Behind-the-scenes details on the Marlins’ plan going into the offseason and the plan now
Miami Marlins notes as we begin a lockout during which major-league player transactions are prohibited:
▪ The Marlins began the offseason hoping to sign both Starling Marte and Avisail Garcia and pair them with Jesus Sanchez in the outfield.
They snagged Garcia and came pretty close with Marte, who instead took more money from the Mets.
And when the lockout ends, the Marlins have another plan in place — either trade for a player who can play at least one of the outfield spots (there are ongoing discussions with one American League team) or sign an outfielder from the remaining free agent class.
Of the remaining free agents, one who particularly appeals to them is Kyle Schwarber, who hit .266 with 32 homers and 71 RBI for Washington and Boston last season.
The Marlins have reached out on both Schwarber and Nick Castellanos. But Castellanos, at this point, is viewed as too expensive.
Schwarber ultimately might be, too, but the Marlins remain in contention for him; the current asking price is a three-year deal in the $60 million range, and the Marlins must decide if they’re willing to go that high.
Another option on the Marlins radar is free agent Eddie Rosario, who hit .259 with 14 homers and 62 RBI in 111 games for Cleveland and Atlanta. The left-handed hitter has mostly played left field in his career but has 58 appearances in center field.
The Marlins are comfortable with Garcia playing center for them, even though right field is his natural position. Schwarber and Castellanos are strictly corner outfielders.
There is another option, too, if the Marlins fail in their attempt to acquire a clear-cut starting outfielder: Start Joey Wendle at third base and shift Brian Anderson to right field, to play alongside Sanchez (left) and Garcia (center).
That is not the preference. The Marlins would prefer to acquire starting outfielder and are hopeful about doing so. But that is an option, because Anderson is very good defensively in right field.
▪ Here’s what happened in the pursuit of Marte, whom the Marlins dealt to Oakland for Jesus Luzardo before the trade deadline:
As of last Friday afternoon, the Marlins had made the best offer for Marte: four years and $60 million, with two other teams offering comparable contracts.
The Marlins were told it would take close to $70 million to get the deal done. While the Marlins were willing to go a little higher, it ultimately didn’t matter because the Mets offered a number ($78 million over four years) that the Marlins weren’t going to match.
Miami’s final offer was not within $5 million of that Mets’ offer.
Before the trade deadline, the Marlins could have done an extension with Marte if they had been willing to give him a guaranteed fourth year, as the Mets did. The Marlins — before trading him to Luzardo — offered only three years with a team option for the fourth year.
▪ The Marlins planned to try to sign Garcia whether they had landed Marte or not.
The seeds for a deal were planted at a November breakfast at the Riviera Golf Course in Coral Gables.
Garcia — joined at the breakfast by his agent Gene Mato and Marlins CEO Derek Jeter — looked Jeter in the eye and assured him that he wanted to be a Marlin. He had, in fact, wanted to be a Marlin for several years, but the Marlins instead opted to sign Corey Dickerson in 2019. Jeter said he believes he’s a good “judge of character” and knows when someone is telling him the truth. He found Garcia to be genuine.
The negotiations went smoothly. Several teams offered similar money, but the lack of a state income tax in Florida — combined with Garcia’s interest in playing here and the positive vibes in that breakfast meeting — were deciding factors.
Miami agreed to pay him $12 million each of the next four years, with a $12 million club option for Year 5 (2026).
The Marlins must pay him $5 million if they don’t pick up the $12 million option. That $5 million is why the deal can be considered a four-year, $53 million deal, or a five-year, $60 million contract.
▪ While the Marlins would be fine with Wendle playing three or four different positions each week as their top player off the bench, they have by no means ruled out starting him.
A lot of that will depend on Anderson, who has played in just 126 and 67 games in the last two non-COVID shortened seasons. A shoulder injury — and subsequent surgery — ended last season prematurely; his final game appearance was Aug. 29.
The Marlins said this week that they expect Anderson to be healthy for the start of spring training. But this will bear monitoring.
▪ Before trading for Jacob Stallings, the Marlins offered free agent catcher Manny Pina a one-year, $4 million deal. But Pina instead took two years and $8 million from Atlanta.
The Marlins also inquired about Yan Gomes, the top free agent catcher in a weak class, but they were more interested in Stallings, who’s under team control for three more years.
The Boston Red Sox also made an offer for Stallings and at one point thought they had a deal. But the Marlins landed him by including pitching prospect Kyle Nicolas in their bid, along with pitcher Zach Thompson and outfield prospect Connor Scott.
▪ Though the Marlins had high hopes for Nicolas and outfield Kameron Misner (who was dealt to Tampa in the Wendle deal), they were comfortable moving those two prospects because they didn’t believe they were on the verge of being ready for the big leagues.
In pursuing trades for veterans, the Marlins have been determined not to sacrifice any of their top prospects that they feel could be ready for 2022.
Nicolas, Misner and Scott were considered further away.
If the Marlins trade a pitcher, Elieser Hernandez would be available. Braxton Garrett and Nick Neidert are considered available but wouldn’t net much without other pieces being included.
The preference is to keep Pablo Lopez, though he’s not untouchable.
▪ The Marlins tendered Garrett Cooper with the intent of keeping him. Cooper would get a lot of at-bats as a designated hitter if the National League implements a DH during labor negotiations.
The Marlins haven’t decided what to do at first base. They tendered Jesus Aguilar — whom they unsuccessfully tried to sign to a two-year deal during the season — and he could remain the starting first baseman if Lewin Diaz struggles in the spring. If Diaz impresses in the spring, a decision looms.
Follow Craig Mish - the Miami Herald’s senior baseball correspondent - at @CraigMish.
Follow Barry Jackson at @flasportsbuzz
This story was originally published December 2, 2021 at 2:00 PM.
