Marlins agree to Minors deal with Maxwell
Miami also issues Spring Training invites to Scruggs, Clemens
MIAMI -- Amid all the speculation that the Marlins may move Marcell Ozuna, the organization has brought in some outfield depth, as Justin Maxwell has agreed to a Minor League deal with an invitation to Spring Training.
Miami also reached similar non-roster agreements with first baseman Xavier Scruggs and right-hander Paul Clemens.
Maxwell, 32, could be in the mix for a backup outfield spot. He appeared in 100 games for the Giants last season and had a slash line of .209/.275/.341 with seven home runs and 26 RBIs.
Miami considers its outfield a strength, yet the status of the 25-year-old Ozuna is uncertain, and he is drawing considerable interest as a potential trade candidate for a starting pitcher.
The club is set with Christian Yelich in left field and Giancarlo Stanton in right field. Ichiro Suzuki is signed for 2016.
Cole Gillespie, like Maxwell, is an option to make the club as a right-handed hitter off the bench.
Maxwell broke in with the Nationals in 2007, and he has also played for the Astros and Royals.
Clemens, 27, pitched in parts of two seasons with the Astros (2013-14) and is 4-8 with a 5.51 ERA in 48 games (five starts).
Scruggs, 28, is a right-handed-hitting first baseman who saw action in 17 games with the Cardinals in 2015. In parts of two big league seasons (2014-15), he has a slash line of .246/.295/.298 in 26 games.