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In an interesting turn of events, the Marlins are apparently attempting to resign the recently non-tendered infielder/outfielder Chris Coghlan.
I’ve made no secret of my bias against baseball "East of the Hudson river," as I like to call it. The Yankees, Red Sox, and Phillies are my favorite teams to root against. My bias comes from three factors: Huge payrolls, a national media table tilted heavily in their favor, and a fan base that bears a chilling similarity to the Borg. However, a recent, thought-provoking article by David Harsanyi at The Federalist has shaken my convictions about the first of the three factors.
-Rafael Furcal, Marlins agree on 1-year deal | Fish Bytes
Furcal, 36, missed all of last season due to Tommy John surgery. Here are his stats. But the Marlins are convinced of his health, apparently, and intend to put him at second base, according to sources with knowledge of the team's intentions.
-Marlins Gone Wild: The Sequel? | Fish Bytes
The infield is receiving a makeover. Not only will Jones take over at first, but the Marlins intend to have Furcal -- a career shortstop -- play second. It's unclear at this point whether the Marlins will continue their search for a third baseman. They could turn it into a spring training competition involving Derek Dietrich, Ed Lucas and Donovan Solano. More than likely, though, they're still sifting through rosters looking for a third baseman.
-Garrett Jones, Marlins nearing two-year free agent deal - Sun Sentinel
It's not the Jose Reyes-Mark Buehrle-Heath Bell triumvirate of two years ago, but the Marlins in less than a week have landed another free agent threesome. Friday, they announced the acquisitions of catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia and shortstop Rafael Furcal. Signed to a three-year, $21 million contract, Saltalamacchia will be introduced Monday afternoon at the Winter Meetings. Furcal, who will be the everyday second baseman in 2014, agreed to an incentive-laden one-year deal with a $3 million base salary.
-Orioles agree to 2-year deal with reliever Ryan Webb - Sun Sentinel
The Orioles have added another reliever to the roster, agreeing to a two-year, $4.5 million deal with right-hander Ryan Webb, according to an industry source. Webb, 27, is scheduled for a physical early next week and the deal will become official once he passes the examination. A 6-foot-6, 250-pound sinkerballer, Webb was 2-6 with a 2.91 ERA in 66 games last year for the Miami Marlins, who did not tender him a contract last week.
-Miami Marlins, Jarrod Saltalamacchia complete three-year deal | marlins.com: News
Check catcher off the Marlins' shopping list. After successfully completing his physical, Jarrod Saltalamacchia joined Miami on Friday, when the team formally announced the three-year deal, three days after reaching agreement on a contract. Financial terms were not revealed, but sources confirmed the 28-year-old will make $21 million: $6 million in 2014, $7 million in '15 and $8 million in '16. Per team policy, the contract does not include a no-trade clause. The Saltalamacchia signing came at a time when the Marlins are finalizing a one-year deal with free agent Rafael Furcal, who will switch from shortstop to play second base. Furcal, 36, missed all of last season with the Cardinals due to Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.
-Miami Marlins sign Rafael Furcal to one-year deal to play second base | marlins.com: News
A second major piece to the Marlins' offseason plan is now in place, as the team announced the signing of Rafael Furcal on Friday night. A three-time All-Star shortstop, Furcal is being asked to switch to second base. The deal for the 36-year-old is for one year. Financial terms were not announced, but a source confirmed Furcal will make $3 million, plus incentives. There is some risk to the signing because Furcal missed all of 2013 due to Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.
-Marlins negotiating two-year deal with Jones | marlins.com: News
Third base may be consuming most of the Marlins' attention at the Winter Meetings next week, but the club reportedly is exploring first-base options. A source confirmed to MLB.com on Friday that the Marlins are nearing a two-year deal with free agent Garrett Jones, who was non-tendered by the Pirates earlier this week. The Miami Herald first reported the two sides were in negotiations. Jones, 32, would provide a left-handed-hitting first baseman with power, but he also would mean Logan Morrison's tenure with the Marlins could be coming to an end.
Around The League
-Reliever Chad Qualls returns to Astros on 2-year deal
Chad Qualls is returning to the Houston Astros, his original team. The right-handed reliever agreed to a two-year contract Saturday with a team option for 2016. Qualls went 5-2 with a 2.61 ERA in 66 games for the Miami Marlins this year and has made at least 50 appearances in nine straight seasons. He has pitched for eight clubs in his big league career, going 45-37 with 51 saves and a 3.79 ERA in 663 appearances.
-Dodgers GM Ned Colletti confirms possibility of trading outfielder | MLB.com: News
After officially announcing the signing of reliever Brian Wilson, Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti on Saturday confirmed he's open to moving an outfielder.
-Heavy offseason lifting likely done for Red Sox | MLB.com: News
With Mike Napoli's big bat a successful physical away from officially returning to the Red Sox, general manager Ben Cherington can now focus on luxuries rather than necessities.
-Jacoby Ellsbury officially completes seven-year contract with Yankees | MLB.com: News
Jacoby Ellsbury officially completed a seven-year, $153 million contract with the Yankees on Saturday, cashing in his Red Sox for a fresh set of pinstripes.
At Fish Stripes
-Rafael Furcal signing: Future of Derek Dietrich - Fish Stripes
Marlins top second base prospect Derek Dietrich was seemingly going to start the 2014 season in the majors until the Marlins went out and got veteran Rafael Furcal in free agency.
-Rafael Furcal signing: Fish Stripes community response - Fish Stripes
To help improve the team's offense after the Saltalamacchia signing, the Marlins signed former All-Star infielder Rafael Furcal to a one-year deal. We want to hear your thoughts on this interesting signing.
-Marlins rumors: Miami, Garrett Jones close to two-year contract - Fish Stripes
The Miami Marlins are not done shopping yet, as they may be approaching a two-year deal with free agent first baseman Garrett Jones as a potential replacement for Logan Morrison.
-Marlins rumors: Miami "likely" to trade Logan Morrison due to Garrett Jones signing - Fish Stripes
With Garrett Jones potentially joining the Miami marlins for two years at $7.5 million, the Fish will look to ship incumbent first baseman Logan Morrison to one of a slew of potential suitors.
-Garrett Jones signing: Miami replaces one flawed first baseman with another - Fish Stripes
The Miami Marlins appear close to signing Garrett Jones to a two-year contract to replace Logan Morrison. The problem is that Jones is essentially an older version of Morrison.