The Marlins Could Still Push For Another Outfielder

MIAMI, FL - MARCH 28: (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - MARCH 28: (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)

Is there room in the Marlins outfield for one more free-agent outfielder, or is the team done adding offensive pieces in 2020?

If it is true the Miami Marlins are still in the market for one more outfielder who can add power to the team’s middle of the batting order, could they still shock everyone and take a run at either Marcell Ozuna or Nicholas Castellanos, who are still out there on the free-agent market.

I know it might sound a little crazy given the team added Jonathan Villar at third base and Corey Dickerson in left field but bringing in either of the two outfielders is a smart thing to do if the team is serious about moving forward. Also, a deal for either player sends a message to the rest of the teams in the National League East that Miami doesn’t plan to sit down and let four clubs battle for the division crown without this team’s inclusion.

The Marlins are not listed as one of the frontrunners to land either player, but they were in the conversation at the start of free agency, with Castellanos linked to Miami long before the end of the 2019 season because of his ties to South Florida and the fact the team needed someone in the middle of the batting order who could launch a baseball out of Marlins Park.

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As Hot Stove heated up, there were several reports of the cost to get Castellanos would be out of the team’s price range, so the front office shifted gears towards Yasiel Puig, Avisail Garcia, and Dickerson. Puig wanted more than what the Marlins front office was willing to spend. Garcia became a Brewer and Dickerson signed a two-year deal last week.

Per MLB.com, it’s not just Castellanos who teams are pursuing, knowing the market is shrinking and some front offices are becoming desperate to add a slugger before the start of Spring Training, which is a little over five weeks away.

“A source told MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand that the Reds, Rangers and Cardinals are among the teams still making a push for the slugger, who spent the past two seasons in St. Louis. Other teams might also still be in play, but these three appear to be the frontrunners.“One factor to consider when comparing is that Ozuna received a Qualifying Offer from the Cardinals, which means that any team other than St. Louis that signs him will forfeit a Draft pick. Castellanos, by virtue of being traded during the 2019 season, was ineligible for a Qualifying Offer, which could make him more appealing to some clubs concerned about giving up Draft picks.”

Ozuna is another player the Marlins may show renewed interest in. His ties to Miami, having started his career there are was traded for Sandy Alcantara and other prospects which have worked well for the front office is reason enough to think the team may kick the tires on this one again.

“Ozuna and Nicholas Castellanos are the two most prominent free-agent outfielders still on the market. Kole Calhoun (two years, $16 million with Arizona) and Corey Dickerson (two years, $17.5 million with Miami) signed deals recently, taking two other potential options off the board,” MLB.com wrote.

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