The Marlins have claimed a second hurler from the Reds, per a team announcement. Southpaw Josh D. Smith will also go to Miami via waiver claim, joining Justin Shafer.
Smith, 30, appeared briefly last year with the Marlins and Indians. He’s now the second hurler by the same name in the Miami organization.
This is one of several roster moves the Marlins are working through. The club is in the midst of an extremely worrying COVID-19 outbreak, with at least 11 players sidelined after positive tests.
Termin
For God’s sake, opt out
Larmando
Why ?
bitteroldman
Would you want to walk into a clubhouse where there’s an active outbreak of C-19?
Larmando
Of course I would ! I have less chances of getting into the big leagues than dying of COVID haha
sufferforsnakes
Perfect!
tonyinsingapore
Sign, get paid and after the season quarantine for three weeks on a remote resort beach. The extra week is to make sure “loved ones” are safe upon return 😉
Briffle2
Miami might be the safest team going forward. You know they’ll be tested the crap out of those guys and making sure they’re following all of the protocols and requirements to be safe.
goalieguy41
Yes a virus that has a less then one percent mortality rate.
MarlinsFanBase
I guess you aren’t aware, that the people who are less likely to die from it, are trying to be safe to make sure that they don’t pass it onto a loved one that can die from it.
People that have loved ones are aware of this.
astros2017
No doubt
But for many people, if they could get big league pay for two months, they would simply stay away from family for that period of time
Reality is in a normal season they are away from their families for three months, just not all at once
If I’m a guy who otherwise didn’t have a great chance to make it to the majors, I’d take that money and zoom with my family for two months, would think twice
kylegocougs
You’re bad at math. Currently the death rate for known infections is between 4-5%. Sure there are asymptomatic people who aren’t included in the 4 million American sick, but you can’t count what you don’t know.
PapiElf
Both Josh Smiths have played for the Reds.
Orel Saxhiser
Really? You must be joshing.
Briffle2
Fun fact, Josh Fogg’s full name is Joshua Smith Fogg. He is also apparently known as the “Dragon Slayer”.
bjhaas1977
Being claimed by the Marlins is like a death sentence right now.
Larmando
Why ?
hiflew
It’s the exact opposite. It’s a guarantee of playing time for fringe players that would otherwise not get a chance. For a guy like Smith, it is his opportunity to showcase either for the Marlins or the rest of the league for a chance this year and in future years. Absolutely no way would I opt out if was a fringe guy going to Miami. Yes, it’s risky hea;th-wise, but if I don’t have an underlying health issue and wasn’t opting with my former team, then why wouldn’t I take the opportunity to play here?
Jeff Zanghi
pretty sure they were referring to the covid outbreak… not the opportunity for playing time.
hiflew
Yes I realize that. My point was that for fringe players, the covid outbreak is a major opportunity to make an impression when they may not have gotten that attempt without covid. It’s sort of a making lemonade out of lemons situation. Of course covid is horrible, but let’s try and find at least some good things that can happen now. Guys that would normally be struggling to get the eyes of big league managers on them now have an opportunity to impress. That’s a positive to me.
throwinched10
Getting hitters out or staying away from his teammates – what’s tougher?
Dorothy_Mantooth
The poor Marlins have to go dumpster diving just to field a healthy lineup. While their rebuild is still a work in progress, this was a big year for developing some of their younger players but most are out with COVID now. Given the short, 60 game season, it’s basically a lost year for these kids who contracted the virus. Too bad because it would be nice to see Miami turn the corner and start being competitive again.
baseballpun
The should hire ol’ dumpster divin’ Theo to help!
James Midway
Even sick they took 2 of 3 in Philly, not too bad
SoxRewl
One down, 24 to go to field a team
Orel Saxhiser
Back in the spring, Jeter said he hoped to see many positives during the 2020 season. I’m pretty certain this isn’t what he had in mind.
Orel Saxhiser
Pity the Marlins. I’m pretty sure Connor’s Lumberjacks and Tim’s Vipers can beat these guys.
MarlinsFanBase
They need to let the Phillies know how to because it didn’t happen for them.
bogs79
It’s hard to feel bad for the Marlins when they have 5 offensive players who recently got put on COVID IL, yet they are using the system of extra 40 man roster spots to stockpile DFA-ed pitchers, only to sneak them through waivers once they can.
Jeff Zanghi
At this point I really don’t think they’re trying to “sneak” anything. They’re going to have to use every single player/spot on their 40 man roster right now (plus 1) just to field a healthy 30 man roster…
bogs79
Whenever a player goes on COVID injury list, it opens up a spot on the 40 and 60 man roster. So if they were really concerned about fielding a healthy team, they would fill the replacements with hitters, not pitchers. Once a player comes off the COVID list, the Marlins will simply outright the Josh Smith type player they claimed, in order to try to get him to alt camp while not taking up a 40 man spot. It’s all about upgrading their pitching depth for the season IMO.
Jeff Zanghi
I wonder why he never got called up during his 2 years in Boston. He pitched really well in the minors for them and they even seem to have experimented with him as a SP which looks like it went relatively well also. Too bad they don’t have him now – I know it’s been 2 years since he was with the organization… but especially if he’s capable of starting… seeing as Osich is the starter/opener tonight vs. the Mets… just about any P capable of pitching in the majors would be of value to the team now.