What to expect from first phase of Marlins offseason roster moves

[Ely Sussman]

View full article

[Guest]

Great post! But do we need a full article explaining why Stallings will be non-tendered lol?

[Guest OneRegend]

I think everyone knows why Jacob Stallings will be non-tendered. It's such a no-brainer move, lol.

 

I think it'll all be about Victor Mesa Jr. His prospect stock went up a lot. He's actually developed into a power bat to look out for. He has some concerns, though. He doesn't get on base enough, and his strikeout rate ballooned to 22% after recording 19% last season. But that's a lot more encouraging than some of the outfield prospects we had before. (Paging: Jerar Encarnacion...)

 

Also, protecting Troy Johnston is a total no-brainer. I don't see how a MLB team could pass up on legitimate talent such as he. Even if his defense is hot trash, they need to figure out a way to give him ABs.

[Hans Herrera]

Josh Bell's decision is not so straightforward. This year, he was below average before coming to the Marlins (4 months); was on a tear in August and then just fine in September (.740 OPS). I mean, he has been traded during midseason for two consecutive years, and there has been a good half and a bad one. Luckily, the Fish got the good part this season.

 

And then you look further back and you find a good 2021, a bad 2020 (who didn't?), a tremendous 2019 (who didn't?), an OK 2018, and a good rookie 2017 season. In general, he has been inconsistent throughout his career.

 

For sure teams will look into that he elects to be a FA. I believe that's kind of the reason he didn't get "a bag" last winter when he signed for the Guardians. Maybe he should try to have a solid season in Miami and then hit Free Agency again.

 

On the other hand, he is not gonna get any younger and there will be some big-spending teams needing a 1B this offseason: NYY, SEA, HOU, LAA, and CHC, for example. Apart from Bellinger, there are no superstar power Free Agents...

 

I think he stays because there is not a lot of difference hitting the market if you are 31 or 32, but there will be a difference if you come off a career season or not.

[Ely Sussman]

What seems clear is Bell won't be able to match the $33M guarantee he got last winter. I think there will be some kind of 2-year offer out there for him though.

 

I lean toward him testing the market because he is a Scott Boras client. Boras isn't always right! There have been times where his aggressiveness has backfired, but that hasn't changed his behavior. Of course, Bell can reject Boras' recommendation if he's fully comfortable in Miami.