Four First Base Options For The 2015 Miami Marlins

The Miami Marlins didn’t get much production from first baseman Garrett Jones in 2014 and will be looking for better options for 2015 season. Here are four players that should come up in trade talks for the Marlins at the Winter Meetings:

Brandon Moss

With the recent acquisitions of Ike Davis and Billy Butler, the Oakland Athletics might be willing to deal their slugging first baseman.

The 31-year-old Moss has spent the past three seasons in Oakland and has hit above 20 home runs in each of them. In 2014 he hit .234/.334/.438 with 25 home runs and 81 RBIs.

Unfortunately, Moss was one of the many members of the Oakland offense to struggle in the second half after the team traded Yoenis Cespedes to the Red Sox in exchange for Jon Lester. After the All-Star break, he hit an abysmal .173/.310/.274 with 4 home runs and 15 RBIs.

The good news is that if he came to Miami he’d have Giancarlo Stanton to protect him, which would allow him to see more pitches in the zone and possibly return to his 25 home run form.

Evan Gattis

Over the past two seasons with Atlanta, Gattis has hit 43 home runs and driven in 117. The reason for his availability is his fielding behind home plate.

In 93 games last year he only threw out 20% of potential base stealers and the league average is (28%), which means that he might be be better suited for another position. Unfortunately, the Braves have Justin Upton in left field and and Freddie Freeman at first base. This leaves no room for Gattis.

Chris Davis

Since joining the Baltimore Orioles, Davis has finally become the solid player that everyone knew he could be.

Over the past three seasons, he’s hit 112 home runs (including 53 in 2013) with 295 RBIs and above average defense at first base. Unfortunately, 2014 was not his best season as he hit below .200 and struck out 173 times. On top of his abysmal numbers, he missed the Orioles postseason run due to a positive test for Adderall.

His subpar 2014 might be a good thing for the Marlins as the Orioles could lower their price for him.

Allen Craig

In 2012 and 2013, Craig was one of the most consistent hitters in baseball.

After the 2011 season, Albert Pujols left St. Louis to sign a 10-year deal worth $240 million with the Los Angeles Angels. His replacement was Allen Craig, who had hit .315 with an OPS of .917 in 2011. However, he had only played in 75 games. Could he be a solid player on an everyday basis? The answer was yes.

He hit .307/.354/.522 with 22 home runs and 92 RBIs in 119 games during the 2012 season. The next year he hit .315/.373/.457 with 13 home runs and 97 RBIs in 134 games. He was a very important piece to the Cardinals 2013 National League pennant winning puzzle.

Unfortunately, 2014 wasn’t nearly as successful. He got off to a slow start for the Cardinals and was dealt to the Red Sox as part of a trade that would send John Lackey to St. Louis. He only played in 29 games for Boston.

The Red Sox have no room for Craig this coming year as Mike Napoli is their first baseman and their outfield is overcrowded. Could Craig regain his form in Miami?

Next: Is Derek Jeter Interested In A Minority Stake Of The Marlins?