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Marlins Rumors: Team Still Seeking Fourth Outfielder?

By Ehsan Kassim

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The last time the Marlins were this active in an off-season was in 2005. That off-season the team saw the Marlins selling off players for prospects. This off-season, they are however trading prospects for established players. And they aren’t done, just yet.

With most of lineup already set, the Miami Marlins will no turn their attention to adding a fourth outfielder, according to Jon Morosi of Fox Sports.

Technically, the Marlins could add a backup corner outfielder and switch Christian Yelich over to center when Marcell Ozuna needs an afternoon off. However, the team is looking for a center fielder, presumably meaning the team wants someone who can play all three outfield spots in a pinch, much like Reed Johnson last season. The team will likely be seeking an upgrade over Johnson’s bat last season.

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The Padres and Marlins would match up well on a Haren trade in theory, if the Padres were indeed interested in acquiring the right hander. With the additions of Matt Kemp, Justin Upton, and Wil Meyers, the Padres have a totally brand new outfield. Thus, making some of their older outfielders available, including former Marlin Cameron Maybin.

In their outfield inventory, the Padres have the aforementioned Maybin, Will Venable, Abraham Almonte who can all play center. Of the three, Maybin has the biggest contract left, at 2-years $16 million, essentially the same amount of money on Michael Morse and Martin Prado‘s contracts.

Venable posted a .224/.288/.325 slash line last season. His power production slipped, as well as his BABIP, causing him to fall from a 3 win player to a 1 win player. If he can rediscover his power stroke from 2013 (.216 ISO), he’d be a great option for the Marlins off the bench. Venable will earn $4.2 million in 2015, which would be pretty expensive for a bench bat.

Almonte posted a .230/.275/.333 slash line last season, splitting time between the Mariners and Padres. He is 25 and has a decent background in the minors. He’s still under team control, but isn’t usually what the team targets in a backup role.

While the Padres have a surplus of outfielders, there doesn’t seem to be a match that fits into the Marlins wants (experience and CF), nor in financial terms. And while Haren prefers to be traded to the West Coast, the Padres have given zero indication they’d be interested in Haren.

Next: Player Profile: Martin Prado

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