Miami Marlins: 5 potential 4th outfielder candidates

Sep 23, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves center fielder Emilio Bonifacio (1) makes a running catch on a fly ball hit by Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Russell Martin (not shown) during the fourth inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Emilio Bonifacio

Everyone loved Emilio Bonifacio when he was previously a member of the Miami Marlins, so why not bring him back? Boni gives the Marlins everything you would like to see in a reserve, in that he’s a jack of all trades, master of none.

After a down year following his trade to the Toronto Blue Jays, and subsequently to the Kansas City Royals, Bonifacio resuscitated his career with the Chicago Cubs during the first half of 2014, putting up a .279/.318/.379 with the Chicago Cubs. That made him a hot commodity at the trade deadline, landing with the Atlanta Braves for the final months of the season. However, things weren’t as sunny in Atlanta, as Bonifacio struggled to a .212/.273/.280 slash line over 41 games with the Braves.

Still, Bonifacio would give the Marlins the epitomy of flexibility, with the ability to play second, third, and all three outfield positions, Bonifacio is the perfect bench component. Add in the ability to pinch run at any stage in the game and give the team some needed speed on the basepaths, and it’s a win-win proposal. In fact, it’s something that we’ve discussed here earlier this winter.

Of course, a guy like Emilio Bonifacio is going to generate a fair amount of interest once the reserve market takes off, so his price tag and desired role may be detrimental to him joining the Marlins at this stage of his career.