Why the Miami Marlins are unique amongst free agent buyers

The Miami Marlins might just be unique in this free agent market, and it’s fair to wonder how long they can wait as a result.

In terms of wanting to make a big move in free agency, the Miami Marlins are hardly exceptional. But in terms of the teams trying to do so? The Marlins stand apart as truly unique from their fellow buyers.

The reason? Only Miami is rumored to be looking for someone who is supposed to step in and be the best player on the team.

At least on the offensive side at any rate. When it comes to overall baseball talent, it’s arguably just Carlos Correa and Freddie Freeman that would clearly top Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara. Hitter-wise though? You can make a case Jorge Soler would strike more fear into opposing pitchers than any bat currently in the Marlins lineup. Jazz Chisholm and Jesus Sanchez still tilt far too heavily towards potential rather than proven, and everyone else is much closer to a reliable third-best hitter on a contending team than someone who can carry an offense deep into October.

All of which begs the question: How long can the Miami Marlins afford to wait?

Spring training officially opens Monday, and Opening Day is less than four weeks away. That’s not a lot of time to integrate that critical of a cog into the clubhouse. Admittedly, that statement would be just as true of a fourth outfielder that’s just hoping to provide defensive depth. However, it just feels like it matters more for someone expected to do that much heavy lifting.

The kind of heavy lifting that the Miami Marlins are absolutely expecting whatever hitter they grab to be able to do, and no other potential suitor is requiring.

Just consider the opposition. The Yankees? Think Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton have that covered. The Braves? Just won a World Series without their best player. They can do whatever they want. The Phillies? They have this Bryce Harper guy I keep hearing about. The Dodgers? Three top 15 picks in fantasy on the roster already. The list goes on. Be it because of other superstars already in the fold, a track record of sustained success, or both, the Marlins situation just doesn’t compare.

The one thing working in Miami’s favor? Leadership. Miguel Rojas is the unquestioned leader of this team, to an extent, that even Correa would need to smile and nod behind him if he didn’t want to lose the locker room. Of course, the fact that the latest and perhaps greatest example of Rojas’ leadership was declaring that he’d have no problem with Miami signing his replacement just sort of serves to underscore the problem.

At the end of the day, the Miami Marlins are certainly going to do something. Someone is coming this week, perhaps even by the time this is published. Whoever that someone is, they are certainly going to need to hit the ground running.

But one other thing is certain too though: The clock is ticking for Miami.