Offishial news, 10/23/20: Gold Glove finalists; DH uncertainty

After nearly two years of using “Our Noticias” in the title of these morning news roundups, it’s time for a rebrand. “Offishial news” will serve the exact same purpose, sharing and contextualizing the latest Marlins-related developments.

BA, Miggy Ro among Gold Glove finalists

@Marlins/Twitter

@Marlins/Twitter

The left side of the 2020 Marlins infield is being recognized for their great season...sort of.

Miguel Rojas is a finalist for the National League Gold Glove at shortstop, as are Javier Báez of the Cubs and Dansby Swanson of the Braves; Brian Anderson is a finalist at third base along with Nolan Arenado of the Rockies and Manny Machado of the Padres.

Neither of these Marlins has won a Gold Glove before. The most recent player from the organization to do so was Marcell Ozuna (left field, 2017). In fact, this is the first time since then that there’s been a Marlins finalist at any position.

This was unequivocally a successful season for the Marlins team and it shouldn’t be discounted because of the unique circumstances. However, I must admit that individual accolades like the Gold Glove don’t carry as much weight as usual. Fielding prowess generally takes a massive sample size to properly evaluate—it’s easier with infielders due to their high volume of defensive chances, but 460 innings for BA at third and 309 for Miggy Ro at short is still insufficient. Also keep in mind, the selection process is usually a collaboration between MLB managers/coaches and the SABR Defensive Index (which combines various defensive metrics). The shortened and regionalized nature of the 2020 schedule has removed the human element this time: SDI will be the only factor in determining who wins.

In 2019, Rojas posted a 5.0 SDI while Anderson posted a 4.9 SDI. To have a chance, they must hope that fellow finalists Arenado (13.1) and Báez (12.4) experienced steep year-to-year drop-offs in their own performances.

The 2020 Gold Glove Award winners will be revealed Nov. 3 beginning at 7 p.m. ET on a special edition of ESPN’s Baseball Tonight.

No guarantees about universal DH in 2021

The American League will continue using designated hitters next season, as it has for the last several decades, but LaVelle E. Neal III of the Star Tribune reports that MLB and the players’ union will need to collectively bargain to retain it in the NL.

Marlins DHs in 2020 combined for a .252/.317/.429 slash line, slightly better than the club’s .244/.319/.384 overall line. Jesús Aguilar (19 starts) and Garrett Cooper (18 starts) were used most frequently in that additional lineup spot. As a reminder, the commissioner’s office imposed the universal DH over the summer to aid with limited off days and frequent interleague matchups—NL teams didn’t anticipate it when constructing their rosters last offseason.

My prediction is that the DH will stay for next season (and become permanent under the next collective bargaining agreement). However, MLB owners are likely seeking some kind of concession from the players before creating these extra NL job opportunities.

International signing period recap

More than 1,000 international amateurs have signed with major league teams since July 2, 2019, according to Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com. The Marlins added 21 of them. José Salas, Junior Sánchez, Ian Lewis and Eury Pérez are among those currently in Jupiter participating in the Florida Instructional League. Outfielder Andre Arthur was the final prospect that the Fish inked (announced on Oct. 14, one day before the end of the signing period).

The Marlins used $5,939,000 of their $5,939,800 total bonus pool. That was the norm around Major League Baseball in 2019-20—every team spent 85+% of their pool, with most of them at 99+% like the Marlins were.

The next signing period opens on Jan. 15. Cuban shortstop Yiddi Cappe is expected to headline the Marlins’ talent haul.

Walk-off links

Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

• Some of MLB’s biggest active stars have been recognized with 2020 Players Choice Awards. So was former Marlins player/advisor Andre Dawson, who is the recipient of the inaugural Curt Flood award.
• Award season will conclude the week of Nov. 9 when the BBWAA announces their voting results for AL/NL Rookie of the Year (11/9), Manager of the Year (11/10), Cy Young (11/11) and Most Valuable Player (11/12). Tune into MLB Network at 6 p.m. ET on those days for the reveal.
• Minor League Baseball affiliates are expected to regionally align themselves with MLB parent clubs in 2021, per Craig Mish. That means the Marlins could break up with the Wichita Wind Surge.
• Following this bye week, Tua Tagovailoa makes his much-anticipated first start for the Miami Dolphins! Check out this new t-shirt celebrating the news.
• Miguel Rojas has joined forces with his cleat and batting glove sponsors for a huge giveaway. You can enter on Twitter and/or Instagram.