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Five Big Name Free Agent Targets For Miami Marlins In 2022

By Sean Millerick

MIAMI, FL - MARCH 31: Anthony Rizzo #44 of the Chicago Cubs runs to first base during the game against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on March 29, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by B51/Mark Brown/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Anthony Rizzo
MIAMI, FL - MARCH 31: Anthony Rizzo #44 of the Chicago Cubs runs to first base during the game against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on March 29, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by B51/Mark Brown/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Anthony Rizzo /
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(Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
(Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) /

Miami Marlins Free Agent Target # 2:  J.D. Martinez, Outfield/DH

This one feels much more likely to happen for the Miami Marlins than a Correa signing.

Bringing J.D. Martinez aboard could arguably be the best fit of the five on this list. Miami born, played high school at Charles Flanagan HS, drafted out of Nova Southeastern…the South Florida native would become a fan favorite overnight. However, this is also the signing that depends most heavily on things Miami can’t control.

Does the NL start using the DH in 2022, and does Martinez choose to opt out of the last year of his deal?

Let’s start with the DH. Currently, that does not exist in the NL, but 2021 is strongly expected to be the last season the league operates under two different sets of rules when it comes to whether the pitcher is to bat or not to bat. Obviously, that change needs to take place to warrant making Martinez a Marlin. While Martinez does still play the outfield, he’s made at least sixty percent of his starts at DH since 2017.

Now, a case could be made that Miami already has a natural DH, considering they have three first basemen that they like in the system. And it’s a case that has merit- put one at first, one at DH, and trade the other one. Problem solved. But no one outside of the Aguilar and Cooper households can honestly say that Martinez wouldn’t represent a massive upgrade. Martinez at DH would leave Miami well equipped to face off against Pete Alonso, Marcell Ozuna, and the rest of the muscle the NL East would feature at the position.

It’s going to a massive arms race in the NL when that rule passes. Miami is already well equipped to not be in the back of the pack, but signing Martinez would arguably let the Marlins put the rest of the league in their rear-view mirror.

Plus, as an added bonus, he does still play some outfield. Stands to reason he’s picked up a few pointers he could share with J.J. Bleday and the other young outfielders that could be up next year. Even with the DH, versatility is still valuable.

It’s difficult to think of a better way to spend some new revenue. He’d be a senior addition to an organization full of young talent, yes. But it’s hard to block a player if the position doesn’t presently exist.

Maybe it’s not Martinez. But if Miami does spend big on a bat next year, don’t be surprised if it’s a player that spends most of their time at DH.

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