The 2021 season was a tough one for the Miami Marlins. They finished fourth in the NL East with a record of 67-95. With the 2020 MLB season being shortened by the coronavirus pandemic, teams only played 60 games so teams who got hot early were most likely going to make the postseason. The Marlins were eliminated by the Atlanta Braves in the NLDS 3-0 in the 2020 Postseason. After going 31-29 in 2020 and with the 2021 season going back to 162 games, the Marlins struggled. They went 31-49 during the prime months of June-August. Sandy Leon and Joe Panik are the two biggest names in free agency leaving the team. Furthermore, the Marlins did not acquire or trade anyone major during the season.
Offseason Strategy
For the Marlins, the offseason should be in search of pitching. Going after starting pitchers would not be a bad idea. They should look for pitchers who can make an impact right away. They need pitchers that can consistently last longer than five innings per outing. The bullpen should not be coming out to relieve the starters in the fifth inning as this will drain their stamina. If you cannot hit the ball decently and you cannot throw the ball over the plate, it will turn out to be a long season. 162 games is a lot for a team that struggles mightily.
Keys to the Offseason
Look for Starting Pitchers
If you cannot have players that can start a game off strong for you, the game will consist of playing catch-up. Playing behind in a game due to lack of pitching is common in the MLB, but if teams can fix this early on in the season, the chance of a positive change can happen quicker than you think. You just need to find the right players that can help with this change.
Aguilar is a great infielder to have on your ballclub. He hit the ball well in 2021 batting .261 with 22 home runs and 93 runs batted in. He is one of the club’s go-to guys and can continue to be one of the main players in the Marlins rebuild. In order for the Marlins rebuild to remain consistent, Aguilar will need to have a solid 2022 season.
Offseason Targets
Kevin Gausman, 30, Starting Pitcher
Gausman is a great starting pitcher to have on your team. After going 14-6 with an earned run average of 2.81 in 2021, he can make a decent impact shortly after joining. The Colorado native has a market value of $22.4 million, so if the Marlins want to go after him, they will need to go deep in their pockets to grab him. At 30 years old, the right-handed pitcher is in the prime of his playing career.
Dylan Bundy, 29, Starting Pitcher
Bundy can be a solid addition to any ballclub he joins. He struggled in 2021 with a record of 2-9 and an earned run average of 6.06. Some players have down years in their careers, but those years should not define their career as a pitcher. At 29 years old, Bundy is near his prime, and if the Marlins do decide to try and go after him, they should look to sign him for a multi-year contract.
Check us out on our socials:
Twitter: @PTSTNews and @TalkPrimeTime
Facebook Page: Prime Time Sports Talk
Join our Facebook Group: Prime Time Sports Talk
Instagram: @primetimesportstalk
Follow Joe Chambers on Twitter @itsJoeChambers
Main Image Credit: Embed from Getty Images
