Rumored Marlins off-season target is very surprising

The off-season is technically already underway for the Miami Marlins. We already have some exciting news about the 2025 MLB Draft. Unfortunately, we also have less exciting news when it comes to the team's managerial situation. There are also constant rumors online. One rumor that comes from social media is exciting but also quite odd. The rumor is that The Fish are going to pursue free agent SS Willy Adames.

Will the Miami Marlins actually go after the top SS on the free agent market?!

The Miami Marlins are not typically big players in free agency. Coming off of a 100 loss season, and not typically being big spenders in free agency, it's odd to imagine the team going after the top SS in free agency. In fact any top player in free agency for that matter.

It makes sense for The Fish to improve the lineup, however I'm not sure that the middle infield is the correct area to target for this. Xavier Edwards has had defensive issues at SS (-0.4 dWAR0, however he also batted .328/.397/.423, with a home run and 26 RBI, in 70 games and 265 AB. Could moving him to second base be the solution? Otto Lopez is the current second baseman, and he batted .270/.313/.377, with 6 home runs and 39 RBI in 117 games and 403 AB. Otto is more importantly an elite defender (1.2 dWAR) at a premium defensive position.

Willy Adames is the top available SS in free agency, but he's also a risky signing. He batted .251/.331/.462, with 32 home runs and 112 RBI in 161 games and 610 AB this season. Last season, he batted just .217/.310/.407, with 24 home runs and 80 RBI in 149 games and 553 AB. He's also a career .248/.322/.444 hitter. It just seems unlikely that the 29 year old is going to be a reliable middle of the order bat long-term.

I don't see a scenario where the Miami Marlins sign Willy Adames in free agency this off-season. I fully expect him to become a bad contract for some other team.