Miami Marlins: 5 way-too-early free agent targets for the 2022-23 offseason

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 06: Willson Contreras #40 of the Chicago Cubs reacts on first base after his RBI single in the fifth inning against the Miami Marlins at Wrigley Field on August 06, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 06: Willson Contreras #40 of the Chicago Cubs reacts on first base after his RBI single in the fifth inning against the Miami Marlins at Wrigley Field on August 06, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
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Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Taylor Rogers (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Taylor Rogers (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

It’s never too-early to talk about potential free agent targets for the Miami Marlins, is it?

As we begin to flip toward the final month of the 2022 regular season, the attention for the Marlins also begins to turn toward what is shaping up to be an important offseason for the organization.

Well, why not take a way-too-early look ahead to the 2022-23 free agent class, see which names could be available, and identify a few names that the Marlins should consider targeting this offseason?

5 way-too-early Miami Marlins free agent targets for the 2022-23 offseason

5. CP Taylor Rogers

It makes sense that the Miami Marlins could be in the market for a veteran closer this offseason, with Edwin Diaz and Kenley Jansen as the clear top two names available. However, should the Marlins opt to spend less on the closer position compared to some other spots on the roster, a name like Rogers would be an intriguing option.

Traded to Milwaukee from San Diego at the trade deadline, Rogers is not currently acting as the Brewers primary closer, but did collect 28 saves earlier this year with the Padres. Having collected 75+ saves since 2019 as well, the 31-year-old left-hander could be a potential option on a one-to-two year deal, and is a proven option in the back-end who holds a career ERA just over 3.00.

San Francisco Giants infielder Wilmer Flores (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
San Francisco Giants infielder Wilmer Flores (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) /

4. OF Kike Hernandez

There are a few outfield options that the Marlins could pursue at the corner spots, with names such as Joey Gallo, Michael Brantley, Adam Duvall, and Robbie Grossman among the top options available. However, there is also an intriguing veteran option in centerfield, which is arguably a position of need for Miami, in Hernandez, a former Marlin who played in 18 games with the organization back in 2014.

One of the top centerfield free agents this offseason, Hernandez will be entering his age 31 season in 2023, as well as coming off two seasons with the Boston Red Sox, one of which was among the best single-seasons of his career. A player with experience at other positions as well, Hernandez would also be a one-to-two year deal option in centerfield, assuming Miami doesn’t make a trade to fill the position this offseason.

3. INF Wilmer Flores

If you were to look for a potential underrated signing that the Miami Marlins could make, Flores might just be your answer. No, Flores might not be the flashiest free agent signing compared to some of the other infield names available this offseason, but make no mistake, Flores is undoubtedly one of the top utility players in the 2022-23 free agent class.

Holding an OPS around .800 across the last four seasons combined, Flores is a name who can play almost anywhere in the infield defensively, and will be coming off one of the best single-seasons of his career. The 31-year-old could make a key impact with the Marlins as a utility player, and would be among the cheaper options of any name on this list.

Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Trea Turner (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Trea Turner (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

2. SS Trea Turner

Should the Marlins choose to explore the shortstop market this offseason, there will be numerous potential top options available such as Carlos Correa (Opt-Out), Xander Bogaerts (Opt-Out), and Tim Anderson (Club Option), as well as others such as Jose Iglesias. However, if Miami wants to make a big splash at the position, they should consider signing Turner, arguably the top option available at shortstop.

A Florida native, Turner simply has everything that you would want in a shortstop both offensively and defensively, and would be a focal point of the Marlins lineup from day one. Yes, the Marlins would likely have to outbid numerous others to sign Turner, but there is no denying the potential impact that the star shortstop would make in Miami should a deal happen.

1. C Willson Contreras

The Miami Marlins were in the market for a catcher last offseason, and the same could potentially be said for this year as well. Well, when looking at the free agent options that will be available, a name like Omar Narvaez would be an intriguing target, but Contreras however is the top name that Miami should be in the mix for.

dark. Next. Looking back at the 2009 Florida Marlins

A player with a career OPS north of .800, Contreras will be entering his age 31 season in 2023, coming off a 2022 campaign in which the Cubs catcher made his third career All-Star appearance. For a Marlins team that has simply struggled with offensive production at the catcher position the last two years, there is arguably not a bigger move that Miami could make to improve in that area than sign Contreras.

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