The Marlins should be aiming for a 15-win improvement from last season, but they can’t mortgage the future to do it. Ely attempts to thread the needle with carefully thought out 40-man roster maneuvers (6:00) and a handful of efficient free agent signings and trades (19:00).
In roughly chronological order, these are the offseason moves that I’d like to see Miami execute:
Pre-Winter Meetings
- Release LHP Wei-Yin Chen; designate for assignment Brian Moran (outright to minors if he clears waivers); trade SS JT Riddle and OF/1B Austin Dean for low-level prospects
- Trade RHP Kyle Keller and INF Bryson Brigman to Rockies for INF Daniel Murphy and 3B Ryan Vilade (Marlins absorb Murphy’s $8 million salary for 2020 season and $6 million buyout of Murphy’s 2021 mutual option)
Winter Meetings
Early 2020
- Sign free agent C Jason Castro—one year, $3.