The Miami Marlins - for one offseason - were among the most active MLB clubs on the free agent market. Before the 2013 season they landed starting pitcher Mark Buehrle ($58 million), shortstop Jose Reyes ($106 million), closer Heath Bell ($27 million) and manager Ozzie Guillen, but it didn't really work out.
Rumors suggest the franchise could be considering another type of overhaul this offseason. It's sounding like déjà vu.
"The Marlins like impending free agents Johnny Cueto (Kansas City) and Mike Leake (San Francisco), but they would be too expensive unless Jeffrey Loria is willing to spend a ton," writes Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.
Other rumors indicate the club could be looking to trade outfielder Marcell Ozuna, which means the Marlins would need a center fielder.
"The Marlins like Mets impending free agent Yoenis Cespedes, 29, but he wants a six-year contract and probably would be too costly," Jackson adds. "The other free agent center fielders: Cubs' Dexter Fowler and Austin Jackson, Washington's Denard Span (recovering from hip surgery), Houston's Colby Rasmus and Detroit's Rajai Davis."
Cespedes, Cueto and Leake seems to be an enormous stretch, especially since those three players are certainly looking to win now as they enter their 30s rather than sign a multi-year deal with a franchise whose owner is often criticized for his hasty decision making that often times resulted in the team taking steps backwards.
And here are some other reasons:
The Marlins have not been to the postseason since 2003 (the year they won their last World Series); their farm system is a mess; their MLB roster has many holes in it; they don't have a manager (or a general manager for that matter); they've had nine different managers since 2003; and they likely don't have the money to pay for this many marquee players.
However, they've gotten the ball rolling on their manager search for 2016. Previous rumors suggested they have contacted/interviewed Dusty Baker, Manny Acta, Bo Porter and were recently granted an opportunity to interview Larry Bowa, who is currently the Philadelphia Phillies bench coach, according to Jim Salisbury of CSN Philly. (Don Mattingly was also mentioned in other rumors.) Based on that list, it's likely they're also considering Ron Gardenhire, Bud Black, Rick Renteria and others who have previous managing experience.
As for their free agent endeavors, the trio of Buehrle, Reyes and Bell seemed like a stretch back in 2012 even though the organization pulled it off. However, those three were in a Marlins uniform for only one season, after Buehrle and Reyes were traded to Toronto and Bell was dealt to the Arizona Diamondbacks before 2013. Guillen was also gone after one season.
And now, even with some rising young stars such as Giancarlo Stanton, Christian Yelich, Dee Gordon, Jose Fernandez and others, it'd be hard for the Marlins to lure Cueto, Leake and/or Cespedes unless Loria really opens his pockets and gives these players money they can't refuse.
