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Why Not Grady Sizemore?

March 3, 2013 in Free Agency

grady-sizemoreJustin Ruggiano is out for a bit, so the competition for CF is intensifying. The Marlins could actually add a recognizable name – for cheap – and with no risk. Grady Sizemore is still a free agent and available.

Could be a good pairing. The Marlins are trotting out there Chris Coghlan to see if the former 2009 ROY is back to where he was prior to his knee injury in 2010. He is healthy and looking like he just might be right where he needs to be and could be a sleeper for the upcoming season. That said, you can never have enough depth and Sizemore would give the Fish another guy to man the outfield until Christian Yelich, Jake Marisnick, and Marcell Ozuna are ready.

Fish Bites made an interesting pitch on this idea and although it remains to be seen if the Marlins are even considering this, it would be a good fit for the Marlins and Sizemore – a good looking kid who could fit real well on the South Florida scene. More importantly, the Marlins would not have to risk much to get  him on the roster, and both parties would benefit from a year contract just to see if Sizemore can make a comeback from his knee surgery – much like Coghlan is doing now. A three time All Star is not easy to come by, and Sizemore was arguably the face of the Indians’ franchise in the early 2000s. Only 31, he could still defend and put together some solid numbers while working his way back into full time play. A platoon of he and Ruggiano would limit exposure, and Sizemore’s lefty bat would also help alleviate any matchup problems the Marlins face down the line. He could also provide some veteran leadership, and on a team with Placido Polanco, Juan Pierre, and Chone Figgins, the Marlins just may have a solid veteran nucleus to help transition these young players into everyday professionals. Add Sizemore makes a lot of sense and would make the Marlins a bit more competitive in camp as well as on the field.

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Baseball America Assesses Miami Marlins International Moves

February 19, 2013 in Free Agency

After finishing with the sixth-worst record in the majors last year, the Marlins will have one of the biggest international bonus pools for the 2013-14 international signing period that begins on July 2. Yet given ownership’s reluctance to invest in the international market, other teams are already targeting the Marlins as a potential trade suitor for extra pool space. For an ownership group that relies on players in their pre-free agency years at the major league level, having a competitive budget to sign international prospects would seem to be an obvious strategy for a relatively minor investment.

Marlins scouts have found Dominican outfielder Marcell Ozuna, Dominican righthander Jose Urena and Cuban lefty Raudel Lazo on the cheap, and they again had to go thrift shopping in Latin America last year. Their biggest signing of the year was Dominican third baseman Alberto Sanchez (video), who signed for $85,000 in November. Sanchez, who is from Santo Domingo and turned 17 last week, also traveled with Urena to Miami for a private workout with the Marlins in May. Sanchez is 6-foot-1, 180 pounds and stood out for his righthanded hitting potential while playing in the Dominican Prospect League and training with Maximo Rombley. Sanchez has a strong, compact swing, a good hitting approach and squares up balls in games. He should become a big, physical player, so he has projectable power but he mostly works the gaps and hits line drives now. Sanchez’s value is tied up in his bat, as he would need to make significant strides to be able to stay at third base, so a lot of scouts envision him as a left fielder.

via BaseballAmerica.com: Prospects: International Affairs: International Reviews: Miami Marlins.

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Jacque Jones Coming to Miami?

May 18, 2008 in Contracts, Free Agency, Roster

According to FloridaMarlins.com, the ball club and representatives for Jacque Jones are deep into negotiations to bring the outfielder to Florida. (Good call, Nolesmarlins)

The Marlins do lack a leadoff hitter. Well, a conventional leadoff hitter as they are obsessed with turning Hanley Ramirez into a run producer, hitting him 3rd (that is a debate for another time). They currently are platooning Cody Ross and Alfredo Amezaga and while both provide solid defense, their offense from the #1 spot is hardly consistent enough for the Marlins offensive needs.

The forgotten man in all of this seems to be Brett Carroll, recently called up from AAA Alburquerque. He was showing tremendous power in the minors, but just can’t seem to get any playing time despite being able to play all three outfield spots. Fredi Gonzalez has seemed to be unwilling to play him at all.

In Jones, the Marlins are getting a player they have longed prized. Jones was being looked at back when he came up with the Twins but as recently as 2006 and 2007, the Marlins were exploring a deal with the Cubs for Jones – who was playing in Wrigley at the time. Jones can play all three outfield positions and would be a candidate to fill that lead off role that the Marlins are looking for. The 33 year old also has some pop as he has hit over 20 HRs four times in his career.

By the way, is it a tell-tale sign that when you look at Jones’ stats they are found on the Marlins website? Stay tuned as a deal seems imminent. Join in the discussion.

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