Miami Marlins Final Roster Inches Toward “Final” Stamp

Mar 23, 2013; Jupiter, FL, USA; Miami Marlins left fielder

(8) is forced out by St. Louis Cardinals second baseman

(33) in the fourth inning during a spring training game at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

The Miami Marlins announced that Chris Valaika and Chris Coghlan got the nod over Wilson Valdez and Gorkys Hernandez, respectively.

Valaika hit .240/.264/.380 this spring, and offers a backup to either Polanco or Solano, depending on rest/platoon options. Valdez doesn’t offer nearly the consistency at the plate. He spent most of last season at AAA for Cincy, but their team was pretty stacked, and making a pennant run.

Cogs is a perennial near-miss for the Major Leagues, and this year doesn’t look any different.  Most likely, he’ll be a backup for Ruggiano in center until Yelich gets called up.  He’ll either get hung out as part of a trade near the deadline, or sent back to New Orleans.  For now, he’s in better hotels.  Personally, I’ve like Cogs, and I’m hoping he makes the best of this opportunity, and earns a permanent job.  His bat has been pretty good this spring (yesterday was the exception, to be sure)

The situation with Hernandez remains unclear.  He’s out of options, so if the Marlins send him down, he could be claimed off of waivers. Reportedly, the front office is shopping him around.

Now, the focus in the front office is Miguel Olivo, a recent FA. Olivo doesn’t bring much bat, but he is a veteran backup for Brantly.

Only three days to go!