Life With and Without Jae Crowder for Miami Heat

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There is still a lot of uncertainty around what Jae Crowder’s decision will be.

He was a huge reason for Miami’s bubble success, due to his defensive presence and unexpected shooting stretches. But although Miami would like to bring him back, they will be prepared either way.

For one, life with Jae Crowder would mean that Pat Riley got his wish of running it back, which means they can play out this season with their core, while having the option of making possible deals at the trade deadline.

Life without Jae Crowder may be a little more dramatic for Miami, since ultimately they will need somebody to fill that role. Some guys like JaMychal Green and Marcus Morris were thought about as possibilities, but each of them ended up reaching a deal.

The Marcus Morris deal might’ve put some things in perspective for both Miami and Jae Crowder. Not many expected Morris to get a deal worth $64 Million over four years. And there was a rumor that $18 Million per year would’ve been the price if Morris came to Miami.

It’s clear that the money isn’t the issue with Jae, it’s the years, according to ClutchNBA5R. And with many of the viable replacements for Jae Crowder getting deals, it’s an indication in my opinion that Miami will work something out.

One name that still could be an option though is Paul Millsap. He seems to continually get linked to Miami, and he has yet to reach a deal with a team.

PJ Tucker could also be a great replacement via trade, since he does everything that Jae Crowder does, but slightly better.

Once again, there’s still uncertainty about the Jae Crowder decision, but Miami will be prepared either way. And ultimately, this is pure speculation, I believe Jae will be back in a Miami Heat uniform to start the season.

Inter Miami Fall 3-0 to Nashville in First Ever Playoff Match

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In the battle of the expansion sides Friday night, Nashville SC’s dominant performance over Inter Miami CF was more than enough to see their season past the play-in round of the MLS Playoffs. By a scoreline of 3-0, Nashville showed out on both sides of the ball and sent Inter Miami packing with questions about the future.

In what was a lackluster performance, to say the least, Inter Miami found themselves down by two goals by the 23rd minute. A Randall Leal stunner and a penalty from the star man Hany Mukhtar put the Herons down early.

Tactically, Diego Alonso had this game all wrong from the start. The first 25 minutes of this match were an absolute disaster. The five at the back formation provided Nashville the chance to control the game and possession, then score twice. There was no sense of urgency from Inter Miami off of kickoff and no cohesion within the team.

Defensively, Miami struggled to clear the ball off the pitch. And what I mean by that is, Alvas Powell instinctively cleared the ball to the middle of the field what felt like every chance he had, and it ruined Miami’s chances early on. Other defenders were the same way, but Powell just did this very noticeably, considering it led to the first goal.

When on the ball, the passing was never crisp, rarely positive, and provided nothing. The movement off the ball from the players when in possession was also shambolic, and this team, after a full season together, still had not seemed to find the chemistry they were meant to.

Why? Well, in A.J. DeLaGarza’s words,

“Communication has to be better. Language barriers have to be better. Too many guys don’t speak Spanish, too many don’t speak English, and that leads to not communicating on the field.”

Franco Panizo of SBI Soccer said on his Twitter page that he noticed earlier on in the year at the MLS is Back Tournmanent that he caught Victor Ulloa translating words back to Diego Alonso.

Now, DeLaGarza is quoted as saying that the language barrier among players and staff has been a problem not just for this game but all year long.

How is a team meant to play cohesively when things cant be communicated among the players? How are they meant to succeed if the manager’s tactics may not come across clearly? Maybe I’m overblowing this. Maybe this is a minor issue that hadn’t had a drastic effect this season. If it’s not? Then man, was this club doomed from the start or what.

Moving on past those first 25 minutes, even being down 2-0, things were looking a little better. Diego Alonso was forced to make an early tactical change. Matias Pellegrini was subbed on for Dylan Nealis in the 33rd minute, and Alonso switched the formation to a back four. It might have just been a simple fact that they played two-nil down, but this change seemed to make this game a little bit more bearable to watch.

The possession numbers ended up being an even 50-50 by the 54th minute. That says a lot considering at the 25th-minute mark, the possession numbers were 73-27 in favor of Nashville. The game was changed greatly once Alonso decided to ditch his original tactics, but my word, there are still so many things to question from the rest of this game.

Lewis Morgan has started every single game for Inter Miami on the right-wing. Matias Pellegrini was used mostly on the left-wing this season, although he had spent some time as a number 10. When Pellegrini was subbed on, he and Morgan were on opposite wings most of the match for some very odd reason. Why? If there was anything this team had been consistent with this season, it was receiving service from their right-winger, Lewis Morgan. For them to have been on opposite sides the majority of the match after the substitution is truly mind-boggling and likely had an effect on this team going forward.

Then you look at the third goal conceded. Fair play to Dax McCarty, who took the space he was given and found the back of the net, but no one closed him down. Matuidi barely tried to catch him after being beaten while we lightly jogged in the midfield, and not one defender thought to close down. They let Dax legitimately run from the half-way line to the top of the box and still let him get a shot off. Woeful is the best word I could use to describe how poor the defending was on this play.

Outside of the three goals conceded, that was about it. At times, the game was dead, and Miami struggled even in possession to get any clear chances inside the box. Even with the formation change, it was still the same Miami side we had seen all year that struggled to create and convert chances. To concede three goals to a team that had only done so four times all year and is known for their defense is awful. Both defensively and offensively, Miami struggled and put out a poor showing.

It’s a disappointing but deserved result. Yes, Higuain and LGP were out with COVID. But that doesn’t change the fact that you had all week to set this match up tactically, and you came out with possibly the worst 25 minutes of the season! More has to be done; more should’ve been done earlier, considering the team’s expectations. Making the playoffs in your inaugural year is a great feat, but to scrape by and barely make it then put on a poor showing in a do-or-die game, isn’t good enough.

This match and the entire season should be enough to give management and the players a reality check, and hopefully, they can improve in 2021. The city and the fans deserve it.

It might’ve been disappointing; it might’ve really sucked to lose a lot of games this year. But professional soccer is back in South Florida, and that’s a win in my book.

 

 

Meyers Leonard Reaches A Deal to Stay in Miami

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Meyers Leonard also reached a deal with the Miami Heat, which is worth $20 Million for two years.

Meyers told the Associated Press, “I wanted nothing more than to come back to Miami. Literally nothing more.”

And well, it happened. Although playoff minutes weren’t flying his way in the bubble, he was one of the most key pieces to this Miami Heat locker room.

Standing on the sideline, cheering his team on. That’s Miami Heat. That’s culture.

And of course, Jimmy Butler most likely had a lot to say about that. Although there’s so much to discuss about Meyers off the court, he also has some stuff to prove on the court.

He was the starting center in one of the most productive starting lineups in the NBA last season, and there’s a reason for that.

Not only do his shooting abilities allow him to be a dangerous big man, but his on-court fit with the Heat stands out even more.

Tyler Herro got his on-court leader in Goran Dragic back, and now Bam Adebayo got a mentor back as well.

The Hammer, welcome back to Miami.

 

Goran Dragic Back in Miami Heat Uniform

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Goran Dragic decided to make his own announcement at the 6 pm free agency opening, and it was a good one for Heat fans.

It was reported that he has agreed on a two-year deal, worth $37.4 Million.

Obviously this wasn’t much of a surprise, since Pat Riley made it clear that he would look to take care of Goran.

His ability to play through the injury in the Finals put the cherry on top, since it showed he truly trusts this organization to take care of him.

And as stated here, that trade clearly did work out. Forget the production side of Goran Dragic on this Heat team, his veteran leadership is what made it most assuring about his return.

Tyler Herro needs his veteran point guard as he tries to break out in his second year in the NBA, and lucky for him he will be there every step of the way.

Miami has officially got their guy, and he will be in Miami for many years to come.

Inter Miami to Make MLS Playoff Debut

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Through a year of tremendous adversity in their inaugural season, Inter Miami was able to sneak into the MLS Playoffs by way of the 10th position in the Eastern Conference standings. The club’s first-ever playoff game takes place tonight at Nissan Stadium as they take on fellow MLS expansion side Nashville SC.

But of course, there’s not an Inter Miami match that hadn’t had trouble going into it, and this game is no different.

Reviewing the First Two Ties

Before we get into that, Inter Miami and Nashville SC faced off twice in the regular season. Although MANY things have changed since those matchups, it’s still important to note the scorelines and how things went.

The first match between the two sides took place on August 30th in the same place the game will be tonight. Nashville SC has identified themselves as a solid defensive side, and this game proved to be one of their good defensive performances. Despite Miami creating 11 chances in the match, they ended the 90 minutes scoreless and saw defeat after a poorly cleared cross found Anibal Godoy open at the top of the box. Godoy was able to beat Luis Robles from long range, and that goal stood as the only one in the entire match. With Miami unable to convert their chances in the final third, Nashville saw out the win and kept all three points at home.

Fast forward to September 6th, where they met again but in Fort Lauderdale this time. Both teams took a point to their season totals as this game ended in a nil-nil draw. Nashville created a total of 13 chances that resulted in nine shots but only four on target. The offensive approach from Nashville in this match was the complete opposite from the first time, where they only had five shots, with two on target. I guess you could say less is more. However, Miami did fire all on fronts but again failed to convert any of their chances.

Also noteworthy that Gonzalo Higuain was not a part of either match as his signing was not completed this early on in the year. Blaise Matuidi, though, was a part of the second match between the two teams, and it’s safe to say he’ll be part of the one tonight as well.

Player News and Expectations for Tonight’s Match

So what should tonight’s matchup bring? Due to reports yesterday, the general public was informed that three Inter Miami players had not traveled due to positive COVID-19 tests. Both Higuain brothers, Gonzalo and Federico, along with Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, were the ones that have not made the trip to Nashville.

In other player news, it was confirmed by Inter Miami manager Diego Alonso that Rodolfo Pizarro, Brek Shea, and Nico Figal are all available tonight despite each player’s own complications.

Pizarro had recently left South Florida for two international friendlies with the Mexican National Team. His availability was not likely until MLS released a protocol in which they would charter flights for MLS players abroad to bypass the 10-day quarantine process. Along with Victor Wanyama for Montreal, he and Pizarro were two key players MLS wanted back for their postseason.

Brek Shea was on the “not medically cleared to play” list for quite some time. The thought is that when a player is on that list, they have tested positive for COVID-19, but the club or the league confirmed nothing. Shea is back, however, and Alonso now has a fan favorite at his disposal.

Nico Figal went down with an injury in Inter Miami’s game against FC Dallas on October 28th. The club confirmed that the defender was dealing with a muscle injury in his leg. Fortunately for Inter Miami, he is available tonight. He will be needed, too, as LGP is out with COVID, and Andres Reyes is suspended for this game after picking up a red card in the season finale vs. FC Cincinnati.

With these returnees and players that are out, how should Miami line up tonight? That’s for Diego Alonso to decide, but me to speculate.

With the defensive options running extremely thin, Figal will have to start at the center back position. A late bloomer this season in the defense has been A.J. De LaGarza, who has seen time both at center back and at right-back. I think it’d be smart for Alonso to utilize A.J.’s versatility and play him at CB alongside Figal. The wing-backs have come down to the coach’s preference all season. On the left, Ben Sweat played most of the year as the starter but has been replaced in recent weeks by Mikey Ambrose, who scored an absolute worldie last time out. Alonso should feed the hot and leave Ambrose as the starter. With no Figal or A.J. to play on the right, Alonso will have to decide between the rookie, Dylan Nealis, or the MLS veteran, who he sat all year after a poor performance in the club’s inaugural game in LA, Alvas Powell. Powell got his chance against FC Cinincianntti and put in a very decent performance. Personal preference would be to go with Nealis, who has had more game experience this season, but Powell is a solid option.

The midfield will consist of both Blaise Matuidi and Wil Trapp, as that’s been the best duo the team has had in the latter half of the year. If Alonso sticks with his 4-2-3-1 formation, these will be the guys in front of the backline.

Up front is now where things get interesting. Lewis Morgan is the OBVIOUS choice to start, and really that goes without saying. The other three attacking positions might be up in the air. No Higuain means the team has to address the striker role and who plays around him. The last time Higuain did not play, Julian Carranza was the striker of choice for Alonso. However, we have seen Robbie Robinson start this year up top as well as Juan Agudelo. It’ll likely be Carranza since Alonso has also used Agudelo on the left-wing after Matias Pellegrini lost his starting spot.

Is Pizarro ready to play 90 minutes as a number 10? On international duty just three days ago, he played 89 minutes as a starter for the Mexican National team against Japan. This game was on Tuesday, and on Friday, Rodolfo may be asked to do it again. Quite the test of fitness for Inter Miami’s first-ever Designated Player.

Oh, and John McCarthy will be starting in goal as Robles is still healing from a fractured arm, and Drake Callender has not yet made his mark on an MLS stage.

My prediction for the starting XI tonight is as follows:

4-2-3-1

Carranza (ST)

Agudelo / Pizarro / Morgan (LM, CAM, RM)

Matuidi / Trapp (CDM, CDM)

Ambrose / Figal / AJD / Nealis (LB, CB, CB, RB)

McCarthy (GK)

Predictions

Both clubs are in their first-ever playoff match. Their first ever win-or-go-home games that could shape their future for the next couple of years. The stakes are massive for both sides and mean a ton for both franchises and fan bases.

With that said, when you factor in how Nashville and Miami have played against each other in the past, and how Miami lacks goal scoring in their side and Nashville is a VERY defensive team, this game will be close.

Don’t expect a goal-fest. Expect a very gritty, get stuck in the mud kind of game where both teams play not to lose until the opening goal actually comes. As the leading team in clean sheets recorded, Nashville will look to keep that up while Miami may try and play the same way but break on a counter.

With Lewis Morgan to worry about on the wing and Pizarro’s creative genius, I think they may counter early out of the half time break and make it 1-0 within the 50′ minute mark. Nashville will equalize quickly after. Then, in dramatic fashion, Miami will find themselves with a late winner to put them on the right side of a 2-1 scoreline, and they’ll be headed to Philadelphia.

The game is at 9 pm EST on ESPN2.

Three Piece Picks: UFC 255 Figueiredo vs Perez Card

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Main Event: (C) Deiveson Figueiredo vs #4 Alex Perez

 

Pick: Deiveson Figueiredo 

By: TKO

Round: 3

Breakdown: Deiveson Figueiredo is coming in making his first title defense after putting down Joseph Benavidez twice. He is coming into this fight with a single blemish on his MMA record at 19-1. On the other side, Alex Perez is coming in as Dana White Contender Series Alumni and having a record of 6-1 in the UFC and 24-5 overall. In this fight, the power of Figueiredo is going to be the key. He comes in with a distinct advantage in striking. He also comes in as a Brazilian Ju Jutsu Black Belt. Alex Perez comes in with an advantage in the wrestling advantage, but how long will he be able to keep Figueiredo down? Proven in his previous fights, he is shown to be able to stave off takedowns, and even if he does get taken down, he can get back up and work off of his back if not fully get back up. Perez is also shown to leave himself open when striking. In his fights against Joseph Benavidez, he got dropped after leaving himself open to counterpunches. If he gets dropped against Joey B, it’s hard to see him fight a perfect fight against Deiveson Figueredo and make him miss if he plans to throw any type of offense. Now there is a clear path for Alex Perez, which is if he can get the takedown, he can sap the energy of Figueiredo and tire him out. We know that Figueiredo has shown a bit of a cardio problem, and it’s uncertain if this will be a problem going forward. He has made claims that he is 9 lbs lighter now than he usually is at this time, so if his body fat and amount of muscle that he’s carrying is a bit down, we can see his gas tank improve. Perez has great wrestling and this fight is much closer than the odds show ( +230 Alex Perez), but his striking still has holes in it, and if Figueiredo can land just one, it could be the beginning of the end for Perez. Look for Figueiredo to outpower Alex Perez and take this win by TKO 

 

Co-Main Event: (C) Valentina Shevchenko vs. Jennifer Maia

 

Pick: Valentina Shevchenko

By: TKO

Round: 2

Breakdown: Maia is coming in as a heavy underdog going as high as +1000 on some books. Valentina comes in with an advantage in almost all the stats. This is going to be her 4th title defense and she has looked impressive in every one of her title fights. Even in her only loss in a title fight against Amanda Nunez, it was a split decision and she took the female GOAT to the judge’s scorecard. She has a distinct advantage on the feet because of her footwork and striking. Her ability to manage distance and keep herself at a safe distance has been her strength. She makes her opponent miss so much and then works the counterpunches. She comes in as a southpaw and is an excellent muy thai practitioner. She comes in with all the advantages in the striking stats and grappling stats except for significant strikes per minute which is only because Maia gets more shots down once she takes her opponent down. In this fight, Maia will need to try to get Valentina on her back and keep her there. Valentina has good takedown defense which is sitting at 77% right now. She is also great at timing her clinches with her opponent’s takedowns and getting knees and punches on the break. Valentina will systematically break down Jennifer Maia in this fight and it will be an excellent showcase for her. Maia does have a path to victory in trying to take this fight to the ground, but the former Invicta FC Flyweight Champ has a tall order in trying to impose her will for 5 rounds with the champ. Look for Valentina Shevchenko to show her brilliance both on the feet and with her defense and take this fight in the middle or later rounds via TKO. 

 

Fight #3: Tim ‘The Dirty Bird’ Means vs platinum’ Mike Perry

 

Pick: Mike Perry 

By: Decision

Breakdown: Tim Means is coming in off of an impressive win vs Laureano Staropoli where he showed his veteran ring awareness. The problem is that every time he has gotten a win recently, he’s followed it up with a loss. Mike Perry is also coming in 3-5 over his last 8 fights, but his last 3 losses were against Donald Cerrone, Vicente Luque, and Geoff Neal. He has fought much harder competition than Tim Means and for not having a corner in his fight he showed a lot of diversity in his game. Not only did he fight a stand-up game, but he also took the fight to the ground and defended very well against someone who was excellent on the ground. His gas tank looked great and on top of that, he’s got a lot to fight for. He’s got a baby on the way, he’s infamously got some taxes due and he’s had some out of the octagon engagements that haven’t been in his favor when it comes to his wallet. Tim Means is an excellent veteran who can still put a win together if he’s able to put it all together as he did in his last fight, but look for Perry to take control of this fight and brawl his way to a win. 

 

Fight #4: #2 Katlyn Chookagian vs #4 Cynthia Calvillo

Pick: Cynthia Calvillo

By: Decision

Breakdown: Katlyn Chookagian is coming in off of a loss vs Jessica Andrade, while Cynthia Calvillo is coming in with a win over former #1 Contender Jessica Eye. She is also on a 3 fight winning streak not including the draw she had. In her last fight, she showed her ability to keep on the gas pedal and maximize her output. She landed 150 of 294 in her last fight averaging about 30 significant strikes per round. She also is multifaceted with the ability to take the fight to the ground. She averages 2 takedowns per 3 round fight and if she’s able to land two in this fight, her low center of gravity will make it very hard for Katlyn to get back to her feet. Chookagian has shown the ability to beat lower-level fighters, it’s just a problem once she’s fighting against high-level ones. She got dominated in her losses vs current champion Shevchenko and former champion Jessica Andrade. She uses a lot of mirage in her fights meaning she throws a lot of volume that doesn’t really hurt her opponents. Calvillo has all the advantages in the striking and grappling stats. For her, the big key will be trying to manage her distance vs a taller fighter and potentially taking her down. If she can do so, it’s more than likely we’ll see her win by decision. 

 

Fight #5: Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua vs Paul ‘Bearjew’ Craig 2

Pick: Paul Craig 2

By: Decision

Breakdown: This is a rematch after their draw in November of last year. Rua is coming in having won 5 of his last 7 but those fights span over the last 5 years. The fights he had 4 fights ago is a different version of the fighter he is now. He’s absorbed lots of damage over the time and is now past his prime. Paul Craig is coming in the more active fighter with 5 fights to his name in the last year and a half. Interestingly, Rua is 1-6 in his last 7 fights in the US. Craig has 12 of his 13 wins coming by submission, so that seems like the path he will have to try and pursue. With the BJJ Black belt of Rua, it’s unlikely that he will be able to get the submission fully, but we will likely see him control the fight with top position and grind it out to a victory. 

 

You can follow Johnathan on Twitter @ThreePieceCombo

 

Pat Riley: “I’d Like To Run This Thing Back”

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Free agency officially begins this afternoon at 6 pm, and Miami may be involved quite a bit.

Most importantly they will look to retain Goran Dragic and Jae Crowder, which although some rumors have loomed, I have no doubt they will be back in a Miami Heat uniform next season.

Pat Riley mentioned in his press conference the other night, “I’d like to run this thing back.” And well, that starts with retaining their key free agents.

This statement can be taken a few different ways, but I believe he was saying they want to run it back with their core. I don’t think that exactly pertains to a possible move trading away Kendrick Nunn or Kelly Olynyk.

But ultimately, every team in the Eastern Conference right now is scrambling trying to get better in any way they can, while Miami is sitting back watching.

And there’s a reason for that.

It is known that Pat Riley and company are never afraid to make the big trade to make the team better, but they make take a different approach this season. After reaching the NBA Finals, Pat is content with keeping the young and productive core that this team has, and rightfully so.

For one, I believe that showcases the bright futures of Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson. Bam Adebayo is clearly untouchable, but Herro and Robinson seemed to have been thrown in some trade talks here and there throughout the off-season. But well, Pat isn’t giving these guys up for nothing, and he may not even give them up for something big.

There is a real and genuine tone in Pat Riley’s voice when he talks about the potential or production of his young players, and that is not always the case.

He is perfectly fine with “running it back,” and Heat fans should be too.

Possibly adding some role players, such as Wesley Matthews, may be the most attractive move right now, so we will see what happens this afternoon when Free Agency officially begins.

Multiple Positive COVID-19 Tests Ahead of Inter Miami Playoff Game

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In breaking news Thursday night, it was reported that there had been multiple positive COVID-19 tests within the Inter Miami squad. This news comes about 24 hours before the club is scheduled to play their first-ever playoff game against fellow MLS Expansion Team, Nashville SC.

It is not certain at the moment who has tested positive, how many have, or when the results came in. According to reports from SB Nation’s Franco Panizo and Sun Sentinel’s Khobi Price, at least five total players have tested positive with the possibility of at least three being starters.

Miami is set to take on Nashville at Nissan Stadium at 9 pm EST tomorrow. Depending on when the club was notified of the positive tests and how it was handled at the training facility in Fort Lauderdale throughout the week will determine if the game can still be played.

After the Orlando Tournament, MLS had specific same-day travel rules for road teams in the regular season, and it’s thought that it’s the same for the post-season. This rule has probably done Inter Miami a favor here as they still have not arrived in Nashville for tomorrow’s match, and the club can prohibit the players who have tested positive from traveling.

With the thought that the positive tests came earlier in the week, it’s important to note that the last time the official Inter Miami social media accounts posted videos from training as early as three days ago, but none since then. The last training video’s identifiable players include Juan Agudelo, Matias Pellegrini, Julian Carranza, and Dylan Nealis. Other players are visible in the background but are not clearly shown.

Rodolfo Pizarro, Brek Shea, and Nico Figal were all said to be available yesterday morning.

As previously mentioned, it’s not clear about who has tested positive or how many. The adversity continues for Inter Miami as they now go into their first-ever playoff match with a weakened side when previously thought they would be at full strength.

The match is available for fans to watch nationally on ESPN2 tomorrow at 9 pm Eastern.

Bam Adebayo and the Miami Heat Changing the NBA

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It’s no surprise that the entire NBA is trying to find their Bam Adebayo, but it’s just not going to happen. Not many people are given the God given talent of being a guard in a center’s body, but he is one of them.

A few decades ago, the league was being run by dominant bigs, who worked predominantly in the low post. We’ve seen a slow shift away from that type of play in the NBA, but June 22nd, 2017 was the night that we look back at as the beginning of a new era.

Bam Adebayo was picked with the 14th pick by the Miami Heat, and it wasn’t exactly the most loved pick. Why would they take a 6’9 center who can’t shoot the three ball and doesn’t have a low post game?

Well, that’s because he can do absolutely everything else on the floor, which is ultimately the bar for teams across the league when discussing a franchise center.

Now, the Miami Heat selected Precious Achiuwa in the 2o2o NBA Draft, which means that they sense a total 360 in today’s league. They started this trend, and they’re going to ride it out until the next trend comes around.

Many thought they would size up after the Los Angeles Lakers bigs gave them major trouble in the NBA Finals, but I also believe they see this as a counter. Having two quick bigs on the roster gives Miami major flexibility, and ultimately could play many team’s centers off of the floor.

And if any team was going to do it, it would be this fast paced, in-shape Miami Heat team, who could potentially look to run teams off the floor.

Once again, everybody is trying to find their Bam, but there is no other Bam. I’ve mentioned the fact that Precious can reiterate many of the things that Bam does, but that doesn’t mean he’s on track to be the same type of player.

Not only does every team want their Bam, but every player wants to be like Bam. The players in the draft also realize that the game is changing, so they will need to have a versatile offensive game by play-making, handling the ball, and potentially running the offense.

That’s the goal.

The goal is Bam.

And not many people are going to reach that goal.

Marlins offseason

Marlins Offseason Primer

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Miami made history last week with the hiring of Kim Ng to fill their open general manager position. Ng arrives with an extensive and impressive resume. She’s earned her spot atop a front office with 30 years of experience. Now, she helms the Marlins as they move into a pivotal offseason.

The Marlins fast-forwarded the timeline of their rebuild last season by crashing MLB’s postseason. After finishing 31-29, Miami swept the Cubs in the Wild Card Round to advance to the NLDS. But a 3-0 sweep at the hands of the Braves laid bare clear deficiencies on their roster.

Here’s a look at what Ng, Derek Jeter and the Marlins need to consider this offseason to build on last season’s successes.

Marlins Offseason: Sort out the 40-man Roster

Step one for Ng and Co may very well be sorting out the 40-man roster. As it stands this week, Miami’s 40-man remains loaded with pitchers (21). 17 position players fill out the remainder of the list. None of those players are expected to be removed from the 40-man roster, which has two open slots.

Why does this matter? The Rule-5 Draft. Minor leaguers who have exceeded a threshold of service time within an organization must be added to their team’s 40-man roster by November 20th or else teams risk them being poached by other clubs in the Rule 5 Draft.

SS José Devers, OF Jerar Encarnación and LHP Will Stewart stand among the prospects that need to be added to the 40-man or risk being lost in the draft. That’s at least three players for just two available spots at present. Something’s gotta give.

Miami has had success with Rule 5 in the past, like poaching Elieser Hernandez from the Astros in 2017. In 2013, the Marlins landed Justin Bour from the Cubs in the minor league phase of the draft. The club’s biggest success in the Rule 5 draft remains picking Dan Uggla from the Diamondbacks in 2005.

In 2019, the Marlins selected Sterling Sharp from Washington, but eventually returned the reliever to the Nationals after an unsuccessful stint with the club.

Offensive Needs

The Marlins surprised many with their resilient play and postseason push in 2020. Many of the talented young prospects got their first taste of MLB competition. Miami saw 18 players make their MLB debuts in 2020. While much of that came out of necessity after the COVID-19 outbreak, some of those players proved ready to contribute at baseball’s highest level.

That said, there remain clear deficiencies on this roster. Ng could turn to the trade market to address some of these issues, but others can be solved by signing free agents.

The Marlins offense sputtered at times last season. The finished 2020 23rd in runs-per-game, averaging 4.23 per contest. While a marked improvement on their 2019 figure (3.80), runs-per-game still needs to be closer to 5.0 to be considered a high-octane offense.

It wasn’t just run scoring where Miami lagged. The team managed a middle-of-the-pack batting average (.244) and on-base percentage (.319), ranked 17th for both. They struggled with slugging percentage (.384), coming in at 25th in MLB.

Home runs were also difficult to come by. Miami’s 60 homers in 2020 were also just 25th in baseball. The connected on 0.98 homers-per-game (26th), a number that slightly improved upon 2019’s 0.90 rate (30th).

What this means is, Ng and the Marlins front office need to consider adding a bat or two this offseason.

Marlins Players with Much to Prove

The lack of faith in Jorge Alfaro during the postseason indicated that catcher could be an offseason focus. Chad Wallach can’t be the everyday catcher for a playoff contender.

Another position of need could be second base. The Marlins hoped Isan Diaz would be the answer there, but the young slugger struggled to find consistency. Diaz underwhelmed in 2019, then lost much of 2020 to a brief opt out and eventual injury.

Jazz Chisholm performed well in moments during 2020 and remained the most productive of the positional prospects that got run last season. Although acquired as a shortstop, Chisholm could take second base.

The Marlins would do well though to add another middle infielder to the mix. They don’t have to focus on a single position, considering Miguel Rojas’s versatility.

The other position that could use an upgrade is corner outfield. Corey Dickerson underwhelmed in his first season with the Fish and right field was a turnstile throughout the season. Although the team expects Harold Ramirez to return from his leg injury, there’s still a clear need for a power bat in the middle of this lineup.

Pitching Needs

The strength of Miami’s team last season came from the pitching staff. The starting rotation, once fully healthy after the COVID outbreak, stood as a potentially elite grouping. Heading into 2020, the Marlins top arms include Sandy Alcantara, Pablo Lopez, Elieser Hernandez and Sixto Sanchez.

In 2020, the Marlins came in 21st with a team ERA of 4.86. Roster turnover warped that figure though, as Miami pressed a number of young arms into service before they were ready for MLB hitting. The starters fared better, with a 4.31 ERA (14th), but even that number is skewed.

Combining Alcantara, Lopez, Hernandez and Sanchez’s numbers in 2020 would yield a 3.34 ERA. That would’ve been the third-lowest starter ERA in MLB last season.

But Miami can’t throw just four arms in a season, so they’ll need some help in the rotation. José Ureña is the club’s longest tenured player, but he could be released. Daniel Castano pitched admirably at times, but he could use more seasoning at the Triple-A level.

This means the Marlins could use at least one veteran starter this offseason. Someone who can eat innings and bridge the gap to the frontend of the rotation.

The Marlins also need help in the backend of the bullpen. The Marlins declined closer Brandon Kintzler’s $4 million option and saw Brad Boxberger hit free agency. Yimi Garcia returns for 2020, but Miami definitely needs to add at least one more high-leverage arm to a bullpen that posted a collective 5.50 ERA in 2020 (26th).

Marlins Offseason Options

The Marlins’ new GM has her work cut out for her in free agency. While there’s the possibility of adding someone like Francisco Lindor via trade, the club will more likely look to add a few pieces to reasonable deals.

Former Marlin J.T. Realmuto tops the free agent list this season, but he might be looking for more money than Miami is willing to offer. Former White Sox catcher James McCann may be a more realistic target for the Fish, but even he could be expensive. McCann has hit .276 with 25 home runs and 75 RBI in 149 games over the last two seasons. He’s considered one of the best pitch framers in the business.

Another catching option could be Tampa Bay Ray’s Mike Zunino.

For the middle infield, Miami’s options expand somewhat. At second base, DJ LeMahieu may be too pricey, but former Athletic Tommy La Stella or former Cardinal Kolten Wong could be signed. Former Dodger (and Marlin) Enrique ‘Kike’ Hernandez would provide a versatile utility veteran, as well.

If they’re in the market for a shortstop, Didi Gregorius and Marcus Semien head that list. Andrelton Simmons and Freddy Galvis could be options as well.

As far as a power bat for either the corner outfield or designated hitter slot, Miami may seek a reunion with Marcell Ozuna. If he proves to be too expensive, perhaps Michael Brantley or Nelson Cruz could be inked. Other names here include Jay Bruce, Brett Gardner and Joc Pederson.

Pitching Options

For the starting staff, Miami may turn to a World Series veteran like Charlie Morton. It’s unlikely they’ll be in the running for someone like Trevor Bauer, but taking a flyer on left-hander James Paxton could be interesting. Mike Minor and Jake Odorizzi are also talented, playoff-experienced options.

The bullpen market remains robust, so the Marlins have plenty of options there. Liam Hendricks may prove to be too pricey for the Fish, but maybe someone like Trevor May or Trevor Rosenthal could be added. Former Marlin Brad Hand is coming off a great season with the Indians. Former Padres closer Kirby Yates could be an interesting addition as well.

A best-case scenario could see the Marlins add a catcher (Realmuto or McCann) and difference-making bat to the middle of the order (Ozuna or Lindor), as well as a middle infielder (Semein or Hernandez). They’d also land high-leverage relievers (Rosenthal and Yates) and at least one starter (Odorizzi or Paxton).

Marlins Payroll & Arbitration

It will be interesting to see if this augmented front office elects to increase the team’s payroll. Miami may have a new TV deal in the works, and could use the naming rights to Marlins Park for another revenue stream. In 2020, the Marlins sported the third-lowest pro-rated payroll in MLB at $28.5 million. That was in line with their 2019 approach, which saw the Marlins payroll come in at $71.2 million, the second-lowest in baseball.

It remains to be seen what Ng and the Marlins will do from a payroll stand point. At present, Starling Marte leads the club with a $12.5 million salary. Dickerson is on the books for $9.5 million. Rojas comes in at $5 million.

From there, the Marlins  have eight players who are arbitration eligible: Jesus Aguilar, Alfaro, Brian Anderson, Richard Bleier, Garrett Cooper, Garcia, Ryne Stanek and Urena. Most of these players would be in line for a raise from their 2020 salaries.

The Marlins have until December 2 to decide whether or not to tender them contracts. The team could (and probably should) consider extensions for players like Anderson and Cooper, at the very least. Aguilar, meanwhile, may have to wait to see if the National League gets to use the Designated Hitter moving forward. If so, he’s likely to have a role. If not, given Cooper’s play and Lewin Diaz being on the cusp, Aguilar may be jettisoned.

Miami’s payroll should be north of $62 million for 2021. And if the team gets new TV deal and sells the naming rights to Marlins Park, it could be much higher than that.