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.

Todd Frazier 2.2 WAR

Todd Frazier was a first round selection of the Cincinnati Reds back in 2007 out of Rutgers University. As a junior, he played in 63 games and clubbed 22 homers with 65 RBI, hitting .377 and walking 62 times for a .502 OBP.

After Frazier’s selection, he rose steadily through the Reds minor league system to spend his first five major league seasons with them, making the National League All Star team in 2014 and 2015. In 2016 with the Chicago White Sox, he hit a career-high 40 home runs.

A native of Point Pleasant, NJ, Frazier is a six-foot-three, 220 lb. right-handed corner infielder. Although he’s mainly played third base through his entire career, he’s also started 84 times at first base, also making nine starts in left field and even once in right.

Since then, Frazier has also played for the New York Yankees and the New York Mets. Over the course of his career, he’s a .243/.320/.450 hitter, with a total of 214 home runs and 624 RBI to his credit in 1,186 contests.

There are those who will say that Frazier is not what he once was, but his 2.2 WAR in 2019 was his highest mark since 2016. Over his last five seasons, since his all star appearances, he’s averaged 2.7 WAR.

Although Frazier will turn 34-years-old around the time pitchers and catchers report next month (that felt good – baseball is here next month), he’s still got a lot to offer an up-and-coming team like the Marlins.

Yolmer Sanchez 2.1 WAR

Yolmer Sanchez is a five-foot-11, 185 lb. second baseman from Maracay, VZ, and a more proven asset at second base than the Marlins currently boast. He’s spent each of his first six major league seasons with the Chicago White Sox, hitting .244/.299/.357 with 31 home runs and 214 RBI.

Sanchez can be counted on to play most games. He’s played in at least 141 contests in each of the last three seasons for Chicago, playing in 155 and leading the American League with 10 triples in 2018. Durability wouldn’t be a concern if the Marlins get this guy on board.

Sanchez is still just 27-years-old, and won’t turn 28 until just around the all-star break. Over the last three seasons, he’s averaged 2.7 WAR. He won his first Gold Glove Award for his work at second for the White Sox in 2019, leading the A.L. with 248 putouts, 416 assists, and 108 double plays turned. This, one season after leading the A.L. with 137 putouts as a third baseman.

Increased modularity is never a thing to sneeze at, and having another asset able to produce at two different premium defensive positions would make six that can do so for the Marlins (correct me if I’m wrong).

I know the baseball illuminati will have my head for saying so, but Sanchez provides a much more viable option at second base than Isan Diaz, Miami’s current pick for 2020 second baseman. Sanchez would pair perfectly with Marlins stalwart Miguel Rojas for an awesome double play combination.

Jose Iglesias 1.5 WAR

Jose Iglesias, who turns 30-years-old later this week, is a five-foot-11, 194 lb. right-handed hitter from La Habana, Cuba. After making his major league debut in 2011 with the Boston Red Sox, he spent five+ seasons for the Detroit Tigers, making the American League All Star team in 2015.

2019 would see Iglesias play in the National League for the first time, appearing in a career-high 146 contests for the Cincinnati Reds. His career slashline of .273/.315/.371 implies that maybe he could discover a little more patience at the plate by drawing a few more walks, and with 32 career home runs he’s probably not going to get confused for a power hitter at any point of his career. Despite that, he’s in good although not-quite-elite company with his very good strikeout rate of 13.2 percent.

But as a shortstop, Iglesias is an elite defender, worth eight DRS above the N.L. average in 2019. He’s also appeared in 37 contests at third base and three times at second base. If the Marlins were to acquire him, they would be tempted to move Rojas to second to make room for Iglesias.

Pablo Sandoval 1.5

The Kung Fu Panda a Miami Marlin? It’s not impossible.

Now 33-years-old, Pablo Sandoval is listed as a five-foot-11, 180 lb. third baseman on The Baseball Cubs, but he’s about 90 lbs. heavier than that. Now a 13-year MLB veteran, there are many who will say that Sandoval’s best seasons are behind him.

Sandoval has slashed .280/.332/.448 in 1277 contests over the course of his career, first with the San Francisco Giants, then with the Boston Red Sox, then back to the Giants again.

A pretty durable player through the first part of his career, Sandoval played in 108 games last season, the most since 2015. He hit .268/.313/.507 with 14 round-trippers and 41 RBI. His 1.5 WAR total was his highest since he earned 3.4 in 2014.

I’m not advocating the Marlins go out and sign Sandoval. I think they should stay far away from him, but he remains available if they for some reason are interested.