Marlins to Be Strategic Buyers at the MLB Trade Deadline According to Ken Rosenthal

The Miami Marlins have had an incredible turnaround in just a single month and are playing amazing baseball on both sides of the field. Their recent stretch has propelled them from the bottom of the MLB barrel to have the 7th best record in the MLB, something that has the Marlins looking to do something they never do, potentially adding at the trade deadline.

So says Ken Rosenthal anyways. 

“Barring an utter collapse, the hottest team in baseball not only intends to keep staff ace Sandy Alcantara, but also add strategically to its roster, according to people briefed on the club’s plans who were granted anonymity to speak freely.”

And not only is this a huge sign of the belief in this baseball team, but it’s the right choice. The Marlins have the bats, they have the pitching staff, they are just missing the closer, the guy who can close out each and every game.

When Pete Fairbanks was brought to Miami, he was expected to be a huge help, to strengthen the Marlins bullpen after a great stint in Tampa, but he has been dreadful.

The idea of adding Aroldis Chapman would be the perfect, dream scenario in Miami, but I doubt the Marlins would want to part with what it would take to acquire a player of Chapman’s caliber. Looking to the teams that may move off older guys like the Tigers and Kenley Jansen, the Rockies and Antonio Senzatela, and potentially the Angels and Kirby Yates.

The hope is Fairbanks returns to his Tampa form, but I could see the Marlins trading him (he’s one a one year deal).

Miami needs a third baseman, a back end starting pitcher, on top of the closer.

At third the Marlins are currently rolling out Javier Sanoja, who has been a solid option, but lacks the power of a typical third baseman, is an average hitter, and an average defender. But with that said, he is only 23, Miami would only be looking for an upgrade here, not try to move off of Sanoja, unless they had too, there is no reason to get rid of a utility guy who hits for average and can run.

If the Rangers are actually moving on from Josh Jung, I’d look his way.

At the end of their rotation, it is not super critical come playoff time as guys will have to be rolled out a second time anyway, but to get through the second half of the season, it is essential to save innings for your arms. They can’t burn out Alcantara, Perez, Meyer, and even Junk. That’s why Meyer is being rested on his start Sunday before the All-Star break and why they need help at the five. Snelling got hurt, Chris Paddack was a failure, and the more depth the better.

Tyler Phillips has actually been really solid for the Marlins so I would personally look for a long relief option, with the focus being on a closer.

So with Rosenthal’s report, the Marlins will be a team to watch at this year’s deadline, and not for their normal reasons, as they look to make a playoff push for the first time under Peter Bendix.

The Marlins have won 26 games in their last 34 and are playing beautiful baseball on both sides of the field, becoming one of baseball’s best stories.