The Miami Marlins are reportedly showing interest in two veteran outfielders, both of whom are currently free agents. In addition to these two reports, another interesting report came out on Thursday afternoon surrounding a potential trade.
Marlins Rumors: Miami Marlins reportedly meet with Nick Castellanos’ agent Scott Boras
One of the top potential free agent targets for the Marlins this offseason is veteran outfielder Nick Castellanos, and according to MLB Network’s Jon Heyman, Miami has reportedly met with Castellanos’ agent Scott Boras.
Marlins met with Miami area native Nick Castellanos’ agent Scott Boras. Good fit for team that needs bats but hard to see them affording him. More likely: they acquire multiple hitters that cost somewhat less
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 11, 2021
A Miami native, Castellanos is coming off a phenomenal 2021 season with the Reds in which the 29-year-old slashed .309/.362/.576 with 34 home runs and 100 RBI’s. The 2021 NL All-Star is clearly one of the top available bats on the market, and would be a massive addition to the Marlins everyday lineup should a deal happen.
As Heyman mentioned however, the potential cost for Castellanos could be out of the Marlins price range. Because of this, Miami could opt-to acquire multiple bats at a lesser cost, and another report on Thursday confirmed one of those potential targets.
Marlins Rumors: Miami Marlins showing interest in free agent outfielder Avisail Garcia
According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the Marlins are reportedly showing interest in free agent outfielder Avisail Garcia.
Per source, Marlins have shown interest in free agent OF Avisail Garcia (.262, 29 HR, 86 RBI for Brewers in 2021). Marlins at least inquiring about the top FA OFs but still early in process.
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) November 11, 2021
A move that one could argue is more-likely than Castellanos, the 30-year-old is coming off an impressive 2021 season with the Brewers in which Garcia slashed .262/.330/.490 with 29 home runs and 86 RBI’s. Posting a 2.9 WAR, Garcia is a player who would not only provide a right-hander power bat in the middle of the lineup, but could also play in both right and center field.
As Jackson mentioned however, it is still early-on in the offseason, but it is clear the Marlins are checking-in on some of the top available free agent bats.
Marlins Rumors: Blue Jays reportedly inquire about Miami Marlins starting pitchers
Another interesting note from Thursday afternoon was that the Toronto Blue Jays have reportedly checked-in on the Marlins starting pitchers according to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi.
The #BlueJays have checked with the #Marlins on their starting pitchers; Pablo López and Elieser Hernández are Miami’s most available arms. Toronto’s Alejandro Kirk is likely to be part of talks due to the emergence of Jays catching prospect Gabriel Moreno. @MLBNetwork @FAN590
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 11, 2021
This is interesting as a report from Morosi came out earlier this week that Miami could possibly be looking to trade a veteran starter in order to free up a rotation spot for one of the Marlins younger arms.
Morosi also mentioned that young Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk could be part of any potential deal, which makes sense as Miami is likely looking to add a new catcher this offseason. Only 23-years-old, Kirk has appeared in a total of 69 games so far during his young MLB career with Toronto in which he has slashed a combined .259/.336/.455 with nine home runs and 27 RBI’s.
The young catcher entered the 2021 season as a Top 10 prospect in Toronto’s system, and has also drawn a total of 20 walks across the last two seasons compared to 26 strikeouts across 189 at-bats.