Marlins Make Moves to Trim 40-Man Roster on Friday

By David Levin | Oct 14, 2018

PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 14: Javy Guerra #40 of the Miami Marlins delivers pitch in the second inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on September 14, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images) /

The Miami Marlins made cuts to their 40-man roster on Friday, added to speculation they will add more minor league prospects as the organization heads toward Spring Training next year.

You have to give the Miami Marlins credit. They appear to be putting all their cards on the table lately with their desire to add more money to the international pool. On Friday, the organization trimmed its 40-man roster with the idea of adding more minor league prospects with the hope of more changes to come in Spring Training.

"Per Joe Frisaro of MLB.com, “The organization announced it had outrighted right-handers Javy Guerra, Tyler Cloyd and James Needy, lefty Chris O’Grady, with outfielder Rafael Ortega and utility player Christopher Bostick to Triple-A New Orleans.”"

With those moves, six roster spots are now open. The Marlins 40-man roster now sits at 34 players.

The Marlins have been an active franchise this past week. Trading minor league prospect Ryan Lillie to the Cincinnati Reds and then sending reliever Kyle Barraclough to the Washington Nationals allowed the organization to bank more international pool capital in the pursuit of Cuban prospects.

The team also made moves to change its coaching staff including letting go Perry Hill and pitching coach Juan Nieves.

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If anything, this franchise is making things interesting to follow even before the MLB playoffs come to a conclusion.

Now, Miami can focus on added top prospects and bring them along, with an ending point on the Major League roster as Frisaro pointed out.

"“The moves clear space on the 40-man roster to eventually include outfielder Monte Harrison, second baseman Isan Diaz, and right-handers Jorge Guzman and Nick Neidert,” he wrote."

Harrison is the team’s top prospect and currently playing in the Arizona Fall League. Diaz could be the team’s starting second baseman on Opening Day if Miami trades veteran Starlin Castro. Neidert could be the best pitching prospect in the team’s minor league system.

He could become the ace of a young pitching staff in time.

The moves made this past week also allow the front office to sort out the bullpen in a quest to find an everyday closer.

The Marlins had more than 60 players on their Spring Training roster with non-roster invitees last season. It is conceivable that happens again in February.

The front office has a clear idea of how they want to design the 25-man roster for the future, but have not written off on a completed blueprint.

Making these moves this past week helps get closer to that goal. They also show this franchise still has a long way to go before it is ready to compete for a postseason berth.

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