Yesterday, MLBTR's Matt Swartz detailed why he projects Giancarlo Stanton will earn $4.8MM in arbitration this offseason. It's a number that could fluctuate, as Swartz notes that Stanton's salary could range between $4-6MM and that he could earn more from a new team if he's traded, as his new club would likely want to avoid "breaking rapport with an ugly negotiation." Here's some more on the team from South Beach…
- Logan Morrison is receiving a lot of trade interest, FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi report (Twitter links). Morrison was Miami's most asked-about player at the GM Meetings besides Stanton, and while no deal is close, the Marlins are listening to offers. Morrison is projected to earn a modest $1.7MM in his first time through the arbitration process and hit .242/.333/.375 in 333 PA last season.
- The Marlins are interested in re-signing right-hander Chad Qualls, MLB.com's Joe Frisaro reports. Qualls posted a 2.61 ERA, 2.58 K/BB, and 7.1 K/9 in 62 relief innings last season, and the veteran reliever "is weighing all of his options" in free agency.
- Also from Frisaro, closer Steve Cishek is "not available as a trade piece." The Marlins were adamant about keeping Cishek last summer and it appears their stance has not changed, even though Cishek will get expensive as a Super Two player. Cishek is projected to earn $3.2MM as a first-time arbitration eligible player this offseason.
- Michael Hill, the Marlins' president of baseball operations, told The Miami Herald's Clark Spencer that his club would prefer to acquire experienced players who still have three or more years of team control remaining. That Major League experience is key, Hill said: "We want talent, but we’ve done our prospect deals. We’re trying to get better and acquire players that help us now, and in the future."
- Hill also seemed to hint that Justin Ruggiano could be a trade chip this offseason.
- The Marlins weren't very close to signing Jose Dariel Abreu, Spencer reports. Miami "dropped out of the bidding early" after they "made a legitimate initial offer" for the Cuban slugger. Abreu eventually signed a six-year, $68MM deal with the White Sox.
