The Marlins have acquired right-hander Louis Head from the Rays in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations. Miami has designated outfielder Brian Miller for assignment in a corresponding move to create roster space.
Head made his MLB debut in 2021 and impressed in terms of bottom-line numbers, posting a 2.31 ERA over 35 innings out of Tampa’s bullpen (with two “starts” but as an opener). Advanced metrics like a 4.03 SIERA and 23.9% strikeout rate weren’t as impressive and Head did benefit from a .216 BABIP, but he also did a very good job of limiting hard contact.
Perhaps moreso than his solid numbers, Head might be the poster child for the Rays’ penchant for shuttling pitchers back and forth from Triple-A. Head was called up and sent down a whopping 12 times last season, as the Rays constantly looked to move fresh arms in and out of their bullpen.
Head turns 32 in April, and was originally an 18th-round draft pick for Cleveland in 2012. After eight seasons in the minors with the Guardians and Dodgers, Head was on the verge of leaving baseball entirely before catching on with the Rays this past offseason. He’ll now go to Miami with presumably a better chance of sticking in the majors for a slightly more extended period of time, adding another live arm to a Marlins bullpen that was quietly pretty solid in 2021.
From the Rays’ perspective, they have the relief depth on paper to account for Head’s departure, and Tampa now also opens up another 40-man roster spot before Friday’s deadline to set rosters in advance of the Rule 5 draft. The Rays made another roster clearance-type of deal yesterday, sending utility infielder Mike Brosseau to the Brewers.
Miller also made his Major League debut this past season, receiving 11 plate appearances over five games. Miller was selected 36th overall in the 2017 draft, but a modest .284/.338/.360 slash line over 1759 PA in the Marlins’ system kept him from truly establishing himself as a part of the team’s future. Miller does boast plenty of speed, which has led to 119 stolen bases out of 155 chances and the defensive versatility to handle any of the three outfield positions.
Marlins finally got head!!
Honestly I’m just here for the jokes…
To each his own. I find that the plethora of puns just give me a head-ache.
I got Louis Head from my girlfriend last night. It was just okay.
You sure about that???? Isn’t your girlfriend the bow up kind?
@DodgerNation- Nuttin’ like gettin’ Head 4 Miami!!!
And you are the biggest joke
Do you Tampa Bay trading a lot of players away this offseason? If so who goes next?
I’ll be shocked if Manuel Margot doesn’t get traded soon.
Tampa had a full 40 man roster and 65 players available for the rule 5 draft. 6 were in the top 30 of their prospect list. They needed to make room or lose them.
LOL
I love Brandon Lowe but those last two playoff seasons might make him available, along with wendle, Brujan, and walls available at the position. KKs salary makes him vulnerable but he’s clutch. They need to move or lose 5 more pitchers due to injuries. Margot makes sense and I wouldn’t be shocked by anyone moving – the whole team will be available at the right price. 4 moves by Friday.
I swear some team gives another team Head every offseason
And your the HEAD man in the latrine
Dont lose your Head, Rays?
Ptbnl will end up better than Head it is the Rays after all
Head. That’s funny
His parents should’ve named him Dick
You joke but my 6th grade math teacher was named Richard Head. It was a fun year.
Lions had a corner back named Harry Colon.
I had a substitute teacher in high school named Richard Head. It was in Northern Louisiana in the mid to late 90’s.
My friend’s dad is named Harry Cheeks.
And your friends name is Barry Bullocks
I know a Dr. Butcher
I can maybe understand the claim since it’s always good to have pitching depth, I just don’t understand having Brian Miller be the casualty of a soon to be 32-year-old pitcher with little MLB experience.
I hope Louis is not married to Anita Head.
Did she sing that famous song, “I Ain’t Got No Body”?
For the most part, I agree. That’s a rough cut; young 1st Rounder with Rookie eligibility next year who has shown a lot of promise for a 31 year old Rookie ‘pen piece… something must smell funny to the Fish.
Everyone is talking about head and Dick. Brian Miller should be at the fore (skin) of this conversation. Can’t believe they are just stroking him along
Just a bunch of jerks looking to get off or something…
So guy… Heading South for the winter I see 😉
2025: Head signs with Tokyo Yakult Swallows. That fall he makes the NPB playoffs, aka, “climax” series (yes, its called NPB climax series).
Head comes in the 9th as a reliever.
Headlines: “Swallows’ Head provides relief. A happy ending for the Yakult Swallows. As always.”
We all want more head.
“Head was called up and sent down a whopping 12 times last season, as the Rays constantly looked to move fresh arms in and out of their bullpen…..”
….2nd only the Marlins bringing up and sending down Deven Marrero an unimaginable 73 times.
Everyone needs Head
“Give me (Louis) Head til I’m dead”–Booger, Revenge of the Nerds
SUCH A GOOD BOOK SERIES
“We’ve got (Matt) Bush.” – also Booger, ROTN
Dang, the Raye give some good Head.
Louis will certainly HEAD up the 2022 Marlins’ bullpen.
In exchange for Head, the Marlins sent $20 to the Rays.
I’m guessing Miami wanted more than Head initially. But something was fishy so they settled on Head for $20.
Even in Overtown Head is like 50 bucks
Marlins are getting Head for a PTBNL or cash considerations, heck it use to cost me only a dinner and a couple of drinks. I guess that’s inflation.
Seems like a solid player … Some solid Head is always nice.
The Marlins should pick up Brad Hand to use on days when Head isn’t available.
If you’re married that’s always
Lollll
My wife just asked me what I’m laughing at.
“Baseball stuff, dear.”
This is the best head joke.
If the Marlins add Hand to Head, it just makes Bender and Pop look more fun.
Are we forgetting that the Marlins also have some dirty Sanchezes?
Louis Head for an arm and a leg.
No he’s not related to me
I’d swap old fave Dick Pole with Lou Head.
The D. H. result still makes me laugh.
Lou Pole makes a lawyer laugh.
Head’s new teammate Jazz Chisholm was unavailable for comment.
What does everybody want?!
It is a sign of improvement. The standard of players having to come off the 40 man roster is improving for the Marlins, but they’re still way behind the Rays.
Looking forward to seeing Head come in until we’re ready for Pop
Rays had him up n down all season ….seems like a might right proper way to enjoy head,no?
It always nice to stay ahead of the situation. As you can see Miami has gotten ahead.
Truly do not understand the treatment of Head. The guy killed it during the regular season, was not included on playoff roster (hello! Could have used him!), and now they dump him for cash or a ptbnl???
In a big picture here, but have the Rays traded anyone away that, a season later, Rays fan said “damn, I wished we would have kept that guy.”? I feel like the Rays just have that knack for trading guys away that never amount to much.
Did anyone do the Heady move?
So many words in this article to simply say: The Rays gave the Marlins Head.
And you gave your girlfriend, Juanita head
Alternate Headline: Marlins get Head from Rays.
On a serious note, can it be that Mags Sierra is the guy that is the PTBNL?
Nothing like having a HEAD