2020-2021 Offseason Thread

[Lee Stone]

Not really-Cubs are looking to make salary dump deals NOT market value deals. This is why its the perfect time to strike-u can get good value on guys

We should be all over Contreras and much like SD shouldnt have to pay a crazy price with top guys!! We have more than enough things to get a deal done IF we really want to(WE SHOULD WANT TOO!!!!) I would even overpay by sending them Alfaro just so they have someone to C

I agree that a real effort should be made to grab Contreras. Makes the Marlins a more watchable team this season. and next. I think there would be lots of competition for the Cubs catcher, who would enter the market like Realmuto did (two years of arbitration left). While the Cubs would undoubtedly want a Rogers or Cabrera heading the deal, that would be far too much to stomach. I would counter with a stack of prospects from a list including Devers, Neidert, Guzman, Holloway, Encarnacion, Misner, Scott, and Alfaro. I'm not certain that St. Louis, Washington, or the Angels have the fodder to match that.

[fish16]

id give up one of rogers/garrett (preferably garrett at this point after seeing his velocity last year) and then maybe an OF surplus guy like Connor Scott and then a major league fill in for next year like Harold Ramirez. that seems like pretty decent value.

[Lee Stone]

Big Change Is Coming.

You don't hear or read about it much but the major league catching position is about to change. Automated balls and strikes will eliminate the art of deception referred to as pitch-framing. The game will not only become fairer for hitters and pitchers alike, but will make catching far less demanding. After all, analytics have indicated that no defensive factor on a baseball diamond is more impactful than framing.

It's a simple fact that framing skills have kept a lot of poor hitters employed. That skill put Wallach behind the plate for the Marlins in the playoffs. With framing off the table, teams will be able to field more productive offensive players at the position.

The inevitable conversion to robo-control of the strike zone suffered a delay due to the cancelled minor league season in 2020. Whereas previous trials were performed only in the Carolina League and at the Salt River facility during the 2019 Arizona Fall League, the robot was scheduled for the Florida State League last season.

The change, likely no more than two years away, will have an impact similar to the designated hitter. Catching will focus on blocking and throwing, skills that can be developed much more readily/easily than framing.

I would like to see the Marlins get ahead of this impending curve. About a month ago, I wrote about the potential of converting big-arm, big stick, big hustle guys in the Marlin system into catchers. That idea came from observing what former-Marlin Austin Nola was able to achieve in the team's minor league system. Two that I specifically mentioned were Peyton Burdick and Griffin Conine. I'm certain many others can be identified. Taking that concept further, why not start targeting big hit/weak framing catching prospects in the draft and international market? Why not target them in trades?

Catching is and always has been a less-than-desirable position for most players. Let's face it, it requires a true bulldog mentality. However, if donning the tools of ignorance provides a ticket to the Big Show that might not be available otherwise, there are gamers that will go for it.

Jorge Posada was hired as a consultant to Derek Jeter in 2019. I assume he's still with the club because I haven't read news to the contrary. That seems especially relevant at this time because the Yankees drafted Posada as a second baseman out of junior college and then converted him to catcher after a year in their system. If anyone knows what it takes to make the switch, it would be Posada.

[fauowls44]

The Marlins made a move!


@CraigMish
Miami Marlins have signed LHP Ross Detwiler to a 1 year MLB deal. Detwiler pitched well for the White Sox in 2020. 3.20 ERA out of the pen. Big league deal. Per sources.
[URL="https://twitter.com/CraigMish/status/1345172609420374017"]7:58 PM

That's 4 relievers this offseason added (Cimber, Pop and Campbell in the Rule 5, and now Detwiler) but still no closer. Have to think at least 1 (probably 2) more RP will added that can pitch in late innings.

Also, still hoping they add another power bat. Seems like the market for corner OF power bats is moving slowly so that should benefit the Marlins.

[Lee Stone]

Every time we bring on another lefty I mourn the loss of Jarlin the Marlin ... cast off for nothing. Baseball reference attached a 0.5 WAR for Garcia last season in SF after he allowed one run for the season (in 18.1 innings). Those numbers would have placed Jarlin behind just one Marlin reliever - Yimi Garcia - who also allowed a single run for the season.

Good news and bad news on Detwiler. The bad? A career WAR of a mere O.1. The good? He managed 0.1 last season.
Other bad news for Marlin fans is that his ML contract may get in the way of lefty Daniel Castano, who managed a 0.8 WAR last season. I believe Castano is better than he showed after giving up 11 walks with only 12 K. He was a 4/1 K/W ratio in the minors in 2019.

[tjfla]

The Marlins made a move!


@CraigMish
Miami Marlins have signed LHP Ross Detwiler to a 1 year MLB deal. Detwiler pitched well for the White Sox in 2020. 3.20 ERA out of the pen. Big league deal. Per sources.
[URL="https://twitter.com/CraigMish/status/1345172609420374017"]7:58 PM

That's 4 relievers this offseason added (Cimber, Pop and Campbell in the Rule 5, and now Detwiler) but still no closer. Have to think at least 1 (probably 2) more RP will added that can pitch in late innings.

Also, still hoping they add another power bat. Seems like the market for corner OF power bats is moving slowly so that should benefit the Marlins.

We still want that OF LHB with Power. Price is TOO high still-well not really price but most guys wants 3+ years while we are looking at 2 tops

Detwiler is competition for Vesia/Tarp for #2 LHR. Probably signed him for 1-1.5 million and I doubt he makes it through the year with us. I still think Trevor Rogers ends up in the pen but ya they still looking for 2 RP. Dont forget ALL of our arms except 4/5 have options

Only negative about Detwiler signing is now we have to DFA a Brigham/Holloway/OF. Maybe we get a DSL prospect in return for 1 of them but lose something kinda productive for Detwiler

[fauowls44]

We still want that OF LHB with Power. Price is TOO high still-well not really price but most guys wants 3+ years while we are looking at 2 tops

Detwiler is competition for Vesia/Tarp for #2 LHR. Probably signed him for 1-1.5 million and I doubt he makes it through the year with us. I still think Trevor Rogers ends up in the pen but ya they still looking for 2 RP. Dont forget ALL of our arms except 4/5 have options

Only negative about Detwiler signing is now we have to DFA a Brigham/Holloway/OF. Maybe we get a DSL prospect in return for 1 of them but lose something kinda productive for Detwiler

Brigham will be 29 this year and hasn't made it through a season healthy in his entire Marlins career...I don't think DFA-ing him would be a big loss. I'm still hoping they can make a 2 or 3 for 1 trade to clear some 40 man spots though.

[fauowls44]

@JonHeyman
Marlins are looking for a corner outfielder, preferably a right fielder and lefthanded hitter
[URL="https://twitter.com/JonHeyman/status/1345185164054433794"]8:48 PM

Rosario, Mazara, Pederson are all still available. Even older guys like Bruce and Markakis. Have to think we end up with one of these guys once spring training gets a bit closer.

[Lee Stone]

I'd say that the RF job should belong to Harold Ramirez until he loses it. He had a .5 WAR in over 400 ab in 2019. He hit well in the Colombian WL There's a lot to like about Harold, who reminds me of a little Ozuna (minus the power).

[fish16]

@JonHeyman
Marlins are looking for a corner outfielder, preferably a right fielder and lefthanded hitter
[URL="https://twitter.com/JonHeyman/status/1345185164054433794"]8:48 PM

Rosario, Mazara, Pederson are all still available. Even older guys like Bruce and Markakis. Have to think we end up with one of these guys once spring training gets a bit closer.

those guys arent bad players but i think any addition we make has to be a higher OBP less K guy. With alfaro at the bottom of the order already having another guy like that really kills the bottom of the lineup.

[tjfla]

Brigham will be 29 this year and hasn't made it through a season healthy in his entire Marlins career...I don't think DFA-ing him would be a big loss. I'm still hoping they can make a 2 or 3 for 1 trade to clear some 40 man spots though.

Agreed but his arm has some talent and isnt a 29 yr old arm. Started pitching late,injured few times

[tjfla]

@JonHeyman
Marlins are looking for a corner outfielder, preferably a right fielder and lefthanded hitter
[URL="https://twitter.com/JonHeyman/status/1345185164054433794"]8:48 PM

Rosario, Mazara, Pederson are all still available. Even older guys like Bruce and Markakis. Have to think we end up with one of these guys once spring training gets a bit closer.

Names they like are

Eddie Rosario
Joc
Brantley
Brett Gardner
Schwarber
Tommy La Stella
Wong

Last 2 arent really OF but could be 2B/RF. 1 thing however ALL are LHB

Issue is years NOT money. Also have called on LHB in trades but no real traction as teams want our young SP. Ian Happ/Gallo/Blackmon/Santander/Jake Cave are names I have heard

A crazy one I heard was talked briefly but went NOWHERE was Miami and LAA. Involved multiple players with SP and ML bats to LAA for OF/2B/RP prospects who are ML ready. Could be revisited but Marlins would be taking crazy risk as none of these guys been up yet

NOT saying these were all the names but deal involved 8-12 guys and was mostly us getting young unproven ML and Bahamas prospects

LAA-Braxton Garrett,Elieser,Monte,Yamamoto.others
Miami-Brandon Marsh,Jahmal Jones,Chris Rodriguez.others

Again this was talked about BEFORE LAA made other deals-could be revisited but very doubtful happens as very complicated and all. Just saying Marlins are looking at ALL options to get LHB and talent

[tjfla]

Should note they would prefer to sign a guy for 2 years rather than make a trade especially since it would cost SP

[Lee Stone]

Let's presume 26-man rosters again this year. Let's also presume a very late or cancelled minor league season (minor leagues can't function w/o fans in attendance). Given those two factors, why not go with 13 pitchers ... 10 of them "starters," and see the rotation as a tag-team situation. Lopez/Meyer, Sanchez/Garrett, Alcantara/Neidert, Rogers/Eliesier, Cabrera/Castano. Fill the pen out with Yimi, Hoyt, and whoever. The idea would be to develop all those starters with a regular rountine. The front line guys go five or six, the other finishes the game. Don't know why they signed Detwiler. The two Rule Fives could be retained after spring training as warranted by injuries/ineffectiveness by the others. Just one fan's thought about how to deal with the uniqueness of the situation. A building team like the Marlins have to put development of their players first and foremost. Such a format would also allow the team to reward its top prospects with a major league salary.

[rmc523]

Detwiler's contract is for 850k with 100k in incentives. Tarpley was DFA'd to make room for Detwiler on the roster.

We also signed C Sandy Leon to a minors contract.