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Miami Marlins - Winter Meetings top 3 needs according to Neil Raymond
The Miami Marlins are getting ready for the Winter Meetings. There are trade possibilities out there and potentially major free agent signings as well. The question is what are the top three priorities for The Fish? What should Peter Bendix focus on?
The Miami Marlins need to make a splash at the Winter Meetings.
3. STARTING PITCHING DEPTH
The Fish lost ace Sandy Alcantara for the 2024 season due to Tommy John Surgery. That's terrible news for the team, but if there's a silver lining, it's that the team made the playoffs despite his production in 2023. He produced a 4.14 ERA in 2023, that's not ace production. With all due respect to Sandy, losing that production shouldn't keep the Miami Marlins from making the playoffs in 2024.
The Miami Marlins rotation already has Jesus Luzardo (3.58 ERA in 178.2 IP); Braxton Garrett (3.66 ERA in 159.2 innings pitched); Edward Cabrera (4.24 ERA in 99.2 IP); Eury Perez (3.15 ERA in 91.1 IP) and potentially Trevor Rogers (4.00 ERA in 18.0 IP). Call me overly optimistic but I still believe in Trevor Rogers bouncing back if healthy.
It's pretty clear that while The Fish's rotation has talent and potential, the team could use some depth other than the likes of Ryan Weathers. It doesn't have to be an ace (though that obviously wouldn't hurt), but just some arms to eat innings. A couple of such arms could go a long way in keeping the Miami Marlins in a good spot in 2024.
NEXT: A BIG BAT
2. A DH REPLACEMENT FOR JORGE SOLER
Jorge Soler is likely not coming back to The Fish in 2024. One of the biggest issues that the team faced in 2023 is hitting. It's vital for the team to add big bats, as well as replacing departing ones. Replacing Jorge Soler should be one of the priorities for the team this off-season. I have a specific name in mind.
A homecoming for J.D. Martinez should be one of the priorities for the Miami Marlins this off-season. A Miami native of Cuban descent should help with ticket sales and fan attendance, as well as bringing veteran leadership and World Series winning experience to the team. JDM wasn't exactly a slouch in 2023, as he batted .271/.321/.572 with 33 home runs and 103 RBI in 113 games and 432 AB.
There are other options too. What about acquiring Eloy Jimenez from the Chicago White Sox? If Eloy is available, then the Miami Marlins should look at what it would take to acquire him. It's important to point out that he does have an injury history, but is still young enough (27), and has an elite power bat (91.6 career Exit Velocity).
The key for The Fish is to acquire a big bat to replace Jorge Soler. Improving the offense is overall the biggest priority for the Miami Marlins this off-season.
1. ACQUIRE A NEW SS.
The Miami Marlins struggled in 2023 with Joey Wendle as the team's SS. He's now gone and The Fish badly need a major upgrade. There are some options on the free agent market. One popular one is Tim Anderson, though he's coming off of a terrible .245/.286/.296 batting line. From 2019-2022 however, he batted .318/.347/.474 and it's possible that he can bounce back.
Amed Rosario is also available, though he batted just .263/.305/.378 in 2023. Those are the two best options for the position on the free agent market. That means that the trade market may be the way to go. Could the Miami Marlins target a big name? Or a more mid-tier option?
Some of the options include Jorge Polanco of the Minnesota Twins. Minnesota is looking to cut payroll, and Polanco may not have a starting spot with them next season. He's due $10.5 million next season, and is a career .269/.334/.446 hitter. They may be willing to sell low on him.
The Detroit Tigers will certainly shop Javier Baez, and his defense may be worth taking a shot on, if they cover most of his salary. Maybe the Boston Red Sox will do the same with Trevor Story. The Milwaukee Brewers may move their free agent to be Willy Adames as well.
The Toronto Blue Jays may move Bo Bichette if you believe the rumors. He won't be cheap though and most likely won't actually be moved. It would be great though. The Miami Marlins need to both get a new SS and ideally another big bat, or at least not one like Wendle's. The Fish have other needs, such as at catcher, but with that market being so bad, I'm focusing on these three priorities.
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