Ng, Marlins still targeting upgrades at Winter Meetings
SAN DIEGO — The Marlins have been quiet by the primary two days of the Winter Meetings, however not for lack of attempting.
General supervisor Kim Ng on Tuesday night time confirmed the membership focused free-agent middle fielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger (Cubs), first baseman Josh Bell (Guardians) and left-hander Andrew Heaney (Rangers).
“Sometimes you think you’re close and you’re not,” Ng stated. “You have no idea what’s going on in the other GM suites. Sometimes these things materialize very quickly, and sometimes something happens that makes them react in a way that you didn’t necessarily anticipate and they come back and they say, ‘OK, we’ll do that, too.’ But it’s just hard to tell. It’s really hard to gauge.”
With these choices off the board, Miami will proceed to pursue upgrades to the lineup. There are a number of issues to remember when doing so. When checking on infielders/utility gamers, for instance, the Marlins should keep in mind All-Star Garrett Cooper is the one pure first baseman on the 40-man roster. Or that there nonetheless is not a pure middle fielder, although a number of in-house candidates noticed prolonged motion there in 2022.
“I guess what I would say is that we’re looking to improve the offense, and that position can be almost anywhere on the field,” Ng stated. “I think right now the way our team looks, we have ways to pivot, whoever that person is, to pivot them elsewhere or pivot them in areas that maybe they hadn’t thought of yet.”
That means remaining energetic in each the free-agent and commerce markets. In Ng’s evaluation, trades are being held up by the free-agent market.
“Nothing imminent,” Ng stated. “We’ve had a lot of conversations with clubs talking about trying to move previous discussions along. I think for some of the clubs, in terms of trades, I think the market is starting to flesh itself out. I think there’s progress being made. And then free agent wise, I’ve had discussions as well, but there’s nothing imminent.”
That may allude to Pirates All-Star outfielder Bryan Reynolds, whom the Marlins expressed curiosity in final offseason. He just lately requested a commerce, although Pittsburgh said the group is not seeking to deal him. That, after all, may change if the best supply comes alongside.
When requested whether or not the Marlins are in on any of the remaining top-tier free brokers nonetheless obtainable, Ng stated they have been “exploring all options.” Last offseason, the Twins shocked the baseball world by signing shortstop Carlos Correa to a three-year, $105.3 million contract with an opt-out following the 2022 season. He exercised it, as soon as once more making him a free agent.
Over the previous two days, the 101-win Mets reportedly added American League Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander and the National League pennant-winning Phillies reportedly agreed to phrases with shortstop Trea Turner and right-hander Taijuan Walker, whereas nearing a take care of left-hander Matt Strahm.
Is there a way of urgency to get one thing carried out due to these strikes?
“I think you always have to take note of what your division rivals are doing, but I also don’t think that you need to be panicked by it,” Ng stated. “I don’t think that serves anyone well. You don’t really want to make decisions based on emotion like that.”
