The Marlins are generally expected to move some players off the big league roster in advance of the July 30 trade deadline. They’re in last place in the National League East at 39-50, and FanGraphs gives the Fish just a 0.2% chance of reaching the postseason. Indeed, the Marlins already began selling last month, when they sent corner outfielder Corey Dickerson and reliever Adam Cimber to the Blue Jays.
Miami’s biggest decision over the coming weeks will be whether to trade star center fielder Starling Marte. The two sides are reportedly discussing an extension, with the expectation that Marte will be moved if they don’t agree on a long-term deal. But there’s another Miami hitter who should intrigue contenders, one whose production has flown a little more under the radar: Garrett Cooper.
Cooper wasn’t a top prospect coming up in the Brewers or Yankees farm systems, and he’s never been a name familiar to most casual fans. Since breaking into the majors, he’s always performed when given the opportunity though. Miami acquired Cooper from the Yankees before the 2018 season, but he spent most of that year on the injured list. He returned to play fairly well in 2019 but again missed time with injury, and he lost a month of the 2020 season amidst the Marlins’ team-wide COVID-19 outbreak last summer.
Upon being reinstated from the COVID IL last August, Cooper mashed down the stretch to help lead the Marlins to a postseason berth. He’s improved upon that production this season, putting up a .291/.387/.481 line over 238 plate appearances. He’s sporting a .288/.375/.488 mark since the start of 2020, and he owns a .284/.355/.457 line (122 wRC+) over 875 trips to the dish at the major league level.
Cooper’s had his share of health troubles, but there’s little question he’s a quality offensive player when healthy. His bottom line results are strong, and his underlying batted ball metrics are plus. Cooper’s in the 75th percentile or better this in average exit velocity, barrel rate and hard contact rate. His peak exit velocity (114 MPH) is in the 92nd percentile, a reflection of his high-end raw power.
Unsurprisingly, the right-handed hitting Cooper has been a bit better against left-handed pitching than right-handers over the course of his career. He’s far from a platoon player, though, owning a productive .280/.362/.434 mark against same-handed hurlers. Cooper does strike out a fair amount and shouldn’t be expected to sustain this season’s .383 batting average on balls in play. But he makes consistent hard contact and uses the entire field, so it’s fair to expect he’ll continue to have his fair share of hits fall in. Even if Cooper’s BABIP dips toward his .337 figure from last year, he should remain a well above-average hitter based on his quality of contact and decent plate discipline.
The bat is the calling card for Cooper, who’s best suited at first base. With Jesús Aguilar at first in South Florida, he’s seen more time in the corner outfield than at his natural position in recent seasons. He’s not a disaster in the grass, but defensive metrics all agree he’s below-average, which isn’t surprising for a player listed at 6’5″, 235 pounds.
It’s worth noting that the Marlins needn’t move Cooper this summer if they’re so disinclined. He’s controllable via arbitration for two seasons beyond this one, and the Marlins could keep him around in hopes of making a run in 2022. There was some speculation about Miami moving Cooper last offseason after they signed Adam Duvall. There was no indication the Marlins came all that close to pulling the trigger on a deal, but it stands to reason clubs will again be in contact with general manager Kim Ng to gauge his potential availability over the coming weeks.
If Miami is willing to move Cooper, there are a handful of teams who look like strong fits on paper. The Dodgers and Padres were among the clubs interested in Cooper over the winter, and they’re amidst a tight race with one another and the division-leading Giants in the NL West. (Padres general manager A.J. Preller expressed interest over the weekend in upgrading his lineup). The Red Sox and Mariners have gotten very little from their first basemen, and Seattle’s Evan White might not return from a hip injury this year. The Braves could use corner outfield help.
Even perennially low-payroll teams could inquire on Cooper, who’s making just $1.9MM (with less than half of that sum still owed). The A’s and Rays could use more production out of the designated hitter spot. Indians first basemen have been among the worst in the league; while Cleveland might be falling out of position to buy for this season, they could acquire him with an eye towards 2022.
Cooper might not have the name recognition or long track record of some of this summer’s other trade candidates. He’s a quality hitter, though, the kind of player who would upgrade most teams’ lineups. Between his production and affordability, Cooper should pique the interest of a handful of contenders over the coming weeks.
first
Dude?
first is the worst
…..and one is the loneliest number
Cool Three Dog Night reference
2 can be as sad as one. It’s the loneliest number since the number one.
Second is the best,
I miss Connor Byrne.
What happened to Connor?
Marte not getting any younger. Miami should get all they can for him now.
Marlins aren’t that far off from being a playoff team. They might benefit from keeping the veteran Marte around. It’s not like he’s really blocking anyone and won’t require a massive contract to stay
They can simply rent him out to another team for 2 months and resign him.
That always sounds great but often doesnt happen. This disruption to the players personal life could and likely sometimes cause ill will. It also could make the player feel insecure. Thinking they traded me once what would stop them from doing it again. Even with a no trade clause Im sure the speculation weighs on a player. They also could prefer the team they are dealt to. Teams acquiring at the deadline are usually the more competitive teams and most players Im sure prefer winning. Being in a better lineup also usually improves a players stats which ultimately equates to higher earnings.
I always figured there were backdoor deals done
@baseballer2021. “Unsurprisingly, the right-handed hitting Cooper has been a bit tough on Connor Byrne. Beating him ruthlessly in the Marlins’ parking lot during Spring Training”.
Dodgers and Padres both had interest in Cooper in the offseason.
I would like to see the Marlins keep Cooper. Reminds me a lot of Jeff Conine
Dodgers don’t need another outfielder
They need a pitcher and a backup 2nd/SS
Injury prone, under the radar, high upside, controllable, sounds like a zaidi target
Cooper seems like a case of the Yankees hoarding a very good player in their minor leagues until their mid-20’s even though they were major league ready.
He was in their organization for a year at most lol
The opposite. He was signed by Milwaukee and was in their system for five seasons when the Yankees traded reliever Tyler Webb for him. They immediately called him up, he played well briefly, then got injured and was traded to Miami a few months later for reliever Michael King and international pool money. The Yankees eventually traded another reliever for another career minor leaguer, Luke Voit, who they installed at 1B. They did similar with Choi at one point too. Makes me wonder how many supposed quad-A players might actually be useful MLB 1B’man!
Then I pass my blame to the Brewers
At the time of the trade Cooper was blocked.
He could easily be what Steve Pearce was for the Red Sox in 2018 for any contender
If the Braves are not gonna get an extension on Freeman they should trade him rather than letting him go on QO. Plus they could sign him back without losing a draft pick like the Yankees did Chapman.
I’m not even so sure that signing a 32 year old first baseman to the large contract he’ll likely command is even a good idea.
Our Lady of Perpetual Rebuilding can trade him too although he still fits their price range.
That strikeout to walk ratio has drastically improved since 2 years ago without losing batting average or power. Makes him a lot more attractive.
He’d have been perfect for Cleveland this year. If they don’t trade him now, I wouldn’t be shocked to see the Tribe try to acquire him in the off season.
He would fit a lot of what the Indians could use, but he’s not a perfect fit. Bobby Bradley is one of their most useful hitters and is 1B only. Franmil is their cleanup hitter and basically only DHs. Either Cooper or Reyes would have to line up in the OF.
The money and control would be right. And the Indians can spare a couple of infield prospects. A trade package of Logan Allen (the one that’s been in the majors, they have two), Aaron Bracho, and Jose Tena would both be attractive to a club like the Marlins and clear up some of their Rule V draft logjam (9 of their top 30 prospects will be first time eligible, plus about 3 players outside of those that would also warrant protection.
Has to be tough to break into the lineup at OF in Cleveland, with all their HOF talent currently holding down those spots.
Cooper would be a good fit for Cleveland, but the OF defense could be a concern. Anybody here know how bad Cooper’s defense is in the grass?
Tolerable. Better than Naylor anyway.
Good article here by Anthony Franco. Good research and informative. Thanks. Hoping to see more like this one on the MLBTR.
That always sounds great but often doesnt happen. This disruption to the players personal life could and likely sometimes cause ill will. It also could make the player feel insecure. Thinking they traded me once what would stop them from doing it again. Even with a no trade clause Im sure the speculation weighs on a player. They also could prefer the team they are dealt to. Teams acquiring at the deadline are usually the more competitive teams and most players Im sure prefer winning. Being in a better lineup also usually improves a players stats which ultimately equates to higher earnings.
In a weakened division due to injury, shouldn’t they be upgrading? With a few moves, they could be contenders.
Bring him back to Milwaukee. Let Huira stay at AAA all year and work on things.
This would be a perfect backup plan if a more impactful bat can’t be acquired. A trade like one of Howell/Lutz/Rodriguez plus one of Mejia/Bender would be solid for both sides
I agree. Send both Aguila and Marte to the Brewers – perfect fit. Take back Ethan Small, Antoine Kelly, David Hamilton and one of the Brewer’s minor league catchers since they are deep in their system.
Do the Marlins really want a package headlined by a pitcher right now?
You can never have enough pitching, especially left-handed pitching.
Brewers can’t afford to give all those minor leaguers up. The system is still pretty bare of MLB ready talent. It’s the lowest rated minor league in the NL Central.
Well maybe just 3 of that group then. I would believe that they would risk these unproven players for a shot at going deep in the playoffs.?
Marlins should move Aguilar and give Diaz a shot like what they did with Dickerson and Sanchez. Cooper at least gives you mediocre defensive production in RF until Burdick/Bleday are ready by the end of 2022.
I agree. Let’s see what Diaz can do with extended playing time.
100% agree Oof. Marlins should trade Aguilar over Cooper
Fish need to give Diaz the majority of the reps at 1st base while playing Coop in the OF and the occassional 1b start.
Watch, Jays GM Ross will trade for RHH 1B/OF Garrett Cooper – who can definitely mash but would be blocked in the field by Vlad Guerrero Jr., and Teoscar Hernandez – and rave about his “hit tool” and two additional years of team control. He’d wont get a better 3B like Eduardo Escobar, who can rake as a LHH against righties, saying, “he’s just a rental.” As for the starters like Jose Berrios, German Marquez and Luis Castillo, and high leverage relievers available like Rich Rod, Craig Kimbrel and Ian Kennedy, he’ll talk about how they “checked in, but the ask was prohibitive.” And the Jays will, tumble to an 81-81, 4th place record with high hopes for next year after Semien, Ray and Matz all leave for long-term deals with one of the Dodgers, Mets, Red Sox, ChiSox and/or Yankees.
Can’t imagine M’s being that interested in trading for a 1st baseman. Ty France has been a nice replacement since White has been out. If anything they need starting pitching in a bad way.
Callin’ COLIN MORAN.
Yinz want a bat? And a semi-solid glove at 1B on your “contending team”.
Seek ye…a Colin Cleanse.
He “runs” like he is pulling a Sherman Tank behind him. (Slow footed white boy with a beard that weighs him down like the Titanic’s anchor). But he can hit (Albeit…sometimes).
And he is cheap and certainly not required on a team that will lose 100 games.
Behind Door #2…is COLIN MORAN.
All for the low low Pittsburgh Price of 2 rookie arms.
Buy now “contending teams”. (Hell…they may even throw in Plunko the Magnifishit) so he can bat in the “not quite Crush Davis” level and “roam around RF for ya like an albatross.” While (occasionally) running into one off a 5.00 ERA lame arm.
Moran ain’t bad.
He can’t run. At all. But his bat is OK.
And his D is decent at 1B.
For a “I could been a contendahhh” team? He is a perfect (and cheap) fit.
(Just don’t ask him to stay healthy. He can’t. Which is surprising. For a guy that runs slower than Molasses…in January, he has more “leg issues” than Barbaro).
But…need a serviceble scrub at 1B? He is your guy.
Cause the Bucs don’t need him.
They are better off fielding a team of JUST PITCHERS..at every position. Then let em all throw 1 inning and then stick em back out in the field and call em in whenever ya wannna). Can’t do any worse than they are doing. And Hell…at least the AB would help em learn how to actually HIT a baseball at a “Plunko Clip”.
2 Arms please. Single A level. No more No less. Can be Lefty or Righty. Bucs don’t care. (Remember…this IS the team that signed Chris Archer AND Ramon Martinez once).
But MORAN is your guy.
Get him out of Pittsburgh please.
Just an idea: Why not extend Cooper to a two-year $11M deal with club options for ’24 and ’25.. If he proves to stay healthy and hit well, the Marlins can trade him for a lot more next summer. Too much risk?
Cooper is ideal for a DH role. He does get injured when putting him in the OF for long stretches.
If the fish get blown away to give up Cooper then do it. Id prefer they trade Aguilar and Start Diaz and Cooper at 1B/OF
“…so it’s fair to expect he’ll continue to have his fair share of hits fall in. ”
Seems fair.
Bet the House: DET 2B/1B Jonathan Schoop will be traded.
Broken record: Someone please take OF Nomar Mazara and RP Joe Jimenez.