The Marlins announced that outfielder Delino DeShields has been released from his minor league contract. DeShields didn’t show much in limited Grapefruit League action, getting just one hit in eight plate appearances over four games.
DeShields’ strong center field glove and basestealing ability earned him a regular spot in the Rangers’ lineup in 2017-19, even if his bat was rarely dangerous. Cleveland acquired DeShields as part of the Corey Kluber trade in the 2019-20 offseason, but he was then non-tendered the next, and bounced around to three different teams during the 2021 campaign. The outfielder’s only MLB action last year came in a Reds uniform, as he hit .255/.375/.426 in 58 PA for Cincinnati.
In the wake of this release, DeShields will now try to catch on with another team in need of outfield depth. The Marlins seemed to be such a club, as DeShields’ center field ability made him a good backup for a starting outfield that will feature Jesus Sanchez and Avisail Garcia sharing time in center. However, with DeShields now gone, it seems as though the Fish will be going with another minor league signing in Roman Quinn as their top outfield bench option.
The Reds might want to take another look. Small sample size, but 9 walks vs. 11 K’s last season. By far the best ratio of his career. Maybe something is starting to click with his approach. True centerfielders are always in demand at the deadline.
The Marlins should just sign Conforto already so we can watch him go all Daniel Murphy on the Mets 19 times a year. But the Marlins are dumb.
Nah, they just value their minor league system. They value the draft pick and their bonus pool money. They smart.
If they were smart, they would have listened to Jeter. They could’ve made a push this year with a few more additions. They have a killer rotation with not much offense.
They just traded a comp pick for relief pitching… we have different definitions of smart apparently.
Signing Conforto doesn’t solve the fact that they still don’t have a Center Fielder
It’s sort of amazing that there a handful of teams lacking a true CF, one of the most valuable defensive positions in the game.
Or a Cecil Fielder
Would a Prince Fielder do?
Shocker…
Smells like a rangers reunion on minors contract
Not the first Deshields to be traded for a Cy Young winner and be a total bust.
DeShields Sr. Wasn’t a bad player. I wouldn’t call 463 career Stolen Bases a bust
Oh no this has Preller written all over it…. Noooooooo.