Marlins Trade Rumors: Do the Phillies want Caleb Smith?

A recent article on “That Ball’s Outta Here” links the Philadelphia Phillies to the Miami Marlins in a potential deal for pitcher Caleb Smith.

Sometimes, you just don’t know who to believe when it comes to Major League Baseball rumors and potential trades involving the Miami Marlins.

A flurry of stories this week, including some on our own Marlin Maniac website, have centered around picture Caleb Smith. I am wondering out loud, as the Marlins should be one of the more popular teams as we head toward the trade deadline, will the left-handed starter get traded.

While a story earlier in the week by Steve Adams of mlbtraderumors.com that has stated the organization had no desire to trade Smith, who has been rehabbing a hip injury in the minors, is there some fire closely behind the smoke that is coming from a potential trade scenario?

As I read George Stockburger’s story on “That Ball’s Otta Here”, the Philadelphia Phillies may, in fact, desire the player from their N.L. East rival.

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Should a trade be worked out between Miami and Philadelphia, it would mark the third time in less than a year the two teams have played “Let’s Make A Deal”.

"“Any Phillies trade rumor will perk the ears of fans, but the latest one dished out by former Reds and Nationals general manager Jim Bowden, now of Sirius XM, was a surprise to say the least,” Stockburger writes.“While going over the Phillies trade deadline needs, Bowden threw out two starting pitchers the Phillies could target this summer: Detroit’s Matthew Boyd and Miami’s Caleb Smith.”"

Now, like many of us, I’m waiting to see what is behind Door No. 2 in terms of compensation for the strikeout pitcher. The Marlins acquired left-handed pitcher McKenzie Mills prior to the end of last season in exchange for slugger Justin Bour.

Prior to the start of Spring Training, the two teams made a deal, sending catcher J.T. Realmuto up north for a package of players that included pitcher Sixto Sanchez and catcher Jorge Alfaro.

The key to any deal for the Phillies will be what kind of pitcher are they looking for. Boyd is someone who has been linked to several MLB teams. Smith’s name is being floated around as a  potential trade piece.

Stockburger mentions other pitchers who could be dealt who have more name recognition than Smith, but the 27-year-old was one of the hottest pitchers in the National League the first two months of the season. The Marlins have several pitching prospects in their minor league system. They also have a young core of starters who have one of the best-combined ERAs in the Majors this season.

"“Acquiring Smith, assuming he’s healthy, would take a lot from the Phillies,” Stockburger wrote."

Assuming the Marlins are serious about acquiring more pitching talent, the team could be interested in the Phillies’ Spencer Howard, who is rated as their second-best pitching prospect.