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5 free agents the Miami Marlins should consider signing

By Matt Melton |
HOUSTON, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 02: Jorge Soler #12 of the Atlanta Braves rounds the bases after hitting a three run home run against the Houston Astros in Game Six of the World Series at Minute Maid Park on November 02, 2021 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 02: Jorge Soler #12 of the Atlanta Braves rounds the bases after hitting a three run home run against the Houston Astros in Game Six of the World Series at Minute Maid Park on November 02, 2021 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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New York Mets outfielder Kevin Pillar (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
New York Mets outfielder Kevin Pillar (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

After making a few significant signings and trades before the MLB lockout began back in early-December, the Miami Marlins have yet to make any significant moves over the last two weeks since the lockout came to a close.

With a few spots on the roster still needing to be addressed such as centerfield and the bullpen, it certainly makes sense that a significant trade happens at some point to address at-least one, if not both, of those positions. While a trade is the likeliest route to address those needs, could the club potentially choose to go the free agent route also?

5 free agents the Miami Marlins should consider signing

When looking at the names still remaining in free agency, there are a few players in particular that would 100% make sense to consider signing, some of which have previously been linked to the Marlins at times this offseason. Here are five of those free agents the Marlins should consider signing, along with the role they would potentially play with the Miami Marlins in 2022.

5. OF Kevin Pillar

One of the top centerfield options remaining in free agency, Pillar is a name to watch for in the coming weeks, not only as an option for teams needing a starter in center, but also for contenders looking for a versatile and experienced outfield option to add to their bench.

A player who saw time at all three outfield positions with the Mets a year ago, the nine-year MLB veteran is a proven option defensively, as well as a career .260/.297/.409 hitter who will likely hit at-least 10-15+ home runs should he appear in over 100 games. If the Marlins are unable to trade for one of the top names at the position such as Reynolds or Mullins before the season, Pillar would be a low-cost, experienced option that could start to begin the year, as well as add depth to the outfield overall.

Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Richard Rodriguez (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Richard Rodriguez (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

4. OF Tommy Pham

While he hasn’t seen regular time at the position since the 2018 season, Pham could also be a potential option for Miami in centerfield, one that arguably has more upside offensively than Pillar previously.

A primary left fielder from 2019-21 with Tampa Bay and San Diego, Pham has hit 15+ home runs in four of the past five seasons (hit three during shortened 2020 season), and is coming off a season that included a 13.9 BB% and a .724 OPS. Similar to Pillar previously, Pham would be an experienced option that Miami could add to see time in center, as well as someone who has a significant amount of experience in left field.

3. RHP Richard Rodriguez

For a Marlins team that you could certainly argue need another experienced closing option in the back-end of the bullpen, Rodriguez is arguably the top option left available in free agency.

A 32-year-old right-hander, Rodriguez will be entering year six of his MLB career this season where he holds a career 3.28 ERA across 228 career relief appearances, as well as having collected 14 saves with the Pirates a year ago before being traded to the Braves at the deadline. While Rodriguez has only collected 19 saves across his MLB career so far, the right-hander has posted an ERA under-3.00 across three of the past four seasons, and would be a proven option for Miami in the back-end of the bullpen to help close games.

New York Mets outfielder Michael Conforto (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
New York Mets outfielder Michael Conforto (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /

2. OF Michael Conforto

A versatile outfielder who has experience at all three outfield positions during his career, Conforto is undoubtedly one of the top names available in free agency, and is an option that Miami should consider in centerfield.

While he hasn’t seen time at the position since 2019, Conforto holds a career .985 FLD% across 146 games in center, and is a proven option offensively who is due for a bounce-back year after a down 2021 in which he slashed .232/.344/.384 with 14 home runs. Having spent the entirety of his seven-year career with the Mets so far, Conforto would be an option to start in centerfield for the Marlins, as well as see time in both left and right field occasionally as well.

1. OF Jorge Soler

When looking not only at the remaining Miami Marlins targets, but also at the remaining free agents overall, Soler is certainly among the top overall names available.

Next. Marlins 2022 Season Preview: RHP Sandy Alcantara. dark

The 2021 World Series MVP with Atlanta, Soler is coming off a season in which the 30-year-old hit a combined 27 home runs between the Royals and Braves, only two years after the outfielder/DH led the American League with 48 back in 2019. A player that Miami has been linked to at times this offseason, Soler would undoubtedly give the Marlins a 30-35+ home run bat in the middle of the lineup as a DH, one that could also see time occasionally in right field as well.

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