Miami Marlins ‘exploring all options’ but ‘nothing imminent’ as Winter Meetings near end

The Miami Marlins have yet to make a move at MLB’s annual Winter Meetings with the four-day event wrapping up on Wednesday.

Where do the Marlins stand on striking a deal, whether it’s via free agency or trade?

“Nothing imminent,” general manager Kim Ng said Tuesday night in her first interview with local reporters, on Day 3 of the four-day event in San Diego.

But Ng said they have been active in San Diego despite nothing resulting in a deal yet.

She noted that the organization “had discussions” about several key free agents, notably first baseman Josh Bell and outfielder Cody Bellinger. The team has also shown interest in third baseman Justin Turner.

Both Bell and Bellinger agreed to deals with other clubs on Tuesday. Bell is getting a two-year, $33 million deal with the Cleveland Guardians, while Bellinger is getting a one-year, $17.5 million deal with the Chicago Cubs.

With those options off the board, Ng said the Marlins will have to be “open-minded” about their next steps as they try to fortify an offense that was once again among MLB’s worst last season — Miami ranked ranked 27th in OPS (.657) and 28th in runs scored (586) last season — and improve on a 69-93 record that had them fourth in the National League East.

“We have to keep our hands in all the cookie jars,” Ng said, adding they are “exploring all options.”

The main message Schumaker has received from Marlins players. And an extra challenge ahead

That means continuing to explore both the free agency and trade markets.

Trades have essentially been non-existent at this point during the Winter Meetings, but the free agent market has been busy.

Among the deals made over the past three days, in addition to Bellinger and Bell: Right-handed pitcher Justin Verlander to the New York Mets (two years, $86.66 million), shortstop Trea Turner to the Philadelphia Phillies (11 years, $300 million), right-handed pitcher Kyle Gibson to the Baltimore Orioles (one-year, $10 million), right-handed relief pitcher Tommy Kahnle to the New York Yankees (two years, $11.5 million), right-handed pitcher Vince Velazquez and left-handed pitcher Jarlin Garcia to the Pittsburgh Pirates (Garcia for one year, $2.5 million; Velazquez for one year, $3.15 million), outfielder Mitch Haniger to the San Francisco Giants (three years, $43.5 million), left-handed pitcher Andrew Heaney to the Texas Rangers (two years, $25 million), right-handed pitcher Taijuan Walker to the Phillies (four years, $72 million) and left-handed relief pitcher Matt Strahm (two years, $15 million).

Ng said the quiet trade market “is being held up by the free agent market” with several big names still available (namely outfielder Aaron Judge and shortstops Dansby Swanson, Carlos Correa and Xander Boegarts), but Miami would be in prime position to swing a deal through that route by dealing from their starting pitcher depth.

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds and Baltimore Orioles outfielder Cedric Mullins, both under team control for three seasons, would be logical options to pursue — and Miami has been linked to Reynolds the past couple seasons.

“We’ve had a lot of conversations with clubs, trying to move previous discussions along,” Ng said. “I think for some of the clubs, in terms of trades, I think the market is starting to flush itself out. I think there’s progress being made.”

The team’s two main areas of need, on paper, are first base and center field. Garrett Cooper is the only natural first baseman on the Marlins’ 40-man roster and the team doesn’t have a true center fielder at the MLB level, although Bryan De La Cruz, Jesus Sanchez and JJ Bleday all played extended time at the position last season.

But Ng said the team’s approach to acquiring players is almost position-neutral and, like last season, is focusing on roster flexibility.

“We’re looking to improve the offense,” Ng said, “and that position can be almost anywhere on the field. I think right now, the way our team looks, we have ways to pivot — whoever that person is — elsewhere or pivot them in areas that maybe they hadn’t thought of yet.”

Regardless of what moves Miami makes or doesn’t make, the team will be facing an uphill battle in one of baseball’s toughest divisions. It doesn’t help the Marlins that both the Mets and the Phillies have been active at Winter Meetings. The Atlanta Braves are also poised to once again be a serious contender.

“You always have to take note of what your division rivals are doing,” Ng said, “but I also don’t think that you need to be panicked by it. I don’t think that serves anyone well. You don’t really want to make decisions based on emotion.”

Early deals at Winter Meetings once again a reminder of what Marlins deal with in NL East