Marlins Exploring Free Agent Shortstop Options

[Brock Beauchamp]

Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald mentioned in a piece today that the Marlins are looking into the free agent shortstop market.

Admittedly, this is the thinnest market in years with almost all the remaining players looking for one- or two-year contracts. Included in this group is Tim Anderson, Brandon Crawford, and Amed Rosario.

Tim Anderson is perhaps the most intriguing name on the market, as the former White Sox shortstop had a terrible 2023 (60 OPS+) after posting a 122 OPS+ over the previous four seasons. Anderson is entering his age-31 season in 2024.

Amed Rosario is in a similar situation to Anderson. After posting a 103 OPS+ over the 2021-2022 seasons with Cleveland, Rosario slid backward with the bat in 2023, posting an 89 OPS+ in split duties between the Guardians and Dodgers. Rosario could very well be looking for a one-year pillow contract, as 2024 is only his age-28 season.

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[Sean Millerick]

Ranking those three? Eesh. 

Anderson, Rosario, Crawford. 

Putting Anderson first is entirely about the belief that at this point he would be cheap enough that the Marlins could afford a splashier signing at OF/DH, and hope for a rebound. 

[Sean Millerick]

Also, if Anderson doesn't work out, drop a bag for Wily Adames next season when Sandy is back. 

[Brock Beauchamp]

5 minutes ago, Sean Millerick said:

Also, if Anderson doesn't work out, drop a bag for Wily Adames next season when Sandy is back. 

I don't know, I have some questions about Adames' bat as he ages. His last couple of seasons feel like the start of a decline. The glove is still very good but given how many years he will be looking for, not a guy I'd pursue that vigorously.

[blackmarketbaby.com]

El Comando es disponible!

Seriously, though: 35-year old Elvis Andrus can still provide good defensive value at SS, some streaky contact-oriented offense to the tune of ~ .700 OPS, leadership for younger (Latino) players, and a predicted 1.0 WAR in 2024. Plus, he's a free agent who should come cheap on a one or two year deal and will not cost the Marlins any prospects. Does Andrus upgrade the current roster? It's a low risk, low reward addition (as opposed to the high risk, high reward proposition of Tim Anderson). 

[One Regend]

10 hours ago, blackmarketbaby.com said:

El Comando es disponible!

Seriously, though: 35-year old Elvis Andrus can still provide good defensive value at SS, some streaky contact-oriented offense to the tune of ~ .700 OPS, leadership for younger (Latino) players, and a predicted 1.0 WAR in 2024. Plus, he's a free agent who should come cheap on a one or two year deal and will not cost the Marlins any prospects. Does Andrus upgrade the current roster? It's a low risk, low reward addition (as opposed to the high risk, high reward proposition of Tim Anderson). 

If the Marlins were competing, they'd gamble on Tim Anderson. It'd make more sense signing a guy in the twilight in their career like Elvis Andrus, if the Marlins were signaling a rebuild like Louis suggests.