A look at what the Marlins tried to accomplish this offseason
The Marlins’ signing of Jean Segura last week was a relief internally, after the team came up empty in previous winter pursuits.
Here’s what happened behind the scenes in recent weeks, according to team and industry sources and my colleague
Mish:
When the offseason began, Miami made a hard push to sign former American League MVP Jose Abreu.
The Marlins met with Abreu and offered a twoyear deal at close to $40 million. But the veteran first baseman instead opted to take a three-year, $58.5 million deal with Houston.
Miami then pivoted to former World Series MVP and Roberto Clemente Award winner Justin Turner. The Marlins loved the third baseman’s leadership and ability to hit the ball well at loanDepot park (.402 career average in
102 at-bats). And they thought he would help facilitate a culture change inside the clubhouse
The Marlins, however, were unwilling to give a two-year deal, largely because of his age (38). The Marlins offered him one year in the $15 million range, but he instead accepted a two-year, $22 million contract with Boston.
The Marlins then turned
Craig
to infielder Brandon Drury, who was coming off a career season with the Reds and Padres (.263 average, 28 homers, 87 RBI). Miami made a twoyear proposal topping $19 million, the best financial package that he was offered, according to a source.
But Drury had a prior relationship with Angels manager Phil Nevin and took a two-year, $17 million deal with the Angels.
The Marlins then began pursuing Segura. Initially, Segura was thought to be seeking a one-year deal. But that changed after Segura’s representation saw other position players receive multiyear deals.
Segura, who was also pursued by the Detroit Tigers, lives in South Florida during the offseason and conveyed to the team that he had interest. The Marlins agreed to pay him $6.5 million in 2023, $8.5 million in 2024, with a $10 million team option (or $2 million buyout) in 2025.
Segura trains at Pinecrest Physical Therapy in Miami, where Marlins players Sandy Alcantara, Pablo Lopez and Garrett Cooper also do offseason work.
Segura will be the Marlins’ third baseman to begin 2023, barring a trade that forces them to change plans.
As of now, 2022 All-Star Jazz Chisholm Jr. remains the Marlins’ starting second baseman. We’re told he would like the opportunity to play shortstop at some point, but as of now, second base remains his position.
The only other free agent the Marlins pursued was pitcher Johnny Cueto, who was 8-10 with a 3.35 ERA in 25 appearances
for the White Sox last season. He would seem to be an option only if the Marlins trade a starting pitcher for offensive help.
Miami will still need to pursue bullpen help via free agency or trade, but it is unlikely they will devote significant financial resources to that area because they have other holes to fill, including augmenting first base and the outfield.
Meanwhile, the team continues to explore trading a pitcher for a position player.
The Boston Red Sox have emerged as a potential partner. They’ve talked about first baseman Triston Casas, Boston’s No. 2 overall prospect. The Marlins have spoken to Colorado about trading a starting pitcher for middle infielder Brendan Rodgers, who hit .266, with 13 homers and 63 RBI for the Rockies.
The problem is the Marlins haven’t found a match of a team that is willing to trade an above-average
center field or established first baseman for a starting pitcher; that search will continue. Pittsburgh hasn’t made center fielder Bryan Reynolds fully available, even though he has asked for a trade. The Marlins likely would need to include Lopez, Trevor Rogers or Edward Cabrera for a top position player.
Miami’s payroll is now projected at $101 million dollars, tied for 22nd with Washington. Among teams below them in payroll, only the Athletics had lower attendance than the Marlins in 2022.
The challenge for the Marlins is that three teams in their division rank among MLB’s biggest spenders. Including luxury tax payments, the Mets’ reported projected payroll is $495 million (including $111 million in luxury tax), Philadelphia projects at $242 million and Atlanta at $239 million.
CHATTER
Tua Tagovailoa never ● actually reported symptoms to Dolphins coaches, perhaps because he didn’t think he had a concussion. Coach Mike McDaniel and quarterbacks coach
Darell Bevell sent him to see doctors the day after the Packers game because he wasn’t able to recall some decisions he made during the game and why he made those decisions. Doctors concluded he had a concussion because of some symptoms (including a headache).
Christian Wilkins, set ● to make $10.7 million this season, is expected to speak to the team about a lucrative extension this offseason. Wilkins not only leads all NFL defensive linemen with 92 defensive tackles, but that’s the most by any NFL defensive lineman since Anthony Spencer had 95 in 2012.
The impression that
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Heat two-way contract center Orlando Robinson has outplayed Dewayne Dedmon, while totally reasonable, appears mostly the byproduct not only of Robinson exceeding all expectations as an undrafted rookie but also the fact that the Heat has played much better with Robinson on the floor than Dedmon.
The Heat has outscored teams by two points in Robinson’s 168 minutes over 11 games. Conversely,
Miami has been outscored by 78 points in Dedmon’s 316 minutes in 26 games.
But if you compare them purely on numbers per 36 minutes, Dedmon holds the edge in points (18.8 to 13.5), rebounds (11.1 to 9.6) and blocks (1.4 to 1.1). Robinson has the edge in assists (2.6 to 1.7), turnovers (1.3 to 1.9), steals (1.3 to 0.7) and most glaringly, offensive rebounds (4.1 per 36 minutes, compared to Dedmon’s 3.0).
Dedmon remains out with plantar fasciitis.
Robinson, under NBA two-way contract rules, is eligible to play 23 more games for the Heat unless his deal is converted to a standard contract. The Heat, which has an open roster spot, can convert Robinson to a standard deal at any time, but Miami has been disinclined to do that with anyone because it would put them in luxury tax territory unless the player is signed with 10 days remaining in the season.
Miami has five games during the final 10 days. So Miami could stay under the tax and have Robinson available for 28 of Miami’s final 44 games.