Marlins’ hunt for closer continues

Signing Jansen would cost first-round pick

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — Among the many variables in the Miami Marlins’ ongoing search for a high-end closer, which had yet to reach a conclusion as of Tuesday evening, is how much the club values its top draft pick.

The Marlins are slated to pick 14th in June’s MLB draft. Signing Kenley Jansen, one of the two elite relievers Miami is chasing, would mean giving that selection to the Dodgers as a penalty for signing the Los Angeles’ free agent who turned down a qualifying offer, a oneyear contract at a high dollar value ($17.2 million this year).

Aroldis Chapman, the other remaining closer on the freeagent market, was traded midseason and was therefore ineligible to receive a qualifying offer. Signing Chapman would cost Miami only dollars, not a draft pick.

Chapman is expected to reel in a bigger payday. But if you factor in the loss of a draft pick, Jansen’s cost to the Marlins could be greater.

“It’s a very tough decision,” said president of baseball operations Michael Hill. “Until we decide ultimately what we’re going to do, I can’t really say one way or another. But it’s definitely something that goes into the decision-making hopper as you make that call.”

Further complicating matters for the Marlins specifically

— as opposed to the other teams interested in Jansen and Chapman, including the New York Yankees and Dodgers — is their weak farm system, depleted more so by the midsummer acquisitions of Fernando Rodney and Andrew Cashner.

The Marlins’ top two prospects, according to MLB Pipeline, are pitchers drafted in the first round: Braxton Garrett (2016) and Tyler Kolek (2014). Firstround picks matter, especially for an organization with as little prospect depth as Miami.

“You know the trades that we’ve made over the past few years and the depletion of our system. We’re trying to keep as many assets as we can,” Hill said. “That’s something that goes into the process. Ultimately, we’re trying to field the best major league team that we can and bring a championship back to South Florida. That is part of it.”

Mattingly a voice

A year ago at the Winter Meetings, Don Mattingly was the Marlins’ brandnew manager, on site with the front office but on the job for only about a month. This time around, he is again with the Miami caravan of decision-makers but has a much louder voice in the process.

“We’ve always had our field manager here,” Hill said. “He’s our field general, and we always want to get his input and know that decisions that we make impact what he does.

“He didn’t have a great feel for our club [last year], but having lived with our guys for a season, there’s no one who knows our players better than he does.”

Bits and pieces

Hill said the Marlins have spoken with — among many others —

Sam and Seth Levinson, who represent many major leaguers, including catcher A.J. Ellis. Miami is in the market for a backup catcher, and Ellis is one free-agent option. It should be noted, however, that Hill did not give an indication as to the depth of the talks and front offices and agents chat all the time. … Perennial All-Star

Chris Sale changed his Sox on Monday, getting traded from Chicago to Boston. The Washington Nationals had also been trying to trade for Sale. Hill said the Marlins and White Sox engaged very briefly in Sale talks last month, but those conversations didn’t get very far.