Miami Marlins have a new target and just made a move!
![Devin Smeltzer](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_4000,h_2250,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_752,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/86/01hh2e6akjnqemy6ymrw.jpg)
Th Miami Marlins made a move in the Rule 5 Draft and there's still more moves to go. These are not major moves, but every move can make a difference, even if it's just for depth. The Fish made one such move today and there are also reports about a player that the team is interested in.
The Miami Marlins brought back a relief pitcher and are pursuing a utility player.
So who is the relief pitcher? The Fish brought back lefty Devin Smeltzer on a Minor League deal. Smeltzer spent 2019 to 2022 with the Minnesota Twins. He produced a 3.99 ERA/4.82 FIP, with 6.2 K/9 and 2.4 BB/9, in 34 games and 140.0 innings pitched. As you can tell, he didn't have an impressive strikeout rate or an FIP, but had a decent ERA. During that time span, he started 19 out of the 34 games.
The Miami Marlins picked him up for the 2023 season, during which he produced a 6.45 ERA/6.97 FIP, with 6.4 K/9 and 1.6 BB/9. He did this in 9 games and 22.1 innings pitched, starting just one of those games. He was pretty bad to say the least, but The Fish clearly aren't ready to give up on him just yet. He's been brought back on a Minor League deal for pitching depth.
So who are The Fish targeting in free agency? The player is Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who can play SS, 3B, C and in the OF. It's not clear if the team is interested in him as the starting SS, but he can also be a useful utility bat. IKF spent 2018-2021 with the Texas Rangers, batting .265/.316/.354, with 16 home runs and 118 RBI, in 392 games and 1404 AB. He was worth 7.1 WAR for that run.
IKF moved on to the New York Yankees for the 2022-2023 seasons. He batted .253/.311/.333, with 10 home runs and 85 RBI in 255 games and 809 AB. He was worth 3.0 WAR for that run. His two best seasons came in 2021 with Texas and 2022 with New York. He was worth 3.6 WAR in 2021 and 3.0 WAR in 2022. IKF is also a speedster who also had his highest EV in 2023 (88.1). IKF would be a solid bench bat, though not a particularly good starter.
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