Marlins Should Consider Signing Henderson Alvarez

Former Marlins starting pitcher Henderson Alvarez has been angling for a Major League club to sign him by posting his workouts on Twitter. Miami should seriously consider bringing the veteran back.

Henderson Alvarez spent three seasons with the Marlins from 2013 to 2015. During his time with Miami, he had a 17-17 record and posted a 3.23 ERA and 1.228 WHIP in 312 innings pitched. He was a steady starter for the Fish until a shoulder injury derailed his promising career.

Alvarez’s most memorable moment with the Marlins came in 2013, when, during the final game of the season, Alvarez no-hit the Detroit Tigers. He parleyed that success into a solid 2014 season that saw him earn an All-Star bid. Alvarez would go on to start Opening Day for the Marlins in 2015, but shoulder surgery ended his season in July.

Miami ultimately non-tendered Alvarez and the young pitcher became a free agent. Over the next four seasons, Alvarez would try to catch on with a Major League club, but found little success outside of a short stint with the Philadelphia Phillies at the end of the 2017 season.

These days, though, Alvarez is strutting his stuff on Twitter in an effort to get another look.

According to his Twitter, Alvarez has his velocity back up to 95 MPH. Previously, he averaged 92–95 mph with his sinker, 93–96 mph with his four-seamer, 84–87 mph  with his slider, and 85–89 mph with his changeup.

Perhaps because of his performance on Twitter, MLB Network’s Jon Morosi reported scouts from the New York Yankees, Kansas City Royals and Miami Marlins all attended Alvarez’s recent bullpen session.

While Alvarez has struggled over the last few seasons in the Minors, his most recent stint with Los Tigres de Quintana Roo of the Mexican League showed improvement. In 2019, Alvarez sported a 4-2 record and posted a 3.12 ERA and 1.41 WHIP in 34.2 innings pitched.

Despite making his MLB debut back in 2011, Alvarez will be just 29 years old come Opening Day.

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The Marlins should consider signing their former starter for the backend of their Opening Day rotation. Miami will roll out Caleb Smith, Sandy Alcantara and Pablo Lopez for the front end of the rotation. After those three, though, it’s a toss up.

Jordan Yamamoto and Elieser Hernandez are the favorites to hold down the last two spots in the rotation. Prospects Sixto Sanchez, Edward Cabrera and Nick Neidert could all make a case for one of those spots as well.

Signing the veteran Alvarez might buy the Marlins some time for the prospects to prepare themselves in Triple-A and provide depth of the team.