The winter free agent and trade market are still in full swing but the Miami Marlins have been relatively quiet so far. The Marlins are still expected to make at least one move but likely two to fill the starting shortstop role and the Jorge Soler role. Ironically enough Jorge Soler could fill his own role as they have been in talks with him but if the Marlins go a different direction that could drastically change the lineup.
The Marlins 2024 lineup is strong but with a few big holes
The bulk of the lineup is in tact so it could change slightly depending on who they sign. The front office and Peter Bendix have to determine how big of a hole they need to fill if Soler is gone and that will determine the heart of the lineup. If perhaps the Marlins can work a J.D. Martinez deal he would sit in the middle of the lineup without a doubt. The lineup right now without those positions would look something like this:
- Luis Arraez 2nd
- Avisail Garcia RF
- Jazz Chisholm CF
- Josh Bell 1B
- Jake Burger 3B
- Bryan De La Cruz LF
- Jesus Sanchez DH
- Jon Berti SS
- Christian Bethancourt C
Now that lineup looks decent but looks very much like the spring Marlins lineup, missing a piece or two. You can see how drastically it would change if the front office adds a big middle of the order bat to the mix. Josh Bell would be followed up by the big bat or Garcia drops down to the 7 spot in the lineup and Jazz or the new guy (let’s say it’s Soler) is 2 and the rest follows.
I for one would love to see a lineup without Avisail Garcia in it but I’m not sure he has any kind of value in the market. Jesus Sanchez doesn’t make sense right now in the 2 spot with his lifetime 28% strikeout rate, and Berti could be the only switch up that high. He would be a good fit if he can repeat his .294 average or close to it and he is more active on the base paths like in 2022 where he swiped 41 bags.
There is a clear missing piece otherwise that needs to be filled and trading for a big time shortstop could fill the need easily. The other option would be to put together a trade, such as the one suggested prior, which would bring in Santander and a shortstop for a starting pitcher. Santander would make that lineup pop as well. The Marlins brass have their work cut out for them and the lineup will change once they fill those spots so stay tuned for another lineup update post trade season.
More Marlins Stories