MLB Trade Rumors: A Look At The Miami Marlins Trade Targets
![](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_752,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fmarlinmaniac-com-2Fwp-content-2Fthemes-2Ffansided-v5-2Fassets-2Fimages-2Ffs-placeholder-28c7d9b65ddbf6e460eb3bc875b6c36d.jpg)
Jul 15, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; American League pitcher Jon Lester (31) of the Boston Red Sox throws a pitch in the second inning during the 2014 MLB All Star Game at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports
The Miami Marlins have emerged as a surprise team interested in trading for several of the more prominent available players. Their priority is definitely starting pitching as they look to strengthen a rotation that suffered a major loss when Jose Fernandez was lost for the season. The Marlins will be the Marlins so you can expect them to be looking to add as little payroll as possible and prefer players they can control beyond this season. For this reason, I don’t see the Fish making a trade for Jon Lester who will be a free agent at the end of this season. Several of the available pitchers do provide multiple years of team control so let’s take a look at the top Marlins trade targets.
Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Name | W | L | G | GS | IP | K/9 | BB/9 | HR/9 | ERA | FIP |
Lackey | 11 | 7 | 21 | 21 | 137.1 | 7.60 | 2.10 | 0.98 | 3.60 | 3.56 |
Lackey is a 35 year old veteran who has experienced a resurgence over the last two seasons with the Boston Red Sox. After missing the 2012 season with Tommy John surgery, he returned in 2013 to help the Red Sox win a World Series championship. Following a 3.52 ERA in 29 games last season, he has returned to virtually match that figure this season. Although he is making $15 million this season, his contract contains a club option at just $500,000 for next season which was triggered when he missed a season with an elbow issue. He would provide the Marlins a much needed boost this season, as well as a solid veteran next season while they await the return of Jose Fernandez.
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Name | W | L | G | GS | IP | K/9 | BB/9 | HR/9 | ERA | FIP |
Miley | 6 | 7 | 22 | 22 | 139.0 | 8.48 | 2.72 | 1.17 | 4.34 | 3.92 |
Miley is a young left hander with the Arizona Diamonbacks whose FIP suggests he has pitched better than his results may indicate. Miley is in his third full season in the majors and at just 27 years of age should have plenty of good years left. He still has 3 years of club control left and would be arbitration eligible for the first time in 2015. If Brad Hand can continue the quality work he has put in lately, Miley would give the Fish a second left handed pitcher in the rotation.
Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Name | W | L | G | GS | IP | K/9 | BB/9 | HR/9 | ERA | FIP |
Kennedy | 8 | 9 | 22 | 22 | 135.1 | 9.51 | 2.79 | 0.73 | 3.66 | 3.10 |
Kennedy is a former 20 game winner who finds himself on his third team with the San Diego Padres after previously being traded from the Arizona Diamondbacks and New York Yankees. The right hander has rebounded from a mediocre 2013 that saw him post a 4.91 ERA which was by far the highest of his career. He has taken advantage of the spacious conditions in San Diego to limit opponents to way less than one home run per 9 innings, this is a trend he should have no trouble continuing in Marlins Park. He is eligible for arbitration in 2015, but becomes a free agent for the 2016 season.
Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Name | W | L | G | GS | IP | K/9 | BB/9 | HR/9 | ERA | FIP |
Milone | 6 | 3 | 16 | 16 | 96.1 | 5.70 | 2.43 | 1.12 | 3.55 | 4.42 |
Milone is another left handed starter in his third year in the majors. Being more of soft tosser than the other pitchers on this list, he has tended to outperform his FIP in terms of ERA though never by as much as this season. His walk rate this season is the highest of his career and his strike out rate is at its lowest, so the Marlins would be taking a chance that he can somehow continue his success. He will be arbitration eligible for the first time in 2015 and still give the Fish 3 year more years of team control.
Who do you think the Marlins should target? Should they emphasize value for a playoff run this season over long term team and cost control?