Veteran OF Duvall, Marlins seal 1-year deal

MIAMI -- The Marlins added much-needed power to their lineup on Wednesday, announcing the signing of free-agent outfielder Adam Duvall to a one-year deal. The contract is worth a guaranteed $5 million: $2 million in 2021, with a $7 million mutual option or a $3 million buyout for '22, a source told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand.

Duvall, who played for the Braves from 2018-20, was not tendered a contract by Atlanta in December. Last season, he slashed .237/.301/.532 with 16 homers, 33 RBIs and an .833 OPS in 57 games. In a stacked Braves lineup, the right-handed-hitting Duvall primarily batted fifth, sixth or seventh. During an eight-day span, he recorded a pair of three-homer games, including one against the Marlins on Sept. 9. But over Duvall's final 16 regular-season contests, he hit .169 with three homers and a .609 OPS.

In 2020, Miami ranked toward the bottom of the Majors in several offensive categories like homers (60, 25th), slugging (.384, 25th) and OPS (.703, 23rd). Internal candidates such as Lewis Brinson (one Minor League option left) and Magneuris Sierra (no MiLB options remaining) can now come off the bench, while Harold Ramirez was designated for assignment as the corresponding roster move in Wednesday's other transaction. Top prospects Monte Harrison and Jesús Sánchez, who debuted in 2020, can continue their development and get consistent at-bats at Triple-A Jacksonville.

"In terms of Duvall, [we] saw him as an opportunity to add another quality veteran to our mix," Marlins general manager Kim Ng said on Zoom. "Adam is somebody who has had a lot of success in the past, and hoping that he can continue that success here as well. Again, adds another offensive presence in our lineup and is a very good defensive player as well."

With veterans Corey Dickerson and Starling Marte set in left and center field, respectively, the 32-year-old Duvall is slated for right field. He has appeared at the position just 27 times in his seven-year career, but 17 of those came in 2020. Duvall is a three-time Rawlings Gold Glove Award finalist.

The addition of Duvall also affects the situation at first base, where Jesús Aguilar and Garrett Cooper will compete for playing time without the universal designated hitter. Manager Don Mattingly mentioned that the ballclub has talked to Cooper about the possibility of playing some outfield in 2021. Cooper, who has made 34 career MLB appearances in right and six in left, played exclusively at first base and DH in '20. Since being acquired from the Yankees in '17, Cooper has landed on the injured list at least once each season.

"I think we think his best position is first base," Mattingly said of Cooper on Zoom. "Defensively, we think it's best for his health. ... We do think all three of those guys -- when you talk about Agui, Coop and Duvall, they're going to need days [off] over 162. This is not the same 60-game sprint we're in. It's going to be a different type of season where you are going to have to load manage some guys, pay attention to some matchups and things like that with those three and work through it."

With a full 40-man roster, Miami placed right-handed reliever Jeff Brigham on the 60-day injured list as the corresponding move. Brigham, who appeared in just one game last season before landing on the IL, had been activated on Oct. 31. He posted a 4.46 ERA in 32 outings in 2019.