The Marlins are known to be looking for more outfield help, with Kyle Schwarber already reported as one of the names on the team’s radar. Barry Jackson and Craig Mish of The Miami Herald shed some more light on the Marlins’ pursuit, writing that Schwarber is looking for a three-year contract worth around $60MM.
Such a deal would top the Marlins’ four-year, $53MM pact with Avisail Garcia in dollars if not years, though it would also fall short of the four years and $70MM MLBTR projected Schwarber to land this winter. Three years and $60MM is still a healthy sum, particularly for a team with Miami’s traditionally limited payrolls, yet the Marlins have already shown a greater willingness to spend in order to upgrade their offense.
The Phillies are another team that has been linked to Schwarber, while the Red Sox and Nationals (the slugger’s two most recent clubs) have also expressed some level of interest in a reunion. Since several of the top free-agent bats have already landed new deals, Schwarber’s status as one of the top hitters available has only risen, so it’s fair to assume that other teams have already shown interest or will do so once the post-lockout dust settles. It remains to be seen whether Schwarber’s market will develop to the point where the Marlins or any other club eventually puts a four-year offer on the table.
Of other outfielders linked to the Marlins, Nick Castellanos “is viewed as too expensive,” while Eddie Rosario is another consideration if Schwarber is also ultimately deemed to be beyond Miami’s price range. Recent reports indicated that Castellanos is looking to score a seven- or eight-year contract, and even if that is an aim-high projection that could be lowered post-lockout, it would still seem like Castellanos might not be a fit for the Fish. Additionally, signing Castellanos have a further cost in the form of draft pick compensation, since he rejected the Reds’ qualifying offer.
The Marlins could possibly avoid the free agent route entirely by landing an outfielder in a trade, as before the lockout, Jackson and Mish note that Miami was in “ongoing discussions with one American League team.” The in-house fallback plan would be to have Brian Anderson play right field and the newly-acquired Joey Wendle take over as the everyday third baseman, but the Fish would prefer to have an established outfielder on the grass rather than Anderson, even if Anderson has looked at home as an outfielder. Anderson had a 7.9 UZR/150 and +6 Defensive Runs Saved over 1223 innings as a right fielder in 2018-19, but is also coming off an injury-plagued 2021 season.
Miami’s offseason pursuits led them to consider such players as Starling Marte, Manny Pina, and Yan Gomes, with the first two receiving contract offers. For Marte, the Marlins and two other teams made four-year offers worth roughly $60MM, and according to Jackson/Mish, Miami was prepared to spend a little more to bring Marte back to South Beach. Marte’s camp wanted something around a $70MM payday, however, and ended up topping that number handily with the $78MM over four years that Marte received from the Mets.
Pina was another player the Marlins lost to a division rival, as while the Fish offered Pina $4MM on a one-year deal, the Braves doubled that offer and signed Pina for two years and $8MM. However, the Marlins instead landed a longer-term target in Jacob Stallings, acquiring the backstop from the Pirates for a three-player trade package. Interestingly, Jackson/Mish write that the Red Sox came very close to trading for Stallings, which would have indicated the Sox were ready to move on from Christian Vazquez either next winter (2022 is Vazquez’s last year under contract) or perhaps this offseason if a trade partner could have been found.
Marlins need to continue spending and acquiring long term bats and high leverage BP arms.
So far ok, off-season is not done.
The Marlins seem to be on the right track. I like the way they have built the team. The young players are getting better and better. They are adding pieces slowly to make sure they have the right fit. The Marlins appear to be taking time with their rebuild to make sure they do it the right way. The team looks pretty good long term and they aren’t bogged down by bad contracts so far.
Well well well … months ago when I said Vazquez should and could be replaced despite his option being picked up, because he’s a below average catcher that several pitchers don’t like throwing to, everyone laughed at me like Carrie in the shower. They all said the Red Sox want to keep him because Vazquez is great, and they all said there’s no other catcher the Red Sox could realistically acquire to replace him. I specifically said Stallings would be a target, they all said the Pirates would never trade him.
Only reason I bring this up is because after getting attacked for what I said months ago, vindication is sweet. If only y’all knew why I tend to be right on these things. LOL
They are going to pick up lower end guys with high hopes by Bloom. In other words cheap dumpster players. How the hell do you give Wacha 7 million dollars who should be a major league minimum guy or minor league contract with an invite to Spring Training along with 20 million to Paxton who cannot pitch until August. Then you pick up a 42 year old Hill from an easier league facing the pitcher 3 times in a game and expect him to take over for EROD! Don’t get your hopes high on picking up top relief pitchers with Bloom or getting Schwarber after picking up 12 million on JBJs solid .161 batting average. This team is worse than last year.
Watch out for the Marlins. Best rotation in the NL East.
I needed the laugh. Thanks.
@Ted You laugh, but it’s not wrong. The Mets have the best 1-2 punch in baseball, but as it currently stands their 3-5 isn’t the best. Not to mention the fact that they’re 1-2 may need some extra rest because of age and injury concerns. I expect them to sign another starter after the CBA and that will change everything, but right now I like the Marlins and Phillies rotation better. Even the Braves although there are certainly injury concerns there.
Now keep in mind I’m simply talking about the rotation. I put the Mets above the Marlins and Phillies on paper based on their full roster. But on paper means nothing, and I expect the NL East to continue to be busy post CBA.
*their
You’re dumb then, if you think their rotation isn’t great.
I wouldn’t go that far but they def have scary good talent and enviable SP’ing depth ready to produce at the ML level. Lead by Alcantara.
Pablo is can the staff ace but needs to avoid DL stints.
Rogers needs to replicate his breakout year.
Elizear although not armed with the power FB probably has the best swing and miss secondary stuff on the staff but must avoid IL and pitch at least 150 IP
Sixto – probably the highest ceiling in the org. Needs to put it all together in a full season. Will have a innings limit regardless
E. Cabrera – as good as Sixto, some say even better.
Neidert – Elizear clone solid #4 or #5
Braxton – see above but LH and possibly a higher celiling
Meyers- stud SP’er. Front line stuff should be in the Bigs sometime this year . If not by 2023 at the latest
So many more in the in the pipeline…
Sixto – probably the highest ceiling in the org that i disagree with.
their other on my list .
Sixto has become smarter . but is and will be inning limited. always . .
Alcantara. 200 inning . highest ceiling 1st marlin to do it since mark buehrle.. than Meyers and E. Cabrera on list still in minor . .and jesus luzardo (even if 6 al team asking about him) has a change to be their..
Braxton still high on for me.
that if don dont destroy them . living in too long or taking out 5 inning to soon- than expect go seven in aug. or move to bullpen
Six to…6 foot power pitchers don’t last. The recent injuries are just the start.
I talked to a Yankees scout a while ago and they won’t even look at 6 foot tall power pitchers.
What are you talking about 6 foot pitchers not being good? Ever heard of Randy Johnson? Yeah, Yankees got him too.
Think he meant 6 ft and under…..Randy was 6’10….under 6 ft you can’t get on top of the ball as well, you don’t have the same throwing motion and injuries result. Pedro was 5’10 I believe, sure he was great from 97 to 04 but he ended up with injury issues…..
if healthy
Correct. The Marlins have the best rotation and catcher in the NL East.
Best catcher? Kind of tough when the best catcher in baseball is in the NL East and not on the Marlins.
Will Smith is in the NL West buddy…
Not so fast! The Phillies and Nationals may have the best catchers in the East, Realmoto and then much further down Ruiz, then followed by Stallings. Stallings might be the best defensive catcher in NL East, but Will Smith and JT Realmoto are the best two overall in NL. The Marlins, Braces and Mets all have pretty comparable rotations. If Jacob could pitch 30 games with five innings or more, I might tip it to Mets. Until that happens, I give it to Marlins with the most depth. Mets need one more starting pitcher and Marlins need one more outfielder, though Anderson is primed for a mild bounce back.
If you build it they still won’t come. Even if they win they’ll still have to blow up the team in the end.
Don’t the bullpens determine the outcomes of most of these games? Although these East teams are much improved elsewhere, Atlanta is still the favorite in my book. Its actually going to be comical watching deGrom/Scherzer dominate for their 6-7 innings and then see the bullpen blow it.
While I know players and teams can’t talk, is there anything preventing GMs from talking to other GMs, constructing and agreeing to deals that will be announced as soon as a new CBA is announced?
I think GM to GM conversations are still happening and even allowed. I could be wrong but I think I read somewhere that this is allowed.
Rest assured it’s happening to some extent, whether it’s ‘allowed’ or not.
What do you think “teams” means? It’s referring to the front office personnel, not mascots.
The Marlins have a lot of good prospects and OF prospects. Either they soured on the OF prospects or maybe they think they can compete. You would think instead of spending big bucks on a free agent, package some of those prospects to a good OF or player they can control for two+ years and not tie up payroll.
5yrs/$100 million for Castellanos seems like a good fit for the Marlins. That contract would likely actually age well. If the NL adopts the DH, it makes even more sense. I know the Marlins aren’t big spenders, but they play in a division with big spenders. And yes the Rays have proven that David can beat Goliath, but they are the exception. Also, the Marlins fan base hasn’t been given a fair shake. The Marlins have never fielded a consistently competitive team. Perhaps Miami could/would provide the kind of revenue that would allow the Marlins to compete financially. I hope they succeed. Baseball is more interesting when some non traditional markets are competitive.
Castellon? Pfft. No.
It is only an option with the DH, Nick can barely play OF now let alone in 5 years. For a DH only, Fish could sign Nelson Cruz or Jorge Soler to a one or two year deal for pennies compared to what Nick is seeking. Nick is a great hitter but not a great Fish match.
Disagree. Yes, Castellanos will eventually need to be a full time DH, but he can play the OF the next season or two. He has a much better track record than Soler so that explains the price difference. Signing Cruz doesn’t make much sense. It’s not like the Marlins are a DH away from overtaking the division. Castellanos is a long term investment that will make them more competitive this year and still be productive when the Marlins are fully ready to compete. I personally hate the guy, but he does play to the camera and could be a good marketing tool for the Fish as well.
Soler is a big athlete. He looked good making a running catch in the playoffs. Just like Stanton is a good athlete. No need to make them get stiff by only DHing. DH on occasion to rest the body and keep everyone fresh. Soler is a much better athlete than Schwarber.
5yrs/$100 million for Castellanos seems like a good fit for the Marlins no thanks
If Schwarber is wanting $20 mil a year and Casty is going for about the same, why would the Marlins think Casty is more expensive?
3 yrs deal vs 8 yr deal
In yesterday’s reporting Casty was asking for 5 yr but likely only to be offered 4.
There are wide-ranging reports on Castellanos’ asking years, ranging from 4 to 8 years (with 8 years being to-the-moon).. So who knows. Based on years of performance he should demand more per year than Schwarber (who is asking for 4 years btw) and maybe this is what the Marlins understand
Article states he is looking for a 3yr deal (MLBTR predicted 4 yr deal)
Stroman wanted 5+ and got three. Nothing wrong with asking, but he’ll only get what the market offers. No way he gets 8. He’s a fine hitter, but he’s not elite.
Castellanos is overrated. Terrible outfielder and hit just .772 OPS away from GABP. Teams aren’t dumb
Some seem to be.
Outside the box thought: what if Miami goes after McCutchen? Really only if the DH comes to the NL, which I think we all believe it will. He can still hit, and he can DH/play either outfield slot. He’ll be cheaper than Schwarber and Castellanos, without their awful defense. McCutchen is still okay out there (just not in center).
Even if the signed him, they could still go after a power bat…but a veteran, Florida born clubhouse presence, may be just what Miami needs as it pushes towards the playoffs.
I respect and admire the career Cutch has had but i’d prefer Scwarber. If not, go get Mullins or Marte. Marlins certaintly have the prospects to get it done …for both !
Additionally, Marlins have the financial resources to get Casti or Schwarber plus more. They have TV & Naming rights deal done plus bad contracts off the books (chen). Not to mention revenue sharing profits. They’re no excuse not to.
They must continue spending, otherwise, they’re no different than the previous ownerships.
Hate to say it, but McCutchen is best as a part-time platoon player these days. Crushes lefties, and that’s about it.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I don’t know why the Marlins are dissing Cooper but as a Braves fan, if they don’t want him AA should be on the phone. Good outfielder, good hitter and great insurance if FF leaves.
I agree Marlins still have a future with CNN!
CNN you ask?
Well, Anderson Cooper.
what not even funny..
How are they dissing Cooper, though? They tendered him a contract. They clearly want him part of the team for, at least, the near future.
However, they can’t simply give him a starting at 1b or OF job for a few reason but mostly due to the fact that he never proven to be healthy for a full season. He’s never played more than 107 games. Their smart to continue to build the team with Cooper along for the ride.
They’re not dissing Cooper they’re being responsible fielding strong and competitive team with depth.
With Bloom the Red Sox are always close, like being a day late and a dollar short. Bloom is a Dumpster Dive, small market guy specialist who is picking up the scraps other teams leave or release. The Red Sox are not going to do anything big. They traded JBJ for a woke purpose after loosing three African American players last year in Mookie Betts, David Price, and JBJ. You gave up a 30 homerun guy for a .161 hitter, come on already. The ownership is interested in profit and other ventures like the NHL Penguins. I blame Henry and Bloom for this.
Bloom is only doing Henry’s dirty work. If one looks at the plan, it is to add organizational depth, and pass on the big dollar free agents. This is what the brass wants. Avoid the lows that have accompanied the highs following WS victories. What this does is give you a low cost shot at the postseason, albeit not as a favorite to win it all. . It also means moving guys at their peak to keep the supply chain moving, ala Renfroe. It means letting guys walk and taking the draft pick like E-Rod. We’ll know more if they don’t extend Bogaerts and Devers or attempt to low ball them and force them to leave for greener pastures. Cost reduction is the key here. As long as the team is fairly competitive, and costs remain reasonable, Bloom’s tenure in Boston is secure.
Bobby boy
Cost reduction is the key here.
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Complete nonsense. We are almost at the payroll cap already. Do y’all ever think of doing two minutes worth a research before you post? I mean, you should’ve known this without looking, but still………
Best fits for Schwarber are probably the Yankees or Jays. Both are predominantly right handed and he could compliment either lineup.
It would surprise me if Bloom of the Red Sox picked up Schwarber. He will come close saying he gave it the old college try and come up short like he did with EROD who he lost to Detroit. It is a complete pattern with this guy. He will pick up the carcasses of what teams leave or low level free agents. He will get lucky on a few and not so on a lot of them.
Based on Schwarber’s career numbers, he’s due to regress this year. He’s also LH, which is the same as every OF on Boston. They need an OF who can hit from the Right side. Doubt Bloom will “just miss”, because I doubt he is trying to sign him at all. He doesn’t fit.
AL34
It would surprise me if Bloom of the Red Sox picked up Schwarber.
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And why would he pick up Schwarber?
Garrett Cooper you idiot
If the Sox were “close” to acquiring Stallings then either Plawecki would have been non-tendered or Vazquez would be a Marlin right now
They weren’t close at all.
Red Sox definitely need a right hand hitting OF and Castellanos should be their target…not Schwarber.
Oops, my first post
Red Sox fans you must stop talking about acquiring players since there is no money available under the cap because the genius Bloom has wasted all the Mookie and Price money on players priced above $5M and less than $12M in his volume for quality roster strategy. Yes, all the money is gone and there is no reason to think he will exceed the current cap or his bosses will spank him.
It’s time to watch and see what he trades since there is no money left. One caveat to the trading is he can’t take on greater salary in the trade like he did when he sent Renfroe packing to pay more for JBJ. His hands are tied until the new cap numbers come out.
Yes there are many free agents fans can DREAM about but none will be a reality unless he goes against the wishes of his bosses. So sit back and check the roster and think about whether Baltimore has enough to catch and pass us.
For all you fans doubting the fourth or fifth place finish in the division remember neither the NYY or TOR have the same restrictions on spending that Boston does. They both can get better while Boston sits idol out of money. Also, don’t think TB won’t finish ahead of us because we got a TB GM. We picked the wrong guy sitting around their table deciding who to trade for or free agent 2 years ago in TB. Obviously, based on what’s happened since he arrived, their brains are still sitting around their table where as our genius is sitting on his hands and ownership was duped into thinking he was the brains. So fasten your seat belts it’s going to be a bumpy ride until they oust Bloom.
The good news is for all you fans thinking failure is the way to build the farm system. There should be a lot of that in the future so the farm system should peak like it did for Houston after tanking for many years and several other organizations who got SUPER farm system ratings simply by failing miserably for years. That’s an interesting strategy that Bloom brought to the Red Sox to fix the not broken farm system Cotton!!!
I agree with you and have been a Red Sox fan since 1977. He picks up cheap, to him high end type guys. Overpaying on Wacha by 7 million, gettin a 42 year old pitcher to replace EROD, paying Paxton who is going to miss half the season due to TJ surgery, then trading a guy who hit 31 homeruns for a guy who hit .161. Are you kidding me. Not a doubt in the world that was a woke move to pick up an African American player because they lost 3 African American players last year in Mookie Betts, David Price, and Jackie Bradley JR. With that BLM flag out there they do not want to be perceived as hypocrites.
I have had enough of Blooms overpaying for dumpster dive players and his cheap “Rube Goldberg” moves. Had he done more at the trade deadline did relief pitchers he would have beaten Houston. How management supports this amazes me too.
Al – Please don’t bring race into this. If the prospects that came with JBJ are as good as I think they are, it will be a great trade for Bloom as long as he acquires another outfielder who can hit. I said all along that either Renfroe or Dugie would get traded, more likely Renfroe because of age and money.
I’m hoping Schwarber comes back to play LF, but Bloom won’t get into a bidding war for him.
It’s a long way from Single A to the Major Leagues and the road there is littered with guys who did not make it. Prospects are just that, not established players but “Maybe” guys.
I hate to admit it about JBJ but I think I am right because we have very few African American ball players on our roster and the Red Sox have had a very questionable history dating back years ago with African American players.
Do not get your hopes high with Schwarber because Bloom will underwhelm him with an offer and be a day late and a dollar short like he is usually. He did this with EROD. He does this just to say we were in on it and gave It the old college try.
Al – Do you know who Bianca Smith is? She’s the first black woman to coach in professional baseball history. She was hired by the Boston Red Sox.
Do you know who Elaine Steward is? She’s the first woman and second African American to ever become Assistant GM in MLB. She was hired by the Boston Red Sox.
As for players, team by team lists I’ve seen during the past few years show that no team has more than 4 African Americans and some teams don’t have any. The problem is not MLB, the problem is young African American athletes are choosing to play basketball or football instead of baseball. And baseball is wildly popular with Latinos, which is why so many are in MLB. Nobody can complain about diversity with the Red Sox when you look at the large percentage of Latino and to a lesser degree Asian and Native American players that have played for them.
I agree with you on Schwarber, he wants 3/$60M and it most certainly isn’t a guarantee Bloom will give him something close to that. But again I think that depends on whether Xander or JD get moved, and who else gets brought in.
We have a very checkered history. I rennet the 1970s when Jim Rice was the only African American player on the team. It was bad. I also remember when they hired Elaine Coddington back during the Lou Gorman days ago was African American.
Can you imagine this team when Bloom moves Baeggarts and Martinez for prospects. Believe you me they are looking to cut payroll and that is why they let Betts go for one established player (Verdugo) and two minor leaguers one Jeter Downs who is struggling down in Triple AAA. Wong is a backup catcher maybe.
If I’m any team if I can get schwarber at 4/85 count me in. Dominated minors, lost a whole year of development while changing positions, improved age 25-26 to upper echelon bat then COVID year! then monster year. I think he’s a top 20 hitter next 4 years and that’s easily worth that.
Don’t get your hopes high on Schwarber, it is not going to happen.
According to that article, the Red Sox thought they had a deal for Stallings. That feels more significant to me than it was presented here.
Always in on everything, and close like the Dan Duquette days befor he picked up Manny Ramirez.
Johnny Damon, Pedro Martinez, ARod (until the union stepped in), Bichette, Cone, Beck, Nomo, Saberhagen, Urbina, Offerman, Everett …. Dan Duke pulled the trigger plenty of times.
Saberhagan was pretty much done when we picked him up. I remember Hosey, Pemberton, Ramon Martinez and a lot of high hopes guys that did not make it. Everett was a head case as was Offerman. Not great. Urbana got into a fight with Wakefield on the team. He did not last long in the team.
With Bloom we will be in on everything big, do nothing and pick up the roadkill left by teams on the road as released players or shop in the dumpster. He is a bargain basement guy. Red Sox fans don’t get your hopes high.
Wow, what a surprise. In Bloom’s last 30 moves, did you like any of them? Or do you want to pretend he was 0-30?