Marlins to Consider Bringing in Fences

The Miami Marlins play in one of the most spacious stadiums in baseball and they may make some changes to the design this off-season.

Moving in fences is something that other teams have elected to do, and has been on the table for Miami in the past as well. In previous years, the Marlins decided to see more statistics before making moves. Several players over the years including Giancarlo Stanton have been outspoken about the dimensions.

"I reiterate that they need to be brought in, in years to come. And it's not just my opinion. It's everyone's opinion here. And everyone's opinion on visiting teams," Stanton said last year to the Miami Herald.

While Stanton could hit a ball out of any park, there is no denying that his power numbers would increase with smaller dimensions. Stanton has seen his fair share of fly balls land harmlessly into outfielder's gloves on the warning track. Those same balls could potentially be home runs in a slightly smaller park.

A factor that has prevented Miami from making this move in the past is the potential damage to the pitching staff. Fly balls off the bats of the opposition have stayed in the park, when in other places that may not be the case. With the walls brought in or shortened, there could be a dent put into the E.R.A of the staff.

"I think pitchers would like to see [the fences] moved back, and position players would like to see them moved in," team president David Samson said.

The Marlins will need to weigh the pros and cons of this decision before going forward with it. The change could have an impact on their free-agent aspirations, and could also be beneficial to a team that may finish in last place once again.