Marlins avoid arb with all 5 eligible players

MIAMI -- The Marlins agreed on contracts for the 2021 season with all five of their remaining arbitration-eligible players -- headlined by third baseman Brian Anderson -- ahead of Friday's 1 p.m. ET submission deadline, the club announced. Catcher Jorge Alfaro, as well as relievers Yimi García, Richard Bleier and Adam Cimber also came to terms on one-year deals.

Anderson, who was eligible for arbitration for the first time, agreed to a $3.8 million deal for the 2021 season, a source told MLB.com. The 27-year-old hit .255/.345/.465 with an .810 OPS in 59 games in '20. When a COVID-19 outbreak sidelined 18 Marlins players, he was a steady presence in the middle of the lineup. Over the past two seasons, Anderson has recorded 73 extra-base hits and posted a 115 OPS+ in 185 games. His '19 campaign was cut short after fracturing his left hand on a hit-by-pitch.

Miami's top homegrown player is a future candidate for an extension; he cannot become a free agent until after the 2023 season.

“I would say I personally would like to see how this year goes before we ventured down that road,” Marlins general manager Kim Ng said in early December, “just so I have a better understanding of who he is as a player and I just get a better sense of the situation.”

Alfaro, also arbitration-eligible for the first time, settled at $2.05 million, a source told MLB.com. During his first season with the Marlins in 2019, he set career highs for games (130) and homers (18) while posting a 94 OPS+. But last season was a forgettable one for Alfaro, who missed time during Spring Training with a left oblique strain and the first month of the season with COVID-19. He then slashed .226/.280/.344 with a .624 OPS in 31 games. When the postseason came around, Chad Wallach took over starting duties as the club prioritized defense and game-calling abilities.

This agreement may provide more clarity at the backstop position. Earlier this week, rumors began to swirl about the Marlins checking in on Cubs All-Star catcher Willson Contreras.

García, in his final year of arbitration eligibility, will make $1.9 million, a source told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand. After missing time with COVID-19, the righty proved to be a reliable arm in high-leverage situations for the Marlins in 2020. He permitted only one run in 15 regular-season innings, compiling a 0.93 WHIP, a 1.66 FIP and 11.4 strikeouts per nine innings. García has a career 117 ERA+ in six MLB seasons.

Should the Marlins not sign a free-agent closer, García will likely be their guy for the final outs -- though manager Don Mattingly said he would be flexible late in games depending on matchups.

“I love Yimi, and I have total confidence in him,” Mattingly said in December. “As you watch the games, he got the toughest part of the order. Sometimes that was the seventh. If it was the top of the order and we had to go through a tough stretch, Yimi would get that call. He has already been used as the guy who goes through the toughest guys.”

Bleier, who was second-year arbitration-eligible, didn't allow an earned run in all but three of his 19 outings after being acquired from the Orioles in 2020. Over his five-year MLB career, lefties have posted just a .220/.265/.304 slash line with a .569 OPS against him. Bleier -- whose deal is worth $1.425 million, a source told Feinsand -- will be joined by fellow southpaw Ross Detwiler in Miami's bullpen.

“I think Richard Bleier is a guy. ... that I felt did a great job for us -- got a little banged up in there -- loved what he was able to do,” Mattingly said. “I feel like he'll get lefties and righties out. He throws the ball on the ground. He has been the one guy that we have found that for the most part got Freddie Freeman out, which has been trouble for the whole league, but we got him out a few times. I like Richard and what he does back there."

Acquired in a trade with Cleveland in November, Cimber is 9-12 with a 3.89 ERA and one save in 152 career relief outings between the Padres and Tribe. In 2020, the 30-year-old sidearmer posted a 3.99 FIP and a 1.324 WHIP for the second straight season. Cimber, who signed for $925,000, according to Feinsand, is one of four bullpen additions so far this offseason.

Last offseason, the Marlins went to an arbitration hearing with first baseman Jesús Aguilar, who won his case. This past December, he agreed to a $4.35 million deal for 2021, plus incentives, according to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand.