Miami Marlins Winter Meetings top 3 needs according to Brian Dunleavy

3 - Marlins need a catcher

The Miami Marlins non-tendered former veteran starting catcher Jacob Stallings and need a replacement who can provide either really stout defense or solid offense. Surprisingly, at least one pundit called Stallings a potential steal this offseason. I have no idea where that came from, perhaps the tough market, but Stallings was not very good at either offense or defense. Who should the Marlins focus on at the Winter Meetings for catcher?

Signing Victor Caratini as their starting Catcher should be the focus for the Marlins opening. The Marlins need some offense and catcher has some more options available as compared to shortstop. Caratini is the best fit for both sides of the ball and will be a great option in the lineup. 

If they can’t sign Caratini there are a few more options that might be good fits to the Marlins but not as big of an impact defensively. Yasmani Grandal would be a name that would fill that role for sure. Just the opposite, Martin Maldonado would be a very solid defensive catcher and leader, but wouldn’t provide much offense, which would still be an improvement on Stallings, who was neither. 

2 - Marlins need a power hitter

The Miami Marlins lineup had the worst run differential of any playoff team by a large margin. As we have wrote about plenty of times, the Marlins had a bottom 1/4 of the league ranking in home runs, runs, and RBI. They need more run production, and some of that is due to no situational hitting last year. One thing could change all of that, and that is signing a big time hitter that can fill out the middle of their lineup. 

I really think the Marlins top 3 in the lineup could look totally different if they sign a big time hitter. Luis Arraez should lead off as per usual, but if the Marlins can sign someone of quality or trade for someone like Randy Arozarena, they would fit right in the two spot. Arozarena would be perfect for the two hole and would provide Jazz and Bell some base runners to drive in. 

If the Arozarena shopping isn’t realistic or even happening who is the next best option? I really like Whit Merrifield and think he should be the guy next on the list for the Marlins. The free agent won’t be cheap but should be cheaper than Soler and is a well rounded player. Merrifield hit .272 with 11 home runs, 67 RBIs, and 26 stolen bases last season and hit 27 doubles. He will get on base and will be a perfect two hole player in front of Jazz and Bell. 

1 - Marlins need a shortstop

The Miami Marlins have no starting shortstop and not much of a backup either. Berti can play but isn’t a natural fit and so the Marlins need this position filled most of all and the market is thin. There are a few options so let’s take a look. 

I really like the option of trading for one of two players. First the Orioles Jorge Mateo would be a great fit. He hit .217 with 7 home runs and 34 RBIs while swiping 32 bags last season. Mateo is a younger player at 28 and would be a great fit to the team that has a young infield. 

Ezequiel Duran would be another trade target that would be a good fit. The Rangers need pitching and the Marlins have some potentials to draw away Duran. Last season Duran hit .276 with 14 home runs, 46 RBIs, and 22 doubles in only 439 plate appearances. He is another young infielder I could see the Marlins looking at as a potential long term shortstop. 

As I have said before, offensive production is the primary focus the Marlins should have during the Winter Meetings. The Marlins also should look for one inning eating pitcher they can count on to round out their rotation.  They might need two starters if they use Edward Cabrera in a trade, which would be likely for them to acquire Duran or Mateo since both the Orioles and Rangers need pitching. That would be the next big priority if they do indeed get one of those two young shortstops and another power bat, we could live with Fortes if need be. 

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