Behind-the-scenes look at what Marlins tried this offseason. And potential trade partner

The Marlins’ signing of Jean Segura last week was a relief internally, after the team came up empty in previous winter pursuits.

Here’s what happened behind the scenes in recent weeks, according to team and industry sources:

When the offseason began, Miami made a hard push to sign former American League MVP Jose Abreu.

The Marlins met with Abreu and offered a two-year deal at close to $40 million. But the veteran first baseman instead opted to take a three-year, $58.5 million deal with Houston.

Miami then pivoted to former World Series MVP and Roberto Clemente Award winner Justin Turner. The Marlins loved the third baseman’s leadership and ability to hit the ball well at loanDepot park (.402 career average in 102 at-bats). And they thought he would help facilitate a culture change inside the clubhouse

The Marlins, however, were unwilling to give a two-year deal, largely because of his age (38). The Marlins offered him one year in the $15 million range, but he instead accepted a two-year, $22 million contract with Boston.

The Marlins then turned to infielder Brandon Drury, who was coming off a career season with the Reds and Padres (.263 average, 28 homers, 87 RBI). Miami made a two-year proposal topping $19 million, the best financial package that he was offered, according to a source.

But Drury had a prior relationship with Angels manager Phil Nevin and took a two-year, $17 million deal with the Angels.

The Marlins then began pursuing Segura. Initially, Segura was thought to be seeking a one-year deal. But that changed after Segura’s representation saw other position players receive multiyear deals.

Segura, who was also pursued by the Detroit Tigers, lives in South Florida during the offseason and conveyed to the team that he had interest. The Marlins agreed to pay him $6.5 million in 2023, $8.5 million in 2024, with a $10 million team option (or $2 million buyout) in 2025.

Segura trains at Pinecrest Physical Therapy in Miami, where Marlins players Sandy Alcantara, Pablo Lopez and Garrett Cooper also do offseason work.

Segura will be the Marlins’ third baseman to begin 2023, barring a trade that forces them to change plans.

As of now, 2022 All-Star Jazz Chisholm Jr. remains the Marlins’ starting second baseman. We’re told he would like the opportunity to play shortstop at some point, but as of now, second base remains his position.

The only other free agent the Marlins pursued was pitcher Johnny Cueto, who was 8-10 with a 3.35 ERA in 25 appearances for the White Sox last season. He would seem to be an option only if the Marlins trade a starting pitcher for offensive help.

Miami will still need to pursue bullpen help via free agency or trade, but it is unlikely they will devote significant financial resources to that area because they have other holes to fill, including augmenting first base and the outfield.

Meanwhile, the team continues to explore trading a pitcher for a position player.

The Boston Red Sox have emerged as a potential partner.

Boston, in desperate need of controllable starting pitching — and Miami, in desperate need of controllable quality bats — would seem a good trade match. But they haven’t been able to agree on a deal.

The Marlins appear open to dealing a significant player on their roster for first baseman Triston Casas, a former Plantation American Heritage standout who is Boston’s No. 2 prospect, according to MLB.com. Miami might be willing to part with one of their frontline starting pitchers for Casas, who was selected 26th overall in the 2018 Draft.

The Marlins likely would need to include Pablo Lopez, Trevor Rogers or Edward Cabrera in such a deal. The Athletic reported previously that the Red Sox have interest in Marlins infielder Joey Wendle.

Casas has 46 homers and 181 RBI and a .269 average (.374 on base) in 284 minor-league games. He hit .197 with five homers and 12 RBI in 76 at-bats for the Red Sox last season in his first major-league action.

Another Red Sox prospect of potential interest to the Marlins: Ceddane Rafaela, Boston’s No. 3 overall prospect. He profiles as a center fielder or shortstop. But Rafela, 22, isn’t projected to be a significant big-league contributor until 2024, and the Marlins want to prioritize improving the 2023 team.

The Marlins also inquired about Mets third baseman Eduardo Escobar, who hit .240 with 20 homers and 69 RBI last season, with it appeared that he might be expendable after the Mets agreed to terms with Carlos Correa, a deal now in limbo because of a failed physical. The Marlins then turned their attention to Segura.

PAYROLL UPDATE

Miami’s payroll is now projected at $101 million dollars, tied for 22nd in baseball with the Washington Nationals. Their payroll is projected to be higher than the A’s, Orioles, Pirates, Reds, Rays, Royals and Guardians. Among those teams, only the Athletics had lower attendance than the Marlins in 2022.

The challenge for the Marlins is that three teams in their division rank among MLB’s biggest spenders. Including luxury tax payments, the Mets’ reported projected payroll is $495 million (including $111 million in luxury tax), Philadelphia projects at $242 million and Atlanta at $239 million.

The $101 million projected payroll figure for the Marlins would be their highest since Bruce Sherman purchased the team in 2017. With the Segura signing, the Marlins now have also committed more than $180 million in guaranteed contracts in the past 13 months.

SEGURA AT THIRD

Segura has played only 24 games at third base, all in 2020, but the Marlins believe he will be fine there. He has played mostly second base for the Phillies during the past two years.

A scout for another National League team, who isn’t authorized to speak publicly, said: “Instinctively, he’s going to have to work to get used to seeing the ball off the bat at third base, because he’s been in the middle of the field for so long. His hands and arm strength play to third. He still catches the ball well.”

Herald senior baseball correspondent Craig Mish hosts Fantasy Sports Today from 11 a.m. to noon and Newswire from 2 to 3 p.m. weekdays on Sportsgrid. Follow him on Twitter at @CraigMish. Follow Barry Jackson at @flasportsbuzz