The Offishial Show: Marlins Must Get Better Results from International Free Agency

While we continue to wait on the Miami Marlins to spend on major league free agent deals, they're poised to add international amateur free agents later this month. Ely Sussman previews the 2024 international signing period and future Marlins outfielder Luis Cova, then reflects on the organization's recent track record of international signings.

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Ben Badler of Baseball America reported on Wednesday that toolsy Venezuelan teenager Luis Cova has a deal in place with the Marlins. Dozens of other international amateurs are also expected to sign with the Fish once they're eligible to do so on January 15, though Cova's name is the only one we currently have.

The international free agent process doesn't garner nearly the same attention as the MLB Draft, but keep in mind, 15 of the players (37.5%) on Miami's current 40-man roster broke into professional baseball that way. That includes Sandy Alcantara, Luis Arraez and Eury Pérez. However, the only Marlins 40-man players who were signed internationally by the Marlins are Pérez, Edward Cabrera, Victor Mesa Jr. and George Soriano—the others originally signed with other clubs and were acquired later in their careers.

To build a sustainably competitive organization on a limited budget, the Marlins must become more proficient at identifying international talent.

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