The Marlins are designating first baseman Eric Wagaman for assignment, reports Kevin Barral of Fish On First. That’ll open the 40-man roster spot to accommodate the acquisition of outfielder Esteury Ruiz when that trade is finalized.
Wagaman, 28, signed with Miami on a split contract last winter after being non-tendered by the Angels. He wound up starting more than half the club’s games at first base. The right-handed hitter held an MLB roster spot all year and tallied 514 plate appearances. His .250/.296/.378 slash line with nine home runs wasn’t enough to cut it as an everyday player at a bat-first position. FanGraphs and Baseball Reference each rated him as a little worse than replacement level.
First base was probably Miami’s biggest weakness entering the offseason. One can argue that’s still the case, though it seems they’re planning to give Christopher Morel the job after signing him to a $2MM free agent contract. Morel is coming off two consecutive replacement level seasons himself. He’s a better athlete with flashier tools than Wagaman brings to the table, though, and he has a couple 20-homer seasons on his résumé.
Wagaman has better bat-to-ball skills but limited power potential. He has some flexibility in that he can play all four corner spots, though his middling speed and arm strength make him a fringe defender. Wagaman probably fits best as a bench bat who can do some damage in favorable platoon settings. He hit .283/.321/.462 with five homers, 14 doubles, and a triple in 184 plate appearances against left-handed pitching this year. Miami’s first base/DH mix with Morel, Agustín Ramírez and Heriberto Hernández already skewed right-handed.
A team that is heavier on left-handed bats could take a flier on Wagaman via small trade or waiver claim. He still has a full slate of minor league options and won’t be eligible for arbitration for at least two years. Teams ordinarily have five days after a DFA to trade a player or place them on waivers. The clock is frozen between Christmas and New Year’s Day, so Wagaman probably won’t learn where he’ll end up until the second week of January. He would not have the service time to refuse an outright assignment if he goes unclaimed on waivers.
New Yankees 1st baseman
If the Yankees are interested, the Mets will sign him
I really hope that the Mets get Wagaman. By May 1st, the fanbase will be hunting for Stearns far more than they are now when they see Wagaman replacing Alonso.
Imagine getting dumped for this guy lol
BEST DAY EVER! no more eyesore Wagaman 😭
Dang, changing the username to that is crazy lol. What did he do to you??? Haha
i’ve been a marlins fan for over 20 years and this guy is legit top 5 worst Marlins i’ve ever seen. he’s clumsy and he’s a big first baseman with no pop 😭 still have nightmares that bum hit a home run near where i was sitting at the game lmaooo
OMG
Why is he an eye sore? Genuinely asking, dont’ know anything about him.
@DavRozNYY
He was a guy that the Marlins stuck with a bit longer than they should have. It was frustrating to our fanbase.
can’t hit, can’t lift the ball (ground ball machine), can’t play defense, he’s slow, clumsy. 5 tool player of poor play
OMG
Hey ByeBye, any chance you’ll change your username again to something pro-Morel if the Marlins’ newest 1B puts it all together in 2026?
my next name will go for the other amazing player on the Marlins, Josh Simpson 💀
This is good. For a moment, i thought he was going to inherit the role of Garrett Cooper and Tom Koehler – as guy that the team became enamoured with for some reason, and would not let go of until his mediocrity went into his 30s.
This is definitely a different trend for the Marlins.
Thank you Bendix!
Tom Koehler is a name I haven’t thought about in years
Yeah, I think many of the Marlins fanbase have repressed the memory of him. I admittedly had to research to remember his name again. My repressed memory was that we had a SP that the organzation kept trying to convince everyone that he was a good pitcher, but the medocrity kept going until they finally let him go after he turned 30-something if I remember. I checked the 2016 roster because I remember a moment of the pro-Koehler campaign when Mattingly was hired to manage the team, then found the name.
In 10 years, Cooper will be a repressed memory too. Good thing Wagaman won’t be here long enough to cause us frustrating trauma.
he’s so awful i can’t believe they tried Coop like that 😭
Wagaman! The voyage to the corner of the minors is a real trip!
Anyone interested in a slightly used Christian Walker?
I don’t think I would even trade Wagaman for him and that contract.
Maybe the Angels will give you Rendon for him?
Try the Mets. Maybe they can give you Bobby Bonilla.
Walker is elite defensively. Even with his bad start, he rebounded and was one of the bright spots in a struggling Astros offense. He’s worth around 14 million. He did hit 27 homers and almost 90 RBI. We can get something decent.
Well, try the Mets or another team that would take Walker and his contract.
Marlins are not interested.
You are not interested, and you undervalue Walker (like a lot of other fans).
For example, I went back to what people said about the Astros not getting a lot of interest in Walker. One said maybe go back to Arizona if Astros include top pitching prospect and D’backs eat it. He’s worse than Andrew Bennetendi? Swap and Astros eat cash (not White Sox).
What would other fans think Walker could get?
For Walker, to maximize the value, you have to go to a team that is both in dire need for 1B, and willing to pay out some of that contract. However, the Astros will still need to eat some of that money to get a better return. I honestly am not sure if there is a team out there, otherwise the Astros would at least be in talks with someone, which they seem to not be…unless there is something going on really close to the vest.
If you really want to push for a suggestion, I’ll go with a bit out of the box. We see the Mets are under a bit of pressure by their fanbase to do something – regardless of what Stearns is protraying publically. If they aren’t entirely sold on moving Vientos to 1B or adding the Japanese bat, I’d look for opportunity there to move Walker. I’d try to make my pitch more so to Cohen directly via the Astros ownership. The idea would be trying to see if they could bite on a Walker for Vientos deal while Vientos is coming off a disappointing year and the Mets needing to make a move, I’d play on the defensive value of Walker to go in line with Stearns goals, and offer whatever financial addition the Mets require to get Vientos. If you pull that off, you get Walker moved, and you walk away with a guy that may rebound with your team to the point that you don’t regret paying out a chunk of Walker’s contract.
Just a wacky example of a suggestion on my part. However, I’d respect Mets fans bashing the notion because Walker, again, is a difficult trade due to his age and contract…regardless of the numbers he posted for the Astros.
I think that if Walker is not so bad, then keep the guy, pay his salary, and stop shopping him around and arguing with people that don’t value him. This outlet does not need more Clint Frazier fans, please.
@Habeto
Exactly. I don’t get why guys go on boards to try to convince other fans that their team should acquire and give good value for a guy that they want their team to get rid of. I remember when this Walker trade hopes and suggestions were brought in to try to get Edward Cabrera if I remember correctly. I don’t think people under stand how bothersome it is.
They don’t see us Marlins fans going to the Astros board to convince them that they should accept a trade of Avi Garcia for Jeremy Pena because Avi can play defense (obvious hyperbole here).
The decision to trade Walker/Paredes depends on the return. So he’s not that bad
Christian Walker and money for Avi García. Who says no?
It is bothersome. Someone suggested we trade Hader, Abreu, Mitchell, and Gomez for Manena and some prospects ranked in the 20s of the 30s. However, that was plain stupid and I have support.
Who is Avi Garcia? I don’t know who put Walker for Caberea, that is stupid. However, whether you like it or not, Walker is better than you say he is.
Astros. Try again
Paredes is someone that would interest teams, and a team like the Marlins. Walker is not…mainly because of age and contract and limited to 1B/DH.
Then what would you pay for Paredes
@Habeto
Hmmm…Tough call!
Can we make a multi-team trade with the Angels and Mets to include Rendon and Bobby Bonilla?
@astros4life!
Garcia is our contractual mistake that Derek Jeter and Kim Ng did.
“I don’t know who put Walker for Caberea, that is stupid.”
Ask your fellow Astros fan above who is on this same thread of posts about who made that Walker for Cabrera trade suggestion.
LOL. Every team chipping in $2-3M to Miami. That would blow Sherman’s cheap mind.
@astros4life!
For Paredes, I’d be willing to part with one of either Pauley or Norby as part of a package. Then perhaps a couple of mid-level prospects, while in return, also receiving some money to help cover his contract.
This is just quickly off the top of my head.
Pauley and Norby are good players and all, and the prospects are nice. In terms of value, you’d be fleeced. However, we are looking for cheap controllable starting pitching.
Also Paredes is in arbitration.
Wagaman has a quirky net 0.0 WAR in his short career, per bbref…
0.4 WAR for a .250/.270/.403 and .673 OPS in 18 games (2024)
-0.4 WAR for a 250/.296/.378 and .674 OPS in 140 games (2025)
Guess that confirms that if a player like Wagaman is getting more than 500 or so plate appearances, your team’s having an off year,
Still, interested in slightly used Walker.
he’s the equivalent of a coloring book with no pages to color on
Rockies need a stopgap at First Base, could see him landing there
They got Troy Johnston. Trust me. You don’t want Wagaman taking ABs away from Johnston – no matter what the struggles are against LH pitching.
Plenty of AB’s to be had in Denver between 1B/3B/DH. The only guarantee on the Rockies roster is that Kris Bryant will miss 100-150 games
lol. Even when talking other Rockies stuff, Kris Bryant get avoid getting knocked on. What a disppointing career!
Charlie Condon?
Good point. Condon is a better option than Wagaman if there is a RH bat to share time with Johnston at 1B. At least Condon has upside while Wagaman seems to be what he is at this point, with maybe some little possibilities for improvement.
Condon has all of 55 games in AA. Unless he has a monster spring it’s unlikely the Rockies would jump him ahead of AAA and start his service clock
you might as well call Bud Black to see if he can play first. Wagaman is awful
You can have him. I think you won’t have to pay for travel either because every single Marlins fan will be willing to drive him there – and there’s enough of us to drive in shifts to get him over to the west coast. Heck, there are enough of us to get him over to Japan or Korea.
Nice guy. Waste of time for our team.
Are there more than 5 of you? Should be enough.
Yep, there are many of us.
I know this is one of ESPN’s beloved fictional narratives to go to when they’re forced to focus on the Marlins, which takes their precious time away from the pop culture “sports coverage”.
Oh man, Bendix has had a mostly good few days!
Signs Fairbanks!
Actually finds a team willing to give him something for Dane Myers!
Now Wagaman to be DFA’d!
The only tough point was Ronny Henriquez going for TJ surgery.
Keep the moves coming Bendix! Addition by addition or addition by subtraction! I’m good with all!
Marlins have an interesting roster and may be a Wild Card contender if the rotation stays healthy
Marlins should be buying.
Yeah, I was hesitant and concerned at first when they hired Bendix because he doesn’t instill confidence when he does interviews, but he has done a nice job. He’s already set this team in a direction that our previous front office leaders hadn’t.
I’m already looking forward to the season, and it seems like Bendix is not done shopping and cooking yet.
Oh, and we’re adding Esteury Ruiz. Forgot to mention that.
I was confused why the Marlins gave him so many ABs this year. Still am.
I thought they didn’t like Norby at 3rd and were going to give him a shot at 1st. Serves them right for dumping the great triumverate of Burger, Bride, and Rivera last year.
Um, I’m with you with Burger. However, I think you need to rethink the mention of Bride and Rivera.
As for Norby, I’m wondering if he is even with the organization come Opening Day. At this point, if there is a team that has a surplus at 3B, with a player of Norby’s ilk/level/value, and has a need at 2B, I think the Marlins will make that trade to where they get their 3B option and the other team can move Norby back to his best option of 2B. I can’t think off the top of my head of any team.
Wasn’t wholly serious, but they also offloaded Josh Bell who can still hit under the right circumstances, and I don’t think they got much back from AZ. What would really be funny is if the Yanks offload Chisolm, don’t really want to stick with McMahon, and end up dealing for Norby. As an Orioles fan, I was grateful for Emmanuel’s subbing last year and deep reserve fielding depth this past year.
Josh Bell is a nice vet, but the Marlins are trying to get something with the possibility of being here for a bit of time. That’s why they’re taking chances with guys under the age of 30 – even as low-risk/high-reward guys.
Rivera has a nice glove, but the problem is that he didn’t hit for us. they gave him the chance, but he didn’t cease the opportunity for us. Had he hit, he’d be our 3B next to another guy who did take advantage of an opportunity to play – Otto Lopez. If Rivera hit for us, Norby is likely already traded or looking at DH for us, and Pauley is the clear backup at 3B because he can’t hit much either. Letting Rivera go was the right move.
With Chisolm, I doubt we bring him back. When we traded him, in the fanbase there were mixed feelings. Jazz was more popular among younger fans – mainly kids. The adults in the room weren’t really enamoured with him due to the immaturity issues. I haven’t followed all of the Yankees trading Jazz rumors, but based on his time here, I’m guessing the immaturity issues are part of the reason. Very talented player, but he needs to perform like a star instead of just acting like one. If the Yankees want a Norby for Jazz staright trde, I’m in, but I’m not giving much to bring Jazz back. There’s too much of the immaturity to deal with to give any key value for.
We’ll see what the Marlins do at 3B. In the very least, they know they’ll have the competition between Pauley (who has a glove, but no bat) and Norby (who has a bat, but no glove).
Why on earth would the Yankees want to trade Jazz straight up for Norby? And he IS performing like a star. He’s coming off a 30/30 4.2-War season over 130 games.
Blame that remote thought on the Marlins fan, not me. I’m still annoyed that Jazz knocked out the Orioles’ 4A catcher last summer while heading for the plate. But you can find reasons why NYY want to deal Jazz almost everywhere by now.
The dogs heard what you said about Chisholm and now they’re whistling like crazy. Seriously next time just say you don’t want him back because he’s black
X-Man’s gonna be big, bigger than Cronenworth, by the end of the day.
I think that’s one potential strategy from Bendix.
That team can be the Red Sox, if they sign either Bregman or Okamoto. The Fish can get Mayer or even Casas to play 1B and moving Morel to third.
That team can be the Dbacks, if they trade Marte. The Fish get Alexander.
That team can be the White Sox, and Miami getting Vargas.
Perhaps the best fit is the Cardinals, trading for either Donovan or Gorman.
Maybe with the Rays, sending Yandy Diaz back.
Or the Rangers, if the Marlins want to take a flier with Josh Jung.
Lastly, and maybe easier (tho least probable) just signing Okamoto and trade Norby for an arm… we know Sherman, and he won’t spend.
Good possibilities. With Bendix, it seems that any of these are possible. He seems to drum at his own beat and his own pace, so everything is on the table. And the good thing, he’s starting to build trust in his decisions. We haven’t had a GM/POBO like that in a long time here.
Ooof, not sure anyone wants Morel playing 3B as more than an emergency stopgap at this point, Habeto.
Acquiring Casas for 1B and rotating Morel from primarily DH through 1B and LF could work, though.
My favorite idea of yours is a change-of-scenery trade built around Norby and Gorman… for both MIA and STL.
I wonder if he’s the heir to the Wagamama restaurant empire?
Agreed. I liked Wagaman at triple-A. Angels need 3B/1B depth. Kavadas is too limited, and Wagaman has more versatility.
I don’t mind having Wags in Jacksonville, where he can play 3B most days and then some 1B/DH. However, I think someone will claim him.
Summary so far this offseason:
Adds: Morel, Fairbanks, Ruiz
Cuts: Soriano, Johnston, Wiemer, Myers, Wagaman, Henríquez (injury)
To me, the team is not substantially better than last season’s, partially because losing Ronny is a big blow. Fairbanks balanced that loss, but the bullpen needs another proven arm.
Morel should be better than Wags in terms of power, but at contact and K-rate cost, so not a big difference here, tbh.
Now Ruiz should have a more specific role than Myers, who at least torches southpaws. Marginal difference in this move as well.
As mentioned, another high leverage bullpen arm (LHP), an impactful hitter (OPS > 115) but ideally two, and perhaps more importantly, not trading any of your starters, and you can call it a contender.
Wagaman can be in Jacksonville. maybe working at Publix but not swinging a bat
Long overdue. Bring in Mountcastle. Let’s get moving.
he would fit right in with some of the random WalMart employees Perry Minasian likes to bring in to that team