Marlins Rumors: Justin Masterson a Target?

Marlins Rumors: Justin Masterson a Target?

The Miami Marlins will go into the off-season with starting pitching atop their wish list. The team has already been linked to James Shields as a potential target.

However, the market for the elite starters, including Shields, is likely going to be out of the Marlins price range. Marlins.com’s Joe Frisaro mentions another name on the free agent market that could be intriguing for the team.

"Miami has the makings of a strong rotation, especially when Fernandez returns. Adding a top-of-the-rotation arm will help bridge the gap until Fernandez is back. Free agent James Shields is an ideal candidate. But the free-agent market for Shields, Jon Lester and Max Scherzer will be very costly. Justin Masterson could be worth watching."

Masterson was traded at the trade deadline from the Cleveland Indians to the St. Louis Cardinals. He made 9 appearances (6 starts) with the Cards, posting a 7.04 ERA and a 5.84 FIP. His season ERA was 5.88 and his FIP 4.50. So there are major questions about the starter that will be entering his age 30 season in 2015.

He pitched so badly with the Cards, the team demoted him to the bullpen at the beginning of September and left him off their post-season roster entirely.

So I hope if the Marlins are interested in Masterson, they are looking at him as a buy-low candidate on a one-year deal, instead of a long-term deal as a potential top of the rotation guy. While a bounceback season is not out of the question for the guy that posted a 3.45 ERA and a 3.35 FIP in 2013, the 2014 season should be a major red flag for a guy that’s about to enter his age 30 season.