The Marlins are in search of assistance at the shortstop position, and according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, they are considering players such as Tim Anderson, Amed Rosario, Nick Ahmed, and Adalberto Mondesí. While their interest in Mondesí was previously reported, the connections to the other three players are new for the Marlins.
It makes perfect sense for the club to be looking for shortstop help, as their internal options are not ideal. Joey Wendle, who played the position most frequently last year, became a free agent and signed with the Mets this offseason. Jon Berti, who is now 34 years old, is better suited for a utility role. Jacob Amaya is primarily a defensive player and can be kept in the minors for regular at-bats. Xavier Edwards has limited experience at shortstop in the minors, primarily playing in the outfield and at third base. Vidal Bruján has performed well in the minors but struggled in the majors. With limited options, he shouldn’t be the Marlins’ first choice for such an important position.
With pitchers and catchers reporting to Spring Training in about a week, the shortstop position remains an area of concern for the Marlins. This may be partly due to Peter Bendix, the new president of baseball operations, taking his time to familiarize himself with the organization. The Marlins have yet to sign a free agent to a major league deal this winter, focusing instead on small trades and minor league deals.
The lack of activity could also be attributed to the limited options in the free agent market for shortstops. Unlike previous years, there are no superstar free agents available. The top names mentioned earlier are the most notable players available this offseason.
Both Anderson and Rosario had underwhelming performances last year, which likely impacted their market value. Anderson had the worst offensive performance among qualified hitters, while Rosario’s numbers were below league average. Both players also saw a decline in their defensive metrics. Anderson has expressed a willingness to play different positions if necessary.
However, both players have had better seasons in the past. Anderson has shown better offensive and defensive performance from 2019 to 2022. Rosario’s numbers have also been more respectable during that same period. The Marlins may find hope in Anderson’s knee injury, which could have affected his performance last year. Rosario dealt with some minor injuries but didn’t see as significant of a drop in offensive production.
Ahmed, on the other hand, is known for his excellent defense but has struggled offensively throughout his career. He was released by the Diamondbacks after a subpar offensive season in 2023.
If the Marlins decide to pursue any of these players, they should be able to negotiate reasonable deals given their lackluster performances last year. The fact that they remain unsigned close to Spring Training may also work in the Marlins’ favor. The team’s quiet offseason has resulted in a lower projected payroll compared to last year.
Rosario has reportedly received interest from the Red Sox and Blue Jays, although that was before those teams made other acquisitions. Anderson has been linked to the Angels, while Ahmed’s market has been relatively quiet since his release.