Monte Harrison, Austin Dean, Jesus Sanchez, Victor Victor Mesa, Cesar Puello, and if somehow Lewin Diaz is ready to be up at 1B, that would move Garrett Cooper to a corner OF spot, which would almost be guaranteed as him starting.
4) For those that keep saying that the Marlins shouldn’t have traded the stars we had, we were a losing team with them. The only year that we seriously competed for a playoff spot was Jose Fernandez’s last season…and our hopes died with him that season and ever since. He was one of the top pitchers in the game and we were still just a Wild Card contender. We weren’t going to find that type of pitcher anywhere for the price that we were paying him. The top free agents since were Cueto, who we pursued, but he chose the Giants for a king’s randsom. The following year the top free agents were Yu Darvish and Jake Arrieta…no thank you on both. We would not have done anything if we had signed any of these three.
Sheesh…some of you just need to take a look at the old saying of…It’s better for someone to think you’re stupid instead of opening your mouth and leaving no doubt.
As a Marlins fan, I’m very happy with the moves they made. I’m happy with what they’re trying to do with the rebuild. We have had one ‘five year plan’ build up from expansion, and three rebuilds. Those resulted in two championships. The two times it didn’t result in championships was the 2006 – 2011 build up that Loria messed up with manager firings and interferring with his front office; and the 2013 – 2017 build up that was destroyed the minute that the only foundation of our pitching talent died (Jose Fernandez) and the expected #2 starter’s arm fell off the planet (Wei-Yin Chen). After that, we had no realistic chance of winning with a juggernaut lineup and horrible pitching. The two success stories were 1997 built from building from the bottom up from expansion; and the 2003 team that was built from the 1998 fire sale.
I’m good with what the Marlins are doing now. And I’ll say this. While everyone is talking 2023 and beyond, with seeing this team and what’s expected to come, I think we start seeing something in 2021.