Bargain Shopping
December 15, 2007
The Holiday season is upon us, and it seems every mall and store in the land has great deals on gifts and other items. It also happens to be the season that baseball scouts and general managers begin looking for great bargains themselves, perhaps to round out their roster or add some extra arms or bats to challenge for spots in Spring Training.
The Florida Marlins are no different, only that they bargain shop year-round. This time of year, though, you can find players that you can get for a lower cost than usual. Players who were not offered arbitration and minor-league free-agents are being actively signed around this time. And the Marlins still have holes to fill.
Every day that goes by, it seems another player gets crossed off the Marlins wish list. Either names that have been suggested by the local media or fans are being gobbled up as the Marlins sit idly by. Cliff Floyd. Paul Lo Duca. Mike Lamb. Aaron Boone. Alex Rodriguez. Okay, so the last one was a stretch anyway.
But the Marlins have a few spots that can still be addressed. After all, remember a few years ago when the only signing the Marlins made up to this point was Alfredo Amezega? Speaking of Amezega, he may be penciled in as the starting third basemen for now. Abraham Nunez is still out there, and sportsline.com lists the Marlins as a potential suitor. Pedro Feliz is available, but like Brandon Inge (a name that has been thrown out as well), he may be too expensive. The key for teams like the Marlins is to hit on as many prospects as possible, so they can become starters at a low price, or at least while they’re still club-controlled. When you have a vacant starting spot and don’t have the cash to get an actual starting player (and don’t have a young guy ready), you’re forced to sign a reserve or platoon player to start every day, thus creating a hole in the lineup.
Catcher is also a position of interest. The Marlins will likely stay put with a platoon of Mike Rabelo and Matt Treanor, and let them fight it out in the spring to see if either will stand out. Unless they can get a Johnny Estrada-type on the cheap, they’re likely to sit still, or maybe bring in a minor-league free agent to push the youngsters.
Another question mark is center field. The Marlins front office has sounded like they don’t expect Cameron Maybin to be on the opening day roster. He could have a big spring and earn a spot, however, especially if they don’t sign someone or none of the other candidates (Amezega, Brett Carroll, Alejandro De Aza, Cody Ross) stand out or if they get hurt. Once again, it all depends on if the Marlins can sign someone during this bargain-basement period.
The pitching is probably set, what with the number of arms the Marlins will have competing for not only bullpen spots, but rotation roles as well. And as in years past, add some minor-league free-agents that will no doubt be signed into the mix. With the success of Lee Gardner and Justin Miller among others, the coaches will have no problem plugging some good-looking veteran arms into the staff.
Finally, the veteran bench spot is still open, and this is one position I expect the Marlins to fill with a free agent. With Aaron Boone going to Washington and Wes Helms unlikely to be traded to the Fish, Florida is still looking for that veteran bat off the pine. They’ve had success over the past few years replacing that position yearly, and there’s no reason to think they won’t do it again this year. Robert Andino could be in line to finally get a chance to back-up the middle infield spots, so it’s likely the Marlins will go after a corner backup.
Don’t forget- there’s always the possibility of a trade to address one of these neeeds. We know Larry Beinfest isn’t afraid to wheel-and-deal, and he certainly knows what he wants. The question is whether there is anyone that fits the bill under the Blue Light Special that Beinfest and co. will be shopping at this year.
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