Marlins lock up Miguel Rojas on a two-year deal

The Miami Marlins agree to terms with one of their best utility players on a new deal, the team announced.

In my mind, locking up veteran shortstop Miguel Rojas shouldn’t even be a question for the Miami Marlins. You must take care of players that provide veteran leadership on and off the diamond.

The Marlins roster will look considerably different next season, with veterans Curtis Granderson, Neil Walker and potentially Martin Prado leaving for other teams/ Rojas is a player who can fill in at multiple positions and act as a manager on the field. With another influx of youngsters looking to make the roster in Spring Training, there must be some balance of youth and experience for the coaching staff to work with.

I didn’t mention the word manager since that’s still a topic of discussion to be had.

"Per MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro, “According to a source on Wednesday afternoon before Miami’s 5-4 loss to Arizona, the Marlins and Rojas are working toward a multiyear contract extension. Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports the deal is believed to be for two years, plus an option.”"

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The Marlins front office has not commented on the possibility, but Heyman later confirmed through his Twitter account the team has agreed to a two-year deal with him, as it will allow the organization to bring Jazz Chisholm along as he develops in the minors.

"“Defensively, Rojas is having a Gold Glove-caliber season at shortstop. His 13 defensive runs saved is fourth among all MLB shortstops, with the top three also in the National League,” writes Frisaro.“Rojas is making $3.155 million in his second season of arbitration, and he would qualify for free agency after the 2021 season.”"

And to make his case for the new deal, Rojas showed he could rewrite some records as well. In the Marlins 12-6 win over Arizona on Tuesday night, Rojas had four hits and a career-high six RBIs.

For the season, the has a slash line of .288/.338/.388 with five home runs and 45 RBIs.

Rojas isn’t the only player the Marlins need to consider for a contract extension. It has been a topic Wells Dusenbury of sunsentinel.com has brought up before as well as other outlets, so I’ll jump on the bandwagon as well.

When will the team offer Brian Anderson a long-term deal to remain as one of the cornerstone players in the organization?

Anderson was having a solid second season in the Majors before breaking a bone in his hand and forcing him to miss the remainder of the season. With 20 home runs and 66 RBU, he displayed power and was on his way to at least 25 home runs and potentially 85 RBI. His ability to move around the field, playing at third base and in right field allowed manager Don Mattingly to move rookie second baseman Isan Diaz into the lineup and pushed veteran Starlin Castro to third base.

Castro is another player the Marlins must decide on after the season. I’m leaning more toward him staying in the organization, but the $16 million he is owed in 2020 is a sticking point that must be addressed.