The Marlins are known to be exploring the market for infield help, with a specific eye on shortstop options. Free agent Adalberto Mondesi is among the names they’ve considered, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
Few can question the raw talent of the now-28-year-old Mondesi, who was touted as one of the game’s top prospects prior to debuting with the Royals and has at multiple points in his career flashed star potential. In just 75 games during the 2018 season, for instance, Mondesi cracked 14 home runs and swiped 32 bases, showing off a rare power/speed combo that could lead to some historic counting stats over the course of a full season.
Of course, as most fans know by now, that “full season” caveat is an immensely important one for Mondesi. Perhaps the game’s most oft-injured talent, Mondesi has never appeared in more than 102 games in a season and has never reached even 450 MLB plate appearances in a given year. He tallied a career-high 433 plate appearances in 2019 but has since appeared in just 109 games and taken 423 turns at the plate in four years combined.
Mondesi spent the 2023 season with the Red Sox after coming over from Kansas City in a trade that sent lefty reliever Josh Taylor to the Royals. He was recovering from a torn ACL that wiped out nearly all of his 2022 campaign in K.C., but myriad setbacks and a lack of progress in his recovery led to Mondesi missing the entire 2023 season as well. In addition to what’s now pushing a two-year absence due to that ACL tear, he’s suffered a pair of shoulder subluxations, the second of which required surgery in 2019. Mondesi has also had IL stints owing to oblique, back, groin and hamstring injuries throughout his career.
Although he has a full six years of MLB service time, Mondesi has appeared in just 358 Major League games. That speaks to the staggering volume of time he’s spent on the injured list with that litany of health troubles over the years. But in just 1336 career plate appearances, he’s also managed 38 homers and an eye-popping 133 steals. Mondesi rarely walks (career 4.4%) and strikes out too often (30.2%), but his blend of power, speed and defense (career 23 Outs Above Average, per Statcast) are tantalizing, particularly given the fact that his prolific injury history should lead to an affordable deal.
The Marlins are the only team in baseball right now that hasn’t signed at least one free agent to a major league contract. The Fish also haven’t made many trades of note. Miami added catcher Christian Bethancourt in a cash deal with the Guardians, and they’ve acquired former top prospect Vidal Brujan and righty Calvin Faucher in a trade with the Rays. Newly hired president of baseball operations Peter Bendix has been open about his desire to beef up the team’s catching and infield depth, but so far the biggest acquisition has been buying low on Brujan.
The Marlins currently project for a payroll around $97MM, which is $13MM or so shy of their end-of-season mark in 2023. As it currently stands, their top shortstop options include Brujan, fellow prospects Xavier Edwards and Jacob Amaya, and veteran utilityman Jon Berti. Jazz Chisholm Jr. is no stranger to shortstop, but it sounds as though the current plan is to keep him in center field for another season (and moving him would only create a similar hole in center anyhow).
Any relation?
To Raul? His son.
This is what I wondering. He’s been off the radar more than on it over the years and I don’t remember reading anything about the connection. Thanks!
He was awesome for the Sox. I would say don’t let the door hit you on the way out, but we all know that would be followed by a 60-day trip to the IL
He’ll likely win the comeback player of the year award and lead the team to the playoffs…
I don’t see the point in making fun of someone for getting injured.
Cruelty is all the rage, for the people who are full of it.
Tim Anderson on a one yr deal would pay better dividends
Really scraping the bottom of the barrel
He gets a bad rap. Still only one yr removed from being an .300 hitter and an all star. Solid defense and will average 125-150 hits. He’s far from the bottom of the barrel.
Sorry @slider, thought I was responding to the general thread and meant Mondesi, ha. I’d rather have TA as a rebound project than Mondesi.
Solid defense? He’s never played solid D at shortstop so Indont believe that’s true at all. In fact, wherever he goes he’ll probably play 2B.
It’s not the hitting part of Anderson that has teams basically ignoring him this offseason.
Bring in Tim Anderson if you want drama, division and constant negative media inquiries in your team’s locker room. I Would bring in a DOZEN Edwin Rosarios(former Cle/LA ss) before I’d ever dial T.A’s number.
Who knows?Fresh start, change of scenery, one yr prove it deal to play for his next contract could have a positive impact.
“Positive impact”…Yes and herpes or veneral disease could end up being a “positive”, but who really wants to take the risk?
So true. The guy was such a slouch last year. I heard he had some drama in his personal life, so that can be tough. But as a professional making millions, you just need to find a way to overcome that and he couldn’t do it. He used to be a good hitter but last year was the worst offensive player in MLB.
Ahmed Rosario??
Edwin Rosario sounds like a legut baseball player, so you had me messed up for a minute..lol
I was like Edwin? Did he mean Eddie?
Then, I saw the teams and position, and was like wait is he one of those seemingly random Cleveland Guardian infielders that’s pretty good, but no one ever really hears about him?? lol
Nah. I’d rather have Mondesi. Mondesi at least plays good defense. Anderson is atrocious on defense and a clubhouse cancer. Also was quite literally the worst hitter in MLB last year.
“Mondesi at least plays good defense” ??? How about Mondesi at least plays.
This might be cost conscious though between both players. Anderson is gonna hold out for the right deal for him whereas Mondesi will take the money hoping to bounce back from the injuries.
Tim Anderson isn’t really a SS.
I think he’d try his luck at catching at this point if he can latch a decent gig. Only kidding. if the ss crop is a weak class despite his flaws he’s gotta try and take advantage if it.
I think the best move the Marlins could make would be signing Amed Rosario. If he’s out of their price range, then attempt to trade for a young SS, such as the Orioles’ Joey Ortiz. Modest sounds like a horrible idea. Maybe a minor league contract…
From their in house options, Xavier Edwards deserves a shot. He looked great last year in milb. I’m not sold on Ortiz as more than a backup honestly. Your Reds have better available SS options and a trade with them made sense early in the offseason but no dice. The Marlins need to do something before the cupboard is bare though.
I think someone is going to fleece the Orioles in a trade for Ortiz. The Orioles don’t seem to believe in him because he doesn’t have that power and patience approach they look for in prospects. I think the Orioles will miss out on a great contact hitter who is a plus defender at shortstop because he isn’t their type.
At this point, if he isn’t traded, Ortiz should start somewhere in the IF until Holliday comes up.
I would love it if Ortiz gets a shot. He has a career .905 OPS in AAA across 2 seasons and is an elite defender at shortstop. He has the same AAA OPS as Mayo but Mayo seems to be more highly regarded because he does it with walks and homeruns instead of singles and doubles.
Doubt it’s the WSox to make you feel better on a couple levels even though the Ortiz glove versatility is appealing. They don’t see Cowser as a headliner for Cease after O’s block top tier Mayo/Basallo/Kjerstad. Just leaves Westburg request impasse Elias apparently won’t do.
It really doesn’t matter what Mondesi’s skillset or potential might be. IF he is even able to get healthy enough to step onto a baseball field again, the question will be: what’s the next injury that will keep him out the rest of the year and part of the next?
Marlins just interested because the price is right. You get what you pay for if you’re lucky.
Or I’m sure they could get Mateo from Baltimore without giving up much. He’s got a little pop and can steal 50+ bases.
If Fish are looking for a starting SS, Mateo makes more sense than Ortiz. Seasoned vet who played majority of games at SS for the Birds in 22 and 23. A gamer and cheap.
In Birdland, Henderson has shown enough to take over as starting SS. That said; at 6’4″, Os should give Gunnar plenty of rest reps at DH as well which gives an Ortiz opportunity to play.
Can’t believe the Red Sox didn’t retain him. He had such an awesome year.
Not that Bloomers gave up a whole lot, but that trade reeked of idiocy from the start. “We’re a pitching-starved organization, so let’s trade a pitcher for an infielder who won’t play at all.”
We would not have been less pitching-starved if we acquired Taylor’s 8.15 ERA.
Obviously, with what we know now, it was pretty much just a wasted transaction, but it doesn’t look like they’re really missing Taylor
I actually liked the Red Sox taking the gamble on Mondesi’s upside, but that was why it was always considered an upside play knowing his previous injury history.
It is what it is. Several fans are calling it an ignorant move now, and that they always knew it was a dumb move; however, there were quite a few Sox fans that thought he was certainly worth the risk at the time the trade was originally made.
Duran/Smith, Huff, Zavala Figueroa, Harris for Garett/Cabrera and Puk/Scott/Nardi, who says no?
Miami. Emphatically
What would you think is a fair trade for any of three relief pitchers
/
“Who says no? ”
Easily the team giving up its 2 starting pitchers, its closer and their top 2 set up relivers.
This dude couldn’t find his way to a baseball diamond if someone led him to one.
If someone led him to one, he wouldn’t need to find his way there.
How about “He couldn’t find a diamond in a jewelry store”?
I’m surprised no mention of a possible trade for Kyle Farmer from the Twins. He’s a lot better than any of the remaining FA’s and would practically cost nothing to acquire considering the Twins IF depth and need to cut salary.
Farmer isn’t very good though.
Same with Mateo from Baltimore. He has some pop and can steal 50+ bases.
Mondesi has made ten million bucks for being hurt. That’s a terrific career…of sorts.
Adalberto Mondesi is a complete urban myth who started out as an April Fools joke several years ago. There’s never really ever been anyone named Adalberto Mondesi in MLB. Prove me wrong, by showing him on a baseball field for 21 consecutive days in uniform and with a glove on hand. This will never, ever happen and you too will realize there’s really never been anyone by this name in MLB.
Hahaha. There is no 19th floor or Ms. Zarves.
Just sign Rosario or Anderson on a 1 year. They both need a bounce back if they want to get paid for real. Anderson especially needs to show he can be cool. Either guy returning to their career norms helps this Miami team tremendously.
I have a trade suggestion to get the marlins offense going and get them over the bottom cap threshold.
Trade for Stanton and Peraza for SS and send the Yankees one of your starting pitchers. Yankees can eat money on Stanton contract as the marlins are on the hook for his 33 million I believe so if the Yanks owed him 99 million over next 3-4 years they can send 33 million back with him to make his contract reasonable for the marlins plus getting a major league ready SS with gold glove potential defense and pop in his bat seems to be a smart move all around? Just a thought?
Why not just trade a pitcher for Peraza and avoid the Stanton headache?
No place for Stanton on this team. They are still paying Avisail Garcia who will need to DH since the outfield is set with Jazz, De La Cruz, and Sanchez.
Why not try to trade with the Os for Mateo, Urias, or Ortiz?
That’s an option, I suppose. I’d prefer to see the team spend a little money and keep its prospect capital (where it’s long term value really is) as opposed to use it in a trade. Just my view. Adding a veteran bounce back candidate like TA or Rosario gives them upside/trade bait this year while also allowing them to be in the hunt for a playoff spot. Also means they can bring Xavier Edwards along a little more slowly if SS is indeed his future.
Doubt Stanton agrees to go back to Miami (no trade clause)
Doubt Marlins want him back. Maybe if Yanks pay off a huge portion of salary and take back Avi’s contract. Huge Maybe.
I would not give any guaranteed money to Adalberto Mondesi after 4 years in decline topped off by a lost season. Bring him into spring training to compete for a spot as Xavier Edwards’ placeholder. If he doesn’t produce, let the kid play.
Bring him in on a minor league contract, then.
Why? Guy can barely stay on the field. And looking at his minors numbers, pretty weak wOBA (0.340) and BA (.282). Deduct the 18% decline in production from minors to majors and he’s essentially a 0.240 hitter with a 0.279 wOBA that fits in line with his career wOBA of 0.292.
Pass.
Few can question his talent…I’d say just look at his stats. They are inherently questionable.
All they need to do is trade one of their pictures to the Yanks they could have Torres. He is a terrific player, and maybe they can resign him. Or, they can maybe make it to the playoffs with him and the pitching.
Agreed! Gleybar and his 1 year remaining in arb for Eury and Sandy. Win/Win
Very promising start to his career. Injuries have killed him and even before 30 at that. Hell get looks based on the name and age, but it’s a pass for me here and that’s really a shame.
Reds need SP and have excess MI. They align pretty well.
why? why? the guy can’t stay healthy, doesn’t walk, and hits for poop. the only thing he’s good at is defense.
I kinda wish Detroit would sign him. He always was a tough out against us when he was with KC. He’d be cheap and a good bat if healthy. Plus speed.
Unfortunately, Detroit is stuck with Baez.
I’d rather have Mondesi on the bench in case Veirling doesn’t hit versus Ibanez, Maton or McKinstry.
Mondesi is surely an experienced bench coach, but I thought they wanted infield help?
The Marlins need to stop chasing shadows and wasting time in their search for a “shortstop upgrade”. Xavier Edwards is an excellent prospect w. a terrific skillset, while Brujan and Amaya may also turn out pretty decent. The SS F/A options this year are all junkyard dogs. If the Fish want to prove to the fan base they’re committed to winning, then sign Luis Arraez to an extension. Get it done!