Free Agent Options: Top Three Names To Target

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No sport lends itself more readily to constant roster reshuffling than Major League Baseball- to that end, two weeks into the season seems just about right to start speculating about the Miami Marlins.

The options for the Miami Marlins so, however, are somewhat limited. The remaining free-agent pool is pretty thin, with few names out there that would be clear upgrades over the players they would be replacing. Especially with a team this tightly knit, any tampering needs to be recognizably necessary.

Trades will be even tougher to achieve, considering the picked over state of the farm system. In fact, if a major trade does take place, you can rest assured that the Marlins have either fallen out of the race or that Jeffrey Loria has definitely decided to sell the team.

Target No. 3: Doug Fister, RHP

Considering some of the pitchers that are on Major League Rosters, the fact that the Miami Marlins even have an opportunity to sign a proven veteran commodity like Doug Fister is crazy.

One can only conclude that Fister is trying to follow either the Tony Romo or Andy Pettitte blueprint, without appreciating the fact that he is neither Romo nor Pettite.

Because, if he’s not holding out for an injury to a Chicago Cubs starting pitcher, or a plush job in broadcasting, I’m not sure what he’s doing.

Assuming he does want to play though, we’re talking about a guy with a career 3.60 ERA, and productive postseason experience. He could prove immensely valuable to the Marlins as either a long arm in the bullpen, a spot starter, or even as a trade piece should he put up some productive stats.

The last two years have been a bit rougher for the righty. But, you can never have enough pitching depth. If money is the only reason he hasn’t signed, just make him the richest member of the Triple-A Baby Cakes, and save him for when you need him.

If I had had my way, this veteran would have been with the Marlins last July. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports /

Target No. 2: Justin Morneau, NJB(Not Justin Bour)/1B

Remember last season, when Justin Bour tweaked his ankle? The Miami Marlins did nothing to address this. Instead of missing just a week, he missed well over a month, and the Marlins went on to have a second-half collapse.

In case you couldn’t tell, I remember. Indeed, the failure to replace one Justin with another struck me as the biggest front office failure of the 2016 season.

Which is saying something, because you know, Andrew Cashner.

As early as last July, I openly advocated the Marlins actually trade for him. Justin Morneau made perfect sense then, and he makes even more sense now that he’s a free agent. Bour is struggling mightily, whiffing spectacularly even against righties.

Last season was one of the least productive of Morneau’s career, and even that level of production probably would have been worth a 2017 win when compared to the sub-Mendoza Line production Bour has provided so far.

At worst, it’s a low cost move that motivates Bour to snap out of it, and a valuable bench bat option. However, if Morneau were able to approach that career .281 BA. That could be game-changing for Miami’s offense. In a way that is far more valuable than the additional power Bour provides.

The Miami Marlins could use some depth, as well as another Cuban star. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Target No. 1: Luis Robert, OF

Sure, the Miami Marlins do have one of the best outfields in baseball. In terms of theoretical talent, perhaps the best. Although it seems fair to require everyone to play 145 plus games together before going that high.

But a talented group it is, and one in which no one is even capable of becoming a free-agent until 2020. Giancarlo Stanton and Christian Yelich are locked up long-term, and Marcell Ozuna remains one of the more intriguing bargains in the game.

So why am I plugging 19-yr old outfield prospect Luis Robert as a must for the Marlins to sign?

It’s all a matter of depth.

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Organizationally, we have none. Multiple trades have strip mined the farm system. The only thing that can be said “positively” of those deals is that Miami seems to have been incredibly lucky at trading players who sustained fluke injuries not long after their departure.

Andrew Heaney and Anthony DeSclafani spring readily to mind as players who should not have been traded. But, they also have not really had an opportunity to do much of anything. More often than not though, those trades have failed to produce anything close to the desired result.

Last year, the Marlins were finally good enough to warrant a mass investment. To warrant acquiring a Jose Quintana, an Aroldis Chapman, or even a Chris Sale. But that wasn’t happening with only one healthy first round pick remaining since 2011. A player who is now gone.

How could Robert Help?

Partly the club’s issues stem from having to promote talent quickly. Yelich would probably be playing his sophomore season right now if he were a Cub or a Red Sock.

Still, the problem remains. And that’s why the Marlins need to pounce on this international prize.

Adding Robert would radically change the outlook of the farm system. The move would make Ozuna even more expendable than he currently is. This would give the Marlins a chip to throw down once MLB rules allowed them to use it.

The trade for Sale that did take place last year? The centerpiece was Yoan Moncada, another star Cuban free-agent, whom the Red Sox had just acquired in 2015. Someone they acquired despite having Mookie Betts, Jackie Bradley Jr., Andrew Benintendi, and occasional outfielder Hanley Ramirez.

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Should the Marlins keep him, the Fish would potentially have another Cuban superstar to help represent the franchise going forward. If that ends up being married with the concept of a new owner, so much the better for ticket sales.

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