The Marlins are looking to add to their corner outfield mix, reports Jon Heyman of MLB Network (Twitter link). Ideally, that would take the form of a left-handed hitter capable of playing right field, per Heyman.
Miami hasn’t been tied to any specific outfielders this offseason, but a look at the free agent options offers a handful of speculative possibilities. Marcell Ozuna tops the market, but it’d be quite a surprise if the Marlins were willing to spend at the level it’d take to bring the slugger back. Michael Brantley and Joc Pederson would each be significant upgrades but themselves seem likely to land solid multi-year deals the Marlins may not want to match.
The third tier of the market offers plenty of potential low-cost corner outfield additions, a few of whom were non-tendered by their former clubs. Kyle Schwarber and Eddie Rosario are left-handed bats who have established themselves as above-average hitters in recent seasons. Both have much more experience in left field (so does Brantley, for that matter) but could theoretically be moved to right if the team were bullish enough on their offensive abilities. Josh Reddick remains a capable lefty hitter with plenty of right field experience. Nomar Mazara also fits the lefty-swinging right field profile and is still just 25. He’s never lived up to his former prospect hype, though, and is coming off a horrible season with the White Sox.
It’s worth noting that Brett Gardner is a free agent after his option was bought out by the Yankees. Garnder isn’t a right fielder, but he hits left-handed and has ties to a handful of Marlins’ executives (most obviously CEO Derek Jeter) from his time in the Bronx. Matt Joyce played for Miami this past season and is also available, although he might be looking at a minor-league deal after hitting .252/.351/.331.
As far as in-house options go, Miami has plenty of names but little certainty on the grass. The team seems set to give regular run to Corey Dickerson in one corner outfield spot (preferably left). Starling Marté is locked in as the everyday center fielder. Garrett Cooper has hit well and comes with a bit of corner outfield experience, but he was solely a first baseman in 2020 and has a rather lengthy injury history. Harold Ramírez missed almost all of last season due to injury. The 40-man roster is otherwise littered with current or former top prospects (Jesús Sánchez, Monte Harrison, Lewis Brinson, Magneuris Sierra among them) with no track record of MLB production.