SO WHAT’S NEXT FOR MARLINS?
After a busy year that featured an ownership change and a number of its top players dealt, the Marlins 2018 season has officially come to a close.
In Year 1 of its rebuild, Miami finished 63-98 — its third-worst mark in team history — and will pick fourth in the 2019 MLB draft.
What’s next for the Marlins? Here are four key storylines heading into the offseason:
Will Realmuto be in Miami next
season? Undoubtedly, Realmuto was the Marlins’ MVP this season. Earning All-Star honors, the 27-year-old catcher notched career highs in multiple offensive categories, slashing 277/.340/.484 with 21
home runs, 30 doubles and 74 RBI in 125 games.
Although he’s under contract for the next two seasons, there’s
been heavy speculation on whether he’ll be back next year. Realmuto, who made $2.9 million this past year and is arbitration eligible, will likely command a hefty salary on the open market two years from now. By a number of metrics, he was the best catcher in baseball this season. His WAR (wins above replacement) of 4.8 was significantly higher than the second-rated catcher (3.7) and third (2.8).
The Marlins reportedly engaged in trade talks with the Nationals for Realmuto before the All-Star Break, but those discussions didn’t produce a deal. Marlins CEO Derek Jeter has said he wants Realmuto around long term, and it’s expected the team will present a contract extension to the catcher in the offseason. Will the offer be high enough? If the Marlins don’t believe they can keep him, then they’ll likely entertain trade offers.
Will the Marlins land Mesa? After officially declaring for free agency in September, Cuban outfielder Victor Victor Mesa, 22, is the hottest commodity on the international free
agent market — and the Marlins have a legitimate chance of signing him.
Mesa is rated the No. 1 international free agent by MLB Pipeline. His younger brother Victor Jr. — a 16-year-old outfielder — has also declared for free agency.
The brothers will hold a workout for all 30 MLB teams at Marlins Park on Friday, per MLB.com’s Jesse Sanchez.
Unlike normal MLB free agency, there’s a salary cap in place for international free agents, meaning largemarket teams like the Yankees or Red Sox can’t outbid smaller franchises with gargantuan offers. The Marlins have the secondhighest amount of international bonus pool money, trailing just the Orioles.
With a large Cuban population, Miami can also offer a more comfortable lifestyle for the Mesa brothers as they move to America.
As for Mesa’s on-field talent, here’s MLB.com’s scouting report: “Overall, Mesa is considered an outstanding defender with a strong arm. He’s also a plus runner and scouts like his upside and pedigree. There’s the belief that Mesa would be selected in the first round if he was eligible for the draft, and he’s the type of hitter who could be placed at the top of the order.”
What will the Marlins do with the No. 4 pick? After finishing with 98 losses, Miami will have its highest first-round draft pick since 2014, when it picked second. It will be just the team’s third top-five pick since 2000. Although the 2019 MLB draft isn’t until June, it’s never too early to look ahead at some of the top prospects.
Per MLB.com, some of the top prospects include Texas HS shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., Oregon State catcher Adley Rutschman, Bolles HS (Fla.) LHP Hunter Barco, Baylor catcher Shea Langeliers, Hagerty HS (Fla.) outfielder Riley Greene, University of Kentucky LHP Zack Thompson, Georgia HS shortstop CJ Abrams, University of California first baseman Andrew Vaughn and Clemson shortstop Logan Davidson.
How will the starting rotation shape up? While the Marlins still need to figure out how to generate more runs, the team does have a strong pitching staff — including a number of young arms — returning next season.
In fact, the Marlins have seven pitchers — not including minor leaguers — who will battle for the five starting spots, meaning the team could potentially make some moves to clear out space.
José Ureña was dominant toward the end of the season, finishing 5-0 with a 1.20 ERA in five September starts. The 27 year old is under contract through 2021. Wei-Yin Chen’s home/road splits have been beaten to death, but with the left-hander set to earn $20 million and $22 million in the next two seasons, respectively, he’s not going anywhere.
Rookie right-handers Sandy Alcantara, Trevor Richards and Pablo Lopez all displayed strong potential, and should figure into the starting rotation again. Fellow rookie Caleb Smith started off the season strong, but missed the second half of the season with shoulder surgery and might not be ready for spring training.
Veteran right-hander Dan Straily ended the season strong, but missed his last few starts with injury.