Miami Marlins: 5 Catchers to Target in the Offseason

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - SEPTEMBER 16: Willson Contreras #40 of the Chicago Cubs rounds bases after hitting a solo home run during the seventh inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on September 16, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - SEPTEMBER 16: Willson Contreras #40 of the Chicago Cubs rounds bases after hitting a solo home run during the seventh inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on September 16, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /
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Miami Marlins
Atlanta Braves catcher William Contreras (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

As we have now officially reached the offseason, there are many different moves that the Miami Marlins could make over the next couple of weeks. However, one move in-particular that seems likely for the Marlins is acquiring a new starting catcher for the 2022 season.

The Marlins used many different players at the position throughout the 2021 season, with the starter from the group being Jorge Alfaro. Alfaro however struggled both offensively and defensively making his return to Miami in 2022 up in the air.

However, the Marlins do enter the offseason with a few younger options at the position such as Alex Jackson, Nick Fortes, and Payton Henry, but it doesn’t appear any of those options will be ready to start at the big league level to begin next season.

So, when looking at potentially which positions to make a move for this offseason, catcher certainly makes sense.

Five catching targets for the Miami Marlins in the offseason

This will take a look at five catchers to target in the offseason, each of which are either a free agent, or a trade target. While the Miami Marlins could look in multiple different directions when looking to acquire a catcher this offseason, these five options you could certainly argue make sense to contend in both 2022 and beyond.

5. William Contreras – Atlanta Braves

If the Marlins are looking to acquire a younger catcher in the offseason, there aren’t many options more-appealing than Contreras. One of the Braves Top 10 overall prospects entering the 2021 season, the 23-year-old appeared in a total of 52 games with Atlanta this season in which he slashed .215/.303/.399 with eight home runs and 23 RBI’s, as well as a 37% caught-stealing percentage defensively.

While the Marlins would have to trade for a Braves catcher once again after acquiring the previously mentioned Jackson at the 2021 MLB Trade Deadline, the Atlanta system is loaded with catching depth that includes both Contreras and Shea Langeliers, the No. 10 overall catching prospect in baseball. While it is unlikely that the Braves trade Langeliers, potentially trading for Contreras in the offseason is a possibility, and would give the Marlins their catcher of the future that is big league ready right now.