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Justin Bour is expected to open the 2016 season as Miami’s starting first baseman, but the club is seeking a right-handed platoon option, according to Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald.
Steve Pearce “is holding some appeal,” but Mark Reynolds is also an option, according to Jackson.
Chris Johnson served as Miami’s platoon option last year, and Johnson received a notable amount of playing time while Bour was on the disabled list with an ankle injury. Now that Johnson is a free agent, the Marlins seem to be open to upgrades.
Though Pearce struggled after joining the Orioles, he still batted .288 with 13 home runs in all of 2016. He might not sign until some of the other big-name free agent outfielders are off the board, though.
Bour batted just .233 against lefties last season, so the Marlins would likely benefit from adding a right-handed option. A platoon player could also serve as a right-handed pinch hitter late in games.