Marlins rumors: Team continuing search for 3B

The Marlins need someone to play third base, but lost out on Juan Uribe to the Dodgers.

Dec 15, 2013, 5:17 PM UTC

Norm Hall

After a failed push for Juan Uribe, the Miami Marlins have moved on and are now looking at other options to play third base in 2014, reports Joe Frisaro of MLB.com.

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The Marlins had been eyeing up Uribe and appeared poised to make a strong offer, but the Dodgers swooped in and re-signed him to a $15 million contract over two years. That leaves the Marlins scrambling for lesser options in a weak market for third baseman.

The best options available appear to be Eric Chavez or Michael Young. Chavez, 36, has undergone a career resurgence the past two seasons with the Yankees and Diamondbacks, combining for an .829 OPS. However, he would be best used in a platoon role. Chavez has thrived against right-handed pitching but has struggled against lefties. Last year, he played in 88 games and took just 22 plate appearances against left handers.

Young had been rumored to be the Dodgers' top option if Uribe was not re-signed. He is just two years removed from leading the American League in hits while posting a .338/.380/.474 batting line for the Rangers. In 2012, he hit for just a .682 OPS, however, and was traded to the Phillies for the 2013 season, who in turn dealt him to Los Angeles in August. Overall, he posted a decent year last year with a .335 OBP and decent gap power. The days of 20 home-run seasons are certainly behind him, but he could be a decent stopgap for a rebuilding Marlins team.

Miami is also unlikely to make a trade for a third baseman. Given that they are still a ways from being playoff contenders, the team would not want to give up anything of value in a trade for a player like Chase Headley or Pablo Sandoval. Nor would the notoriously stingy Marlins want to take on the salary of someone like the Brewers' Aramis Ramirez.

Though the team does not figure to be in contention, the Marlins still need someone to play third base and have been desperate enough to show interest in Yuniesky Betancourt. The top in-house options appear to be either Ed Lucas or Donovan Solano. Derek Dietrich could also move over to third base.