Miami Marlins need to extend Brian Anderson Now, not later
The Miami Marlins have been talking extension with Brian Anderson.
When it comes to offensive star power on the Miami Marlins, the conversation begins and ends with Brian Anderson.
There is no denying that fact. On the surface, it might actually seem a little odd. Anderson has never led the team in home runs. He has never led the team in RBIs. Batting average? Stolen bases? Those would be nos as well for the Miami Marlins third baseman. There really isn’t a clear statistical reason for saying Anderson is the best player on the team, but again, there really is no denying it. Which feels a lot like the circumstances surrounding another promising young player the Marlins once moved aggressively on an extension with.
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Yelich came immediately to mind for me when Craig Mish reported Thursday that the Miami Marlins and Brian Anderson have had initial talks on a multi-year deal. Unfortunately, the tweet also made mention of a belief that talks are not expected to resume until the offseason. That could be an expensive mistake for Miami. The time to extend him is now.
Consider that Yelich extension. Following the “forever deal” with Giancarlo Stanton, the Marlins made many moves to increase their chances of competing heading into the next season. The last, and greatest of which was the Yelich deal. At that point in his Marlins career, Yelich had only ever led the team over a full season in a single statistical category: stolen bases. At that time, his athleticism and defensive talents were arguably his best selling point. Indeed, he had just won a Gold Glove.
Obviously, Anderson has not played Gold Glove level defense yet. But he has played some of the best defense on the team and displayed the kind of athleticism and promise that speaks to having not yet reached his full potential. However, for the sake of argument, let us say he has peaked. What he has already shown is absolutely worth a salary in the five years, $30 million range Mish reported. Just as Yelich’s performance up to March 2015 was easily worth a seven-year, $49 million dollar deal.
That being said, the two biggest reasons the small-market Marlins made that Yelich deal in the first place was convincing Stanton (and Jose Fernandez) they were serious about contending, and betting big on a future jump in talent. Sadly, that title contention didn’t happen. But the modest bet on a talent explosion? Yelich proved himself a better, and more expensive, player every season since.
Fast forward to 2020, and the situation is eerily similar. Only this time there are no superstars already in tow. Extending Anderson would be an excellent value bet though, and would send a message to 2021 and 2022 free agents that the Marlins are committed to building a winner. Not to mention send a message to the 2020 clubhouse getting ready to take the field in an expanded playoff field.
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The PR work alone is worth an extra few million. Sweeten that reported five-year deal, and lock Anderson up Miami Marlins.