Marlins: Three players who could be traded before Spring Training

With change comes more change for the Miami Marlins. These three players could find themselves with other teams before Spring Training.

MLB Hot Stove is heating up for the Miami Marlins.

After last week’s MLB Winter Meetings and the front office checking in on various free agents and potential trade chips to improve the team’s 2020 roster, it’s safe to say this is a team that is willing to make moderate moves to get better this offseason.

It’s not an overhaul, to say the least, but rather a chance to add interchangeable parts to the lineup and fill deficiencies on defense.

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?

“The No. 1 goal is to get at least one more impactful hitter, most likely an outfielder who either has big league experience or is close to reaching the Majors,” writes Joe Frisaro of MLB.com. “At the Winter Meetings, the Marlins had advanced discussions with free-agent outfielder Kole Calhoun, a left-handed hitter who knocked 33 home runs with the Angels in 2019. At this point, Calhoun is not yet ready to sign. Several others are in a similar situation, including Corey Dickerson.”

While Dickerson might be the most cost-effective player the team pursues prior to Christmas, the front office is also doing its due diligence in locating other players who might fit into the needs of this franchise. There are some names that have been discussed, while others might surface this week and next.

“The Marlins also are still in the mix for right-handed-hitting outfielder Yasiel Puig. One thing is clear from the Meetings: Miami is not expected to continue its pursuit of Nicholas Castellanos, who appears out of the club’s price range,” Frisaro added.

If the Marlins do add more players to its 40-man roster and moves some puzzle pieces around, there is a good chance there will be a trade or two this offseason. Looking into the crystal ball, here are a few names of players who could find themselves on other teams at the end of this year or before the start of Spring Training in February.

Jose Urena

Before the talk of Jose Urena being on the table for trade discussion this past week, I thought he might get another shot to claim the team’s closer role.

That might still happen. There is also a good bet he will be traded to make room in the bullpen for another arm. Urena still has value both as a starter and in the bullpen.

Urena could be a solid fifth starter in a rotation or a long reliever for a contender. He is two years removed from a 14-win season and despite a back injury that sidelined him for the majority of 2019, he was better at times than his record indicated.

If the front office does make a move soon, he should be the first name taken off this roster, possibly before New Years.

Lewis Brinson

We all want to see Lewis Brinson have the kind of breakout season that has been expected of him the past two seasons. After seeing him during his callup in September, I don’t see any chance of him sticking in the Majors unless he can hit above .250 and smack 15 home runs.

Brinson’s lack of hitting is what drives managers nuts. He can rake in Triple-A, but it does not translate to the Majors. The same can be said for Spring Training, where he was on fire last year. Can the work he did this offseason to correct his swing and his timing at the plate pay off?

It’s possible a change of scenery is what Brinson needs after coming back to South Florida in the Christian Yelich deal. He needs more time to develop. While fans would love to see him become the face of this franchise, it isn’t going to happen any time soon.