MLB Trade Rumors: Angels Shopping Mark Trumbo, Should Marlins Be Interested?

Sep 13, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Los Angeles Angels first baseman Mark Trumbo (44) drives in two runs with a triple during the third inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

The Miami Marlins have made it a mission to acquire a power hitter to insert into their starting lineup. They made a hard run after Cuban first-baseman Jose Abreu, but had to bow out when the bidding exceeded a $60 million contract.

Following that, the Marlins have made it known that they could trade some of their starting pitching surplus to add a bat to add power to their lineup.

Cue the Los Angeles Angels. According to Buster Olney of ESPN, the Los Angeles Angels are shopping first baseman Mark Trumbo and outfielder Peter Bourjos for some much needed pitching help:

Bourjos is an interesting player, but he plays a position that the Marlins have a ton of depth at and is not known for his power. He would have been an interesting fit in center field at the spacious Marlins Park, but it’s doubtful the Marlins would have much interest in him.

Trumbo on the other hand is exactly what the Marlins are looking for. Trumbo owns a career 251/.300/.473 with 95 home runs. He has also proven to be durable, playing in at least 144 games in each of the past three seasons.

Compare that to incumbent first-baseman Logan Morrison, who owns a .249/.337/.427 slash line with just 42 home runs. Morrison’s career high in games played is 123, all the way back in 2011, having played in just 178 in the past two seasons combined.

Trumbo has also graded out as a solid defender at first base by both UZR and DRS. Morrison was seen as a major liability at first base by most defensive metrics in 2013.

Matt Swartz of MLB Trade Rumors projects that Trumbo should earn $4.7 million in arbitration for the first time. Morrison on the other hand is projected to earn $1.7 million in arbitration.

What would it take for the Marlins to get Trumbo?

My guess would be one of the pitchers currently in the Marlins rotation. Jacob Turner‘s stock has fallen too much for him to be a candidate and Jose Fernandez is much more valuable than Trumbo.

That leaves Nathan Eovaldi or Henderson Alvarez. Of the two, I’d think the Marlins see Eovaldi as the one with a higher ceiling, therefore more likely to be off limits in a trade.

Would the Marlins trade Henderson Alvarez for Mark Trumbo?

I don’t think they would prefer to do that. Look for the Marlins to push hard for the Angels to take back prospects Brian Flynn, Adam Conley, or even Justin Nicolino. The Marlins will likely be hesitant to trade 2012 first round pick Andrew Heaney as well.

Mark Trumbo is exactly the kind of hitter the Marlins are looking to add this off-season and his price tag won’t come cheap. It’s time for Loria to show if he is indeed serious about building a perennial contender.