The Marlins would still like to add a right-handed bat to pair with Justin Bour at first base and have had discussions about sluggers Chris Carter and Mark Reynolds, reports ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick (Twitter links). However, the Fish don’t have much in the way of extra financial resources at the moment and may need to get the right-handed bat they’re seeking on a non-roster invite. That would certainly seem to eliminate Carter from their list of possibilities, and it might make Reynolds difficult to lure in as well. The Marlins currently project to open the year with a $115MM payroll.
Carter, 30, was non-tendered to the surprise of some back in December despite the fact that he finished the 2016 season tied for the National League lead with 41 home runs. (Carter also led the NL in a much less flattering category, striking out 206 times in 644 plate appearances.) The role that Miami is seeking, from my vantage point, would be a tough sell for Carter anyhow, as he’d surely prefer more playing time than the short side of a platoon could offer. Despite his penchant for striking out and his unsightly .222 batting average, Carter did post a .321 on-base percentage and a .499 slugging percentage last year. His overall contributions at the plate were decidedly above the league average, as they have been on the whole dating back to the 2012 season.
The 33-year-old Reynolds is fresh off an impressive-looking .282/.356/.450 batting line, though he did post those numbers while playing his home games at Coors Field. The production was strong nonetheless, however, and Reynolds can also point to the fact that the 25.4 percent strikeout rate he posted last year was the lowest of his career. He did suffer a broken hamate bone which ended his season prematurely, though the injury didn’t require surgery. Reynolds had some uncharacteristic struggles against left-handed pitching in 2016 with the Rox, and isn’t a true lefty masher; rather, he’s had roughly even splits over the course of his big league career. Still, Reynolds’ lifetime .233/.346/.445 batting line against lefties would be an improvement over what the team can realistically expect for Bour, who has batted .223/.273/.291 in 110 career PAs against lefties.
If neither Carter nor Reynolds is in the Marlins’ financial wheelhouse, the team could look to potentially cheaper options that remain on the open market such as Dae-ho Lee and Jerry Sands. The 34-year-old Lee batted .261/.329/.446 in 173 PAs against southpaws last season, while Sands is a career .285/.335/.477 hitter when holding the platoon advantage.
“However, the Fish don’t have much in the way of extra financial resources at the moment and may need to get the right-handed bat they’re seeking on a non-roster invite.”
I love quotes like this. Just imagine the burden Loria lives under…a free stadium, munificent money from MLB, and an operating profit last year (estimated by Forbes) at $15.8M. Maybe he could sign one of these players if he could manage to get someone else to pay for it?
To be fair, Loria dropped $140 million towards the stadium, which is more than most in a publicly funded ballpark. That being said, I will never defend him. I’m just saying there is more than plenty to blame him for or be mad at him for than to have to add stuff that isn’t true
Ok, but let’s also point out that nearly $90M of that were for “soft costs” (lawyers, consultants, lobbyists) and roughly$30M came in an interest free loan from the taxpayer.
Mike156, you nailed it. That was exactly what went through my mind when I read this story. Sadly, this is how we have come to think of the Marlins under this doofus who now openly expresses he’d be willing to sell for $1.5 billion plus. Some owners are patrons of their regional arts and culture, others are literally vampires who suck everything they can from a community.
Isn’t $15.8 barely coming out on top?
That’s not a real number. Has to be after accounting shenanigans, stadium depreciation, etc.
None of the profit numbers are real. Look at franchise values as a reflection of ROI.
Marlins ballpark is too deep for a ton of homers
And Reynolds hasn’t been a real homer threat in half a decade.
Chris Carter I think ends up with an MLB starting job at DH or 1B and Reynolds ends up with a platoon 1B gig in Tampa, Miami or somewhere else with a left-handed 1B with platoon splits.
Maybe if they hadn’t wasted $3 million towards Jeff Locke, they could sign Reynolds…also, something seems off about that payroll projection. But I’m too lazy to care right now. Im a Marlins fan, and constantly having issues with the organization is tiring enough. It’s easier to just expect them to be a joke of an organization, and save some energy for when they make more dumb moves during the season
Agreed. That was a bizarre signing with about zero upside.
Trade Blackmon for a prospect package.
Desmond to the OF.
Sign Carter.
Watch Carter hit 50 HR and approach 250 Ks.
That would be fun, even with that many strikeouts.
Actually Coors Field for RH pull hitters isn’t particularly HR friendly. Middle of pack. I don’t know about Milwaukee, but my guess is the two parks are about even for hitters like him. No thanks.
Go after Reynolds in a pinch he can play 3rd and some OF . They also could try and get Moss
Sounds like the Marlins are window shopping at Target. Hard to imagine even flawed players like Carter and Reynolds falling into their lap. Sands and Lee can be found in the bargain bin at Buckaroo. If that’s all you can afford, make the move now.
Worth noting that Reynolds is a solid defensive 1B, while Carter is among the worst fielders at any position in the majors. Desperately needs to be a DH.
That Stanton contract is going to look so terrible
Only 4 years/$91 million or so left on his deal. What are you talking about?
At least 7 years and $218 million is owed after 2020. If he has a couple more subpar/injury-riddled years, he won’t opt out.
James Loney should come cheap to a team that’s looking for capable defensive 1B, I know he’s left handed like Bour but still worth looking into for them I think. Also isn’t Billy Butler still out there? I know he’s terrible on D but he could be a fairly cheap platoon partner for Bour
And there goes Loney to the Rangers about 10 mins after I posted this lol
Carter can play every day, which would eliminate the need to pay a platoon partner. Carter’s LHP-RHP splits are not significantly different.
Carters low batting average and his lack of defense capabilities eliminates him as an everyday player I think. He’s better suited to a platoon role especially with the lack of interest from teams for one dimensional home run hitters.
“Fish don’t have much of a way of extra financial resources”
haha. thats hilarious. with them turning out to be one of the most profitable teams in baseball while making over $100 million over 2 years in the early 2000’s (while crying about being so broke that they would move the team) while in a crappy stadium situation, just think how much more Lorie is making now in his big shiny (literally) new stadium and all of the increased revenue sharing and TV money. “little financial resources” must mean whatever is left over after Lorie pockets his $40 mil. god forbid he keep his promise and sign some actual quality free agents!!