The Marlins were impressed by Jonathan Villar’s work in center field prior to last week’s abrupt shutdown of Spring Training, writes Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald. President of baseball operations Michael Hill tells McPherson that Villar looked “pretty natural” in the outfield, praising the speedster’s reads and his “natural glide to the ball.” The Marlins have “no reservations” about installing Villar as their primary center fielder whenever the season does get underway — a move that’d allow them to slot Brian Anderson in at third base, Miguel Rojas at shortstop and Isan Diaz at second base. Barring an extension, Villar is a short-term addition for the Miami organization. He’ll reach free agency next winter, and a year of even average glovework in center field would substantially bolster his stock, as would an approximation of 2019’s strong .274/.339/.453 slash (with 24 homers and 40 steals).
More notes out of Miami…
- Jose Urena went from 2019 Opening Day starter to trade candidate to non-tender candidate over the course of a year, but Miami opted to keep him and seems happy to have done so. Craig Mish of SportsGrid tweets that the Marlins were “itching” to see more of the 28-year-old, who revamped his delivery and his slider in the offseason. Urena yielded just two runs on 13 hits and two walks with eight strikeouts in 14 spring frames before exhibition play was halted. If he’s able to carry some of that success into the regular season, he’ll quickly emerge as a trade commodity. The Marlins only control Urena through the 2021 season, so their window to move him is narrowing. And his $3.75MM salary makes him affordable for just about any club that has a need to add to the starting staff. Urena missed nearly three months with a back strain in 2019, posted a 5.21 ERA in 82 1/3 innings when on the active roster and at one point lost his rotation spot. But in the two prior seasons, the righty notched a solid 3.90 ERA with 6.4 K/9 and 3.0 BB/9 in 343 2/3 innings.
- MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro runs through a number of the position battles that were taking shape in Marlins camp prior to the stoppage of play. Notably, Frisaro writes that veteran outfielder Matt Joyce is in line to start about three times a week in right field, with one of Harold Ramirez, Lewis Brinson, Garrett Cooper or Monte Harrison possibly getting the nod on the other side of a timeshare. Veteran Matt Kemp, in camp on a non-roster deal, is viewed more as a potential bench bat. In the bullpen, Frisaro notes that veteran Brad Boxberger (also on a minor league pact) was “tracking toward” a spot on the roster. Mish heard similar things, tweeting last week that Boxberger was “close to a lock” to make the roster as a setup man to expected closer Brandon Kintzler.
Craig Mish stated that he thinks Harold and Kemp won’t make the roster. Aguilar is everyday 1st basemen. I like Harold but there’s isn’t a clear path for everyday starts, maybe when they trade Dickerson. I do think Coop should be the starting first basemen.
Who’s craig mesh
Who are you?
Villar is underrated
They will be a horrible team the next 2 years
says a mets fan
i certainly dont see them contending yet or even next year, but i can certainly see it come 2022 with the young pitching and hitting they have coming. not sold on Isan and Harrison, but they have a lot of other good pieces regardless.
I hope not lol. It’s funny watching a 20+ year rebuild
3 winning season in the last decade is not something to proud of either..
How many WS rings, let alone appearances, since Marlins 1st season vs Mets in that time frame?
Now thats funny.
Yeah you’re right. But at least we have something to look towards too the next two years. Marlins don’t.
Yeah, bc the Mets will be bad the next two years….. you need to maybe watch some baseball if you think that. (I’m not saying they are the dodgers)
What the heck is wrong with you? Every day it’s the same obnoxious, boastful swaggering b.s. Why don’t you just get over yourself and the Mets and try life as a normal human being? You are such a low-life trash-talkin’ homer.
Do you honestly think it’s normal to call someone a lowlife just cause they think a baseball team will be bad for the next 2 years?
I’d say bad, not horrible. I think they improve by around 10 games this yr
I meant in last place the next two years
Marlins are doing Villar a favor by making him the starting CF is going to boost his stock for FA showing teams his versatility
And potential late season trade. He could help a contender if he can play center and be a leadoff hitter. His speed power mix is good. He needs to show he can get on base though.
An actual post about the fish and sign of fishfanbase.
Urena should be closing
He did last season for a bit and it was a disaster. It wasn’t the biggest sample size but clearly he is doing something better as a starter.
Speaking of small sample size, Urena was a comletely different pitcher approach wise and results in him posting the best numbers in the SP’ing staff. Also granted, its spring training.
Either way very encouraging. He will most likely be in the rotation, and I agree, especially if his ST momentum continues throughout the reg season