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Marlins Pick Up Silverio, Lara in Rule 5; Wrap Up Winter Meetings

December 6, 2012 in Offseason

Trade away your waffling 3B convert? Check. Bolster up your farm system with more prospects? Check. Get a replacement 3B and add some power to the lineup? Mmmm, not quite.

The Marlins had a specific agenda heading into the Winter Meetings this week in Nashville and were able to pull of a couple of their main objectives. Reportedly, Yunel Escobar had a change of heart about playing 3B and this was the motive for the latest trade. The Marlins, in essence, were able to shed another $5M off the roster for the upcoming season and grabbed a rated prospect, Derek Dietrich, from the cross-state rival Rays. Dietrich projects to be a solid hitter at the big league level – probably not a star – but could be a solid addition to either 2B or 3B.

Maybe Escobar just felt he would find a better opportunity out there in exploring the market a bit and knows his value is as a SS and not a light-hitting 3B. So, this was probably a business move for Escobar, led by his agent, and the Marlins felt the need to make the move to get their house in order.

In Dietrich, the Marlins also add another rated prospect to their top 10, further enriching their farm system.

The Marlins weren’t done. They grabbed two more prospects in the Rule 5 draft’s MLB phase, which drew some positive feelings within the Marlins’ front office and even with Baseball America. Dodger prospect Alfredo Silverio who, as an OF, shows that he can hit and has excellent athletic ability. The problem is, he has had a problem staying healthy and was in a serious car accident that led to a concussion and Tommy John surgery. Yet, Silverio’s athletic ability and offense have many wondering if the Marlins were able to strike Rule 5 gold again like they did with Dan Uggla. With the recent rule changes to the Rule 5 draft, it has been less likely for teams to find an immediate star but it may be a situation where an injury to a talented prospect could yield results. Silverio, as most around baseball observe, has very good tools but a shaky approach at the plate.

The Marlins also were reportedly excited to grab Dominican pitcher, and Rays farm hand, Braulio Lara with their last pick in the MLB phase of the Rule 5 draft. He projects to be a possible bullpen arm with the ability to hit 98 on the radar gun.

The only concern left for the Marlins’ front office is to get their 3B situation resolved. The pickings on the free agent market are extremely slim. So slim that the Yankees, desperate for temporary relief from the ARod hip surgery, are willing to throw $12M in a one year deal for 34 year old, former Red Sawk, Kevin Youkilis. With his offensive skills dwindling and in severe question, it seems like the Yankees are willing to shed money on mediocre talent. Ian Stewart also was re-signed by the Cubs so it looks like marginal options remain unless the Marlins can find an in-house solution (perhaps Chris Coghlan can make a strong showing in Spring Training; there is also Kevin Kouzmanoff who was signed to a minor league deal earlier).

For the Marlins, with their critics pounding their chests these days, it is a far cry from a year ago when the Fish were the surprising darlings of the meetings. They were able to sign Jose Reyes, Mark Buerhle, Heath Bell and usher in a new era of Miami Marlins baseball in a big way. Even though the big spending spree netted negative results on the field – grabbing only 69 wins – it will remain to be seen if a “reboot” will get this team back on the path to winning baseball with yet another new manager.

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Mild Rumors For Marlins as Winter Meetings Commence

December 3, 2012 in Offseason

Last year, the Marlins made a big splash with their free agent acquisitions. Everything was set to remake the Marlins and kick things off in a new era with a brand new ballpark. A year later, a lot has changed after a disappointing 93 loss season; the payroll was gutted and the Marlins brass decided a reboot was more prescriptive for what ails this franchise. The fans, disappointed to say the least, are not excited about the on-field product for next season.

Still, there are some who think the Marlins are not quite done with their offseason. Jim Bowden seems to think that the Marlins will sign a major free agent to a short term deal with a no-trade clause. It has been done before – back in 2003 when the Marlins signed Pudge Rodriguez to a one year deal worth $8M.

The Marlins have glaring needs at 3B and could use some starting pitching depth as their staff is made up mostly of rookies with very little experience. They have a short term answer in LF with Juan Pierre returning, supplying the missing speed of Jose Reyes and Emilio Bonifacio which leads to speculation about what the long term goal is.

Judging by the rumors, don’t expect a big splash from the Marlins on the free agent market. Here are some names being tossed around as of now:

Mark DeRosa? According to Juan Rodriguez of the Sun-Sentinel, he might be a good fit for the Marlins who are looking to bolster their bench a bit. The 37 year old is flexible enough to come off the bench for pinch hitting, play some 2B, 3B, and even LF.

Another speculative report has the Marlins in the hunt for Ryan Raburn to possibly sign on as a utility man for the Fish. Raburn could give the Marlins another OF, but his skill set doesn’t look to differ too much from what the Marlins already have on staff.

If you are thinking the Marlins could pull off a trade, the only veteran assets they have to move with any value are Yunel Escobar, Giancarlo Stanton and Ricky Nolasco. Stanton is all but untouchable – as he should be. Nolasco has very little value because he is in the final year of his contract, which is guaranteed to net him $11M this upcoming season. Very unlikely the Marlins move him and the front office has made some assurances they are not going to deal him this offseason. Then there is recently acquired Yunel Escobar, who could be moved as well but it remains to be seen who will be a taker on a guy with a reputation for having an attitude problem. Maybe a package deal with 2 of those three names gets something done.

Stay tuned as the Marlins look to pick through the garage sales and try to find a diamond in the rough. They should be players in the Rule 5 draft on Thursday, which means they could take a player for only $50K but he would have to stay on their 25 man roster for at least the next year. Chris McGuiness or Nate Freiman look intriguing enough to possibly see the Fish take flyerson.

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Rule 5 Draft May Offer Marlins Depth, Upside

November 30, 2012 in Offseason

Right now, the Marlins are in the market for affordable options to hit the ball and hopefully, find some power in that process. Don’t expect a splash in the free agent market this offseason as the Winter Meetings amp up on Monday. Instead, expect a more subtle and shrewd move from the Fish as they look to stockpile some depth for next spring’s preseason.

In fact the Marlins picked up Joe Mahoney from the Orioles, which give the Marlins some corner OF depth as well as some 1B potential.

The Rule 5 draft will kick off on Thursday at 10 ante meridiem and although it will be nearly impossible to find a superstar stashed there, a la Dan Uggla, the Marlins can get some depth. Teams have to shell out $50K to draft a player and that player has to stay on their 25 man roster for at least one season. That said, the Marlins can find some hitters which could be MLB ready and could add some depth on the bench and maybe blossom into solid big leaguers. Two hitters offer some interesting possibilities:

  • Nate Freiman hit .298 last season with 24 home runs and 105 RBIs on the Rangers’ AA farm last season. He also collected 154 hits against 95Ks and at 25, and 6’7″, he could be primed to step in and offer some depth at 1B with some upside with the bat. The question is, will the Marlins take a risk on a guy who only plays 1B when they have Logan Morrison already and this may not provide enough flexibility?
  • Another interesting prospect available is Chris McGuiness who had a .268 AVG with 23 home runs and 77 RBIs was also hitting in the Rangers’ system. He finished tied for 4th in his league for home runs and 7th for RBIs. He also had 122 hits with 107 Ks, making for a solid offensive showing last season. McGuiness also had an impressive showing in the Arizona Fall League, collecting some hardware as its MVP while collecting 27 RBIs in 25 games. He also is working on playing corner OF positions to help his versatility, which makes him a prime target to add depth on the Marlins bench and hits from the left side of the plate, which the Marlins have expressed as a need. His advanced approach at the plate also may make him MLB ready and a possible solid contributor to the Marlins next season.

Only 12 teams actually picked in the Rule 5 last season, so expect maybe a pick from the Marlins given that their current roster is at 37 and they have a few extra spots open. Of the two possibilities mentioned, McGuiness seems to be a better fit given his flexibility. There are pitchers available but the Marlins are looking to add a veteran starter which most likely would not be a viable option through the Rule 5 draft.

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Nelson Not Tendered, Kroenke Picked Up

December 14, 2008 in Offseason

Marlins continue an offseason that is under the radar and frugal. Pretty much like the rest of us out here at this time of year.

On Friday, the Marlins tendered to 9 of the 10 remaining players that are arbitration eligible. The list includes Josh Johnson, Ricky Nolasco, Dan Uggla, Jeremy Hermida, Jorge Cantu, Cody Ross, Alfredo Amezaga, Logan Kensing and Dallas McPherson.

Reliever Joe Nelson was not among them.

Nelson was arguably one of the more consistent relievers all season. He appeared in 59 games, he was 3-1 with a 2.00 flat ERA and 54 IP. Nelson is seeking around $800,000 while the Marlins offered $650,000 – about the same figure that Doug Waechter took with the Kansas City Royals. So it appears as if the Marlins are going to lose another member of the bullpen along with Arthur Rhodes and Doug Waechter.

Marlins Land Zach Kroenke

On the other hand, the Marlins did acquire another arm in Yankees’ farm hand, Zach Kroenke during the rule 5 draft that closed the Winter Meetings this past week. Kroenke is a lefty, flashing a midrange fastball (87-89) and will be looking to shoot for the lefty specialist role coming into Spring Training (LOOGY slot). Since he is a rule 5 draftee, he must stay with the Marlins the entire season or he must be offered back to the Yankees (for about 25K) before being demoted to the minors.

As for the rest of the rule 5 draft picks, the Marlins selected 4 in toto:

  1. Zach Kroenke (LHP)
  2. Ryan Klosterman (SS)
  3. Bret Harker (RHP)
  4. Ronald Hill (RHP)

Kroenke will have some competition for the lefty specialist role, squaring off with Reynel Pinto, Tank Tankersley, and Dan Meyer.

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