Offishial News: How Marlins could use Matt Mervis in 2025

Ely Sussman · December 30, 2024

Today's news roundup also includes details about new free agent pick-up Freddy Tarnok and a summary of the past year's Marlins trade activity.

The Marlins made a small but seemingly very popular move on Sunday, acquiring Matt Mervis and cash considerations from the Cubs for Vidal Bruján, who had been designated for assignment earlier this month. Both players are entering their age-27 season and have had awful MLB production thus far, though at least Mervis has a minor league option left so he doesn't need to be forced onto Miami's Opening Day roster unless he merits a spot.

Mervis is an extreme pull hitter who makes a lot of loud contact. The main concern is how much he whiffed in 2024, particularly late in the season (40.2 K% in August/September). Perhaps the Marlins feel his midseason hamate injury contributed to that lousy finish.

Mervis' playing time figures to come at first base and designated hitter against right-handed pitching. Look out for an updated Fish On First roster projection later this week.

More Marlins news and content below:

🔷 RHP Freddy Tarnok has signed a minor league deal with the Fish and received an invite to big league camp, per Just Baseball's Aram Leighton. He will "get a shot to start" despite mainly being used as a reliever in Triple-A last season (never surpassed 2.1 IP in any appearance). Tarnok's workload has been severely limited since 2023 due to shoulder, calf and hip injuries. His fastball sits around 95 mph and his arsenal includes a slider, curveball and changeup. He briefly pitched in the majors for the Braves and Athletics from 2022-2023 (4.70 ERA, 6.84 FIP and .211 BAA in 15.1 IP).

🔷 Including the Mervis/Bruján swap, the Marlins made 15 substantial trades in 2024. Did they get enough value in return? I summarized all of their activity here.

🔷 While training at Tread Athletics, Declan Cronin demonstrated how he grips his four-seam fastball and his keys for throwing it effectively.

🔷 Danny Martinez writes about the Marlins' struggle to elicit local fan support and why the fans themselves are not to blame.

🔷 Elsewhere around baseball, Corbin Burnes (6-YR/$210M) signed with the Diamondbacks, reportedly settling for less guaranteed money than the Blue Jays and Giants offered him. Josh Bell (1-YR/$6M) signed with the Nationals. Bell was previously in Washington from 2021-2022, posting a higher wRC+ (130) and lower strikeout rate (16.1%) there than he has during his tenures with any other teams. Bell was an everyday first baseman back then, but the 32-year-old slots in as their primary DH this time around.

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