Versatile group: Anderson could try hand at left field

JUPITER, Fla. -- While the Marlins try to acquire another bat to bolster their lineup, manager Don Mattingly provided a glimpse of the outfield plan should the roster stay as is.

With the addition of utility player Joey Wendle, Brian Anderson may see some looks in left field -- a position he hasn't played in his professional career. Anderson, who was an NL Gold Glove finalist at third base in 2020, last appeared in the outfield in 2019 -- with 55 games in right. Mattingly compared Anderson to free agent Kris Bryant when it comes to being an athlete with defensive versatility.

"I'm always open to it," said Anderson, who will continue to get his infield work in before taking fly balls. "I haven't done it in a couple of years. But the last couple of times that I did it, it helped me out and helped the team out. That's my job now, especially getting a guy like Wendle that can play multiple positions. We've got guys like [Jon] Berti, [Miguel Rojas] [and Jazz Chisholm Jr.] who play multiple positions. So I think we're just going to run the best lineup out there every single day. And if that means I'm in the outfield, then I'm in the outfield."

The Marlins would prefer Anderson play left only occasionally. Mattingly said the club hasn't had discussions with Wendle about playing outfield at this point. The 31-year-old veteran, who was an AL Gold Glove Award finalist at third base last year, has appeared in left 16 times in his big league career -- all during the 2018 season. He provides solid defense at the hot corner, shortstop and second base, with nine combined outs above average in 2021 per Statcast.

Needless to say, Miami's outfield situation remains fluid. Much of the Hot Stove discussion has surrounded the Marlins lacking a natural center fielder with experience. Can they pull off a trade or sign a free agent who can spot start there? When Avisaíl García inked a four-deal deal before the lockout, he told the club he could play the position if need be. (He has 90 MLB appearances there.) Bryan De La Cruz, utility player Berti and Monte Harrison, who has just 62 MLB plate appearances, can also play center. Mattingly noted that Jesús Sánchez, whose outfield jumps in 2021 ranked in the 97th percentile per Statcast, would get reps there. Sánchez began his career in center after signing with the Rays in 2014.

"It's something that I learned since the beginning of outfield and it's something I keep doing and keep working on," Sánchez said via an interpreter.

When it comes down to it, the Marlins want their best bats in the lineup to improve upon an offense that ranked toward the bottom in most categories across MLB. Anderson is a right-handed batter, while Wendle is a left-handed hitter, so working matchups is a likely solution. Both players are under club control through 2023. Having more depth and flexibility around will be a welcomed sight after early-season injuries cost the ballclub in ’21.

"Center field obviously is the one position -- and I'm sure Kim [Ng] has talked about it -- that it's what you're looking to kind of shore up, and how we're going to do that," Mattingly said. "Is it going to be two guys? Is it going to be one? Is it going to be a combination?"