Though it's the beginning of the offseason, the Miami Marlins front office is already looking ahead to 2015 and working on ways the team can reach the postseason for the first time since 2003.
Over the next few weeks, I'll be breaking down the Marlins at each position -- analyzing what went right and wrong for the players that saw action there -- as well as the likelihood of their returns.
This week the focus is at first base, where Garrett Jones saw the majority of the action. Miami signed him to a two-year deal last December and then dealt oft-injured Logan Morrison to the Seattle Mariners for right-handed reliever Carter Capps. By season's end, however, rookie Justin Bour slotted into first and Jones moved to right field in All-Star slugger Giancarlo Stanton's place.
Veteran Jeff Baker, who often started with a lefty on the mound, is better suited in a pinch-hit role. He is signed through next season. According to a story on MLB.com, catcher Rob Brantly and infielder Derek Dietrich, guys who finished 2014 in Triple-A New Orleans, were practicing at first in the instructional league.
GARRETT JONES
What he did right: Miami traded Morrison because he couldn't stay in the lineup with various injuries. Jones replaced Morrison and played in 146 games (136 starts). Manager Mike Redmond didn't need to plug in guys since Jones remained healthy. He batted .246 with 15 home runs (matched 2013 total) and 53 RBI (two more than 2013 total). His production easily surpassed Miami's nine dingers from five players at the position last season and fell nine RBI shy.
Where he needs to improve: In 129 games at first (122 starts), Jones committed a major-league-leading 13 errors for a .988 fielding percentage. Among first-base qualifiers, his 15 homers and 53 RBI ranked 20th and 23rd, respectively. At a power- and run-producing position, those numbers aren't good enough. During his final season with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Jones was relegated to a platoon role because of his inability to hit lefties. In 2014, he batted .221 with no homers and three RBI in 73 plate appearances. Jones made just nine starts against southpaw starters, giving guys like Ed Lucas or Jeff Baker the start that day.
Contract status: Signed through 2015 for $5 million
Likelihood of return: It's no coincidence over the final nine games of the season the Marlins gave Bour a shot at first base. When Stanton got injured, Jones mostly filled in at right field. The first-base market isn't a deep one this offseason. Adam LaRoche is likely too expensive. Still, Miami could sign a player with more production at a different position -- perhaps a Pablo Sandoval (too costly?) -- and move a guy like Christian Yelich or Casey McGehee to first. Jones, 33, could be dealt. Whether a team will take most of the $5 million left on his contract remains to be seen. With his fielding troubles but power bat, he would be a good fit in the American League.
JUSTIN BOUR
What he did right: Acquired from the Chicago Cubs in last year's Rule 5 Draft, Bour made the most of his starting opportunities, particularly over the final weeks of the season. He hit .352 with a homer and seven RBI in 15 starts. Bour walked on nine occasions and struck out 19 times. Although teams began to implement a shift, he showed he could go opposite field. In 25 plate appearances, Bour batted .429 (.520 on-base percentage) with runners in scoring position.
Where he needs to improve: As good as Bour was at the plate in a start, he went just 1 for 17 with four walks, five strikeouts and two RBI as a pinch-hitter. Whatever Bour has done comes with a very small sample size as a 26-year-old rookie who made his big-league debut on June 5. There's no telling how he would do in a full season, though he did show promise in his limited playing time. Why did he not make it to the majors sooner? Was it because of Anthony Rizzo locking down the first-base job? Maybe Chicago's strong farm system?
Contract status: Arbitration eligible in 2017
Likelihood of return: Bour will be back with the Marlins after his performance in September. But the organization believes it is just a couple pieces away from October baseball, so don't expect him to be the starting first baseman come Opening Day. What the Marlins need is another veteran bat with consistent numbers to help protect Stanton in the order. That, of course, won't come at a cheap price.
You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.
