Marlins release veteran OF Delino DeShields

The Marlins announced that outfielder Delino DeShields has been released from his minor league contract. DeShields didn’t show much in limited Grapefruit League action, getting just one hit in eight plate appearances over four games.

DeShields’ strong center field glove and base-stealing ability earned him a regular spot in the Rangers lineup in 2017-19, even if his bat was rarely dangerous. Cleveland acquired DeShields as part of the Corey Kluber trade in the 2019-20 offseason, but he was then non-tendered the next and bounced around to three different teams during the 2021 campaign. The outfielder’s only MLB action last year came in a Reds uniform, as he hit .255/.375/.426 in 58 PA for Cincinnati.

In the wake of this release, DeShields will now try to catch on with another team in need of outfield depth. The Marlins seemed to be such a club, as DeShields’ center field ability made him a good backup for a starting outfield that will feature Jesus Sanchez and Avisail Garcia sharing time in center. However, with DeShields now gone, it seems as though the Fish will be going with another minor league signing in Roman Quinn as their top outfield bench option.