Marlins Expressing Interest in Shortstop Adalberto Mondesi

[Brock Beauchamp]

Jon Heyman tweeted today that the Marlins are still in pursuit of a starting shortstop in 2024 and are kicking the tires on Adalberto Mondesi.

Mondesi, now 28 years old, last played with the Kansas City Royals in 2022. Once a highly-regarded top 50 prospect, Mondesi's bat never materialized against MLB pitchers, leading to a career OPS+ of 82. Mondesi joined the Red Sox in 2023 but suffered an ACL injury and did not play during the regular season.

The free agent shortstop market is very thin this offseason but with names like Tim Anderson and Elvis Andrus still available, one hoped to see the Marlins reaching a few rungs higher on the ladder than Mondesi.

 

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[Sean Millerick]

Well, no one can say the Marlins don't have a type. 

Just like, well everything else the Marlins have done this offseason, it's fine in and of itself. 

The problem is if that's all they do. 

Relying on Mondesi as anything more than organizational depth, or maybe a late inning defensive replacement and baserunning specialist, seems crazy given the track record. To borrow from another sport, Chris Grier would turn away from that kind of injury history. 

[Slacker Mills]

I disagree ... which is what forums are all about. No harm in a very modest bet on Mondesi. It's all about the physical exam that follows. Is he elite running to first base? Does he display the movement required for SS? No way I'm interested in Anderson or Andrus.

[Brock Beauchamp]

7 minutes ago, Slacker Mills said:

I disagree ... which is what forums are all about. No harm in a very modest bet on Mondesi. It's all about the physical exam that follows. Is he elite running to first base? Does he display the movement required for SS? No way I'm interested in Anderson or Andrus.

But even with a healthy Mondesi, what can you realistically expect from him?

I'm no fan of Andrus, especially at this point in his career, but it feels like Mondesi only compounds the Marlins' offensive woes. If they pick him up as a roving backup, that's fine... but as the primary shortstop, that's probably going to lead to some pretty ugly results.

[Sean McCormack]

22 hours ago, Slacker Mills said:

I disagree ... which is what forums are all about. No harm in a very modest bet on Mondesi. It's all about the physical exam that follows. Is he elite running to first base? Does he display the movement required for SS? No way I'm interested in Anderson or Andrus.

I actually would love TA. Coming off his worst year, he’s 29 I believe and hated chicago towards the end. A change of scenery could be great for him, Analytically his Babip was way down and his launch angle was a career low, while also having a worst HH%. He chased at a higher rate as other years. I honestly believe a 1-2 year deal get him some different coaching try and get him back to his old self is worth it. If he sucks he’s gone the next year and if hes good and we suck we get a couple prospects at deadline and if he’s good and were good thats great. Could be a lot like the 2021 Marcus semien Blue jays year. I could see a big cheap comeback for TA. Low risk, high reward.

[Brock Beauchamp]

25 minutes ago, Sean McCormack said:

I actually would love TA. Coming off his worst year, he’s 29 I believe and hated chicago towards the end. A change of scenery could be great for him, Analytically his Babip was way down and his launch angle was a career low, while also having a worst HH%. He chased at a higher rate as other years. I honestly believe a 1-2 year deal get him some different coaching try and get him back to his old self is worth it. If he sucks he’s gone the next year and if hes good and we suck we get a couple prospects at deadline and if he’s good and were good thats great. Could be a lot like the 2021 Marcus semien Blue jays year. I could see a big cheap comeback for TA. Low risk, high reward.

100% my thinking on Tim Anderson. He has pretty good rebound chances due to what you mentioned while the downside is very minimal.

[blackmarketbaby.com]

3 hours ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

100% my thinking on Tim Anderson. He has pretty good rebound chances due to what you mentioned while the downside is very minimal.

The downside is monetary cost, which, if significant, will impact the front office's ability to address other roster needs (C). Maybe Anderson hasn't signed yet because he's holding out for big AAV $$$, a long-term deal, or both. Mondesi will come relatively cheap and is a switch-hitter who could be used in a platoon with another bargain bin SS. Consider that Andrus, who played in 112 games and turned in 1.1 WAR last year, hits lefties a little better than righties. I agree that Anderson probably has the most upside of these three, but there is some potential for downside there.

[MRDHU75]

Can anyone really see Anderson wanting to be a Marlin?

I again would love to have him, but would he want to come here and play?