Will the Marlins make a deal for 1B Eric Thames?

Will the Miami Marlins make a deal with the Milwaukee Brewers for Eric Thames, solving the team’s need for a first baseman with some power?

The Marlins still have a need for a power-hitting first baseman in the middle of their lineup. The Milwaukee Brewers may be able to help the cause with a potential trade of Eric Thames, who would solve the mystery of who will be on the bag for Opening Day.

According to David Gasper of reviewingthebrew.com, this is a potential trade deal that has not gotten much attention. The Brewers are faced with a “situation” of Thames sitting on the bench for the majority of the season. It’s a trade that makes sense, almost too much sense for it to happen. Will the front office add Thames to a list of names that have already been discussed as free agent additions to the roster in 2019?

"“Eric Thames is due $6 million for 2019 and has a $1 million buyout on his contract option for 2020,” Gasper writes. “He’s also going to sit on the Milwaukee Brewers bench for most of 2019. For the payroll-conscious Brewers, moving Thames has to be on the table.”"

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The move is also cost-efficient for the cash-strapped team, an organization that hopes to win more than 63 games in 2019 with one of the lowest payrolls in Major League Baseball.

When the 2019 Hot Stove began, Logan Morrison, Matt Adams, and even Daniel Murphy were linked to the organization. No deal has been done. Murphy is in Colorado. Adams and Morrison are still looking for a home for the upcoming season.

The Marlins have both Garrett Cooper and Peter O’Brien on the roster and are considered the frontrunners to fill the position. The Marlins have expressed the need for more power in their lineup and would look at all options around the diamond.

Thames may be a name on their radar. The teams have a history together, having worked out a deal for Christian Yelich just short of Spring Training last season. The team also need another left-handed bat in the lineup. As Gasper wrote, there are other reasons this deal would make sense.

"“Also, the Marlins currently have Peter O’Brien penciled in as their starting first baseman, and Thames would certainly provide an upgrade over O’Brien,” he wrote.“There’s another reason why the Marlins and Brewers could match up on a trade centered on Eric Thames. The Marlins possess a second baseman who only has one more guaranteed year on his contract, and his name is Starlin Castro.”"

Taking Castro off the books would help free up money to add salary of players who could send balls out of Marlins Park in the future. He is due $11 million this season and $16 million in 2020 before he hits free agency.