A potential OF target for the Miami Marlins

Alex Verdugo
Alex Verdugo | Luke Hales/GettyImages

I already talked about some trade targets for the Miami Marlins. I also talked about some unrealistic free agent targets. How about we take a look at some realistic targets instead? The Fish definitely need to improve the OF mix. Right now Jesus Sanchez being in RF, is probably the only set OF position for the 2025 season. The LF mix has Kyle Stowers and Griffin Conine, The CF mix has Stowers, Dane Myers and Derek Hill. It's clear that more help is needed.

Should the Miami Marlins target free agent OF Alex Verdugo?

Alex Verdugo is likely to be available in free agency for the Miami Marlins. He also isn't likely to be particularly expensive. Verdugo isn't coming off of a great year. He batted .233/.291/.356, with 13 home runs and 61 RBI in 149 games and 559 AB. It doesn't sound too appealing to say the least, but he did bat a much better .283/.338/.432 from 2019 to 2023. He did so with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Boston Red Sox.

Verdugo should be had on a one-year deal at this point. He will want to rebuild his value and doing so with mostly guaranteed playing time could be very useful for him. He's a good enough contact hitter, that if he bounces back he could be very useful for The Fish.

When you look at the OF mix with the Miami Marlins, it becomes clear that there's a definite need for more certainty. Kyle Stowers batted just .186/.262/.295, with 2 home runs and 15 RBI in 50 games and 156 AB for The Fish in 2024. He also had 29 hits and 61 strikeouts, which is terrible. Dane Myers has potential, but has never played in a full season. He batted .263/.333/.442, with 3 home runs and 19 RBI in 44 games and 95 AB in 2024.

Griffin Conine has been getting a lot of hype among the Miami Marlins fanbase. He batted .268/.326/.451, with 3 home runs and 12 RBI in 30 games and 82 AB. Derek Hill batted .234/.259/.402, with 4 home runs and 18 RBI in 32 games and 107 AB for The Fish. I do want all of those players to receive more opportunities, but why not sign an experienced OF who can potentially be flipped at the Trade Deadline? He can also help the young guys by giving them some competition.

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