MLB Trade Rumors: Ricky Nolasco Not Being Traded Before Wednesday?

Jun 10, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Ricky Nolasco (47) throws against the Milwaukee Brewers during the first inning at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

It does not look like the Miami Marlins will find a suitable trade offer for starter Ricky Nolasco before his scheduled Wednesday start against the Atlanta Braves. The team already announced that Jacob Turner‘s Thursday start will be moved back to Friday and that Henderson Alvarez will make his season debut on Thursday.

Jon Heyman reported last night that the Dodgers, Orioles, Giants, Rangers and Rockies are all have said to be involved in trade talks surrounding the Marlins all time wins leader. The Dodgers are seen as the favorites, mostly because they are willing to eat the entirety of the money owed to Nolasco.

Heyman though mentions that the Rockies are said to have offered two pretty decent prospects but are resistant to paying the salary. The Marlins thus far have been insistent that they don’t want to eat any of the money owed to Nolasco.

A Marlins source insisted to Heyman that “He’s not a giveaway,” also suggesting the team has at least a suitor who will take the contract but not provide much in the way of a prospect in return.

In a sellers market for starting pitching, the Marlins seem to be operating fast towards a solution with Nolasco, before any other bigger starting pitchers hit the market. The Marlins can establish their own market if they are able to deal Nolasco before any other starter.

The Marlins are wise for wanting to maximize the potential return for Nolasco while at the same time making sure they can get as much of his contract off the books as possible. However, the Marlins would be wiser to negotiate a way to get a higher level prospect, even if that means eating some of Nolasco’s contract.

I believe Marlins fans would rather see that $5.7 million invested back into the team, not to another art sculpture in Loria’s mansion.