Marlins Nab Outfield Coach, Grady Sizemore Connection in Gary Thurman

The Florida Marlins finalized their coaching staff on Tuesday, spearheaded by manager Ozzie Guillen in 2012. Among the new additions are Joey Cora (Guillen's bench coach with the White Sox) who will have the same role with the Marlins and coming from Cleveland, Gary Thurman will take over Perry Hill's role as the first base coach. 

Joe Espada and Joey Cora will take over/split the infield duties that were done by Hill, who is retiring because of knee issues. Gary Thurman will be the base-running and outfield coach and take over the outfield role of Espada from last season. 

Since we have long known that Cora will be the bench coach and Hill was bound to leave, Thurman's addition to the Marlins could be a mild incentive for a particular free agent to join the ballclub. His name isn't among the likes of Pujols, Fielder or Reyes, but Grady Sizemore would certainly be within the Marlins grasp this offseason. 

The Marlins face a vacancy in center field and quite possible could face another if they decided to deal Logan Morrison for a front-line starting pitcher. Thurman wasn't with the big league team, but as a minor league coordinator the past four seasons with the Indians, he has gotten to know Grady Sizemore (who spent time in the minor leagues this season and during Spring Training).

Before going to Cleveland, Thurman also spent eight seasons in Seattle (Sizemore is from the state of Washington) under the same role, although he was with the big league team in 2007 in the role he now holds with the Marlins. Thurman and the current front office (Beinfest) have crossed paths because Thurman was in Seattle in 2000 and 2001 when Beinfest was still with the organization. 

Grady Sizemore has been oft-injured, but the Marlins certainly have backup plans (Chris Coghlan and Bryan Petersen) if something were to happen. Sizemore was an All-Star caliber player from 2005-2008 (115 stolen bases, 107 home runs) and would have a spot open here if he is injury free.

We heard that the Marlins would raise payroll smartly and this seems like the way to go without breaking the bank on Jose Reyes (another oft-injured player), Prince Fielder or Albert Pujols. Sizemore would only command around $3-4 million based on incentives and might want a two-year deal with a player option, in case he may want to hit the open market after a comeback season. 

Mike Berardino of the Sun-Sentinel mentioned today in his blog that this regime, albeit Jeffrey Loria and David Samson were with the Montreal Expos in 2000 when the team drafted Grady Sizemore.

Today, MLBTR predicted that Sizemore would head the Marlins as the team is going all out this offseason and not worrying so much about risk/reward factor. 

All the stars are aligned within the organization, but will the Marlins be able to stave off the other suitors (Red Sox, Giants, Mariners, Indians, Tigers among others)? We will soon find out.