Miami Marlins Winter Meetings top 3 needs according to Brian Dunleavy

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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