Six Bargain Bin Pitchers the Miami Marlins should Target in Free Agency

Fresh off of our "Six Low-Cost Position Players the Miami Marlins Should Target in Free Agency," this article is intended to address the Miami Marlins' most pressing need: starting and bullpen pitchers.

Thankfully, there are a number of quality starters available in the free-agent market. While stars like Shohei Ohtani, Blake Snell, and Aaron Nola are up for grabs for the highest bidder, each is almost certainly out of Miami's price range. Particularly when you consider the Marlins' multiple offseason needs.

Where should Marlins executives focus their free-agent efforts?

The Fish need to add 2-3 starters and multiple bullpen arms before 2024's Opening Day. One of these should be a starter in the tier above the options listed below. However, as the club seeks to round out a postseason-worthy rotation, they should strongly consider the following "bargain bin" options.

Disclaimer: Each player mentioned includes only players with an annual projected market value of less than $10 million (according to Spotrac).

#6: James Paxton, SP

The oft-injured veteran proved to be a solid end-of-the-rotation starter in Boston last season. Paxton bounced back from Tommy John surgery that forced him to miss the entire 2022 season and pitched to the tune of a 4.50 ERA, 101 strikeouts, over 96 innings of work.

The longtime Mariner did carry a high ERA, he was much more effective early in the season, before seemingly wearing down as the year progressed. Now that he has a full season of work under his belt, he should be in a prime position to improve on that mark in 2024.

Paxton always carries a high injury risk. But, after losing ace Sandy Alcantara for the 2024 season, the Marlins need several supplementary arms. While a player like Paxton should not be their top pitching addition, his $9.5 million annual projected market value makes him a solid candidate as 5th starter or depth piece.

#5: Michael Lorenzen, SP

Like Paxton, Lorenzen's 2023 experience was a tale of two seasons. The veteran posted his best career numbers during the first half of the year with the Tigers, recording a 3.58 ERA, 83Ks, pitching 105 innings, and earning his first All-Star selection.

Unfortunately for him, things quickly pivoted when he was traded to the Phillies during last season's trade deadline. His tenure in Philadelphia started hot when he pitched a no-hitter during his first home start with the club. However, things quickly soured as his post-trade numbers inflated to a 5.51 ERA across 28 innings of work.

At just 31 years old, Lorenzen is one of the youngest players on this bargain bin list. He also carries the highest strikeout potential. His $9.2 million projected market value makes him a low-risk, high-reward upside play that Miami should aggressively target.

If the club was able to court him into remaining in the NL East, Lorenzen would be an excellent #4 or #5 starter at the end of the Marlins' starting rotation.

#4: Matt Moore, RP

This is perhaps the most realistic target on our list, as Moore already has experience in Miami. The veteran pitcher was added to the Marlins' roster after he was claimed off of waivers during the club's September postseason push.

The former All-Star starter turned hyper-effective lefty reliever, has established himself as a valuable bullpen piece over the past two seasons (he posted a 1.95 ERA in 2022 and a 2.56 ERA in 2023). Despite a super small sample size that included just three relief appearances for the Fish, Moore did not allow a single run as a Marlin.

With Tanner Scott locking down the closer role, Moore would be an excellent weapon for manager Skip Schumaker to use in high-leverage situations. With a projected cost of just $3.3, a reunion between Moore and the Marlins makes all the sense of the world!

He would be the #1 target at reliever. If it weren't for...

#1: Seth Lugo, SP/RP

Looking for a diamond in the rough? Seth Lugo represents one of the best values in this free agency class.

The Swiss Army Knife established a long MLB career as a longtime bullpen option as a member of the NL East rival New York Mets. during that time, from 2016-2022, Lugo posted a super solid 3.48 ERA across nearly 500 innings, most of which came as a high-leverage reliever.

When he was given his first true opportunity to pivot to a starting role with the Padres in 2023, Lugo cemented himself as a rock-solid option. The veteran posted a stellar 3.50 ERA across 26 starts and a career-high 146 innings. He finished the club's #3 starter and recorded an 8-7 record.

Lugo, like Hendricks, would bring immediate stability to a Miami rotation currently in flux. And, as an added bonus, his services could likely be secured for under the $10 million per season price tag.

Honorable Mention: Kenta Maeda, SP

Maeda unfortunately falls just outside the sub-$10 million annual projected market value required for this article. However, he deserves an honorable mention as a potential rotation solution.

The 35-year-old has had injury and durability concerns throughout his career. Yet, he remains a strong starting option when healthy. He, like Paxton, is a candidate to improve off a higher 2023 ERA (4.23) as he builds back up after Tommy John surgery in 2022.

Miami needs to add multiple starter this offseason. Maeda is worthy of consideration.

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