The Miami Marlins took a few steps back in 2015, but their future still remains bright. They have a good core of young players and with new manager Don Mattingly the team may look to better prepare themselves for subsequent seasons. Rumors suggest that begins with Marcell Ozuna and Dee Gordon.
Trade rumors have surrounded Marcell Ozuna ever since the Marlins demoted him to Triple-A in the middle of the year. Ozuna, 24, hit .269/.317/.455 with 72 runs scored, 23 home runs and 85 RBI in 2014, but Miami was not pleased with the way he started off the season. He stayed in the minors for six weeks and played only 44 games in the second half of the year.
However, the youngster still has much trade value because of his age, potential and versatility. There's one team reportedly interested in possibly making a deal.
"Marcell Ozuna, Miami's multi-talented center fielder, interests [the Cleveland Indians], and with all their young pitching, there could be a match," writes Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.
"The lineup will remain the same unless Marcell Ozuna is traded," add Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. "Owner Jeffrey Loria has been down on him. Cleveland has interest in Ozuna and has young pitching to offer in return (Danny Salazar and Carlos Carrasco are among those who reportedly could be in play in trades). The Marlins likely would sign two starting pitchers if they keep Ozuna, one if they deal Ozuna for a pitcher."
Loria was said to have been frustrated with Ozuna's output in the middle of the year and now hopes to trade him, so that should be one of the bigger storylines surrounding Miami this offseason.
Speaking of trades, the Marlins netted Dee Gordon from the Los Angeles Dodgers last offseason in a bargain deal. Gordon led the MLB in hits, stolen bases and won the NL batting title with a .333 average. The 27-year-old doesn't become a free agent until after the 2018 season, but the Marlins apparently want to take care of him now.
"The Marlins will explore making a multi-year offer to second baseman Dee Gordon, the National League's batting and stolen base champ, and Gordon said he would be receptive because 'I love it here --- the ballpark, the coaches, the staff,'" Jackson added in a separate piece.
Gordon qualified as a Super Two candidate last offseason and earned $2.5 million, so he's due for another big raise. An extension here would likely benefit both sides as it would save the Marlins money in the long run, guarantee Gordon financial security for the foreseeable future and avoid the headache of negotiating salaries over the next three seasons.
Gordon batted .333/.359/.418 with 88 runs scored, 4 home runs, 46 RBI and 58 stolen bases in 145 games this season. He's also expected to earn his first Gold Glove later this month.
The Marlins plan to be active in free agency as they have needs in the starting rotation and bullpen, so we'll see how the front office chooses to address these matters as the weeks/months progress.
