Second base wasn't supposed to be a revolving door in 2014 when the Miami Marlins signed veteran Rafael Furcal to a one-year, $3.5 million deal last offseason.
But various leg injuries prevented the 36-year-old from re-energizing his career in South Florida. After missing 2013 with Tommy John surgery, Furcal sustained a hamstring strain during spring training in Jupiter, Fla. While rehabbing in the hope of a return, he hurt his groin.
After appearing in nine games in June, Furcal strained his other hamstring and never saw the field again. He hit .171 (6 for 35) with four runs, a triple and two RBI. His absence at second and in the leadoff spot meant five others got playing time.
Internally, Donovan Solano, Kiké Hernandez and Derek Dietrich will get looks at the position. The Texas Rangers claimed Ed Lucas off waivers and the Marlins outrighted Jordany Valdespin to Triple-A New Orleans last week.
Free agents include Stephen Drew, Asdrubal Cabrera, Mark Ellis, Kelly Johnson and Clint Barmes.
Over the next few weeks, I'll be breaking down the Marlins at each position -- analyzing what went right and wrong for the players that saw action there -- as well as the likelihood of their returns.
What he did right: Two of Solano's three homers came against Cy Young finalists Adam Wainwright and David Price. With runners in scoring position, Solano proved to be clutch by hitting .350 with four doubles, a homer and 24 RBI. In 22 games during July, he batted .344. His starter-sub splits were .266 versus .154. Solano was also a reliable defender, committing just one error over 79 games.
Where he needs to improve: Since being acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals, Solano has hit .264 with eight homers and 90 RBI in 306 games. By this time, the Marlins know what they have in the 26-year-old. In 2014, his home-away averages were very drastic. He hit .207 at Marlins Park and .280 on the road. Against left-handed starters, he hit just .226 as opposed to .261 versus righties.
Contract status: Arbitration eligible ($512,000); Free agent in 2019
Likelihood of return: Two years in a row Solano has made the big-league club out of spring training. As a rookie in 2012, he started 56 of 58 games beginning in May. In 2013, he started at second in 92 contests. In 2014, he was penciled nearly every game of the second half because of the injuries to Furcal and Dietrich. Expect Miami to look into other second-base options but keep Solano as a bat off the bench.
What he did right: Miami didn't just want right-hander Jarred Cosart from the Houston Astros but also "Kiké" Hernandez, a utility player. He showed his versatility in the outfield and infield in his two stints with the club. Though it took him eight at-bats to collect his first hit in a Marlins uniform, Hernandez knocked an opposite-field shot in Philadelphia and a grand slam in Washington. Despite his 5-foot-11, 170-pound frame, he has pop. With runners in scoring position, Hernandez hit .333 and .278 on balls put in play.
Where he needs to improve: The sample size is still too small to determine trends since he has just 42 major-league games to his name. In 35 plate appearances against southpaws, Hernandez hit .200 with two doubles, no homers, no RBI, five walks and four strikeouts. As a pinch-hitter, he went hitless in five at-bats. He batted .154 on first-pitch swings. Like many young players, Hernandez likely needs consistent playing time -- something he got as an Astro and over the final week as a Marlin.
Contract status: Arbitration eligible in 2017
Likelihood of return: Hernandez will be given a chance at the second-base spot during spring training. If he doesn't win it, he would be a frontrunner for a bench role as a utility player. With the Astros, he was plugged in at left and center, second, short and third. As a Marlin, he appeared at center and right, third and second. Or, the 23-year-old could start the year in Triple-A New Orleans to play every day.
What he did right: When Furcal began the season on the disabled list, Dietrich was the starting second baseman -- just not for Opening Day with a lefty on the mound. He hit three homers and drove in 10 runs (three multi-RBI games) over the first month of the season. Prior to being sent down, he was hit 10 times. As the second batter, his .326 on-base percentage (compared to a .228 average) meant a runner often reached for slugger Giancarlo Stanton.
Where he needs to improve: Dietrich got hit in the face by a bad hop during spring training and didn't seem to completely recover from it as he committed 10 errors in 44 games (43 starts) at second base. A left-handed batter, he hit just .143 against southpaws with no homers and one RBI. When ahead in the count, Dietrich batted .217 and .229 with runners in scoring position.
Contract status: Arbitration eligible in 2017
Likelihood of return: Miami is still high on Dietrich's power bat, but his glove must improve. He became too much of a liability out on the field, especially when he couldn't produce at the plate -- homerless over 19 games -- leading up to his demotion. The 25-year-old has blasted 12 doubles, four triples and 14 homers but struck out 94 times in 373 big-league at-bats. When he healed from a right wrist sprain that may have affected his numbers prior to being sent down, the Marlins didn't bring him back as a September call-up. MLB.com reported that the Marlins were working Dietrich at first base during the instructional league, so maybe that could be a better fit for him.
You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.
