The Miami Marlins won 84 games and made last year’s playoffs.
They were ousted early in the postseason, though, and it quickly became clear that it was not their year.
Offseason acquisitions weren’t overly significant: only Tim Anderson is projected to be a starter from their haul.
Christian Bethancourt, Vidal Brujan, and Nick Gordon all have some potential, but are projected to be bench players.
For a team that just lost Jorge Soler and his power output, it is important to add some home-run pop to their lineup.
There are some promising minor leaguers and young players to look at in the organization, but none of them has the talent of free agent J.D. Martinez.
The market has been rough for Martinez, as an aging slugger with no real defensive home.
The Marlins, however, have shown interest in signing him, according to insiders.
“J.D. Martinez and the Marlins have had recent discussions, per @CraigMish,” B/R Walk-Off tweeted.
J.D. Martinez and the Marlins have had recent discussions, per @CraigMish pic.twitter.com/fAlC2j65a3
— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) March 8, 2024
Whether or not those discussions will lead to a deal being finalized remains to be seen.
For now, we know that the Marlins have entertained the possibility of signing him.
Martinez is already 36, but is still a productive MLB hitter who would improve any lineup.
In 2023 with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the right-handed hitter had a .271/.321/.572 line with a .893 OPS, 33 home runs, and 103 RBI.
He did that in just 113 games, and would fit in perfectly as Soler’s replacement.
Even if it’s a short-term deal, though, he would require a large payday for a low-payroll team like the Marlins.
Stay tuned, because there could be news soon.
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