Miami Marlins: 6 Ways They Can Still Spend Money This Offseason

Everything about the Miami Marlins is new this season. I know that has been worn out and overstated, but the reality is the basis of this franchise is fully transformed from what it's been since its inception. The front office has brought the city a new stadium, a superstar in Jose Reyes, and top free agent acquisitions Mark Buehrle and Heath Bell. 

Now, with only a few weeks left until spring training, and roughly two months from the stadium's grand opening, the Marlins can still make a few wise choices with their remaining cash, some of which can shape the team into more of a playoff contender than it already is. 

Sign Yoennis Cespedes

Cuban defector Yoennis Cespedes is at the top of many teams' wish lists this offseason. The 26-year-old center fielder is a monster with the bat, although his defensive shortcomings have been well publicized.

Given his poor performance in the Dominican League recently, it is not a stretch to see Cespedes start the big league season in the minors, but he should be a full-time contributor very soon in the Major Leagues.

One of the Marlins biggest positional needs is center field, and with such an incredible Cuban community in Miami, Cespedes is a logical fit for this team. Count on a contract upwards of $30 million to nab Cespedes. 

Pursue Jorge Soler and Gerardo Concepcion

Many die-hard baseball fans know exactly who these prospects are, and the Marlins would be wise to invest the time and finances into each of them. Comparable to Cespedes only in that they are also Cuban defectors, neither is ready to step into the big leagues quite yet, but they possess incredible talent and potential. 

Soler is already drawing attention reportedly from the Red Sox and Cubs, and many scouts have said due to his age (19) and range in the outfield, he may turn out to be a better investment than Cespedes. 

Concepcion doesn't come with the accolades of an Aroldis Chapman, but the lefty is crafty and only 18 years old. 

Lure Javier Vasquez Back for One More Season

Yes, I know the Marlins traded for Carlos Zambrano to be their fifth starting pitcher. Yes, I know they also acquired Wade LeBlanc to be a long reliever/spot starter. But does anyone actually realize how dominant Javy Vasquez was for the last two-thirds of the 2011 season? 

Stack up these numbers against any pitcher in all of baseball and you may not find anyone better:

In his last 19 starts:

9-3 Record

1.92 ERA 

115/19 K-BB ratio 

Opposing Batters hit .162 in September 

Why not try to lure Vasquez back for one more season at a cheap price? Any good team would find a place for stats like those. 

Add One More Reliever

Great teams can never have enough bullpen help. The Marlins had a problem closing games last year, which they addressed with the signing of Heath Bell, but they also had an issue with blown saves before the 9th inning.

A guy like Dan Wheeler would help bridge the gap to get to Bell, and although he was injured last season, he has been very durable throughout his career. 

The Marlins, as with many teams, don't believe in overspending for middle relief, but with a lineup as potent as this one could be, it would be a shame to not win games based on pitching. 

Secure Mike Stanton and Logan Morrison to Long Term Contracts

Moving into a new stadium, especially with a fickle fanbase, the Marlins need continuity. They need to build a brand of recognizable faces and guys fans can grow with, like the Heat have done with Dwyane Wade or the Dolphins did with Jason Taylor and Zach Thomas. Never let your young stars hit free agency.

The Marlins did a great job of that by securing Josh Johnson and Hanley Ramirez to contracts before they hit arbitration; now it's time to do the same with Stanton and Morrison. 

Not only will it cost less to secure these guys now, but it will send a clear message to the fans: We're here to win not only now but for a long time to come, and we're not going to let what has happened before repeat itself. 

Spend Whatever It Takes to Secure the Ballpark Is Perfect

This may actually be the most important element to the long-term success of the Marlins. Rumors have been circulating for months about whether the roof or other parts of the stadium are up to codes, whether the parking garages have potential flaws and how funding for the project was secured.

The city of Miami and the people of South Florida were not all in on the building of this new park to begin with, so the Marlins cannot risk alienating even more fans, or risking any potential negativity surrounding the grand opening in March.

Go out there and spend whatever it takes to assure the fans and the people in the community that there are absolutely no faults in the building of the stadium. And if there are, fix them now. Right now.