Miami Marlins

The Miami Marlins have added some experience to the lineup with the reported signing of catcher Francisco Cervelli, per Joel Sherman of the New York Post.

The one-year deal will reportedly be worth $2 million.  

The 33-year-old has spent parts of 12 years in the majors, splitting last season between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Atlanta Braves. He also played seven years with the New York Yankees to begin his career.

Though Cervelli made a minimal offensive impact this past year with Pittsburgh with a .193 batting average and .526 OPS in 34 games before being released, he came up big for Atlanta during its run up to the playoffs.

In 14 appearances, the veteran came through with .281 average and 1.066 OPS, including five doubles and two home runs.

It's a small sample size, but he has shown he can get hot at the plate.

Meanwhile, Cervelli is best known as a quality defensive catcher who was worth two defensive runs saved in limited playing time last season, per Fangraphs. He has saved 15 runs behind the plate during his career. 

Marlins starting catcher Jorge Alfaro was responsible for negative-four runs saved, per Fangraphs. 

Alfaro will still likely get the majority of starts as the better hitter with 18 home runs last year, but Cervelli provides the team with a reliable backup behind the plate and a veteran presence for an otherwise young team.

The Miami Marlins are reportedly looking to add a veteran catcher to their lineup heading into the 2020 season.

According to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, the National League East team is "working to try to sign" Francisco Cervelli, who used to play with part-owner Derek Jeter on the New York Yankees.  

Heyman suggested Cervelli "should be a terrific influence for the young team assuming they get it done."

While Miami traded J.T. Realmuto to the Philadelphia Phillies prior to the 2019 campaign, Jorge Alfaro was solid behind the plate last season with a .262 batting average, 18 home runs and 57 RBI. The 26-year-old is likely the best long-term option on the team, but Cervelli is familiar with Jeter and would provide a playoff-tested presence to the clubhouse.

He would be a step down from Alfaro offensively, though, considering he slashed .213/.302/.348 with three home runs and 12 RBI over 48 games for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Atlanta Braves in 2019. 

Cervelli has played more than 104 games just once in his 12-season career and would surely be a rotational player at best for the Marlins.

Considering Miami hasn't made the playoffs since the 2003 season, they could use more talented role players as they look to compete in the NL East.

The Miami Marlins have reportedly agreed to a deal with three-time All-Star Matt Kemp, adding depth to their outfield mix.

Per USA Today's Bob Nightengale, Kemp received a minor league contract from the Marlins that includes an invitation to spring training with the MLB club.

The Marlins have been searching the free-agent market for outfielders who can help them.

MLB Network's Jon Heyman reported last week that Miami was looking for an "impact bat" and met with Yasiel Puig during the winter meetings, as well as agents for Avisail Garcia and Corey Dickerson.

Garcia has since signed a two-year deal with the Milwaukee Brewers. Puig and Kemp were logical targets for the Marlins given their history with Miami manager Don Mattingly, who managed both with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Kemp, 35, is attempting to rebuild his value coming off a disappointing 2019 season. He hit .200/.210/.283 in 20 games with the Cincinnati Reds before being released May 4. The 2011 National League MVP runner-up signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets on May 24 but was released July 12 without being called up.

If Kemp makes the 25-man roster out of spring training, the Marlins will hope he returns to his 2018 form when he had an .818 OPS in 146 games. Their outfield hit a collective .231/.293/.360 with 43 homers last season.

The Miami Marlins reportedly met with free-agent outfielder Yasiel Puig this week during the 2019 Baseball Winter Meetings in San Diego. 

Jon Heyman of the MLB Network reported the update Friday and noted the Marlins also held discussions with representatives for fellow outfielders Avisail Garcia and Corey Dickerson.

Puig played three seasons under Miami manager Don Mattingly while both were with the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2013 through 2015. His best statistical season came as a rookie in 2013 when he posted a .925 OPS with 19 home runs and 11 stolen bases in just 104 appearances.

Puig suggested in meeting to Marlins he’d like to play again for Don Mattingly (and of course Derek Jeter). He’d also like to play near his Miami home. Was plus he trekked to San Diego for confab. Dickerson, Calhoun among others under consideration. Avisail might be a tad pricey.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 13, 2019

The 29-year-old Cuba native split the 2019 season between the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians, who acquired him ahead of the trade deadline in July. He compiled a .267/.327/.458 triple-slash line with 24 homers and 19 steals in 149 games.

He thanked Cleveland for the opportunity after the regular season ended in September:

Thank you Cleveland! pic.twitter.com/FjwG7hsN3a

— Yasiel Puig (@YasielPuig) September 30, 2019

Although Puig has started to garner a reputation as a hothead for his involvement in on-field fights, which has led to seven games worth of suspensions and nearly $290,000 in fines (via Spotrac), he's bounced back from a 2015-16 lull to provide his clubs with an offensive boost.

In all, the 2014 All-Star ranks 21st among qualified MLB outfielders in WAR (18.0) since making his debut in 2013, per FanGraphs.

That type of production would be a welcome sight for a Marlins offense that finished 29th in runs scored (615) and last in team OPS (.673) in 2019.

Both Dickerson (.906 OPS last season) and Garcia (.796) would also help a Miami club that's lagging behind in the ultra-competitive NL East.

The Miami Marlins acquired Jonathan Villar from the Baltimore Orioles for minor league pitcher Easton Lucas, according to MLB.com's Joe Frisaro.

Coming off a 108-loss season and with little reason to expect significant improvement in 2020, the Orioles placed Villar on waivers last week.

Villar is the second notable addition for Miami, as the team added veteran first baseman Jesus Aguilar, who had been placed on waivers by the Tampa Bay Rays.

🌴Welcome to Miami🌴 pic.twitter.com/278pUGSGmN

— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) December 3, 2019

The Marlins received criticism when the first piece of business from their new ownership group was tearing down a roster that included Giancarlo Stanton, Dee Gordon, Marcell Ozuna and Christian Yelich.

Although these moves don't radically transform the roster, they point to a willingness from Miami to start investing back in the team.

https://twitter.com/DevanFink/status/1201668920668758016

Villar hit 24 HR & stole 40 bases last season. He is now without a doubt the most exciting player on the Marlins big league roster. Quiet leader. Hard worker. Potential top of the lineup changer. Too good to pass up.

— Craig Mish (@CraigMish) December 3, 2019

Homeruns and stolen bases are a need for the Marlins. They just added some big pieces for that and the young power that’s knocking on the door. It’s beginning to look a lot like “homeruns” 😁 @Marlins 💪🏼

— Jp Arencibia (@jparencibia9) December 3, 2019

Villar enjoyed a career year in 2019, hitting 24 home runs and finishing with a .274/.339/.453 slash line. He finished 18th in the American League in WAR (4.0), per FanGraphs.

The 28-year-old provides the Marlins with some defensive flexibility as well since he can play second base or shortstop and has some experience at third.

Following a breakout 2018 in which he made the National League All-Star team, Aguilar fell back to earth this past year. He slugged .389 between his time with the Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay, which was down from .539 from the season prior.

The Marlins are obviously counting on a return to form for Aguilar.

Miami went 57-105, so it will need to do a lot more in order to mount a playoff challenge in 2020. The front office probably isn't counting on Villar and Aguilar to put the team in position for the postseason.

If everything works out, the Marlins will have two valuable trade chips, which would net them a valuable prospect or two as they continue their rebuild.

Manager Don Mattingly is reportedly staying with the Miami Marlins for at least the next two years.

ESPN's Jeff Passan reported the Marlins agreed to sign their manager to a two-year contract extension on Thursday. 

Passan's update came after Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald confirmed Daniel Alvarez-Montes' report that said the Marlins plan on announcing a contract extension for Mattingly on Friday. Jackson wrote the front office likes "his even keeled demeanor and teaching/mentoring."

Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald noted Mattingly became the longest-tenured manager in Marlins history in June when he led the team in his 556th game. He passed current third base coach and former Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez for the title.

Despite the longevity, his contract was set to expire at the end of the 2019 campaign.

"That's a question for another time," Mattingly said of his future with the team in May, per McPherson. "Either or, I still think the organization is going to be in a good spot. The main thing is, I would love to see it through, but that is not my decision. No matter what happens with me, the organization is going in the right direction."

As a player with the New York Yankees, Mattingly was an American League MVP, six-time All-Star and nine-time Gold Glover. While he hasn't found the same success as a manager yet, he led the Los Angeles Dodgers to the playoffs in three of his five years from 2011 through 2015.

He has been with the Marlins since 2016 and has seen his wins total drop from 79 in his first season to 77 in his second to 63 in his third. The team is 53-99 this season, although it is much different than when he had players such as Christian Yelich, Giancarlo Stanton, Dee Gordon and Marcell Ozuna at the start of his tenure.

Miami is in rebuilding mode, and it is clearly comfortable with Mattingly at the helm.

Thursday night's game between the Miami Marlins and Pittsburgh Pirates not only proved to be an unforgettable night for the Moran family, but it also turned out to be a historic one.  

After over a decade in the minors, 30-year-old Miami pitcher Brian Moran was given the opportunity to make his MLB debut in the bottom of the fourth inning. The southpaw retired the first batter he faced, Bryan Reynolds, and then a familiar face stepped to the plate: Colin Moran, the Pirates third baseman and Brian's 26-year-old brother.

While Colin managed to work a full count, it was Brian who prevailed as he caught his younger brother looking for his first career strikeout:

*Very best mom voice* BRIAN, don’t punch out your brother!!

The Moran brothers are the first since 1900 to face each other in an @MLB at bat during a debut.

Brian ended it with his first career strikeout. pic.twitter.com/Ch9nmQcAAI

— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) September 6, 2019

According to the Elias Sports Bureau (h/t Adam Berry of MLB.com), "It was the first time since 1900 that a player faced his brother in a pitcher-vs.-batter scenario in his Major League debut."

Per Berry, it was also just the seventh time since 1900 that a player made his debut against his brother's team, with the last occurrence coming back in June 1998.

If you close your eyes juuUuust tight enough,

we're all still in the backyard playing wiffle ball with the Moran family. ⚾️💙 pic.twitter.com/aG1TLzX40k

— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) September 6, 2019

"It's pretty special," Brian said of facing his brother in his first big league game.

To top it all off, Brian wound up being the winning pitcher, as the Marlins rallied for a 10-7 victory.

Raul Diaz went from proud dad to the proudest dad in a matter of seconds as he watched his son, Miami Marlins second baseman Isan Diaz, get the first hit of his MLB career with a home run.

Raul was being interviewed on the Fox Sports Florida broadcast when Diaz stepped into the batter's box in the sixth inning Monday against the New York Mets. Although the Marlins lost 6-2, Diaz gave his family the memory of a lifetime as he hit a solo home run to right off Mets ace Jacob deGrom.

.@Marlins rookie @diaz_isan homered off Jacob deGrom as his dad was being interviewed. His reaction is priceless. #BiggerThanBaseball pic.twitter.com/uvHBLMrwpk

— MLB (@MLB) August 5, 2019

The 23-year-old was making his major league debut after the Marlins called him up from the Triple-A New Orleans Baby Cakes.

Diaz ranks 86th in MLB.com's list of the top prospects and sits fifth in Miami's minor league organization.

Raul should get to witness plenty more dingers in the future. Diaz had 26 homers in 102 games for New Orleans this year before his promotion.

The Miami Marlins issued an apology for an insensitive tweet posted after being swept by the Tampa Bay Rays over the weekend. 

Following Tampa Bay's 7-2 victory on Sunday, the two sides engaged in some friendly banter on social media:

show the final out

— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) August 4, 2019

here's the broom we just used on you, so you can clean them up.

🧹

— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) August 4, 2019

However, the conversation took a turn when Miami brought up the death of Steve Irwin, aka "The Crocodile Hunter":

yOU'RE LITERALLY THE ANIMAL THAT KILLED STEVE IRWIN LOG OFF

— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) August 4, 2019

Irwin died at the age of 44 in September 2006 after being stabbed "hundreds of times" by a stingray.

Former Marlins president David Samson was among those who called out the tweet as inappropriate:

Yes I was fired, but the person responsible for this tweet should be sitting right next to me and would be were I still there. Let’s hope Jeter is actually paying attention. Inexcusable, even by Twitter standards. #waittosee https://t.co/D8Z52ngca0

— David P. Samson (@DavidPSamson) August 4, 2019

The team responded by apologizing, saying that it was "a miss" in terms of in attempt at humor:

JUST IN: Marlins statement.

“This was a regrettable exchange by our otherwise creative social media team. Unfortunately, in this medium, sometimes we swing and miss, and this was definitely a miss.”

Spokesman says “the matter has been addressed internally.” pic.twitter.com/W5mKgyUonI

— Andy Slater (@AndySlater) August 5, 2019

Hi, guys. Like everyone who grew up watching him, we miss Steve. We’re so sorry to have made light of his passing.

— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) August 5, 2019

Miami fell to 42-67 with the two-game sweep, falling to 22 games back in the National League East. The Marlins lost all four games to their in-state rival in 2019, also being swept in a two-game set back in May.

To state the painfully obvious, the Miami Marlins are bad. They're buried in last place in the National League East. They're everyone's vision of a last-placed squad. And they could finish the season with a historically horrible record.

Even after shutting out the New York Mets 3-0 on Sunday, the Fish floundered at 13-31. That puts them on pace for a 48-114 record and means a dismal 120-loss season is in play.

The feat has been "accomplished" only twice in big league history—by the 1962 New York Mets (40-120) and the 1899 Cleveland Spiders (20-134).

Asked if this has been the hardest year of his decorated professional career, skipper Don Mattingly answered in the affirmative.

"I thought we would be better than this," he told reporters.

Here's the truly painful part: These Marlins could have been better than this. Maybe a lot better.

Since polarizing owner Jeffrey Loria sold the team to an ownership group fronted by Derek Jeter in August 2017, Miami has dismantled its roster, trading high-profile superstars such as Giancarlo Stanton, Christian Yelich, Marcell Ozuna, Dee Gordon and J.T. Realmuto.

The jury is out on some of those swaps. You can make a case that the Marlins needed to add cost-controlled talent while shedding huge salaries such as Stanton's.

The Yelich trade stings since he's the reigning National League MVP and is having an exemplary 2019 season that puts him on pace for a Roger Maris-esque output, while none of the players Miami got in return from the Milwaukee Brewers are yielding significant MLB dividends. 

That could change. Each member of the four-player package the Brew Crew shipped to South Beach—outfielders Lewis Brinson and Monte Harrison, infielder Isan Diaz and right-hander Jordan Yamamoto—possesses big league bona fides. 

But imagine the difference Yelich would make raking for the Marlins. Remember, when Miami traded him, the 27-year-old was inked to an affordable deal through 2022 with a club option.

More gallingly, the Marlins have dealt inexpensive young talent, much of it on Loria's watch. 

In December 2014, they sent a package including right-hander Domingo German to the New York Yankees for right-hander David Phelps and infielder Martin Prado. 

This season, German is 8-1 with a 2.50 ERA in nine appearances with the Yanks. Prado has a .618 OPS in 34 games, and Phelps hasn't thrown a big league inning since 2017 while recovering from Tommy John surgery.

In June 2016, Miami shipped right-hander Chris Paddack to the San Diego Padres for veteran reliever Fernando Rodney. 

Rodney posted a 5.89 ERA in 39 appearances with the Marlins that season before moving on. Paddack has a 1.99 ERA with 49 strikeouts in 45.1 frames for the Friars in 2019 and is an early leader in the National League Rookie of the Year race.

Or how about the curious case of right-hander Luis Castillo, who was traded from the Marlins to the Padres in July 2016, returned to Miami later that year and then sent to the Cincinnati Reds in January 2017?

Dan Straily, the return piece from Cincinnati, never posted a sub-4.00 ERA with the Marlins. Castillo has a 1.90 ERA and 11.1 strikeouts per nine innings in 10 starts with the Reds and looks like a burgeoning ace.

Blame Loria. Blame Jeter and Co. Whomever you blame, the conclusion is the same: This could be an emerging team with current and future playoff ambitions. 

Put Yelich in the middle of the lineup. Anchor the rotation around Castillo, Paddack, German and incumbent Caleb Smith (a rare but exceptional trade win under the Jeter administration).

In a flash, the Marlins go from 120-loss bottom-dwellers to legitimate up-and-comers with loads of cost-controlled talent and a glistening future. In a year or two, they might have been World Series contenders.

Yes, they play in a deep division. And, granted, hindsight is 20/20. But whether it be the previous ownership or the current one, there's blame to go around and missed opportunities aplenty.

"I don't even know what we are," Mattingly told reporters. "I know it's not very good. It's not a great feeling."

The Miami Marlins are bad. They could have been good.

Regret sucks, to state the painfully obvious.

      

All statistics current entering play Monday and courtesy of Baseball Reference.