5 free agents the Miami Marlins should consider signing

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.

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.