MLB Rumors: Delmon Young on Marlins Radar?

Oct 7, 2013; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays designated hitter Delmon Young (15) hits a run scoring fielder

The Miami Marlins are ready to enter the 2014 season with an outfield of Christian Yelich, Marcell Ozuna, and Giancarlo Stanton. The team acquired Brian Bogusevic, from the Cubs for Justin Ruggiano, to be their fourth outfielder.

Although the Marlins do feel confident that Ozuna can play well in center and are ready to see what Yelich can provide over a full-season, the team is looking to add an extra outfielder for depth, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.

"The Marlins are confident Christian Yelich and Marcell Ozuna (who played well in winter ball) will capably handle starting spots alongside Giancarlo Stanton, but they are exploring adding another outfielder for depth and other reasons and are looking at several options, including Delmon Young, 28, who hit .260 with 11 homers and 38 RBI for Philadelphia and Tampa Bay last season. Young has a home here and would have interest, but the question is whether he would get enough playing time."

Jackson mentions that Young could also be an option for the Marlins to use against left handed pitching at first base, as current first baseman Garrett Jones does not have pretty platoon splits against lefties.

For his career, Young owns a triple slash line of .303/.341/.471 with a .348 wOBA against left handed pitching. Jones, on the other hand, has a .193/.234/.344 slash line with a .252 wOBA.

Young could also spell Yelich in left or have Yelich move over to center when Ozuna needs a breather.

Right now, I would figure the Marlins bench would look something like this, going into the season:

Jeff Mathis
Donovan Solano
Ed Lucas
Greg Dobbs
Brian Bogusevic

If the team did sign Young, you’d have to figure that either Lucas or Dobbs would be the odd man out off the team. Dobbs has the advantage of being a left handed hitter and experience in the outfield, but Lucas at this point is the superior player and costs the Marlins less to keep.

Either way, if the Marlins use Young properly, the team’s bench would be improved and the team would continue to accomplish their mission of adding power to their lineup.

What do you guys think? Should the Marlins pursue Young? If so, who would be the odd man off the roster?

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