It's not only big-market teams that are looking to sign one of the top free-agent closers. The Marlins are in the mix as well.
According to Jon Heyman of Fan Rag Sports, the Marlins are trying to bolster their bullpen by signing one of Aroldis Chapman, Kenley Jansen, or Mark Melancon. The Yankees, Dodgers, and Giants are said to be in on those relievers, among others.
Interestingly enough, the three big free-agent relievers all have some connection to the Marlins, however loose it may be.
- Chapman: Makes his offseason home in Miami.
- Jansen: Played for manager Don Mattingly with the Dodgers.
- Melancon: Worked with Marlins vice president of pitching development Jim Benedict when both were with the Pirates.
Do those connections make the Marlins the favorite to sign one of those guys? Of course not. But it can't hurt. If the Marlins make a competitive offer and the player is trying to make a decision, those factors could be the tiebreaker.
Of course, the Marlins already have a pretty good closer in A.J. Ramos, who saved 40 games with a 2.81 ERA (140 ERA+) in 64 innings in 2016. He struck out 73. Ramos lost his closer's job to Fernando Rodney at midseason, but won it back late in the season after Rodney struggled.
The 30-year-old Ramos is two years away from free agency, so he could either slide into a setup role behind one of the big three closers, or be trade bait. MLB Trade Rumors projects Ramos to earn $6.8 million through arbitration in 2017, which might be a little too pricey for a setup man.
The Marlins signed Edinson Volquez to a two-year contract earlier this offseason, and they could still stand add another starter. The free-agent market is thin though. Signing a top closer and using Ramos as part of a trade package to get a starter could be in the cards.
