Miami Marlins continue busy offseason with signing of Matt Joyce

Matt Joyce (Google Images)

The Miami Marlins continued their very busy offseason on Monday with the signing of outfielder Matt Joyce to a one year deal worth $1.5 million according to Rotoworld. Joyce played last season with the Atlanta Braves, and could provide an experienced bat to the Miami lineup.

The Marlins become Joyce’s seventh Major League Baseball team. In addition to the Braves, Joyce has played for the Detroit Tigers, Tampa Bay Rays, Los Angeles Angels, Pittsburgh Pirates and Oakland Athletics.

Last season, Joyce batted .295 with seven home runs and 23 runs batted in with the Braves in 200 at bats. During 129 games and 238 plate appearances, Joyce scored 32 runs, had 59 hits, 10 doubles, 38 walks and 90 total bases. He had an on base percentage of .408 and a slugging percentage of .450. Joyce had career highs in batting average and on base percentage.

In 2011, Joyce was an all-star with the Rays. That season he batted .277 with 19 home runs and 75 runs batted in. Nine years ago he had career highs in hits (128), runs batted in and stolen bases (13).

Joyce also had another strong season with the Athletics in 2017. Three years ago he batted .243 with 25 home runs (a career high) and 68 runs batted in. Joyce also had career highs in runs (78), doubles (33), walks (66) and total bases (222).

Now the question for Joyce and Marlins fans is how much playing time will he get. Marlins manager Don Mattingly loves Brian Anderson. Miami has already signed Corey Dickerson from the Philadelphia Phillies to play left field, and it appears Joyce does not have the speed as Lewis Brinson does to play center field. However if Brinson continues to struggle offensively (batted a pitiful .173 in 2019), Mattingly may not have a choice. He will have to get creative in order to get Brinson’s bat out of the lineup and Joyce’s bat in.

In addition to Joyce and Dickerson, the Marlins acquired third baseman Jonathan Villar from the Baltimore Orioles, first baseman Jesus Aguilar from the Tampa Bay Rays, and relief pitcher Brandon Kintzler from the Chicago Cubs. Miami was last in the National League East in 2019 with a record of 57 wins and 105 losses.