[ayaghmour2]

As the calender turns to 2019, the Marlins will be observing which remaining free agents they can bring on bargain contracts, while tinkering with the roster as needed.

January 1st, 2019: The 2018 World Series Champion Minnesota Twins replace Brian Dozier with Daniel Murphey. Murphey will make $11,400,000 this year, then if he plays 135 games, will make $12,900,000 next season.

January 3rd, 2019: The Cardinals sign Brian Duensing to a 1-year, $4,200,000 contract.

January 6th, 2019: The Indians sign RF Andrew McCutchen to a 4-year, $33,600,000 contract.

January 14th, 2019: To free up a 40-man roster spot, we sent RHP Preston Guilmet to the Cubs for LHP Randy Rosario. Rosarior is as good as Guilmet now, and has 3* potential. He looks like a future lefty you can rely on in the 6th.

January 17th, 2019: We signed LHP Jerry Blevins to a 3-year, $9,600,000 contract. The final year is a 40 IP vesting option. In his career, the 35-year-old has a 3.48 ERA and 1.25 WHIP with 9.5 K/9. Blevins will set up Drew Steckenrider next season. He's a 3.5* RP, with amazing stuff, great movement, and solid control.

January 19th, 2019: The Pirates signed SP Charlie Morton to a 3-year, $39,900,000 contract. The final year is a vesting option, which requires 180 innings.

January 22nd, 2019: The Padres added LF Michael Brantley to a 4-year, $43,200,000 contract.

January 23rd, 2019: The only guy to get elected to the Hall-of-Fame was CL Mariano Rivera, who recieved 94.4% of the votes. Other notables included 1B Todd Helton (72.3), Roy Halladay (71.6), and Barry Bonds (67.3). Edgar Martinez, in year 10, was dropped with just 61.4%. There were a bunch of guys who didn't qualify for next year.

January 29th, 2019: Today was a busy day as the preseason began. I added team leader and former face of the Twins 1B Joe Mauer. The 6-time All Star should give Marlin fans something to look foward to. He's a career .306/.388/.437 hitter with 140 HR's and 936 RBI's. His deal is just 1-year, $2,770,000, a bargain for a player of his caliber. Next new Marlin is 2B Ian Kinsler, who signed a 1-year, $5,230,000 contract. Now 36, Kinsler will join an NL team for the first time in his career. He's a career .273/.339/.444 with 255 HR's and 910 RBI's. I also added hard throwing lefty Jake Diekman to a 1-year, $3,800,000 contract. Diekman, 32, has been good the last few years, and owns a career 3.42 ERA and 11.0 K/9. He has some control problems, but he's also a great clubhouse influence. Lastly, I reunited with SS Adeiny Hechavarria. The former Marlin signed a 1-year, $2,400,000 contract. He's known for his glove, but his a decent hitter as well. Martin Perez and Dillon Peters were both sent to the 60-Day DL to make room for Mauer and Diekman.

The Brewers added CL Justin Wilson to a 2-year, $15,300,000 deal, but today was all about the Marlins. Also, our first game this year will take place April 4th against the Reds, and we finish August 6th with the Giants.

January 30th, 2019: 2B Asdrubal Cabrera is joining the Angels on a 3-year, $35,000,000 contract. The last year is a $10,600,000 team option with a $2,200,000 buyout. This is who they replaced Kinsler with. Speaking of Kinsler, I designated Adam Morgan for assignment to make room for Kinsler.

Febraury 2nd, 2019: I lost Adam Morgan to the Cardinals.

February 3rd, 2019: Big trade, I sent 1B Mike Ford and LHP Braxton Garrett to the Rays for 2B Brandon Lowe, C Edgardo Rodriguez, CF Bryce Brown, and 3B Kevin Paldo. Lowe is the 2B of the future, who could take over if I move Kinsler, or just for next year. Rodriguez is another nice, young catching prospect to add to the farm. Brown is a speedy OF whose floor is 4th OF, but his ceiling is everyday player at either of the three spots. Lsatly, Paldo, has major power potential, and looks like he can be a solid everyday starter at 3B. I really like this deal for myself, and I was able to add Hech to the 40-man roster.

I wasn't necessarily "done" with the roster, but it looked like it was in pretty good shape.

The rotation was looking like Jordan Montgomery-Brad Peaock-Colin McHugh-Tom Eshelman-Adam Conley, much better then last year. Then pen would be highlighted with Drew Steckenrider in the 9th, Jerry Blevins, Jake Diekman, and Sam Dyson to set up, with David Phelps and hopefully 2nd half Kyle Barraclough. Reynaldo Lopez could force himself into the rotation, or stay in the pen.

The lineup looks improved as well, and would be as followed: CF Anthony Alford, 1B Joe Mauer, RF Teoscar Hernandez, LF Lewis Brinson, 2B Ian Kinsler, 3B Brian Anderson, C Raudy Reed, SS Adeiny Hechavarria. There would be a lot of spring battles for positions, but the bench as of now is C Bryan Holaday, 1B Ryon Healy, SS Tyler Saladino, CF Charlie Tilson.

February 11th, 2019: Like I said, not done. I saw Brad Brach lingering on the market, and got the All-Star reliever on a nice bargain. Brach will make $3,800,000 and has that same amount in a team option next year, with a $1 million buyout. I released Yovani Gallardo to make room for Brach. Kind of wish I didn't extend him, but I didn't know how many new arms I'd get at affordable rates. Brach will have the 8th, before Steckesaurus closes off games.

February 12th, 2019: The Indians send C Yan Gomes and 1B Henderson De Oleo to the Pirates for RHP Wilfredo Boscan.

February 17th, 2019: Phillies owner David Montgomery passed away, with his son David Jr. taking control of the organization. It's a sad day in Philly, as many mourn the loss of their beloved owner that helped spark a spending spree to get the Phillies to the playoffs.

February 21st, 2019: The Blue Jays sent CF Anthony Alford to the Royals for LHP Brian Flynn and RHP Heath Fillmyer.

February 28th, 2019: Today is the first day of spring training, and I invited 18 non-roster players to join the big league organization. I'll do a quick rundown of the Spring in the next post, and then start the much awaited 2019 season! In case anyone is interested, the Marlins are projected to finish in 4th, with a 76-86 record. I'd be happy with that.