Miami Marlins Rumors: A Catching Upgrade May Hurt Prospects

Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

This offseason, the Miami Marlins could be looking at acquiring upgrades to positions either through the free-agent market or through trades. A position the Marlins could look at upgrading is the catching position. Miami’s catchers were one of the positions that struggled offensively and defensively last season. The Marlins used five catchers last season, which is cause for concern.

Opening Day starter Rob Brantly struggled mightily last season and was sent down in the middle of the season. Jeff Mathis became the everyday starter toward the end of the season and did not do much better. Miami could be looking at trading for Los Angeles Angels catcher Chris Iannetta or Colorado Rockies catcher Wilin Rosario. Iannetta could provide more of a veteran leadership to the team while Rosario would definitely provide more power to the offense, but Miami would need to send a top-tier prospect.

Related: Los Angeles Dodgers Rumors: Team Looking For Starting Pitching?

However, acquiring another catcher could deter the potential of Brantly, who is the catcher of the Marlins’ immediate future. Miami also has J.T. Realmuto in the waiting room and another veteran could hinder his future success as well. Brantly is only 24 and could bounce back from a year where he batted .211/.263/.265 in 67 games after hitting nearly .300 in 31 games when he was called up in 2012.

It will be interesting to see if Miami goes and gets additional power for the lineup to add protection around Giancarlo Stanton, who slipped a bit this season. Miami could look for the power but it does not necessarily have to come at the catching position.

Ryan Gaydos is an 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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