At 33-42, the Marlins have dropped nine games back of the division-leading Mets in the National League East. They’re even further behind in the Wild Card picture, and they’d also need to jump each of the Nationals, Braves and Phillies to make a run at the division. That’s decidedly unlikely, with FanGraphs’ updated playoff odds giving the Fish just a 0.2% chance of making the postseason. With their hopes of competing in 2021 all but dashed, the Marlins look to be one of a few teams (the Diamondbacks, Rockies, Pirates, Rangers, Tigers and Orioles are among the others) who are virtually certain to move players off the big league roster before the July 30 trade deadline.
Nevertheless, it doesn’t seem the Miami front office is inclined to relaunch a full teardown. The Marlins are expected to hold onto their young, controllable starting pitchers this summer, reports Joe Frisaro of Man On Second Baseball (Twitter link). Instead, the team is more likely to trade position players on expiring contracts and relievers.
That’s not a particularly surprising development. The Marlins have been amidst a rebuild for the past few seasons, and they’ve started to see the fruits of that effort at the major league level. Miami made last year’s expanded playoff, although they never looked especially likely to compete for the division title over the course of a 162-game season. Still, the development of the controllable young pitching gives plenty of hope for 2022 and beyond.
Each of Pablo López, Trevor Rogers and Sandy Alcantara have had fantastic campaigns to date; López and Alcantara are controllable through 2024, Rogers through 2026. Shoulder troubles have kept Sixto Sánchez from making his season debut, but the Marlins were surely never considering moving the promising 22-year-old even before his series of injuries.
Even without Sánchez, Miami’s rotation has been one of the league’s better units. Marlins starters rank sixth in ERA (3.37) and groundball rate (45.1%), eleventh in SIERA (3.92) and twelfth in strikeout/walk rate differential (15.7 percentage points). Obviously, that hasn’t been reflected in the standings, but the team has been more competitive than its .434 winning percentage would suggest.
Miami has outscored their opponents by 21 runs over the course of the season (which is tied with New York for the fifth-best run differential in the NL). A 6-16 record in one-run games has tanked their postseason chances, but their Pythagorean record (essentially a team’s estimated place in the standings based on run differential) is a much better 41-35. That’s largely a moot point this year, but the encouraging underlying numbers lend additional support to the front office’s apparent belief that they needn’t move core players under long-term control.
Turning to players the Marlins do look likely to move in the coming weeks, none stands out more than star center fielder Starling Marté. A left rib fracture sidelined Marté for a few weeks in April and May, but he’s been stellar when healthy. The 32-year-old is hitting .301/.411/.486 with six home runs across 175 plate appearances this season. Marté has been a productive player for years, but his current offensive output is the best of his career. Most notably, he’s chasing pitches outside the strike zone less than ever, helping to drive a 13.7% walk rate that’s far and away his best mark.
Marté is in the final year of his contract, still due the balance of a $12.5MM salary that’s a bargain relative to his current level of production. Earlier this month, he expressed an interest in signing an extension that would keep him in Miami for the remainder of his career. General manager Kim Ng said there’d been no extension talks to date, though, and it’s certainly possible the Marlins prefer to move Marté for young talent rather than offer a player his age a long-term deal. The M’s could theoretically hold onto Marté through the end of the season and make him a qualifying offer, but they’ll likely be offered a midseason prospect return more valuable than the compensatory draft choice they’d receive if Marté rejects a QO.
Few of the Marlins other realistic trade candidates figure to bring back as much as Marté would, but there’s a handful of players who could attract interest. Corner outfielders Corey Dickerson and Adam Duvall are having passable seasons. The shape of their production differs (Dickerson’s hitting for average and getting on base but not hitting for much power, Duvall has slugged sixteen homers but has a lowly .266 OBP), but they’ve both been average offensive players in aggregate.
Dickerson’s due the remainder of a $9.5MM salary, while Duvall is making $5MM this year (including a $3MM buyout of a 2022 mutual option). The Marlins might have to pay down some of that respective money to facilitate trades, but each player could hold modest appeal to an outfield-needy club. (Dickerson is currently on the IL with a left foot contusion). First baseman Jesús Aguilar is having a solid season, hitting .260/.321/.453. He’s controllable through 2022 via arbitration, but Miami could move him, particularly if they’d be disinclined to offer him a raise on his current $4.3MM salary next year.
The Marlins also have a host of affordable relievers who could hold appeal to other clubs. Dylan Floro and Richard Bleier are veteran ground-ball specialists. Ross Detwiler and John Curtiss are missing bats at above-average rates. Yimi García and Anthony Bass have had fine, if unexciting, seasons.
Perhaps most interestingly, rookie Anthony Bender has been a revelation. The 26-year-old hasn’t allowed an earned run over his first 21 1/3 MLB innings. He’s averaging 97.5 MPH on his sinker, missing bats (29.9% strikeout rate), inducing tons of grounders (53.2%) and avoiding walks (6.5%). Miami controls the righty for six-plus seasons, so they could certainly elect to hang onto him in hopes that he cements himself as one of the sport’s top relievers. His breakout isn’t all that dissimilar from Nick Anderson’s in 2019, though, and the Marlins elected to move Anderson at the deadline that year. (Notably, that was under previous general manager Michael Hill, not Ng).
Even if the Marlins don’t listen to offers on their cornerstone rotation pieces, contending teams figure to be in touch with Ng and her front office in the coming weeks. The Marlins have plenty of complementary veterans and quality relievers who could help contenders down the stretch.
The Baseball Fan
Marlins just need that one big bat that carries the team, which they don’t quite have. I see the Marlins as much more valuable on paper than their record reflects.
DarkSide830
ive heard theres this guy in New York…
mick-3
if only. id trade Stanton for Marte in a heartbeat
mlb1225
Would Stanton really help the Marlins that much though? He’s limited to DH because he’s gotten hurt so much in the field. He’s played less than a third of all the Yankees’ games since 2019.
DarkSide830
in reality? probably not terribly. i just think there is a touch of irony there that provides some comedic effect.
bot
Only reason Stanton isn’t in south beach is Bc mlb let a slew of bums who couldn’t make payroll buy the Marlins.
MarlinsFanBase
I’d take Stanton if the Yankees take cover 90% of the contract and the final 5 years.
Cosmo2
Your Marlins are in a good position for the future. A few smart moves now and good player development and they could rule the division for years. Stanton would hurt that. I’d say 99%. If the Yanks pay 99% of his salary then maybe. Obviously Stanton isn’t going back to Miami, it was a joke of course, but I just want to point out that I really like the direction the Marlins are headed in.
MarlinsFanBase
@Cosmos2
Yeah, I was joking too. That’s why I stated that part of the Yankees taking over 90% of the contract (there was a typo on my part) and of course the final 5 years of that contract. I wanted Stanton wearing another uniform the very second the news broke out that Loria signed him to a 13-year contract.
Wait…wait…wait…I need to stick to my favorite statement….”Bah humbug! I really hate that Jeter gifted Stanton to the Yankees!”
Ahhhhhhh!
sfes
I’m with Cosmo. Stay the course and add that big FA or two when it makes the difference between WC chasing and Division champ. Marlins aren’t too far off. You guys have a great future ahead
Monkey’s Uncle
I’m not so certain that Marte gets traded. I mean sure, if the Marlins get offered a good enough return, they should trade him… but he says he wants to be there, he’s performing very well, and he’s unlikely going to break the bank to sign to an extension. And as the article suggests, the Marlins are a better team than what their record indicates, so maybe they shouldn’t be in a rush to sell off every veteran unless the return is too good to pass up.
washington_bonercats
While the team may be better than their record (something that doesn’t exactly make sense to me) they’re certainly not competitive in their division. An aging Marte won’t be around long enough to see them be that. Sell while you can
Mjm117
You’re 100% absolutely right about the Fish not being competitive in their own division. Except for the fact that the Marlins are 14-12 vs the NL East.
MetsFan22
He means that they won’t be competing for anything in the division and they’ll finish last. Which is 100% percent right.
Mjm117
You’re 100% right! Marlins don’t need to win the division. All they need is to make the postseason bc we all know when they do, they usually just win ‘ships.
dknight 2
They’ve got lots of outfield prospects, but I wouldn’t be surprised at the idea of trading away Marte and signing him next offseason, a la the Yankees strat with Chapman years ago.
Cosmo2
Why sign him though? They need to get younger, not sign someone who has probably only a couple really good years left in him, if that? I suppose if you could get him for just 2 years, but otherwise…
motor
These Marlins are no longer Jeffrey Loria’s Marlins. If Marte is sincere about signing long term, perhaps he goes off to try to win a World Series for a few months and then re-signs in the offseason. The likelier course of action is keeping this team together and letting them grow and gain trust in each other. Who knows, Miami might even be a desirable destination for FA this year!
sfes
I dunno, the Marlins certainly are way better than their record indicates, but would signing Marte long term really be a smart move? He’s having the best season of his career, but an extension would take him into his thirties. He may age well, but I’d imagine the Marlins have enough young talent to either use in his absence or package for someone younger and controllable? Hell or even try to sign a big free agent to put them over the top
Cosmo2
Right. An aging Marte coming off a likely over-achieving season is a dumb signing for a club in Miami’s position.
Curly Was The Smart Stooge
I wouldn’t mind seeing Duvall come back to the Braves. Since the newest Batman character, “The Choker”, has left a power gap in the batting order, Duvall could fill that spot. Worth a shot. He’s 2nd in the NL in RBIs
jakec77
I wouldn’t completely discount the possibility that they trade a pitcher.
I say this because the market conditions might be such that they can get a return that they can’t refuse.
More than ever before, every team could use pitching. And few teams are really positioned to take on salary, so that just makes young cost controlled pitching that much more valuable.
So, if someone offers high end, near major league ready talent, they have to at least consider it.
cgallant
Aguilar would fit nicely on the Sox
rememberthecoop
Which Sox? With the White Sox relevant again, one should specify Bos or Chi? Smacks of east coast elitism.
amanateeamongmen
Only if he’s a BoSox fan.
Ducky Buckin Fent
“east coast elitism”
Man…for real?
You guys. We recently went over 60 articles until there was anything on the Yanks.
It would appear, that MLBTR is not biased – as an example – & merely reports the stories that are relevant *regardless of geography”.
Man. All this needless division is just not helpful.
cgallant
Red Sox buddy. The white Sox are pretty well set at first.
TradeAcuna
Both Marlins and Braves will be basement dwellers for years to come. Marlins will likely get out first due to managements desire to put out a winner.
@DaOldDerbyBastard
What?
bot
Start w Lopez and alcantara. If you can’t get a kings ransom for either than don’t trade anyone. Resign Marte and build for next year. This team is actually relevant somehow.
padam
Marte is what the Mets need – a CF who is good defensively and can lead off with some speed. Considering they’re both in the same division, I’m sure the Marlins would jack up the asking price. Plug him in and the Mets seem to be complete on the field.
everlastingdave
I’d take Marte on the White Sox all day.
cndb41a
The M’s ?
JoshHolt32
Does anybody know Marlins record in 1-run games, seems weird they outscored opponents by 21 and starting pitching has been good, lineup has been decent….assume bullpen is giving up close games?
OofAndYikes
They’re something like 6-16 in one run games. They have a collection of good 7th/8th inning guys in Bender, Curtiss, Floro, and Garcia. They deserve to get clowned on for thinking a journeyman like Bass could be a good closer though.
Big Smoke
Bass isn’t closing
rememberthecoop
Read the post – it’s in there!
casorgreener
Reading is fundamental…
isaacfromfl
6-16 in 1 run games, a result of inconsistency offensively and the bullpen giving away leads
jigokusabre0
6-16 in one run games.
7-12 in two run games.
11-6 in 5+ run games.
MarlinsFanBase
@jigokusabreo
That 11-6 record in those 5+ run game differences is because our bullpen hasn’t figured out a way to blow those leads yet. They sure have been trying though. Give Anthony Bass some time and he’ll figure out to blow those 5+ game leads too for the rest of the bullpen. He probably needs to talk to past legends of ours like Kevin Gregg, Renyel Pinto, Vic Darensbourg and Mike Dunn. That collective wisdom will have the Marlins blowing 5-run leads in no time at all. But trust me….Anthony Bass and Co. are really working hard to figure out how to blow all leads possible.
JonKK
Nice article, thanks.
“Each of Pablo López, Trevor Rogers and Sandy Alcantara have had fantastic campaigns to date…” –> has had a fantastic campaign
elscorchot
Recently completed an action: I have asked her to marry me. He has finished his homework.
Rsox
I kind of wouldn’t mind Starling Marte in Boston if they aren’t going to bring up Duran but at the same time Kike seems to be heating up at the plate and he’s been playing strong defense in CF lately
FrontRowMarlins
Trade them all! They are just stopgap players, bridges to the youth.
Chemo850
I really can’t see them trading him unless they get a massive overpay from someone. Pointless to trade him just to replenish the junk they gave the Diamondbacks. They have the Dickerson contract off the books this off-season and none of their outfield prospects have shown anything yet. He seems pretty sincere in wanting to stay, and with his personal tragedy from last year or the year before, I’m sure he and his kids feel right at home right now in a predominantly Latin community. I seriously doubt he wants to uproot for money at this point as a single parent to go play somewhere else. I got him coming in hot with a discount and re-signing for 3 years around 30-40 million.
Brick House Coffee Tables Inc
Marte is the only older piece which could generate some sort of bidding war. Aguilar is a nice piece to trade especially if they want to go after south Florida native Anthony Rizzo in the off-season to bring more leadership… but do any of the playoff-competing teams really need a 1B?
They can probably move one of Duvall/Dickerson and two of their older relievers, but they aren’t going to get much for any of them beyond organizational lottery tickets.
mlb1225
Could see a reunion with the Brewers and Aguilar. Daniel Vogelbach is hurt and Keston Hiura has not been what what they were expecting. Red Sox may kick the tires on Aguilar, but Dalbec has a 137 wRC+ since June 10th. Less than a 60 plate appearance stretch for Dalbec is hardly enough to for the Sox to commit to him as their primary 1B for the rest of the season, especially if they keep this up and considering he had a 58 wRC+ from the begining of the season up through June 9th, but could be another potential caller for Aguilar. Indians may also kick the tires on a reunion with Aguilar. Again, Bradley has done well in a small sample size of plate appearances, so it’s more of a “wait and see” kind of thing with them.
stretch123
Marlins should definitely trade Marte, Aguilar and Yimi. If they can get 4-5 average to good prospects for those guys combined, it would really help the farm even more. But if they’re gonna trade Aguilar and Marte, they better have a plan to add a bat this off-season. I personally want to see us sign Rizzo. Might also make sense to “buy” this deadline too, maybe bring in a vet like Adam Frazier or Haniger. The offense has been terrible.
sfes
Yes he was a playwright… and….?
I’m surprised that you’ve followed up your ironic post with another! You can’t begin a sentence with the word “and.” Thanks for showing us what an idiot is like in the wild! I’m getting a big laugh out of this!
MarlinsFanBase
My thought on the Marlins deadline:
Starling Marte: If you can get a bidding war between all of the contenders in need of a real CF, I take the best offer if it’s an offer that they can’t refuse. If not, hold onto him and determine where they are in the rebuild based on what they have versus what they don’t have. If they feel they can contend next year and beyond, try to extend Marte for about 2 or 3 years. If they feel they can’t contend next year or Marte turns down an extension, give him a QO so you can get compensation if he leaves, or have him for another year in CF if he accepts.
Jesus Aguilar: I only move him if the Marlins get an offer that can’t be turned down. He’s not a great player, but he’s a strong bat that can protect the young hitters going forward. Also going forward, he’s young enough to be our DH for a few years – possibly at a friendly price.
Adam Duvall: See what you can get for him. Take anything of value. He is a decent piece, but the Marlins need a big, consistent bat to bring us to the next step. Ideally, grab some young bullpen piece(s).
Corey Dickerson: Trade for sure. I’d rather watch Jesus Sanchez play until he shows he can’t keep his bat in the lineup. And if that happens, then bring up the next kid that looks ready (Bleday, Conine, etc. etc. etc.) Get a young bullpen piece(s).
Garrett Cooper: Trade for sure unless they trade Aguilar. Try to get a young bullpen piece(s).
Miguel Rojas: Try to extend, unless he wants to play with a contender this year or if a team makes an offer that the Marlins can’t refuse. I try to get him signed to a 2 year deal. He can easily transition into a Super Utility guy if one of the other young MI’s beat him out for SS/2B. If the Marlins can’t trade or extend him, do not offer a QO because he is no where near worth that.
Yimi Garcia: Move on. He’s not a closer that brings you anywhere. He’s a set-up guy – at best. Don’t plan on extending either because, now that he’s closing games this year, he will be overpriced for what he actually is capable of doing.
Anthony Bass, Adam Cimber, Ross Detweiler, etc.: Move on from the bad bullpen pieces. Move them for anything. Make room for younger arms to get some introduction to MLB or for young relievers to try to win a job. Once Edward Cabrera can stay healthy, and is able to come up, see if he fits as a SP or a bullpen piece that can potentially close.
The Marlins are there with the starting pitching.
Their lineup has pieces that can set the table with Jazz (and Marte if extended. The Marlins need about 2 big run producers that are consistent. The space for that is at corner OF and perhaps DH next year. If they don’t bring back Rojas, then middle infield would also be a spot – with keeping an eye open for either Trevor Story or Marcus Semien (particularly Semien) as middle infielders that very likely move on from their teams at friendlier contracts than the other guys.
The Marlins bullpen is a disaster. Nearly every guy, except for a couple of pieces, find ways to blow leads to the point that they come into a fire with a blow-torch and gasoline. Even if there isn’t a fire, they start one. They have single-handedly made the difference between the Marlins being where they are now versus being over .500.