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The Miami Marlins added a bit of pitching depth on Tuesday by claiming right-hander Connor Gillispie off waivers from the Atlanta Braves. Catcher Jhonny Pereda was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.
Gillispie, 27, was developed by the Baltimore Orioles from 2019 through 2023 before being selected by the Cleveland Guardians in last winter's Rule 5 Draft. He spent most of the 2024 campaign in Triple-A (4.05 ERA, 5.42 FIP and .218 BAA in 113.1 IP), but got to make three MLB relief appearances in August. Odd decision by the Braves to sign him to a non-guaranteed deal in November—which included a 40-man roster spot—only to DFA him before spring training even arrived.
Gillispie's fastball averages about 92 mph. He posted one of the highest pop-up rates in the International League last season and has maintained a very low batting average on balls in play throughout his professional career (lifetime .253 BABIP in the minors).
I doubt that Pereda is going anywhere. He hit very well with Triple-A Jacksonville during his age-28 season (.297/.405/.424 slash line and 125 wRC+ in 195 PA), but that did not translate at all to the majors (.231/.250/.241 and 33 wRC+ in 40 PA). He frankly was one of the weakest links on Miami's 40-man roster. Upon clearing waivers, expect the Marlins to bring him to spring training as a non-roster invitee. He could wind up in Jacksonville again this season, receiving sporadic playing time behind catching prospects Agustín Ramírez and Joe Mack.
The Chicago Cubs are the first team so far this MLB offseason to be credibly linked to Miami Marlins left-hander Jesús Luzardo. Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported Friday that they're "showing interest" in trading for Luzardo while separately shopping for a third baseman.
The Cubs have four of their starting rotation spots already accounted for with Shota Imanaga, Justin Steele, Jameson Taillon and Matthew Boyd (three of whom are also lefties). They just dealt 2024 first-round draft pick Cam Smith to the Houston Astros in the Kyle Tucker blockbuster, but still have sufficient farm system depth to make a competitive offer for Luzardo.
Luzardo pitched one of the best games of his major league career when visiting Wrigley Field on August 7, 2022 (7.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K).
The Marlins and Cubs linked up on a couple tiny transactions earlier this year, with the Fish acquiring Ali Sánchez for cash considerations and claiming Jesús Tinoco off waivers. However, it's been nearly a full decade since they were partners on a substantial trade (Dan Haren for Ivan Piñeyro and Elliot Soto in 2015).
The Miami Marlins are in agreement with utility player Ronny Simon on a minor league deal that includes an invite to spring training, according to Aram Leighton of Just Baseball. Simon is the first known free agent that they've added this offseason.
The 24-year-old Simon has no MLB experience, but he spent the full 2024 season with Tampa Bay's Triple-A Durham affiliate, slashing .283/.356/.429 (106 wRC+) with 10 home runs and 20 stolen bases in 130 games. Second base has been his primary position throughout most of his professional career, but he also made 40 starts in left field this season. He has plenty of familiarity with third base and shortstop as well.
A 5'8" switch-hitter, Simon has historically put up similar numbers from both sides of the plate. His best skill is making contact on pitches outside the strike zone. He has still struck out in about 20% of his career MiLB plate appearances (better than average, but not by much).
A native of La Romana, Dominican Republic, Simon is playing winter ball in the DR for the fourth straight year. He won the league's MVP award during the 2023-24 season.
The Rays had Simon in spring training as a non-roster invitee each of the last two years.
This news breaks exactly one year to the day of Peter Bendix's first free agent signing as Marlins president of baseball operations. On November 16, 2023, Bendix inked infielder Tristan Gray, another ex-Ray. Gray played seven games for the Fish in 2024, but he's no longer with the organization.
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