Miami Marlins Offseason To-Do List
By Jason Burke
Relievers
With a number of relief pitchers set to hit the free agent market, the Miami Marlins will need to fill those gaps. Fernando Rodney is likely at the end of his career, so he’s likely out. Dustin McGowan put up a solid ERA of 2.82, but his FIP of 4.19 suggests that he was aided by the defense behind him more often than not. His 4.43 walks per nine is also a bit high coming out of the pen, unless you’re a young flamethrower, which he is not.
Mike Dunn pitched fairly well last year, with a K/9 of 8.08 and a BB/9 of 2.34, and the Marlins could really go either way with him. His peripheral stats looked good, but lefties were batting .279 off him while right-handers held a .341 OBP. They could bring him back as a low-leverage, low cost reliever that they’re familiar with, or explore the market a bit.
One option that could be intriguing, given the Marlins addition of Rodney (a former closer that is coming off a rough year) last season, would be Santiago Casilla. He’s not the flashiest option on the market, but he wouldn’t have to be the team’s closer with A.J. Ramos on board. Casilla may look elsewhere to resume closing, but he would be an under-the-radar add that should have a bounce-back season and create depth wherever he signs.
Daniel Hudson is another intriguing option. He’s had two Tommy John surgeries, so there is certainly some risk involved here, but he has proven to be a solid reliever the past two years, despite what his 5.22 ERA from this year says. The defense behind him was one of the worst in all of baseball, and his 3.81 FIP indicates that he would be a solid addition that could come at a bit of a discount. Pitching at Marlins Park for half of your games instead of the launching pad in Arizona would definitely help those numbers look all nice and shiny.
Of course the Marlins could go after one of the big three relievers on the market in Aroldis Chapman, Mark Melancon and Kenley Jansen, but they have a solid closer of their own in A.J. Ramos, so that would be a waste of resources.