MLB Trade Rumors: Marlins, Rangers Talking Trade?

We have discussed the Miami Marlins situation in terms of their pitching a ton so far this spring. The team has considered carrying 13-pitchers on their 25-man opening day roster to help accommodate some of the arms that they don’t want to lose, ala Brad Hand, who is out of options.

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Another possibility for the Marlins to clear a roster spot would be to trade of their pitchers to clear a spot for another pitcher to make the roster. Recently we learned the Marlins are not proactively looking to deal any of their pitchers, but it seems like things have changed on that front.

According to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News, the Rangers and Marlins are talking about a potential trade for one of the Marlins pitchers.

"The Marlins have a pair of lefties who could be available in deals, swing-man Brad Hand, who is out of minor league options, and reliever Mike Dunn. The Rangers could use a second left-hander for the bullpen to pair with Alex Claudio and also could use a multi-inning option who is capable of filling in as a starter."

We know that Hand is out of options, so he’d need to make the team or the Marlins would risk losing him on waivers. He is likely on the outside looking in for a rotation spot, with Dan Haren and Tom Koehler all but locked to the final two spots.

The Marlins could also use Hand as their second left-handed reliever out of the bullpen, but with the team being high on Rule 5 pick Andrew McKirahan and not wanting to return him to the Cubs, Hand’s spot on the team is in further question.

Trading Hand, who posted a 4.38 ERA and a 4.20 FIP in 111 innings in 2014 would make a lot of sense, especially for a starting pitching hungry team, like the Rangers.

However, trading Mike Dunn would be a surprise. Dunn, who signed a two-year extension with the team this off-season, has been the team’s primary left-handed reliever for the past two seasons. Last year Dunn posted a 3.16 ERA and a 3.06 FIP in 75 appearances and 57 innings.

Dunn has been easily the Marlins second best reliever behind Steve Cishek for the past three seasons, so trading him would not help a team that is seeking to make the playoffs for the first time in 12 seasons.

However, if the Marlins are seeking a bigger return package, Dunn would be the one to net them a bigger prize, as he’s more established in the big leagues and has a pretty team friendly two-year pact. The fact that Hand is out of options hurts his trade value.

If the Rangers and Marlins are truly talking trade, it would not surprise me to see Tom Koehler, Dan Haren, David Phelps, among others as other names that could be shopped to Texas.

Grant pointed out that the Marlins had several scouts in Rangers camp on Friday and with the season just two weeks away on Monday, a trade could materialize quickly, if the two teams find some common ground.

Stay tuned to Marlin Maniac for the latest on this story as well as any other Marlins rumors.

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