The Marlins come next in our arbitration eligibles series…
- First time: Andrew Miller, Mike Rivera, Burke Badenhop, Brett Carroll
- Second time: Leo Nunez, Anibal Sanchez, Ronny Paulino, Jose Veras, Clay Hensley
- Third time: Dan Uggla, Ricky Nolasco
Uggla and Nolasco are the Marlins' two big names. Under new representation, Uggla is reportedly seeking five years and $58MM against a Marlins' offer of roughly three years and less than $30MM. Uggla could get over $10MM through arbitration, and his free agent years are worth more, so the Marlins will have to do better. Talks with Nolasco have a similar theme. He might be better off going through arbitration, where a $6MM salary seems possible.
Nunez, Sanchez, Hensley, and Badenhop also seem like locks to be tendered contracts. With 55 saves to his name Nunez could jump past $4MM and become a trade candidate. Sanchez sports 30 wins and a 3.76 ERA in 471 innings and will be building upon a $1.25MM base and a strong platform year.
Miller, once a highly-touted prospect, has struggled badly with his control and could be on the bubble. If the Fish tender him a contract in December, they'll be faced with his out-of-options status next spring. Rivera, Carroll, Paulino, and Veras may be expendable. Paulino probably sealed his fate when he snagged a 50-game PED suspension in August.
Veras expendable? Uh, since hes come back from the minors he’s been one of our best relievers, something the marlins dont have…so why wouldnt you bring him back? And Paulino has sown he can be GREAT backup, and since he messed up you can probably sign him dirt cheap, so why not?
Keep Uggla and Nolasco- sign both to extensions. Keep all the pitchers and jettison the rest. Trade Hensley and Nunez while their value is high. Neither is likely to produce at this high of a level again.
Gotta bring back Ugga, Nolasco, Hensley, Sanchez, Badenhop. Explore the trade market for Leo and if we can’t get good value for him, bring him back. Non tender the rest.
I wouldn’t sneeze at Anibel Sanchez, the under the radar youngster acquired with Ramirez in the Beckett deal. he is finally healthy and looking very, very good this season.
Where Nolasco could maybe get moved due to his rising costs and bring something back, Sanchez looks ready to step right in behind Johnson as the solid #2.
Keep Uggs, Anibal, K-Lay, Veras, and the Hopper… If we can get some value in return for Ricky and Leo then go for it…. Let go of Ronny, Miller, and the rest (even tho I like BC, theres almost zero chance he gets in the team’s outfield mix)