Meyer could get a shot at rotation for Marlins; shortstop still a need
A few quick hits on what we’re hearing as the Marlins’ offseason rolls on:
With Sandy Alcantara sidelined next season after Tommy John surgery, here’s the Marlins’ internal plan for their starting rotation:
Jesus Luzardo (10-10, 3.58 in 2023), Eury Perez (5-6, 3.15) and Braxton Garrett (9-7, 3.66) will be their top three starters, barring injuries.
Edward Cabrera (7-7, 4.24) and Trevor Rogers (who missed most of 2023 with biceps and forearm issues) have the inside track for the No. 4 and
No. 5 rotation spots.
But if either falters in the spring, then former first-round pick Max Meyer — now 16 months removed from Tommy John surgery — will have an opportunity to compete for a starting spot. Meyer will be on an innings limit.
Bryan Hoeing (5.48
ERA in 33 games and seven starts) and A.J. Puk (who is being moved from the bullpen to the rotation, at least in spring training) also will be considered if Cabrera or Rogers struggles in the spring.
The Marlins haven’t ruled out Ryan Weathers as a rotation option, but he’s more likely to be used as a swingman. Acquired from the San Diego Padres for Garrett Cooper, Weathers gave up 11 runs in seven innings in his first two Marlins appearances, but then pitched six scoreless innings (allowing only two hits) in their regularseason finale in Pittsburgh.
The Marlins also are considering stretching out George Soriano in the spring, as they plan to do with Puk. Soriano had a 3.81 ERA in 26 games (including one start) for the Marlins last season and struck out 52 in 52 innings.
The Marlins are still seeking an upgrade at shortstop, and free agent Isiah Kiner-Falefa remains in play, a source confirmed.
The Marlins have expressed interest in the 28-year-old infielder/ outfielder, who won a Gold Glove as a third baseman for the Texas Rangers in 2020, the
COVID-shortened season.
Kiner-Falefa hit .232 (.306 on base) with six homers and 47 RBI in 113 games for the New York Yankees last season, playing 78 games in the outfield, 31 at third base and one apiece at shortstop and second base. He played 138 games at shortstop for the Yankees in 2022 and committed 15 errors, and New York decided to play him mostly in the outfield this past season.
He played 156 games at shortstop for Texas in 2021 and had 19 errors.
Jon Berti, Jacob Amaya, Vidal Brujan and Xavier Edwards are the internal options at shortstop.
With 11 players eligible for arbitration, the Marlins – even without adding another player — are projected to have a $100 million payroll next season. That limits the amount the team can spend in free agency.
More than 40 percent of the payroll in 2024 is committed to Josh Bell ($16.5 million), Avisail Garcia ($12 million), Alcantara ($9.3 million) and Berti ($3.6 million).
Luis Arraez is projected by Fangraphs to get $10.8 million in arbitration if the parties don’t reach an agreement before that.
The Marlins might not exceed last season’s $105 million payroll, but there are no orders from ownership to substantially drop payroll, either.
The Marlins, who acquired defensivelyskilled catcher Christian Bethancourt from Cleveland on Sunday, also have been considering free agent Andrew Knizner, who was non-tendered by St. Louis last month.
He hit .241 (.288 on base) with 10 homers and 31 RBI in 70 games and 241 plate appearances last season.
The batting average was up from his career .214 average in 794 plate appearances over five seasons. He threw out only eight of 60 attempted base-stealers.
Even with Bethancourt added, the Marlins remain open to finding a catcher who would start or share time with Nick Fortes.