Marlins Interested in Franmil Reyes

Per Hector Gomez, the Miami Marlins are one of three Major League teams interested in designated hitter Franmil Reyes, who has built up his stock to earn a shot at the big league level with the Leones Del Escogido in the Dominican Winter League which ended on Wednesday.

This season, Reyes led the Dominican Winter League in home runs and RBI while slashing .296/.353/.546/.899 with nine homers and 34 RBI. This is Reyes' longest winter ball season by far, providing his largest sample size.

Reyes' last stint at the Major League level was not successful. With the Kansas City Royals in 2023, he slashed .186/.231/.288/.519 with two home runs, seven RBI and a wRC+ of 34 in only 19 games. What has been detrimental to Reyes the past few years has been his ultra-aggressive approach. Before being DFA'd by the Royals, Reyes had three straight seasons of strikeout percentages of over 30%, including a 32.0% K in his largest sample size, which was in 115 games with the Cleveland Guardians in 2021.

Defensively, Reyes is limited to the corner outfield spots and has yet to see action at first base in his career thus far. This winter, Reyes has spent time at DH for the most part along with just four games in right field.

With his large build, it would benefit Reyes to make the move to first base where it would give him a lot more playing time on the field and gives any potential suitor the option to use him in different spots and specifically for the Marlins, who have a revolving door at DH.

Reyes will most likely receive a minor league deal with an invite to spring training, similar to what that the Marlins gave Yuli Gurriel and Jose Iglesias last spring, which included opt outs at the end of camp.

There is some hope that Reyes can translate his Winter League success back into the big leagues as he was a dominant power threat not too long ago (hit 37 home runs in 2019 with the Guardians.)