What trade of team leader means for Marlins

This story was excerpted from Christina De Nicola’s Marlins Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

How does a franchise go about replacing a mainstay?

The Marlins are trying to figure that out after dealing longtime shortstop Miguel Rojas to the Dodgers for infield prospect Jacob Amaya. A two-time National League Gold Glove Award finalist, Rojas concludes his eight-season tenure with the Marlins with the seventh-most games played (870) and 20th-highest bWAR (12.0) in club history.

With Rojas' departure, Miami has three holes to fill: shortstop, backup first baseman and clubhouse leader. Though Jazz Chisholm Jr., Joey Wendle and Jean Segura are internal options to be the starting shortstop on Opening Day, general manager Kim Ng said on Wednesday she didn't "feel ready to necessarily anoint anybody with that."

Chisholm has evolved into an All-Star second baseman, but he came up as a shortstop. Segura transitioned from short to second with the Phillies, and he was slated to move to third in Miami. A 2021 American League Gold Glove Award finalist at third, Wendle also can play above-average defense at short (6 defensive runs saved in 2022) and second (9 DRS).

"I still think that there's a lot of offseason left to be had, and we've still got to keep exploring how to make the club better," Ng said. "So not really willing to commit on that at this point."

Prior to the trade, Rojas was a possible backup at first base, where All-Star Garrett Cooper is the lone natural at the position on the 40-man roster. Catcher Nick Fortes and outfielder Jerar Encarnacion, who saw reps at first during the Dominican Winter League, are the current options.

Then there's the case of who will step up as veteran leadership without Rojas, Miami's unofficial captain. A two-time Roberto Clemente Award nominee, Rojas was a great ambassador for the South Florida community.

"I think we'll see that happen organically, because I do think that Miggy was such a big figure in the clubhouse," Ng said. "It might be a combination of players together. Maybe there's not necessarily the one voice, maybe it's a small group. I also feel that with the addition of the new staff, we have some really great personalities, some big personalities. I think that they will add into the mix as well. We're not quite done with the offseason, and we'll see what we can add from there. But I do like the mix."