Marlins Free Agent Targets: Alberto Callaspo

In recent years, second and third base have been problematic areas to fill for the Miami Marlins. Essentially both positions have been revolving doors of washed up veterans or inexperienced duds. The likes of Donovan Solano, Derek Dietrich, Placido Polanco, Ed Lucas, and Gorkys Hernandez have all been relatively inefficient. [related-article]

In 2014, Casey McGehee did a decent job at third, on the back of an incredibly lucky and unsustainable first half. The Marlins are likely to make him the everyday third baseman again this season, until he forces them to make a change. McGehee did provide for a decent feel good story, coming back from a year in Japan to win the NL comeback player of the year.

Second base was another story altogether last year; a mix of Donovan Solano, Derek Dietrich, Jeff Baker and Jordany Valdespin combined for a slash line of .236/.303/.334. Needless to say, those are numbers the Marlins are hoping not to see out of the position in 2015, and their plan of having Rafael Furcal be the everyday second baseman didn’t exactly work out.

Now, that lack of production leaves a need to acquire somebody new for 2015, which brings us to my good friend Alberto Callaspo. A washed up veteran who could have a great impact on the Marlins clubhouse? Sounds like he fits the mold perfectly! Oh, he hasn’t played a full season since 2009 you say? That’s fine, I’m sure Frank Menechino and the crew will really bring out the best in him. Wait, hes a bad defender with no range, and a worthless with a bat in his hands? That’s just fine, he could be the next great Marlins reclamation project!

All Rich & Tommy joking aside, Alberto Callaspo is unfortunately not the answer to our second base problem. Miami already has better in house options in Derek Dietrich and Jeff Baker. A platoon of the two might actually yield positive results, and unlike Callaspo, Dietrich is still young and has some power potential. Continuity at the position is not going to be found by a steeply declining 31 year old. Sign him, and Marlins guarantee they’re gonna keep that revolving door going.

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