Marlins Rumors: Team Looking At Michael Morse, Justin Morneau, As 1B Options

According to Joe Frisaro of MLB.com, the Miami Marlins are spending their Winter Meetings shopping for a new first baseman. Having missed out on free agent Adam LaRoche, who signed with the revamped and upstart Chicago White Sox, the Marlins are now turning their attention to a trio of first base possibilities. As Marlin Maniac Editor Scott Alfano recently discussed, the first candidate is Michael Morse, most recently of the World Series champion San Francisco Giants. Morse would give the Fish some roster flexibility, being able to play both first base and the outfield. His power is respectable enough, having hit 16 bombs with 61 driven in, and he could come on the cheap.

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The second candidate is former American League MVP Justin Morneau. While the Twins played the reunion game with outfielder Torii Hunter, don’t expect the same for Morneau, who received some MVP consideration this past season as a member of the Colorado Rockies. The Marlins and Rockies might make solid trade partners, as the Rockies are in complete rebuild mode, even though they have yet to deal Carlos Gonzalez or Troy Tulowitzki. Morneau could fetch some youth in return, while giving the Rockies some small financial relief. The Marlins, after signing Giancarlo Stanton to his record-breaking deal, have to add legitimate pieces around him if Miami is going to take the next step into postseason contention.

Finally, Frisaro mentions Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez, who has the most raw power of the three options. El Toro would give the Marlins two of the most powerful bats in the National League, and would strike fear into the pitching staffs of the NL East. After posting back-to-back 30+ home run seasons, Alvarez struggled in 2014, hitting just 18 balls out. The Pirates might be tiring of the low batting average, and with the dip in power, might be willing to make a move while there are still buyers.

Next: Winter Meetings Day 1 Wrap-up