Looks Like 2019 Was The Fluke For Miami Marlins Jesus Aguilar
Miami Marlins first baseman Jesus Aguilar. Just so long as we’re going back to the Preston Wilson days for comps, how about a poor man’s Cliff Floyd?
Because once you account for the fact that Aguilar will steal as many bases in his career as Cliff Floyd did by the end of his first full month in the majors, that’s kind of what the Marlins are getting right now from their arepa-scarfing slugger.
The nine home runs, which for what it’s worth have already eclipsed his total 2020 tally, are fun enough. But what’s really exciting is just how cheap Aguilar was for the Marlins to acquire, and what it says about their eye for talent. When you have a Christian Yelich for Lewis Brinson trade on your transaction page, it’s plenty encouraging to see some wins their too.
So if Aguilar keeps this pace up, for the price of a simple waiver claim, the Miami Marlins were able to add a hitter that’s going to club the third highest single-season home run total in team history. Plus, he’s controllable until 2023. No one year rental or big free-agent contract necessary.
Which means that with the NL all but certain to adopt a universal DH next season, the Marlins already have a bat under contract that would rank amongst the best DH options in all of baseball. In the NL, the only man clearly ahead of him might just be the player that’s second on that single-season Marlins homer list- Braves “outfielder” Marcell Ozuna.
That’s a good position to be in for a small market team with first base depth in the minors.
Once again, there have been some lumps taken thus far in 2021. But when you take the long view, this Miami Marlins MLB roster has the most talent on it since 2017. Nothing not to love about that.