NewsMarlins could fill gaps with free agents
Florida may pick up affordable options to bolster lineup
By Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com
11/19/09 12:00 AM EST
MIAMI -- The free-agency floodgates will swing open on Friday, and though the Marlins consistently sport one of the lowest payrolls in the Majors, they can factor in, too.Florida had the least amount of money committed to its roster last year, and the front office has stressed that payroll will continue to match revenue until the club moves into its new stadium at the beginning of the 2012 season.
That means, of course, that the Marlins will not be in the running for such top free-agent prizes as John Lackey, Matt Holliday or Jason Bay. But that doesn't mean they can't use the free-agent market to get over the hump and into the playoffs for the first time since '03.
At midnight ET on Friday, the exclusive negotiating window between eligible free agents and their previous clubs ends, and those players will be free to talk with any team.
Florida can at least rest assured that the most coveted position pretty much every offseason -- starting pitcher -- is pretty much accounted for, despite a collective up-and-down season by its young staff. But perhaps one or two relievers would interest them, and maybe a veteran at third base, second base or left field.
The Marlins' payroll in '09 was approximately $36 million and will probably stay there in 2010 -- or perhaps go even lower.
TO FREE AGENCY |
• First basemen
• Second basemen
• Shortstops
• Third basemen
• Outfielders
• Starting pitchers
• Relievers/Closers
Florida has 11 arbitration-eligible players, but the Marlins freed up money when they traded Jeremy Hermida to the Red Sox, and there is wide speculation that second baseman Dan Uggla -- who could make about $7 million through arbitration -- could be dealt, as well.
If that happens, Florida might be interested in a corner outfielder to help round out the starting lineup.
John Baker and Ronny Paulino are likely to return as platoon mates behind the plate, and Hanley Ramirez is a sure thing at shortstop. The Marlins reportedly have interest in bringing back Jorge Cantu to play third or first base, and the other corner-infield spot can easily be decided between Gaby Sanchez and Logan Morrison in Spring Training. In addition, Florida will probably have Cameron Maybin (center field) and Cody Ross (likely right) in the outfield next season.
Newly crowned National League Rookie of the Year Chris Coghlan is perfectly capable of manning left field, but if the Marlins get an experienced corner outfielder, they can accomplish several things: They can move Coghlan to his more natural position, second base, relegate Emilio Bonifacio to being a super-utility player -- a role he seemed better suited for last year -- and have somebody who could not only serve as a stopgap until highly rated prospect Michael Stanton is ready for the big leagues, but provide a bat that can protect Ramirez in the middle of the order.
"We know [Coghlan] can play second, we know he can play third; we know he can do those things," Larry Beinfest, the Marlins' president of baseball operations, said recently. "But we have a pretty good second baseman in Dan Uggla, and Jorge Cantu is over at third, and he's done a great job for us the last couple of years between first and third. We'll see how things go. I don't want to get into what-ifs or what's going to happen."
A lot can change between now and the start of next season, but such players as Garret Anderson, Mike Cameron, Gary Sheffield -- who has expressed an interest in returning to South Florida -- and Marcus Thames could be relatively cheap outfield options.
If Florida opts to have Coghlan stay in left field, some second basemen who could be available -- again, assuming Uggla does not return -- include former Marlin Craig Counsell, Ronnie Belliard and, perhaps, Jamey Carroll.
Carroll's agent, Jonathan Maurer, confirmed on Wednesday that the Marlins have shown interest in his client but haven't been as aggressive as some of the other clubs he said have also been intrigued.
The 35-year-old Carroll plays solid defense at second and third base, has experience at shortstop and the outfield, and is a pretty good on-base-percentage guy -- something Florida always needs. But since the Marlins still have Uggla and Cantu on their roster, they're looking at Carroll merely as a utility player at the moment.
Since clubs can't actually negotiate with other teams' free agents until Friday, the two sides likely didn't really get into any specifics.
"Jamey would be very excited to consider the Florida Marlins should they extend an offer at some point -- when offers can be extended," Maurer said. "But at this point, there are other clubs a lot more aggressive than the Marlins. I'm not asking for the Marlins to be aggressive. [But] at this point, they have a second baseman and a third baseman."
An option at third base -- if neither Stanton nor Sanchez pans out, or if Cantu is dealt -- could be Melvin Mora, who saw a vast drop in numbers this year and would be pretty affordable.
As for in-house guys, the Marlins have four free agents -- Nick Johnson, Ross Gload, Brendan Donnelly and Kiko Calero.
Johnson isn't expected back, and after having a solid bounce-back year in '09, Calero probably won't be affordable. But Florida, which don't have a set closer and is rumored to be shopping hard-throwing right-hander Matt Lindstrom, is always looking for cheap bullpen options.
And though Gload's club option was declined, and several left-handed pinch-hitters can materialize through free agency or a trade, the Marlins may choose to bring back the 33-year-old, who formed a nice pinch-hitting duo with Wes Helms and played solid defense at first base when called upon.
Alden Gonzalez is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
