Versatility will be key for the Marlins in 2020. A look at how they could line up.
The Miami Marlins made an offseason splash Monday when they acquired infielder Jonathan Villar from the Baltimore Orioles and claimed first baseman Jesus Aguilar off waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays.
The duo gives the Marlins more pop in their lineup and provides necessary bats to start improving an offense that was among the worst in Major League Baseball last season.
It also gives the Marlins a lot of flexibility with how they assemble their day-to-day lineups.
Versatility was a key phrase Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill stressed when speaking with reporters Tuesday following the acquisitions. A quick look at the Marlins’ 40-man roster as it is currently constructed makes that pretty apparent.
There’s Villar, a middle infielder by trade but is going to be tested at third base and in the outfield in spring training.
There’s Brian Anderson, who the team views as their third baseman of the future but can also split time at right field.
There’s Miguel Rojas, their starting shortstop who can play anywhere in the infield.
There’s Jon Berti, who has experience playing everywhere in the field except first base and catcher.
There’s Garrett Cooper, primarily a first baseman who can also play in the corner outfields.
Simply put: Expect Marlins players to move around often defensively in 2020.
With that said, let’s take a crack at figuring out what the Marlins might look like on the most regular basis next season, with the understanding that more moves very well could come before spring training begins in February.
Catcher
Jorge Alfaro should be the Marlins’ clear-cut starting catcher. The 26-year-old started 118 games behind the plate in 2019 and hit .262 with 18 home runs, 57 RBI and 44 runs scored. He still has room to improve with his plate discipline (154 strikeouts to 22 walks) and his defense, but he looks to be a mainstay heading into his second year with Miami.
Chad Wallach is the only other catcher on the Marlins’ 40-man roster at the moment.
First base
Aguilar now becomes the favorite to be the ’ everyday first baseman. The 29-year-old right-handed hitter from Venezuela had a .236 batting average in 2019 with 12 home runs, 12 doubles, 50 RBI and 39 runs scored in 131 combined games split between the Milwaukee Brewers and Rays. In 2018, he was an All-Star for the Brewers who belted 35 home runs and drove in 108 runs while hitting .274.
Cooper and Miguel Rojas are options to spell Aguilar on off days.
Second base
The Marlins are going to give Isan Diaz the opportunity to prove he can be an everyday second baseman after a shaky two-month MLB debut. The 23-year-old hit just .173 with five home runs, 23 RBI and 17 runs scored over 49 games after being called up from Triple A.
“I’ve got a job to win,” Diaz said last week. “I’m going into spring training with the mentality to win a job, and to work hard every day, and to continue grinding.”
Should Diaz struggle, Villar, Berti and Rojas are options at second base.
Third base
Based off what Hill said Tuesday, Villar and Brian Anderson are the main contenders for the hot corner. Villar, a prototypical leadoff hitter, had a .274 batting average last season with the Orioles and set career highs in home runs (24), runs scored (111) and RBI (73) to go along with 33 doubles and 40 stolen bases. Defensively, he has started just 48 career games at the hot corner.
Anderson was having a career year in 2019 before fracturing a bone in his left hand. He hit .261 with 20 home runs, 66 RBI and 57 runs scored in 126 games. Of his 119 starts, 64 were at third base and 55 were in right field.
Berti can also make spot starts at third.
Shortstop
Rojas, who the Marlins signed to a two-year extension in September, figures to be the ’ primary shortstop. Rojas led the Marlins with a .284 batting average to go along with 29 doubles, 46 RBI, five home runs and 52 runs scored while leading the team in defensive runs saved (12)
Villar and Berti are other options on off days.
Outfield
Here’s where things get interesting. The Marlins realistically have as many as nine players who could contend for any of the three outfield spots heading into Opening Day.
Right field will likely be a combination of Anderson and Villar depending on who is at third base. Cooper can play either of the corners, but the Marlins will likely platoon him to limit wear and tear considering he missed 55 games last season after playing just 14 games the year before due to a pair of wrist injuries.
Lewis Brinson, Berti, Magneuris Sierra and top prospect Monte Harrison — should he earn a roster spot out of spring training — are all options in center field.
And then the Marlins still have Harold Ramirez and Austin Dean at their disposal as well on the 40-man roster to be bench players or make spot starts at either left or right field should they make the active roster. Dean can also play first
Jesus Sanchez, the club’s No. 3 prospect and the No. 51 overall prospect in baseball who the Marlins acquired at the July 31 trade deadline from the Tampa Bay Rays, is anticipated to make his MLB debut at some point in the 2020 season, too.
And there’s a chance they can sign a low-risk veteran — Avisail Garcia, for example — who could push out Dean or Sierra, who is out of options, for that final spot.
This story was originally published December 4, 2019 at 11:43 AM.
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