According to a report, the Marlins have discussed pursuing Yoenis Cespedes, which would also likely mean trading Marcell Ozuna.
After Justin Upton signed a huge, six-year deal with the Detroit Tigers, slugger Yoenis Cespedes saw his options dwindle as he awaits finding a new home in free agency. With time dwindling down before spring, there’s belief that he could aim for a shorter deal so that he can land with a new team and test free agency again soon to get the long deal that he wants.
If Cespedes is willing to sign a short-term deal to land with a team, there will be plenty of suitors that will be interested that maybe weren’t in on him before. One of those suitors could be the Miami Marlins.
According to Ken Rosenthal, the Marlins have discussed pursuing Cespedes on a short-term deal. Rosenthal also notes that signing Cespedes would likely mean also trading outfielder Marcell Ozuna.
Sources: #Marlins among teams that have discussed pursuing Cespedes on short-term deal. Likely would require accompanying trade of Ozuna.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 19, 2016
If the Marlins were able to add Cespedes, they would have some serious power in the lineup. The Marlins have been in plenty of rumors this season about trading away top players, but adding Cespedes would make them a big offensive threat in the National League.
There have been discussions with the Marlins this off-season about Ozuna, but no one has been able to match the price tag that the team would want for him. Should they sign Cespedes, then perhaps they might be more willing to make a deal for Ozuna and get some depth and prospects in other areas.
Cespedes is in a weird position right now with most teams having finished their free agency spending. He’s the big target remaining and he might have to rethink his demands from teams if he’s going to find a new home.
Perhaps Miami could be that new home.