1 Starter the Marlins should consider to fill in for Sandy and 2 to avoid

The Miami Marlins star pitcher Sandy Alcantara is out for the 2024 season and they need to fill his void. They cannot go an entire season without an ace, and although one or two current pitchers could step into that roll it would be a downgrade. The Marlins need to have solid and consistent starter to replace Sandy. 

Marlins Ace is out, they need someone to fill the spot

One terrifying but realistic view on Sandy Alcantara, is to view him as never coming back. He will return from his surgery but some players never fully recover or are easy to re-injure. Therefore the question is a valid one, should the Marlins look for someone to replace Sandy rather than a stopgap move? I think it would be a wise approach to the situation rather than just getting a body. 

We will take a look at some available free agent pitchers and some players to avoid this offseason. Although Bendix hasn’t revealed his team strategy yet, any move made here will likely predict the kind of philosophy he will impart on the organization. 

Consider - Michael Wacha 

The Miami Marlins will need to compete for a starting pitcher in a pretty tough market this go around. Starters who are adjusted to the new speed of play and have a solid ERA are fewer than normal. There have also been a bevy of injuries, like the Sandy Alcantara injury that some account to the rapid pace of play. As such one quality starter out there is the former San Diego Padres starter Michael Wacha. 

Wacha declined his one year $6.5 million option after the Padres failed to pickup the team option of 2 years and $32 million. Does Wacha deserve $16 million a year, probably not, but I think a happy medium of $10 million might do the trick and bring him to Miami, especially with the lower tax rate. 

Wacha would be a solid Sandy replacement as he put together a very good 2023 season. Wacha went 14-4 with a 3.22 ERA last year and a 1.161 WHIP. He has bounced around between teams so I could easily see him signing a 2 year deal. He has had 2 straight seasons with a low 3 ERA, having a mere 2 walks per nine innings average and giving up only 1 home run per nine innings. The one time All-Star will have some familiarity with Peter Bendix as well since he played for the Rays for a season in 2021. Sign him up. 

Two to avoid - James Paxton 

The former Red Sox starter James Paxton is a free agent but will not be a good choice for the Marlins and there are several reasons why. Paxton is a lefty first and foremost and the Marlins have a good amount of solid southpaws so they have no real need for a lefty like some other teams. Sandy is a righty so that would be the ideal replacement in that regards. 

Paxton ended the year on the IL with knee issues. The 35 year old pitcher is not a spring chicken, and although the Marlins could use the wisdom the injury bug is a concern. He will be cheap so that might be a plus but he could be another player who signs and plays less than 25% of the season due to injury. 

Finally, his stats aren’t there with regard to his value. He went 7-5 over 96 innings with a 4.50 ERA and a 1.313 WHIP. He gives up an average of 3 walks, 1.7 home runs, and 8.7 hits per nine which again doesn’t help the Marlins upper half of the rotation. I just don’t see the value here and there are other solid pitchers that will cost only a little more with little injury concern.