What to expect from the Miami Marlins with MLB’s Winter Meetings set to begin
The Miami Marlins are heading to San Diego for MLB’s annual Winter Meetings, and they look to be buyers — relatively speaking — for the first time since their latest rebuild began.
Their minor-league system is restocked after trading away their five biggest hitters over the first two offseasons under the Bruce Sherman/Derek Jeter regime.
Now, it’s time to add reinforcements to aid the players already in the system.
As the four-day event unfolds from Monday through Thursday and the offseason begins to pick up in earnest, look for the Marlins to continue to make gradual improvements to their roster as they aim to improve from last season’s 57-105 record.
“We’re just looking at ways to continue to improve,” Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill said.
“Any deals we come across in San Diego that make sense, we will explore.”
Here’s what you need to know to get ready for this week’s Winter Meetings.
Moves so far
The Marlins have already made two acquisitions by trading for Baltimore Orioles infielder Jonathan Villar and claiming former Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Jesus Aguilar off waivers.
To make room on the roster, Miami non-tendered JT Riddle and designated Tayron Guerrero for assignment.
The Marlins also cut pitcher Wei-Yin Chen.
Payroll
As the roster stands, the Marlins have $27.75 million in payroll commitments — not including the $22 million they owe Chen.
The number will increase to about $40 million after going through arbitration with Villar (projected to be owed about $10 million) and Aguilar (projected to be owed about $2.5 million).
Pitchers Jose Urena ($4 million) and Adam Conley ($1.6 million) are not projected to earn major salary bumps through arbitration.
Remaining needs
Hill made clear that Villar and Aguilar were “just the first step in adding to this club and putting us in a better position to have a successful 2020 season.”
The Marlins could possibly add another bat, most likely an outfielder considering the potential logjam they have coming up in the infield.
The bullpen, primarily the closer and set-up roles, need to be addressed, too. Ryne Stanek and Drew Steckenrider are internal options, but Hill said Miami will “continue to explore that market and see if there’s an opportunity to add and improve on our bullpen.”
And a backup catcher is likely too, depending on Chad Wallach’s status heading into 2020 after missing the final four months of the season with a concussion.
Rule 5 draft
The Rule 5 draft is the final official piece of business at the Winter Meetings and begins at noon Thursday.
Players who are not on a team’s 40-man roster and been in professional baseball for at least four years (five if he was 18 years old or younger when he signed his first contract) are eligible to be selected in the Rule 5 draft
Players selected in the Rule 5 draft must remain on a team’s active roster for the duration of the next season. Teams are paid $100,000 if one of their players is drafted.
The Marlins protected six of their seven top-30 prospects who were eligible to be selected: pitchers Sixto Sanchez (the Marlins’ No. 1 overall prospect according to MLB Pipeline), Edward Cabrera (No. 6), Nick Neidert (No. 11) and Humberto Mejia (No. 29); shortstop Jazz Chisholm (No. 4); and first baseman Lewin Diaz (No. 12).
The one notable player not protected: Pitcher Will Stewart, Miami’s No. 26 overall prospect who was obtained as part of the J.T. Realmuto trade last offseason.
Other players eligible to be taken by other organizations: right-handed pitchers Dustin Beggs, Tommy Eveld, Alberto Guerrero, Kolton Mahoney, Alejandro Mateo, Cody Poteet, Remey Reed, Josh Roeder, Chad Smith; left-handed pitchers Daniel Castano, Dylan Lee and McKenzie Mills; infielders Bryson Brigman and Christopher Torres; and outfielder Stone Garrett.
.JPG)