Marlins Trade Rumors: Is Pitcher Jose Urena on the block?

Will a deal to trade Marlins pitcher Jose Urena get done prior to the start of Spring Training? The veteran does have some trade value for the organization.

The more it gets mentioned, the more I am of the belief the Marlins will try to trade Jose Urena before the start of Spring Training. The team could also look to deal Adam Conley – two of the last pieces of the organization prior to the sale of the Marlins to Derek Jeter and Bruce Sherman.

I’m not the only one who has talked about this idea for Urena becoming a reality. As Joe Frisaro points out on MLB.com, it is something that has gained some steam in the past few days, especially since the MLB Winter Meetings just concluded in San Diego last week.

“Miami formally tendered Urena, meaning the organization committed to offering the 28-year-old right-hander a contract for 2020 with a salary to be worked out at a later date,” Frisaro explained.But the tender alone doesn’t guarantee Urena a roster spot. The Marlins still can explore trade options for their most experienced starting pitcher.”

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And they should. There isn’t a spot for him in the rotation as it appears Sandy Alcantara will assume the No. 1 spot with Caleb Smith No. 2 on the mound. Pablo Lopez will make a case to be the team’s No. 3 arm. Jordan Yamamoto, Robert Dugger, and Elieser Hernandez all have experience on the mound in a starting role.

There is also a chance Miami will sign a low-risk, high-reward veteran to compete for a back-end starting spot.

I would love to see if the team likes the possibility of Felix Hernandez would sign a minor-league deal or Gio Gonzalez would agree to a one-year deal to pitch in South Florida.

“At the Winter Meetings, where numerous trade possibilities are discussed, Urena’s name is being tossed around. If Miami can find a match, he could be on the move,” Frisaro wrote.

Urena made his mark with the Marlins in 2017 when he won a spot in the bullpen in Spring Training after being out of minor league options. He was quickly moved to the rotation due to injuries and stayed there, winning 14 games and leading the ball club.

“Despite being the Marlins’ Opening Day starter the past two seasons, Urena is expendable because he doesn’t have a defined role,” writes Frisaro. “In an injury-plagued 2019 season, Urena went 4-10 with a 5.21 ERA in 24 games (13 starts).”

Urena won his arbitration case in 2019 and was paid $3.2 million. He is not eligible for free agency until 2021.