The Marlins are intent on adding offense, and are exploring both the free agent and trade routes to accomplish this goal. On the open market, the Marlins have shown interest in Avisail Garcia (as per The Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson) and they have spoken with agent Scott Boras, according to MLB Network’s Jon Heyman. Boras represents any number of top hitters in this year’s free agent market, though Heyman observes that outfielder Nick Castellanos is from Miami, even if it’s “hard to see [the Marlins] affording him.”
Using MLBTR’s Top 50 Free Agents list as reference, we have Castellanos pegged for a five-year, $115MM deal, not to mention the additional draft pick compensation the Marlins would need to surrender since Castellanos has rejected the Reds’ qualifying offer. Garcia is projected for three years and $36MM, which much more realistic even for a Marlins team that has expressed a willingness to flex a bit more financial muscle this winter. As it happens, our Garcia estimate is pretty close to the three-year, $30MM extension offer the Marlins floated at Starling Marte last summer, so that could give some hint as to what the team is prepared to spend.
Garcia is less expensive and is a better defender than Castellanos, though Castellanos has a more consistent track record as a hitter. Garcia does happen to be coming off one of the best seasons of his career, after hitting .262/.330/.490 with a personal-best 29 homers in 515 PA with the Brewers. While Garcia alone wouldn’t elevate Miami’s lineup, Heyman believes the Marlins could “acquire multiple hitters that cost somewhat less” than one big splashy acquisition like Castellanos.
The opportunity also exists for the Marlins to trade from their pitching surplus, and MLB Network’s Jon Morosi tweets that the Blue Jays are one of the teams who have been in touch with Miami. Heyman identifies Pablo Lopez and Elieser Hernandez as the Marlins’ “most available arms,” likely in the context of Lopez and Hernandez being the type of big league-ready pitchers that would appeal to a win-now team like Toronto.
Since the Jays have a catching surplus and the Marlins have a need behind the plate, Alejandro Kirk seems like a logical trade possibility, Morosi opines. Kirk may have the most trade value of any Blue Jays catcher besides star prospect Gabriel Moreno, and Sportsnet’s Ben Nicholson-Smith writes that Moreno “appears extremely unlikely” to be dealt anywhere. Toronto could also be a fit for the Marlins’ outfield needs, as Nicholson-Smith notes that the Jays have been getting a lot of interest in their catchers and outfielders at the GM Meetings.
As a Jays fan, I love this. Make a deal Atkins, get some cheap pitching under control. Would be great.
The Jays match up well with both the Marlins and A’s in both what the Jays need and what both teams want. Alcantra from the Marlins and Montas from the A’s are top targets to me. Unfortunately, getting them will subtract from the Jays upper minors and the major league team. Hard to see making any trades without Guriel, Teoscar or Kirk and maybe all of them departing for very good young pitching.
As long as it’s not all three of them, I think it’d be worth the price for Alcantra. Young controllable ace pitchers are a whole lot harder to come by than slugging corner outfielders or catchers who show some promise but have less than 200 major league at bats.
Lopez is tempting at first glance, but has 3 separate IL stints for shoulder issues. I’d rather avoid another Josh Johnson situation.
Kirk was Ray’s personal catcher. Guess this waits until after Ray signs somewhere?
Will the draft pick penalty definitely apply this offseason for teams signing a player who turned down a QO? Or could any changes in a new CBA go into effect immediately?
I’m not sure i can answer your exact question, but no player that has ever turned down a QO signed before the new calendar year
Elieser Hernandez for Kirk straight up. Who says no?
i’m down.
I would prefer Lopez or make a bigger deal for both and Jazz Jr. as well !
Agreed @To4
Marlins would need to also send all their International pool money for the next half decade in addition to Pablo, Jazz Jr.
Gotta overpay to receive back “maybe” avg talent.
I’d like to try and land both Hernandez and Lopez for Kirk, Grichuk (or Gurriel), Pardhino and another prospect. Not sure it will be possible but worth a look. Jays could even add some cash to help offset Grichuk cost.
Hernandez (5.2) Lopez (57)
Grichuk (-12)
Gurriel (18.6)
Kirk (15.8)
Pardhino (0.5)
That trade isn’t even close. Numbers in brackets is what baseball trade values has each player.
Rafael Marchan and Luis Garcia for Elieser Hernandez
On top of Elieser, Marlins would need to offer to pay for half of the phillies 2022 and 2023 payroll in order to be gifted with the future all-star back up C in Marchan and future batting champ UT/SS Luis Garcia.
Great job @Mjm117,but I think the Marlins would have to still throw in some Jeter signed baseballs and a game jersey and Michael Jordan signatures and some game sneakers.
While Castellanos obviously comes with the power numbers, I think Garcia gets you more bang for your buck. Solid offense, better defense, and cheaper. Would be a great fit in Miami.
Totally agree. Then the rest of the money that would
Have gone to Castellanos could be applied elsewhere. I personally want to see Marlins bring in Rizzo to play 1B and put Aguilar at DH. This is of course assuming that the DH becomes part of the NL. In this case, could always trade Aguilar. As for Lewin Diaz, start him out in AAA and see if he can play some LF.
Lewin has that glove though that’s better than Aguilar and Rizzo. Lewin is my 1B and I want a corner OF bat and a catcher. Then add a real closer.
Kirk and Gurriel jr for Eliezer and Braxton Garret as headliners should get it done.
As a Jays Fan, I would trade both of Kirk and McGuire to the Marlins as part of a deal for both of Lopez and Hernández. However, I would only move Grichuk and be hesitant to move neither of the other starting 3. You just can solve a problem to create another. I would start Moreno/Jansen as my full time Catching Duo since Gabriel Moreno appears to be ready !
Marlins would need a helluva alot more if they’re going to give up their #2 and #4 starter.
For Lopez, it would probably have to be a Gurriel and Kirk package..
Alcantara and Rogers are their number 1-2. Lopez and Hernández are 4-5 right now . In fact, I don’t even think Hernández makes that rotation unless he dispute the number 5 with Lopez.
Yeah Lopez and Hernandez should just be released. They’re worthless.
I can’t see Castellanos signing with the Marlins. They can’t out spend anyone and don’t offer a better path to the playoffs. I could see Garcia though.
I agree we need to keep Gurriel. And I like Kirk’s bat but maybe him and Groshens as part of package for Alcantara.
You won’t be getting Alcantara unless you’re offering a package of Gabriel Moreno and Cavan Biggio.
Yore dreaming right ?
Biggio and Moreno will only add to that PowerFull line up. There aren’t going anywhere unless Jazz. One our way and even though, Moreno and Pearson are staying put.
Alcantara is an Ace with three more years of control. No way and hell he gets traded for anything less than two quality everyday players.
Cavan and quality are risky put together a
Lourdes Jr. is not going anywhere as the Tribe ask about him in a “Lindor” trade and the Jays said no !
Lopez and Hernandez are the ones listed in the article as available. No mention of Alcantara. Keep hoping though!
So my Marlins didnt extend Marte over a difference of a few million, and basically let Duvall walk, but now are looking to sign affordable bats, makes perfect sense.
No, they traded Duvall to the Braves and helped them win a championship. Get it right!
They did get a good young catcher back ♂️
Whoever they sign in free agency should demand no trade because every few years marlins sell their talent and start over.
Exactly!
They win championships and start all over. Only Highs and lows for this franchise. Nothing in between.
I am really curious to watch the Marlins rebuild develop more. The Braves rebuilt their farm on pitching but the Marlins did it even more drastically than the Braves.
They aren’t without their diamonds in the line up, however. Jazz Chisholm deserves some attention and they have a couple strong prospects in the minors that also look like plus defenders, Bleday and Watson though Watson is just 18 and hasnt even played in high A ball yet so a lot could change and will be a while before he shows up in the majors.
The Marlins also seem motivated to trade for a strong catcher if need be. Makes a lot of sense having rebuilt their farm based on pitching.
Think Kim Ng will do some intriguing things with the Marlins.
Funny how here we have so many GM making this trades. Well here is my prefer trade for the Marlins. If and this is a big if, I am giving Lopez in any kind of trade, I want Oscar H, and not Kirk, he can hit But he is no catcher. He is out of shape he will not be able to support the rigorous demands that catching requires. So Oscar and Moreno for Lopez, Hernandez, Garret and maybe Victor Meza or another minor leaguer that is not Mizner, Bleeday . Not worth giving Lopez who can win 15, 18 games for the Jays Hernandez who can get 12, 15, and Garret who can get 10, 12. So lets add, 18, 14, 10, 42 wins. close to 4o% on your way to an excellent season. Lopez is a super pitcher. Marlins are just holding him back to control his arbitration $$$, So this is my story and I am sticking to it.
The Toronto/Miami fit pretty much is about Kirk, but he’s a bit of an acquired taste and while a lot of teams have apparently been on him for years, we don’t know if Miami is one of them. If they are, then he goes a good portion of the way towards a Lopez trade but they’d have to add a considerable second piece.