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

[emkayseven]

that's not true. we have no GOOD centerfielder.

[Bobbob1313]

Well, sure. We have 6 major league starters too, then.

[HUGG]

Sizemore since 2009: .234/.314/.413

Bryan Petersen could do that

and doesn't have 2 bad knees

[Big Z]

You have to give him a shot, if he's cheap..

The Mets and Tigers are supposedly not going after Reyes. I think this leaves The Nats, Bewers and us?

[Ramp]

Not sure why Grady would be cheap

[Big Z]

Incentive Laden contract, Ramp.

[Erick]

My dad was watching MLBN. Jon Heyman was there and supposedly he predicted that Jose Reyes would wind up with the Marlins. That would be the most awesome scenario, imo.

[Valid]

My dad was watching MLBN. Jon Heyman was there and supposedly he predicted that Jose Reyes would wind up with the Marlins. That would be the most awesome scenario, imo.

Given what he would cost, that would most certainly not be the most awesome scenario.
--------------------

You have to give him a shot, if he's cheap..

The Mets and Tigers are supposedly not going after Reyes. I think this leaves The Nats, Bewers and us?

Don't count out Boston. Could definitely see them making a run at him.

EDIT: Never mind. Forgot they just brought back Scutaro.

[lou]

This team has no center fielder.

I don't see a problem with Bonifacio, Coghlan, and Petersen playing CF. They would not be embarrassing. Bonifacio should really be at an "up the middle" position. Signing Aramis or Reyes (shift Hanley), makes the most sense if we want to talk offense, but I still don't know how that money lines up considering this team needs two 200 IP horses.

[MiamiHomer]

MIAMI -- All options are open for the Marlins as they prepare for what is expected to be an active offseason.

Moving into their own ballpark will give the franchise the flexibility to explore everything from the biggest free agents on the market to signing cost-friendly players.

Basically, the Marlins are swimming in unchartered waters as they go about their business of upgrading for the 2012 season.

"With this added flexibility with the payroll going up, we want to improve this team," president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest said. "It was disappointing last year, and we're going to look at whatever we need to look at to try to make the team better."

The Marlins finished 72-90 in their final season at Sun Life Stadium. In 2012, payroll will likely rise to $85 million or more.

"If a free-agent signing, whether it's big or small, makes us better and it fits within our allocation and we think we become a better team, then it is something we have to look at," Beinfest said.

Traditionally one of baseball's most frugal spenders, the Marlins will be looking at players that in the past they never gave a serious glimpse at. Names like Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder, C.J. Wilson and Jose Reyes could be on their radar.

Whether they can lure in the big prizes remains to be seen. But now, with the luxury of a new home and increased revenues, the Marlins are at least part of the conversation.

Beinfest didn't get specific on names the team may pursue, but he did note that the organization is open to different ways to conduct its business.

"I think we need to become a little more open, just in general," he said. "I think we've been very protective of our zero to three [years of experience] players because we've had to be, given our payroll challenges. I think we can open up a little more now."

The Marlins have always tended to be a draft-and-develop franchise. They had to be, because of their limited resources while sharing Sun Life Stadium with the Miami Dolphins.

For about a decade, the team relied heavily on giving its homegrown players every chance to make it. With youth came growing pains. Now, owner Jeffrey Loria has more revenue available to do what it takes to become more competitive in the National League East.

"We need to look into areas we were unable to look into in the past," Beinfest said. "We're putting everything out there, and maybe we need to re-look at it. And maybe there is a better way than we've been doing it the past few years.

"If it means a big free agent, fine. If it means a little free agent, or a bunch of little free agents, or big or small trades, I think we have to be more open than we have been."

Beinfest did point out the team will look at starting pitching.

The front office also is evaluating the status of Javier Vazquez, who paced Florida in wins with 13 in 2011. Vazquez is a free agent, but he has strongly considering retirement.

The Marlins have until 12:01 a.m. ET on Thursday to negotiate exclusively with Vazquez. But the team hasn't done so at this point, because the 35-year-old is leaning towards spending next year with his family.

"I haven't talked with Javy since the season ended," Beinfest said. "What a great job he did for us, and we will check in with him and his agent.

"We'll see where his head is, and where his thoughts are. That door was left open when the season ended to at least explore. Javy's mind is wherever Javy's mind is. He's a veteran guy. We'll at least explore and keep and touch, and we'll see."

The team also is weighing what to do about its closer.

Juan Carlos Oviedo (formerly known as Leo Nunez) is in the Dominican Republic working through legal issues over his identity. He was placed on the MLB restricted list in late September. If cleared to return to the United States and play, Oviedo would be in his final year of arbitration.

"We're trying to get clarity as fast as we can," Beinfest said. "That's something we've worked on aggressively this past month since he left the ballclub. To try to figure out where we'll be. There are tender dates coming up.

"We do have a very good idea of what we need to do and how the process may play out."

The Marlins have interest in retaining Oviedo, but they may have to explore the market for a closer, if the pitcher's personal issues aren't resolved.

"I think we have to have contingencies in place," Beinfest said. "We have to have the what-ifs. We need to be realistic. This guy has got an issue. We're well aware of it. There is a chance he will be in the country working, and there is a chance that he won't be. We don't know. But we have to have contingencies in place -- and I think we do."

Marlins have plenty of flexibility this offseason

[Namaste]

Marlins need a SP way more than they need a CF

Too much uncertainty in the rotation to spend $$$ on a CF. How can the Marlins win a playoff series with this rotation?

That's why I'm not a fan of signing Albert. Ok great, we have Albert and all of the casual fans start playing with themselves but the team hasn't addressed it's biggest need.

Hugg made a great point about Sizemore. Petey Pipes can do what Sizemore has done recently. For less money and with less injury risk.

[AdamRavs]

I would rather have Petey out there than waste money on washed up players. I'm for Reyes tho. Someone who can get on base consistently would be nice! As for SP I don't think we should spend tons of money on someone like CJ.. Bruce Chen intrigues me. Had a decent season on a shitty team. Javy & Chen to fill the back end of our rotation I would be ok with.

[Big Z]

Marlins need a SP way more than they need a CF

Too much uncertainty in the rotation to spend $$$ on a CF. How can the Marlins win a playoff series with this rotation?

That's why I'm not a fan of signing Albert. Ok great, we have Albert and all of the casual fans start playing with themselves but the team hasn't addressed it's biggest need.

Hugg made a great point about Sizemore. Petey Pipes can do what Sizemore has done recently. For less money and with less injury risk.

I agree with you 100%.

Our main focus should be pitching, SP more than anything. Our bullpen was relatively good, we were ranked 7th in the MLB in ERA and BAA. The main piece missing in our bullpen is a closer.

Step one in the SP process is getting rid of Volstad. He is the Chad Henne of our rotation.. Henne Henne Henne --- Volstad Volstad Volstad. I think Ricky is gone as well.

I also see most of our work being done through trades; prepare to hear our name in every rumor. I think we will sign Jose Reyes and Mark Buehrle, but that's it (with some minor signings here and there).

I'm predicting Pujols goes back to St.Louis, Fielder to Chicago and CJ stays with TX. I would love Pujols, but he's so expensive that it wouldn't give us options to go after anyone else; Pujols also wants too many years.

I hope everyone is excited for this offseason, we've been waiting for this for 18 years!

[emkayseven]

Buehrle is going back to Chicago 100% though

[jOOj]

With a 99% chance of him going to St. Loo.