Miami Marlins Trade Deadline Outlook

We are just under 24 hours away from the 2025 MLB trade deadline and the Marlins are in prime position to accelerate their World Series window. The Marlins sit at 52-55 (after winning their 5th series in a row for the first time since 2017) and are 7.0 games back from the Wild Card. Not in a position to buy, but rather a soft sell, one where they maintain their quality talent, bright future, and add guys that can help win in the next few years. So here are the players to watch as the deadline approaches, and my predictions of where they will land.

• On Tuesday the Marlins sent catcher Nick Fortes to the Tampa Bay Rays, in return for outfielder prospect Matthew Etzel. Etzel was ranked as the Rays’ No. 28 overall prospect by MLB Pipeline.

Anthony Bender

In a good way for the Marlins the relief pitcher market has been hot, seeing the Mets take two relievers in Tyler Rogers and Ryan Hesley, the Phillies snagging Jhoan Duran and many other moves. For the Marlins Bender should begin to get some interest as it has been reported that the Padres had interest before these moves. With the market for relievers heating up and many World Series hopeful teams in need of back of the line bullpen help, Bender seems like a perfect option. His return could be good for the Marlins as he is under team control until 2027. Bender is having a career year with a 1.83 ERA, a .097 WHIP, and 35 strikeouts over 44.1 innings.

• Prediction, Blue Jays. The Jays have taken control of the AL East and need pitching help, both starting and relieving.

Edward Cabrera

Edward Cabrera is insanely talented, and when he is healthy, he’s a top pitcher in this league, unfortunately his health is shaky, and it may be in the Marlins best interest to move him at his highest value. The 27-year-old is having a good season, holding a 3.35 ERA and 96 strikeouts. Cabrera has three more years of team control, meaning the Marlins would need a haul in return, but many teams need a starting pitcher for their playoff push, especially with injuries piling up.

• Prediction Tigers, need a 2 next to Skubal, have the talent to get a deal done.

Sandy Alcantara

Sandy Alcantara is one of the best pitchers in franchise history and has been struggling mightily since his return from Tommy John surgery. But his last two starts are promising in hopes that he can be moved at this deadline at his value of a Cy Young level pitcher.

Sandy Alcantara‘s last two starts:

7.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K

5.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 4 K

If this is Sandy’s last pitch as a Marlin, no better way to go out. Bases loaded, big spot, and gets the strikeout to leave the runners stranded.

• Prediction, I expect the Marlins to be quite firm on their stance with Sandy. He’s one of the franchise’s best arms; he is returning to form and is under team control until 2027 with a club option for 2028. A pitcher of Sandy’s caliber doesn’t get traded for nothing, especially as he returns to form. I predict Sandy to the Cubs who are in dire need of rotational help (trading for Soroka does not change my stance).

Cal Quantrill

The most obvious option here is Cal Quantrill who is overlooked as the Marlins have two major pitchers on the market. That being said moving Quantrill would be smart as he is the Marlins only expiring contract.

Cal Quantrill last 3 starts: 16 IP 8 H 1 ER 10 KS

• Prediction, I’m not too sure on Quantrill’s market, but I am going to throw the Padres out there.

Jesus Sanchez

Last but not least, Jesus Sanchez. An above average outfielder who has power potential from the left side and can play the field at a good level. The 27-year-old outfielder has two more years of arbitration before hitting free agency and can help a team that needs a spark in the middle of their lineup.

• Prediction, the Houston Astros. The Astros need some offense as it’s been their pitching propelling them back to the top of the American league. The Astros are dealing with a mountain of injuries that can’t go without notice, yet they continue to win ball games. Adding a bat and getting healthy will be crucial for their World Series dreams.

Final Outlook

The Marlins are in a good spot with a lot of talent blooming. Stowers, Eury, Henriquez, Ramirez, Junk, Edwards and many more. The farm is deep and there is also a lot of young talent who hasn’t seen the field due to injury. Peter Bendix has things figured out in South Florida, and a World Series window can be opened as long as they hit this deadline out of the park. The Marlins have the control in this sweepstakes as their guys are under team control, hold firm on your stance and let the World Series hopefuls make their desperate offers.