The Miami Marlins’ bullpen put ‘everyone in a difficult position.’ Overhaul underway

The Miami Marlins know that improving their offensive production is the biggest need this offseason. They took the first steps last week when they acquired versatile infielder Jonathan Villar and first baseman Jesus Aguilar.

But on Monday, the first day of MLB’s annual Winter Meetings, the Marlins continued to address another concern that needs major attention: Revamping a bullpen that was among MLB’s worst last season.

The casualty: 28-year-old right-handed pitcher Tyler Kinley, a Plantation native and Nova High alumnus who was claimed off waivers by the Colorado Rockies.

Kinley is the third reliever the Marlins have cut ties with this offseason. They designated Tayron Guerrero for assignment last week and released Wei-Yin Chen after he cleared waivers Nov. 27.

“You look at our overall bullpen performance,” Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill said, “and it was not good.”

That’s an understatement.

The collective 4.97 ERA from Marlins’ relievers was the fifth-worst in MLB last season. They were also fifth-worst strikeout-to-walk ratio(2.11), save percentage (55.1) and wild pitches (39) while having a 1.45 walks and hits per innings pitched that ranked in the bottom 10 of the league.

Among relievers that pitched at least 40 innings last season, Guerrero had the second-highest walks per nine innings mark in the league (7.04). Kinley was fourth (6.57).

“It just puts everyone in a difficult position,” Hill said of the high walk rates. “You lose rhythm. It puts your defense on its heels. You can’t defend it. As we’ve looked to build our bullpen this offseason, obviously we want stuff and guys who have above average stuff but also guys who can command the strike zone. That’s what we’ve put a focus on and getting a variety of looks in the pen as well to give Donnie [manager Don Mattingly] and Stot [pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre Jr.] different options to go to that will help us win games.”

Marlins do have a few internal options.

Drew Steckenrider, Ryne Stanek and Austin Brice feel like the closest to be locks already on the 40-man roster.

After that would be Jarlin Garcia and Jeff Brigham. Jose Urena will compete for a spot, but that could come either out of the bullpen or in the starting rotation. The Marlins also hope to see improvement from Adam Conley, who they tendered a contract to despite having a 6.53 ERA in 60 2/3 innings of work.

“There’s pieces that you can look to that will come in and compete for spots,” Hill said, “but we know that we need to get better.”

As for potential free agents, a common name surfacing is Sergio Romo, who the Marlins signed to a one-year, $2.5 million deal last offseason before trading him to the Minnesota Twins for first baseman prospect Lewin Diaz.

Romo, who turns 37 on March 4, had a 3.43 ERA in 65 relief appearances last year and converted 20 of 23 save opportunities with the Marlins.

“He did a great job for us, did a great job with mentoring some of our young guys,” Hill said. “He’s still a productive Major League reliever. We’re exploring the entire market of eligible guys. I know he’s been connected to us — as well he should be. If you ask him, and he was very public in saying that he enjoyed his time with us. We’ll see where things go.”

Other possible options on the market include former Marlin Steve Cishek (2.95 ERA for the Chicago Cubs last season), Arodys Vizcaino (16 saves and a 2.11 ERA for Atlanta in 2018 but missed most of last season with a torn labrum) and Blake Treinen (44 combined saves for Oakland the past two seasons and was nontendered by the Athletics).

But Hill also made it clear that the Marlins’ big spending will come on offense.

“On a whole, for us — and every club’s different; every club has different payroll thresholds — we’re going to try to allocate our dollars in the best way to win as many games as possible. Our offense was a huge culprit to our inability to win as many games as possible last year, so a big chunk of what we’re trying to do is improve our offense. But I think we’re mindful of the fact that our bullpen underperformed and we’re looking for creative ways to improve.”