2) Worst contracts in the NL East: Avisail Garcia of the Miami Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a team that rarely spends big on any free agent. The Marlins are a team that tries to build from within, so whenever they do splurge on a free agent, it has to work out. The Marlins have benefitted greatly from one of their big signings of the last couple years with Jorge Soler having a fantastic year this season, but a guy they signed with him, Avisail Garcia, has struggled for a second consecutive year.
After a terrific year in Milwaukee, the Marlins splurged on Avisail Garcia and gave him a four-year deal worth $53 million. He makes $12 million annually and has a club option worth another $12 million for the 2026 season with a $5 million buyout.
Garcia's first year was a disaster as he had a .582 OPS and a 66 OPS+ while being limited to 98 games due to injury. This season has been even worse. He's played in just 35 games and is slashing .190/.248/.324 with three home runs and 11 RBI. He has a 55 OPS+ and he's lost his every day spot.
The Marlins are a team that was, and still is, starved for power. Garcia launched 29 home runs in 2021 for Milwaukee. Even if they got 20-25, the Fish would've been more than satisfied. Garcia has combined to hit 11 in his first two years in Miami.
The contract might not be too detrimental for teams like the Phillies and Mets, but Garcia's contract with the Marlins might rob them of the opportunity to add a legitimate power bat to put in the middle of their lineup.