Can Derek Dietrich Make Miami Marlins Opening Day Roster?

By Ryan Gaydos
Josh D. Weiss-USA TODAY Sports

The Miami Marlins made a lot of moves over the off-season  The front office wheeled and dealt a bunch of players, mainly the star players, that disgruntled the ones who were left standing. However, an early December trade is what the Marlins could be dwelling on heading into March as the team tries to set its opening day roster.

The Marlins traded shortstop Yunel Escobar, who was only with the team for a month, to the Tampa Bay Rays for two prospects. One of those players was second baseman Derek Dietrich. Dietrich was one of the top infield prospects in the Rays’ farm system, which translated into being one of the top infielders in the Marlins farm system. There is a chance that Dietrich could be joining the team in April as Miami opens the season on the road against the Washington Nationals.

Dietrich would be a surprise candidate and one of the players that has an outside shot on making the team. However, that is not stopping Dietrich’s confidence. Manager Mike Redmond could bring him to start the season as added depth behind the presumed starting second baseman Donovan Solano and the presumed starting third baseman Placido Polanco.

Dietrich is still 24-year old, and could benefit from being at Triple-A still. He had 14 home runs in the minors last season, splitting time between Double-A and Triple-A.

He can still be the infielder of the future for the Marlins but with the way the organization is being run, he could also be a key asset in a possible trade. You never actually now what the minds being the desk are cooking up.

Ryan Gaydos is a featured MLB columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, “like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google

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