The Miami Marlins are one of four teams to have thrown their name into the hat for one of Cuba’s hottest free agents, Yadiel Hernandez.
Ben Badler of Baseball America has reported that the Marlins hosted Hernandez in a private workout, over the weekend, joining the Arizona Diamondbacks, Milwaukee Brewers, and Colorado Rockies as interested teams.
Unlike other Cuban prospects like Yasiel Puig, Yoenis Cespedes, and Jose Abreu, Hernandez has not demonstrated particularly great power, having never hit more than 10 homers in a single season.
He has, however, been a dangerous hitter. Hernandez has a career .324/.449/.487 slash line in 2,167 plate appearances in Cuba.
Whatever team signs Hernandez would likely need to make room for him quickly, as he’ll turn 29 in September.
In terms of immediate fit, the Brewers would seem to be the most natural fit for Hernandez, especially if they move Ryan Braun at the deadline. Still, even with Braun in the mix, Hernandez would fit in well in the immediate future, as Domingo Santana is the only current member of the Milwaukee outfield likely to be in the team’s long term plans. Additionally, Brett Phillips is the only one of the team’s current top-10 prospects that plays in the outfield.