Miami Marlins Trade Rumors: Would the team trade Jose Urena?
With all the news of the team trying to work a deal for catcher J.T. Realmuto, would the Miami Marlins consider making a deal for pitcher Jose Urena?
Don’t think for a minute the only conversations the Miami Marlins have had with other MLB teams this offseason have centered around trade offers for catcher J.T. Realmuto. There are plenty of other players on the current roster who could become part of a deal before Spring Training if the price is right. Maybe even pitcher Jose Urena.
Finding the right trade partners when it comes to Realmuto has been a difficult task for the Marlins front office, mainly because many feel the asking price is too high for one star.
As Joe Frisaro of MLB.com wrote, “Realmuto isn’t the only order of business for Miami’s front office. It is continuing to field calls on some of its other more established players and is open to making deals before Spring Training gets rolling in mid-February.”
Now, if a deal came across the desk of Michael Hill, the president of baseball operations for the team, that would make the team better for the future, you know he and the front office would listen.
More from Marlins Rumors
- What can the Miami Marlins still do?
- Miami Marlins rumors: Ideal CF target
- Miami Marlins rumors: Trade for CF?
- Miami Marlins rumors: A signing we need
- Miami Marlins rumors: Is Bobby Dalbec a target?
So if a team out there met the team’s demands for value in return, would the Marlins trade starting pitcher Jose Urena? It’s unlikely, but with this organization, you never know. Miami did most of the heavy lifting last season, unloading a talented roster in return for prospects that will make this team a viable contender down the road. But for now, the Marlins are still at the bottom of the NL East.
“Several teams have checked in on the availability of the 27-year-old right-hander, but it would take a huge haul in return for Miami to consider trading its ace. Urena is the closest established player on the roster to being considered “untouchable.” At least, for now,” Frisaro added.
The Marlins need a more consistent season from Urena, who went from awful to great in a matter of two halfs of baseball. With the team counting on him to be their “ace” on the staff, he also needs to show leadership qualities as the “go to” starter to get a win when needed.
Dan Straily, another player who could be dealt by the MLB Trade Deadline in July, is a veteran who can eat innings and is dependable in the clutch. Injuries derailed him last season, but in 2017 he won 10 games for this staff. If he remains healthy this season, then another 10-plus win season is not out of the question if the lineup can give him more run support than last year.
I think Straily being dealt is more of a reality than a deal being completed for Urena.
“[Jose] Urena projects to be the Opening Day starter for the second straight season, and he is entering his first year of arbitration,” as Frisaro explained. “Last season, Urena paced the club in starts (31) and innings pitched (174). After a slow start, he finished 9-12 with a 3.98 ERA. In September, the hard-throwing right-hander went 5-0 with a 1.20 ERA.”
If the Marlins were to trade either of their pitchers, it would also mean the young arms the organization has been grooming are progressing ahead of schedule. Manager Don Mattingly and new pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre, Jr. have plenty of youngsters to work with on the Major League roster and down on the farm at Jacksonville (Double-A) and New Orleans (Triple-A).
If Sandy Alcantara shows he is more in command of his pitches and worked on his control this offseason, he could be the reason the Marlins make moves this coming year. My guess is it won’t be fully examined until the MLB Trade Deadline. Jose Urena is safe for now, but that all might change in the future.