Six Low-Cost Position Players the Miami Marlins should Target in Free Agency

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The Miami Marlins enter the 2023-2024 offseason in a truly unique position. On one hand, they have significant momentum working in their favor. The upstart Fish gritted their way to a surprise postseason berth, overcoming significant injuries along the way. They are on the heels of their most fun and exciting seasons in recent memory.

Low cost free agents are definitely on the Marlins list

However, the club has also suffered several setbacks since its postseason elimination. Cy Young-winning ace Sandy Alcantara has been lost due to Tommy John surgery. GM Kim Ng surprisingly parted ways with the franchise.

Now that the dust is beginning to settle, the Marlins find themselves in the position they (and every other small market club) are always in: Seeking to improve the roster without breaking the bank. While the Fish should undoubtedly spend to make significant improvements in key areas, the franchise has a number of secondary needs that will likely be met with low-cost signings.

What "bargain bin" players should the team target in free agency? And what costs should they expect to pay? Here are our top six low-cost free agent hitters.

Disclaimer: Each player mentioned (both rankings and honorable mentions) includes only players with an annual projected market value of less than $10 million (according to Spotrac). To fit with the spirit of the article, most options are well under this mark.

#6: Isiah Kiner-Falefa, UTIL

Signing Isiah Kiner-Falefa should be considered a depth signing rather than an option as a starter. The veteran Swiss Army Knife has experience playing nearly everywhere on the baseball diamond, including a Gold glove-winning performance at 3B in 2020.

However, his very modest power input (he never recorded more than eight home runs in a season) limits his overall ceiling. IKF does have a solid batting average (.242 in 2023 and .261 for his career) and speed (14 steals in 2023 and 22 in 2022). And, as a worse-case scenerio, he does represent an upgrade over last season's SS wows.

However, IKF's modest market value projections would allow even a smaller market team like Miami to add him as a super-utility player without hampering their ability to address other pressing needs.

Bargain UTIL Honorable Mention: Tony Kemp (OAK), José Iglesias (FA)

#5: Adam Duvall, OF

There are a number of corner outfielders in the free agent market that could fill a need for the Marlins. Players like Cody Bellinger, Tommy Pham, Mark Canha, and Lourdes Gurriel stand out as headlining options. However, because each of their price tags likely fall outside the "bargain bin" range, one low-cost veteran stands out: Adam Duvall.

The 35-year-old slugger produced well with the Red Sox in 2023. He managed to record a .247 BA (several points above his .232 career mark). Of course, his relatively low contact numbers are made up for with a plus power bat (21 homers in 2023).

Depending on where sluggers like Jorge Soler and Jesus Sanchez factor into the club's future, adding a short-term masher like Duvall could make a big difference in 2024. And with just a $5.5 million projected market value, he is well within Miami's budget.

Bargain OF Honorable Mentions: Mark Canha (MIL), Michael Brantley (HOU), Travis Jankowski (TEX)

#4: Brandon Belt, 1B

This signing makes the most sense if the Fish are unable to retain incumbent first base starter Josh Bell (although there could be a scenario where both are rostered). With free agent options like Rhys Hoskins likely carrying a $20+ million per season contract expectation, and Justin Turner being age 38, Belt represents a low-cost alternative.

The longtime San Fransisco Giant performed quite well in his first season outside Oracle Park in 2023. He hit to the tune of a .254 batting average while mashing a solid 19 home runs across 103 games.

Belt also carries a distinct championship pedigree from his two World Series titles in San Fransisco. If the upstart Marlins do intend to build off their 2023 postseason berth, the veteran first baseman could prove to be a starting-caliber player and an excellent clubhouse presence.

With a projected market value of just $2.5 million, Belt checks a lot of the Marlins' boxes at a very low cost. Josh Bell should be option #1, this is a reasonable failsafe if he is not retained. Belt is a worthwhile DH (which would solve another key void) or depth signing even if Bell is the starter at 1B.

Bargain 1B Honorable Mentions: CJ Cron (LAA), Carlos Cantana (MIL)

#3: Tim Anderson, SS

The longtime White Sox star is easily the most controversial name on this list. At this best, Anderson has been an All-Star, batting title champion, Silver Slugger winner, and fringe MVP candidate.

At his worst, however, he is a low OBP, a very modest source of power and speed (one HR and 13 SB in 2023), and is getting embarrassed in a fight against Jose Ramirez.

Unfortunately, all of the lowlights in the latter column came last season. Anderson swiftly saw his reputation as a premier source of batting average, his combination of power and speed, and his All-Star reputation crumble.

However, Anderson remains just 30-years-old. While he has always lacked the ability to produce walks, we have a seven-plus-year sample size that proves the longtime Chicago star has top-tier contact ability. It would be unwise to assume this skill completely dried up in what should be his baseball prime.

Spotrac has Anderson's projected market value at just $5.1 million per season, which would easily be the lowest since his very early career. Miami desperately needs an everyday shortstop and Anderson is a discounted veteran with a real possibility of bouncing back.

It isn't a sure thing, but this signing appears to be a low-risk, high-reward potential perfect for the small-market Marlins.

Bargain Shortstop Honorable Mentions: Brandon Crawford (SFG), Kiké Hernández (LAD)

#2: Victor Caratini, C

In a perfect world, the Marlins would pursue Rangers' catcher Mitch Garver when he becomes a free agent. However, he will likely carry a high price tag after his regular and post-season success in 2023. This leaves Brewers' backup Victor Caratini as the best "bargain bin" option for the Marlins.

Caratini performed quite well as a backup to starter William Contreras. He posted modest but solid numbers including a .259 batting average, 25 RBI, and seven homers across 62 games and 201 at-bats in 2023.

The former Miami Dade College star is also a plus defender ranking as a top-10 pitch framer amongst all catchers in MLB. He would be a great starter or platoon option alongside Jacob Stallings. Judging by his contract history, Caratini could be signed for anywhere between $2.5 and $4 million per season.

Catcher Honorable Mention: Tom Murphy (SEA)

#1: Amed Rosario, SS

Amed Rosario represents the best mix of talent, value, and longterm potential. Still just 29 years old, the former top prospect could grow alongside a relatively young Marlins roster.

Though primarily a shortstop, the MLB veteran has experience at centerfield, corner outfield, and second base. This type of positional flexibility, particularly in the middle-infield, would represent a noticeable improvement over last year.

While Rosario isn't known for any singular, standout, skill, he is a solid producer across the board. He has a good batting eye, posting a respectable .263 batting average last season (which is quite near his career mark of .272). He also added 15 steals and six homers across 142 games and 510 at-bats.

Rosario's glove has been inconsistent at SS, ranking near the bottom of the league in several key metrics. Which is a major need for Miami. However, his ability to play around the diamond offsets some of these concerns. He would be an upgrade over an abysmal SS situation in 2023. Or, his defensive flexibility could allow him to shift to 2B (where he has 190 innings of experience). Additionally, Rosario could be used as an outfielder or as a super-utility player.

Spotrac projects Rosario's market value as $6.3 million per year. At this rate, he is a good value at any of the aforementioned positions. In fact, judging by their current market values, I would personally advocate that Miami pursue both him (as a super utility) and Tim Anderson (as a starter).

Unlike others on this list, Miami could offer him a multi-year deal and lock up a speedy utility player on a modest contract. The former Dodger and Met would be a welcome addition to the Fish in 2024 and beyond.

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