While the Marlins are hoping to shed as much as $50MM in salary — reportedly by moving players such as Giancarlo Stanton, Martin Prado and Dee Gordon — the team still believes in its core more cost-efficient young bats, writes MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro. In fact, Frisaro writes that the Fish are still hoping to improve their starting pitching this offseason even in the midst of shedding payroll, with a belief that the team can still contend in 2018. It’s not entirely clear how Miami intends to supplement what is presently an extremely thin rotation, though presumably they’ll seek to add some young arms in marketing both Stanton and Gordon. If enough payroll is shed, the club could theoretically look to add some affordable arms on the free-agent market, though it seems unlikely that they’d be in play for anything other than low-cost back-of-the-rotation arms or reclamation projects.
More out of the NL East…
- Though Mets hitting coach Kevin Long was passed over for the Nationals‘ managerial opening after interviewing, Jorge Castillo of the Washington Post reports (via Twitter) that Long is in consideration to become the hitting coach under newly minted Nats skipper Dave Martinez. Long has spent the past 10 seasons as a big league hitting coach — seven with the Yankees and three with the Mets — and played a hand in helping current Nats slugger Daniel Murphy take his game to a new level. Long’s contract with the Mets is up at upon conclusion of the World Series, though there’s not yet any definitive word that he will not be returning to the Mets in 2018.
- Newsday’s Marc Carig writes that at the time he signed with the Mets, Nori Aoki and his representatives asked the team to release him well in advance of the non-tender deadline if it was determined that he wouldn’t be offered arbitration for the 2018 season. The Mets honored that request on Monday, releasing the 35-year-old veteran outfielder and making him a free agent. Aoki posted a rather light .272/.323/.371 batting line in 224 plate appearances with the Astros this season, but he batted a much more impressive .284/.353/.425 with three homers, eight doubles and a triple in his final 150 PAs of the season between the Blue Jays and Mets.
- Phillies Triple-A manager Dusty Wathan didn’t ultimately land the team’s managerial job but still could land on manager Gabe Kapler‘s coaching staff, writes MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki. The 44-year-old Wathan will return to the organization in 2018 no matter what, as he’s currently under contract for next season as the Triple-A manager, Zolecki notes. Because Kapler is entering his first stint as an MLB manager, the Phils will likely have a couple of veteran coaches on his staff, Zolecki continues, but they’ll also likely bring in some younger coaches that are in the same vein as Kapler himself. Zolecki runs down a number of potential candidates, so Phils fans will want to check out the column in full.
Looks like Kevin Long might have better options than to return to the Mets, especially since they passed him over for that Managerial role.
Not gonna lie, I’m rooting for this guy. I really want to see what he can do as manager.
Creed Bratton is Manager!!!!!!
He was manager, he lost his chance. That’s his problem.
I feel like Michael Scott could work wonders for team chemistry
I wouldn’t mind if he came to St. Louis but it’s seems that Mo is in love with Mabry.
No. Matheny is in love with Mabry, and the front office has committed to Matheny.
Sounds like Marlins want to pull a 2015 Padres and try and compete before tearing it down. They should give up that notion and tear it all down and start over.
I 110% agree with you on a total rebuild for the Fish
Definitely. At best they’re semi-competitive in their current state. There’s no point whatsoever in even entertaining the thought of remaining competitive during a rebuild like the Yankees. They’re probably looking at signing the likes of Ubaldo Jimenez or Wade Miley on cheap, short term contracts just to eat some innings. Gotta tear it down to the ground and start all over again. Anything else is a complete waste of time.
When the Ricketts bought the Cubs, they executed a full rebuild. Not that a full rebuild is a foolproof plan that always works, but if the fans want to win, they will have to decide whether they want a consistent 75 win team that toys with your heart, making you think they can make the wild card this year, but aren’t considered perennial championship contenders… or if the fans want a team that will lose for 3-4 years, followed by some transitionary seasons with the hope of a 2-3 year dynasty.
Questions to Marlins fans…what would think of a complete teardown, with bad contracts being coupled with good younger players to rid the team of salary, and bring in prospects? Forget it’s Jeter, new management, etc. How do you feel about the concept?
reguarding marlins teardown i think they will not be able to get people to come to games by doing that
Do fans REALLY come to games in Miami now?
very good point
The Marlins have all but no choice to do a tear down. The team has a tremendous amount of debt. Also, one could argue that the new owners overpaid for the team. There is a reason the Romney team wouldn’t bid above a certain threshold – the numbers just didn’t make sense.
I like your concept of taking on bad contracts in order to replenish the farm system. However, I don’t think the Marlins are in a position where they could do that. The team is tapped out financially and I don’t see them having that luxury.
“I like your concept of taking on bad contracts in order to replenish the farm system. However, I don’t think the Marlins are in a position where they could do that.”
I think what the mike156 means is that the Marlins package some of their more valued players (Ozuna, Yelich) along with a bad contract (Stanton, Prado) in order to get a better return and out from under the bad contracts. I don’t think he meant that the Marlins take on someone else’s bad contracts.
The Marlins will be lucky to draw a million people if they tear their club down. Foolish move for the Jeter/Sherman group — poisoning the water for baseball in what should be a naturally strong area.
A couple of seasons of empty houses could even get the new owners to consider moving the franchise.
But aren’t the Jeter/Sherman group the new owners?
They won’t move. They just built a crazy expensive stadium. They aren’t going to be as good as the nationals or a healthy Mets or upcoming braves or a 2019 mega spending Phillies team. Bite the bullet and re build. After Fernandez passed away, this team had to change directions. That hurt them tremendously. Sell, rebuild, and try and compete in three years. They have young cheap good talent in areas, and have big pieces they can trade for good returns. They are in a great spot. But have to do it now, this off season.
Healthy Mets what year?
Lol
“A couple of seasons of empty houses” …that’s all they’ve ever had!!!
Marlins FO seems to be thinking like fans in an mlb. com comment section. Might be in way over their heads.
Suddenly Jeffrey Loria doesn’t look like such a bad owner the way we all thought.
I never thought I would write that. Congratulations go out to Derek Jeter and crew.
Here’s the new boss, same as the old boss.
Before Kapler was hired I read him,Wathan and Farrell were the 3 finalist. I was thinking then they could be the Manager,bench and pitching coaches. Wishful thinking, but maybe it could happen.
Wouldn’t mind seeing Davey Lopes back over at 1b. He’d get Hernandez over 20 sb’s, if he stays. Even if he didn’t, he would be good to have over there for Crawford and Kingery.
Breaking news, the marlins would go a complete fire sale again. Lol
The Marlins need a complete tear down and start with the basics by drafting quality players through the MLB and International drafts as well as modest free agent signings. You have to crawl before you can walk, true? They just need to develop from within, Jeter will indeed stand out if he takes that approach.
*There is no international draft…
There was one????
Marlins need only ask themselves the question, “What would Rick Hahn do?” and follow that blueprint. The team WILL suck for years to come, but that’s what rebuilding is all about. Don’t follow Cincinnati’s model. Reds are kinda sorta rebuilding, and in the process getting very little return in trades for their major league assets.
It’s very sad when a team is in the position of needing to offload one of the brightest young stars in the game.
looks like jeter is going to be just like loria