Stark: Marlins Could Be Big Players This Off-Season UPDATE: All Big Names In Play

[lou]

I wouldn't mind moving Hanley to third, but who do you stick at SS?

I think the logical move would be Bonifacio, as he clearly profiles offensively as a middle infielder, and then cash in Dominguez for a like CF prospect which will be much easier to do than move him for a young arm.

I'm really not opposed to anything this offseason as long as they add legitimate starting pitching.

[Big Z]

I think the logical move would be Bonifacio, as he clearly profiles offensively as a middle infielder, and then cash in Dominguez for a like CF prospect which will be much easier to do than move him for a young arm.

I'm really not opposed to anything this offseason as long as they add legitimate starting pitching.

I'm not sure he would produce on an everyday basis, but I'm rooting for Petey to win the CF job.

Maybe Dominguez can be packaged for something else.

[lou]

Petersen is a 4th outfielder. He is not the short or longterm starting answer. I like him (a lot) on the bench, but they can do better.

[Swifty]

But if he's better defensively at 3B, what does that have to do with money?

Or are you suggesting this talk is irrelevant because we aren't getting someone who can play SS anyway (ala Reyes)

Little bit of both.

My mindset with players is that, assuming you can hit well, you play the most defensively premium position at which your glove can play and not expose you to serious injury. If someone correlates Hanley's injuries and short, fine, I'm on board with the move, but if he's going to be a so-so fielder, I'd rather he be a so-so fielding SS with his bat than a so-so fielding 3B with his bat next to a so-so SS. Moreover, positionally speaking, a think a so-so 3B "plays" better relative to our needs than a so-so SS.

Secondly, I don't think the move would be worth the effort as it's a lot easier to grab a 3B that can give you a decent bat than it is a SS that'll give you a decent bat. I think CF is opened up for Bonifacio (unless we're still committed to Coghlan, which I guess I'm OK with too, both he and Bonifacio have 'one year' to go on, albeit Bonifacio's is much more recent), so I don't see the exigency in getting Hanly off short.

[Mainge]

Only way it makes sense for me is if we sign Reyes.

[Big Z]

What deal do you guys think is reasonable for Reyes?

[Ramp]

I can see him getting $16-18 mil per, maybe more

[Big Z]

That would give us an extra $10 mil to play with, since we would not be signing Pujols/Fielder; not bad.

7/116?

An IF of H2R Reyes Infante & Gaby is legit.

[Big Z]

All eyes are on the Cardinals and Rangers in the World Series, but the Marlins are focusing on the final out.

Eligible players can begin filing for free agency the day after the World Series ends, and the Marlins are expected to be one of baseball's busiest teams.

The Marlins' wish list includes a third baseman, a center fielder, a starting pitcher or two and a closer. They could try to fill some of those spots via trade, but there's no shortage of players who will be free agents next month.

The Marlins, preparing to move into their new stadium in April, have said they will at least consider premium free agents such as Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder and CC Sabathia. But even if their payroll grows from $57.6 million to $80 million, as expected, the club probably will spread the money around.

How the Marlins decide to use Emilio Bonifacio - who hit .296 and stole 40 bases in a breakout season - could affect several decisions. Bonifacio, 26, has played every position except pitcher, catcher and first base.

There is a good chance he will be the shortstop on opening day, barring a quick and complication-free recovery for Hanley Ramirez, who had surgery Sept. 15 on his left shoulder.

If so, Bonifacio would not be available to play center field or third base. Chris Coghlan has been a candidate for both jobs, but injuries have sidetracked him since he was NL rookie of the year in 2009. He could be traded or let go.

Free agent-to-be Aramis Ramirez, 33, might be an ideal fit at third. He would provide some pop (26 homers, 93 RBI with the Chicago Cubs last season) while prospect Matt Dominguez works in the minors on his hitting.

Ramirez has told friends who play for the Marlins that he would give serious thought to playing in Miami. He is expected to seek a three-year deal and made $14.6 million last year at the end of a huge contract.

Free agents who could play center field include two popular former Marlins - Juan Pierre and Cody Ross.

Pierre, 34 played the last two seasons with the Chicago White Sox under Ozzie Guillen, the Marlins' new manager. He hit .279 last season with a .329 on-base percentage, but his stolen base total fell from 68 in 2010 to 27 in 2011, and he hasn't played center field regularly since 2007.

Ross, 30, was a late-season hero for San Francisco in 2010 but this season hit just .240 with 14 homers and 52 RBI.

Other center field options might include Coco Crisp (.264, 49 stolen bases with Oakland in 2011) and Grady Sizemore of Cleveland.

Sizemore, 29, is a two-time Gold Glover and three-time All-Star but he has been troubled by injuries and the Indians might not pick up his $9 million option for 2012.

For the starting rotation, the Marlins would love to get a left-hander to complement right-handers Josh Johnson, Ricky Nolasco and Anibal Sanchez.

Texas lefty CJ Wilson, 30, will get plenty of attention after going 16-7 with a 2.94 ERA. The Marlins also might target lefty Mark Buehrle, 32, who played for Guillen in Chicago.

Buehrle (13-9, 3.59 ERA) made $14 million last year. He and Wilson easily could command a four-year, $60 million contract.

Another Chicago pitcher, the Cubs' Carlos Zambrano, would be a dicier proposition, although he is friendly with Guillen.

Incoming Cubs boss Theo Epstein will have to decide whether to try to trade Zambrano, whose behavior and performance have been equally disappointing. He is owed $18 million next season and any trade partner would insist that the Cubs pick up the bulk of that.

Another potential left-hander is Paul Maholm, 25, who made $6.25 million last year with Pittsburgh. The Pirates would like to trade him but his club option for next season is $9.750 million - probably too pricey for the Marlins considering that he never has had a winning season.

Other free agents the Marlins might consider: RHP Jason Marquis (8-6, 4.43 ERA for Washington and Arizona); RHP Aaron Harang (14-7, 3.64 for San Diego); and LHP Bruce Chen (12-8, 3.77 for Kansas City).

Another possibility is 30-year-old left-hander Jeff Francis, who was 6-16 with 4.82 ERA in 31 starts for the Royals. The Marlins would be hoping that he regains the form he had for Colorado in 2007, when he was 17-9.

If the Marlins settle on a fourth starter, Livan Hernandez would be an intriguing candidate as the fifth starter. He turns 37 in February, the former Marlins post-season star would be an affordable attraction in a ballpark that will open in Little Havana.

The Marlins might need a closer because of the uncertain future of Juan Carlos Oviedo (formerly known as Leo Nunez). Free agents Jonathan Papelbon (who has spent his seven-year career in Boston), Heath Bell (San Diego) and Ryan Madson (Philadelphia) will command top dollar.

PBPost.com

The more I read about Reyes, the more I like him.

[Valid]

$116 mil for Reyes? Fuck that.

[Big Z]

In my opinion, if healthy he's worth it.

[Swifty]

PBPost.com

The more I read about Reyes, the more I like him.

I don't see Reyes' name mentioned once in this article.

[Jorge18]

Am I crazy for liking the idea of Livan as a 5th starter?

[DropkickAlex]

I wouldn't pay 100+ on a guy who relies on his legs and is almost 30.

[Swifty]

Am I crazy for liking the idea of Livan as a 5th starter?

I like the idea of bringing in 2-3 guys to compete with Hand/Sanabia like the Yankees did with Colon and Garcia last year. If Livan is one of those guys, great, I hope he earns the spot.