Longtime Miami Marlins First Baseman Garrett Cooper Could Make Free Agent Decision Soon
There are "about five teams" in the market for free agent first baseman Garrett Cooper, according to a report from Miami Herald and MLB Network contributor Craig Mish on Monday night.
Mish said Cooper could make his decision soon.
Back in January, the Milwaukee Brewers were pegged as a possible landing spot for Cooper before they signed Rhys Hoskins and Gary Sánchez. The Boston Red Sox were also reported to be interested in adding Cooper if they were unable to lure back outfielder Adam Duvall.
Cooper, who just turned 33 years old in December, got his start in the Brewers' farm system. He was traded twice in 2017 – first to the New York Yankees, and then to the Miami Marlins.
In Miami, Cooper eventually carved out a consistent role in the lineup. He appeared in 107 games in 2019, notching 15 home runs and 50 RBI with a .281 batting average and .791 OPS.
COVID-19 cancelations and a UCL injury limited Cooper to just 105 games between 2020 and 2021, but he still managed to hit .284 with 15 homers, 53 RBI and an .848 OPS in that span. In 2022, Cooper made his first career All-Star appearance, batting .261 with nine home runs, 50 RBI and a .752 OPS in 119 appearances.
Cooper was operating at a similar level of production in 2023, even after he got sent to the San Diego Padres at the MLB Trade Deadline. He finished the season batting .251 with 17 home runs, 61 RBI and a .724 OPS in 123 games.
For his career, Cooper is a .286 hitter with an .816 OPS against left-handed pitchers. Versus right-handed pitchers, Cooper has a .262 batting average and .756 OPS since debuting in 2017.
Cooper made $4.2 million in his final year of arbitration eligibility in 2023. Spotrac projected the slugger to land a two-year, $13.8 million contract this offseason.
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