Offishial news, 11/3/23: So long, Soler; vote for Nuñez

[Ely Sussman]

Marlins Podcast Episodes

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• Thursday's AFL/winter ball notes: In the fall league, RHP Gabe Bierman (2.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 K) struggled with his control, throwing nearly as many balls (24) as strikes (26). C Paul McIntosh hit his second home run and SS Nasim Nuñez went 1-for-4 with a stolen base. Today is your last chance to vote Nuñez into the 2023 Fall Stars Game. In the Dominican Republic, RF Dane Myers went 1-for-3 with an RBI double, his first extra-base hit of the winter.

• Jorge Soler, Yuli Gurriel, David Robertson and Joey Wendle all entered free agency. The Marlins have until Monday to decide whether or not to extend a qualifying offer to Soler.

• Soler and Luis Arraez are NL Silver Slugger finalists at second base and designated hitter, respectively. The award winners will be announced next Thursday. As a refresher, Jesús Luzardo is an NL Gold Glove finalist—we'll learn this Sunday whether or not he won that award.

• Elsewhere around baseball, reliever Joe Jiménez (three years, $26M) signed a contract extension with the Braves and infielder Max Muncy (two years, $24M) did the same with the Dodgers. Nelson Cruz is retiring from baseball this month upon playing his final few games in the Dominican Winter League. With Cruz and Miguel Cabrera both hanging up their cleats, old friend Giancarlo Stanton (402 HR) takes over as MLB's active home run leader.

• Our 2023 Marlins Season Review series keeps expanding. One more week until we fully turn the page to 2024. Check back daily for more articles from the FOF staff.

• Even during the offseason, we're asking you to support FOF by becoming a Super Subscriber! Our extensive Marlins GIF Database has recently been updated and re-organized, with new free agents moved into the "former players" folder. Save and use all the GIFs for yourself when you sign up.

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• Allen Settle of Marlin Maniac mentions six low-cost players that he thinks the Marlins should target in free agency.

• For Immaculate Grid fans, Daniel Epstein of Baseball Prospectus is creating hypothetical 26-man rosters of players who spent time with two particular MLB teams. Here's what he came up with for Marlins/Tigers, Marlins/Royals, Marlins/Pirates, Marlins/Angels, Marlins/Guardians, Marlins/Rays, Marlins/Orioles and Marlins/Brewers.

Photo courtesy of Miami Marlins

 

 

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[Hans Herrera]

Of all those players mentioned in the Marlins Maniac article, the only one I say would be a good addition is Victor Caratini.

Anderson would be a good option if the White Sox decline the club option, but that one is hard to take given the weak free-agent SS list this winter. Belt can also be interesting but I rather give a chance to Johnston.

[Guest]

I think this is an exciting time for the Marlins. As the team transitions to the new front-office regime and on-field turnover picks up, we should expect both a regression in standings. The unicorn year will not be repeated, even with Soler. Sandy is out, there are sunk costs to settle, and a lot of arb decisions, Of course, there are holes to fill. To that end, I have no problem with Soler leaving and I hope Bell opts out. We need a fresh, go-getter, long-term organizational culture with Skip Shumaker and the new brain trust.

Thomas Joseph

[Ely Sussman]

That's a healthy outlook on the situation haha. For most people (myself included), it's difficult to be genuinely "excited" about the strong likelihood of taking a step backwards in the standings. Ultimately, it depends on who the Marlins hire.