Marlins Free Agency Watch: Several Infielders Still Available

As the new year gets underway, we’re going to start looking more and more forward to the real start of the year.

With Opening Day now 85 days away, the Marlins can still upgrade their infield with assets available through free agency. We’re taking the price of Josh Donaldson out of the equation, because his 6.1 WAR is no doubt too rich for the likes of Jeter and Company, at least so far. Aside from him, there remain five infielders who scored at least 1.0 WAR in 2019 available.

The Marlins current infield picture is comprised of some combination of Jesus Aguilar and Garrett Cooper at first base, Isan Diaz at second, Miguel Rojas at shortstop, Brian Anderson maybe a little at third, Jon Berti filling in where needed, and Jonathan Villar basically all over the place.

With Anderson spending maybe all of his time in right field, Cooper maybe filling in now and then in a corner outfield spot, and Berti or Villar possibly becoming the everyday center fielder, the Marlins could use a little additional depth in their lineup. This is especially down the middle, where Diaz’ suspect bat and average glove reside.

And that’s what this really boils down to – Isan Diaz’ .173 average over a not-very-small sample size in 2019. Otherwise, the Marlins lineup has been smartly optimized for the 2020 campaign. Anderson, Rojas, Cooper and Berti are of course holdovers, but the Marlins acquisition of Aguilar, Villar, and even Francisco Cervelli have possibly unlocked another level of offense for the so-often offensively challenged Marlins of last season.

I already recently took a look at the available starters here and the relievers here. For what’s left in free agency, follow the link below.