Marlins Need to Go Get Brandon Moss Now!

The Winter Meeting are coming up on Monday in San Diego and the Marlins have yet to fill any of their top season needs. The Marlins did ink Giancarlo Stanton to his mega 13-year contract and they have offered contract extensions to a couple of their young talented players, but the same team won’t make Miami a playoff contender in 2015. New players need to be brought in and there is a player that needs to be brought in now, Brandon Moss. It is no secret that the Oakland Athletics are shopping Moss to a team in need.

The Marlins need a power hitting first baseman to replace Garret Jones and Brandon Moss is the perfect option. The left handed hitting first baseman/outfielder hit .234 last year while providing 25 homers and driving in 81 runs, both qualifying him to be among the top 10 first baseman in the majors. Moss had a 2.2 WAR which was significantly better than Jones’s WAR of -1.1. Moss also has some versatility, as he can play the outfield as well.

Why do the Marlins have to act quickly? The Cleveland Indians have reportedly been in contact with Oakland involving Moss. Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer tweeted that the Indians “are guardedly optimistic” that they can complete a deal for Moss.

The A’s are looking for infield prospects in return, especially at second base.   The two teams are allegedly discussing the Indians second base youngster Joe Wendle, well as shortstops Jose Ramirez and Erik Gonzalez.

What can Miami offer? The Marlins are well known for greatly developing their young prospects. A name that Oakland might have its eye on is 2B Avery Romero. The 5’8” right handed hitting infielder hit a combined .320 average in the minors last season playing 118 games. He had a slash line of .320/.367/.423/.790 and is regarded as the Marlins best infield prospect. The Marlins shortstop depth is not great but the Marlins do have some strength in the bullpen.

Miami had one of the best bullpens in the majors last season and could offer Romero and a bullpen piece for Moss. Arquimedes Caminero, Colby Suggs, or a current major league pitcher in the Marlins pen not named Steve Cishek, could get the job done. Something interesting to note is that in previous discussions with Oakland at the trade deadline last season, the A’s continuously asked about the Marlins minor league left handed starter Adam Conley. The Marlins have stated they are willing to give up pitching to grab a bat, and losing Conley won’t hurt the pitching depth much as the Marlins have lefties Andrew Heaney and Justin Nicolino who are close to major league ready.

Miami needs to act quickly and get into a battle with Cleveland to snatch the power hitting Moss. Although a deal with Cleveland is not imminent, the talks are moving quickly and if the Marlins don’t act now, they could lose a great opportunity. Moss will provide great protection for Stanton and then turn the team into focusing on finding starting pitching and a second baseman. Time is running out Miami, GO GET MOSS NOW!

Next: Marlins Free Agent Target: Rickie Weeks?