Marlins eye Adam LaRoche for help at first base

The Marlins, trying to add a starting pitcher and a serious bat, have targeted first baseman Adam LaRoche, as has been reported, and they are in touch with several pitching possibilities — though it seems James Shields is a longshot.

LaRoche, who could fit in the lineup behind just-signed superstar Giancarlo Stanton, has been offered $20 million over two years, according to the Miami Herald.

While the team has reached out to Shields, he might be a little pricey for the Marlins, who just signed Stanton to a $325 million, 13-year deal, the richest in MLB history. Stanton took the same salary, $6.5 million, in 2015, to allow the Marlins more payroll flexibility, but Shields could receive close to a $20 million salary via free agency, which is quite rich for Miami’s tastes.

The free-agent pitching market isn’t bad, however, and with Francisco Liriano, Ervin Santana, Edinson Volquez, Brandon McCarthy, Jason Hammel and Justin Masterson available, the Marlins should be able to add someone to help. The Herald also reported the team has called about a trade for Diamondbacks left-hander Wade Miley, but the price tag would have to be enormous for Miley.

The first base market is thin, so there aren’t many options beyond LaRoche. They could also move comeback player of the year Casey McGehee from third base to first and go for a third baseman, but that doesn’t seem to be the preference, as McGehee was surprisingly good with the glove last year (zero errors at home). The Marlins may look at second base help, too, though they are said to like Kiki Hernandez very much.

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