2014 MLB Trade Deadline: Marlins Acquire Astros Jarred Cosart for Colin Moran, Jake Marisnick

It actually took until after the trade deadline but the Marlins were able to make a move to bolster the team’s chances to make a run into October this year and in the next couple of seasons. The Marlins have just acquired Jarred Cosart and Kiki Hernandez for Jake Marisnick and Colin Moran.

Cosart so far in 2014 has amassed 116.1 IP a 4.41 ERA. 4.02 FIP and 4.42 SIERA.  A 4.02 FIP is about league average as his 104 FIP- suggests.  A league average FIP and ERA are not necessarily bad peripheral stats considering Cosart’s home park, his division and the overall quality of hitting in the Junior Circuit.

Modest 5.8 K/9 and 3.95 BB/9 are inspiring but they show a pitcher that can pitch to contact and is primarily a groundball pitcher.  177 IP into his career Cosart has a 55.8% groundball rate and 7.2% HR/FB. Impressive numbers for playing in the AL West and at Minute Maid Park.

According to Pitch f/x Cosart is a three pitch guy featuring a fastball at 93 mph. a cutter at 93 and a knuckle curveball with good movement at 78 mph.

A move to the NL is likely to improve Cosart’s ERA because of the general lower quality of NL lineups because of the lack of the designated hitter.  Cosart is not spectacular but he is a solid addition to a rotation that needs one extra arm in the absence of Jose Fernandez. He is most likely a back of the rotation guy in the long term but he is what we need and can do with at the moment.

The Marlins traded away Colin Moran and Jake Marisnick and also got Kiki Hernandez in return from the Astros. Marisnick so far in 2014 in AAA New Orleans has slashed .277/.326/.434 with 10 HR a .157 ISO and 12.7% HR/FB rate.  He also is not walking nearly enough to justify a place in the Major League roster anytime in the near future at only 4.5 BB% so far.

More importantly, Marcell Ozuna has been very impressive so far this season in the Major Leagues and has solidified his place in CF for the Marlins for the foreseeable future. Ozuna’s success made Marisnick a premium piece of trade-bait which the Marlins obviously used.

Trading Moran is a whole lot more confusing in only 500+ professional PA he has already shown that his plate discipline and pitch selection are among the best in the minors. A career 7.6/13.8 BB/K ration and a .346 career OBP after only parts of two professional seasons are impressive.

Scouts question Moran’s other tools especially his defense and power. Moran is a player in the mold of Nick Swisher, Kevin Youkilis or John Jaso, who all have amazing plate discipline tools but not much else

In return the Marlins received Kiki Hernandez a 23 year old Sixth round pick of the Houston Astros who can play both left infield spots and the outfield.  In 1500 career minor league PA Hernandez has slashed .270/.327/.403, but his best year has been 2014 in Oklahoma City of the PCL.  The PCL is a notorious hitter’s league and Hernandez has slashed .337/.380/.508 with a.373 wOBA and 8 HR in OKC.

This is supported by nice .171 ISO and 10.8 HR/FB ratio.  Hernandez has a little pop and is a versatile piece that could feature in the Marlins already crowded utility man, second base/third base competition in the near future. To put it simply Hernandez is better than Ed Lucas and has more power too.

I think that both sides can take something positive from this trade. Moran is an absolute on-base beast and could project to be a good 5-6 hitter in the Majors for a long time. Cosart is a back of the rotation guy that gives the Marlins the arm they need right now. Hernandez could ultimately give the Marlins some clarity in a very crowded infield. Hernandez could definitely take Lucas’ Solano’s and even Valdespin’s job in the short to medium run.

It is too early to say who won or lost the trade for obvious reason but ultimately it’s not a stretch to say that both sides can take positives from this deal.