4 Miami Marlins free agents and their chances of coming back

3. RP MATT BARNES

Matt Barnes had a very unevn career to this point. He was constantly seen as a potential relief ace with the Boston Red Sox due to his strikeout rate, but just could never get it done. The 2017 and 2018 seasons specifically made him look like a future closer. In 2017 he produced a 3.88 ERA/3.33 FIP, with 10.7 K/9 and 3.6 BB/9. He then produced a very promising 2018 season, producing a 3.65 ERA/2.71 FIP, with 14.0 K/9 and 4.5 BB/9.

It was clear based on his strikeout rates and FIP's that he was close to being an elite reliever. All that he needed to do was improve his walk rate. He finally got the chance to close in 2019, but he was unable to deliver. He produced a 3.78 ERA/3.28 FIP, with 15.4 K/9 and an atrocious 5.3 BB/9.

From 2020 to 2022, he produced a 4.07 ERA/3.75 FIP, with 11.4 K/9 and 4.2 BB/9. The Miami Marlins acquired him for the 2023 season, but he barely pitched due to injury. He ultimately produced a 5.48 ERA/4.15 FIP, with 8.4 K/9 and 4.2 BB/9. He's going to be looking for a 1 year reclamation deal for a couple $ million. The Miami Marlins won't be giving that to him.

NEXT: A STARTING PITCHER...

2. SP JOHNNY CUETO

It makes sense for the Miami Marlins to pursue more rotation depth this off-season, but will bringing back Johnny Cueto make sense for the team? Cueto had some promise despite being 37 years old, considering that he was coming off of a 3.35 ERA season with the San Francisco Giants in 2022. There was some question based on his age and recent track record (4.59 ERA/4.38 FIP from 2019 to 2021).

The Miami Marlins expected Johnny Cueto to be a veteran innings-eater for the back of the rotation. He didn't deliver on that expectation at all, ultimately switching between the rotation and the bullpen throughout his time on the team. He produced a disastrous 6.02 ERA/7.02 FIP, with 6.7 K/9 and 2.6 BB/9 in 13 games (10 starts) in 52.1 innings pitched. Yeah.... he wasn't an innings eater at all. Not even remotely close.

Johnny Cueto was such a disaster in 2023, that you have to wonder if any team will even be willing to give him a Major League deal at this point. No team will sign him as an innings-eater, or even expect him to provide any quality innings at all. I certainly don't se the Miami Marlins bringing him back after this. Pretty much anyone would be better for starting pitching depth.

NEXT: A MIDDLE OF THE ORDER BAT...

1. DH JORGE SOLER

I obviouslly left the best for last... designated hitter Jorge Soler. Soler spent most of the 2023 season as the Miami Marlins' number two hitter. He might arguably have been even better batting clean-up instead. Soler batted .250/.341/.512, with 36 home runs and 75 RBI in 137 games and 504 AB. He was clearly an important bat and was extremely important to the team.

Unfortunately for Soler, he has quite a qustionable profile. For all of his good with the bat, there's his atrocious defense. His defense is so bad, that it's just not preferable to have him in the OF at all. He should strictly be a DH, which should lower his value going forward.

Defense isn't Jorge Soler's only problem, his inconsistency is a major one as well. He spent a long time on the injured list throughout his career. He missed almost all of last season and a part of this season as well. He also had terrible seasons alongside his good ones. He's a career .243/.330/.467 hitter, who batted .230/.322/.457 over the last three seasons.

The lack of a good hitters market in free agency and his power, will certainly help Jorge Soler. A 3 year/$45 million deal seems attainable for him, and with higher-spending teams on the lookout for help....things don't look good for The Fish. He has interest from other teams, and is perhaps stupidly not saddled with a qualifying offer. I suspect that the Miami Marlins will be outbid for his services, but that won't be a bad thing.