3 Marlins who could be traded once baseball resumes

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 01: Jose Urena #62 of the Miami Marlins pitches against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on September 1, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 01: Jose Urena #62 of the Miami Marlins pitches against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on September 1, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /
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The Marlins may make a few moves to their roster once the team is back on the field. Which three players could be traded before the start of the season?

There is still no timetable set for the Miami Marlins or the rest of MLB to resume normal team activities prior to the start of the 2020 season.

The team announced late last week that outfielder Monte Harrison and starting pitcher Nick Neidert were assigned to AAA Wichita. Those two moves helped determine how the starting rotation and the team’s outfield will look. But it did not solve all the problems of heavy competition in Major League camp.

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There are still battles to be had once players take the field.

The problem is the Marlins coaching staff and the front office have now is determining which players start, which ones will comprise the bench, what does the pitching staff look like and who will be cut, demoted or traded.

Having too much talent is a very good thing, especially here in Miami.

There has been talk prior to the start of spring training that some veterans may be on the trade block, which would open up roster spots for rising stars. The 26-man roster is not set yet. Manager Don Mattingly must figure out what to do with 20 players.

I believe one or more players will be traded once MLB decides on a schedule leading up to the regular season and how many games will be played.

Here’s a look at three players who could make news by changing teams prior to the start of the season.

Harold Ramirez

Harold Ramirez had a solid rookie campaign last year. He had 11 home runs was consistent at the plate with a .76 batting average, but was out of place in centerfield.

Mattingly made it clear players on the roster last year we’re not guaranteed a spot in 2020. Given the team has an overload in the outfield, Ramirez his name is as good as any should be considered as a trade chip.

He could be one of the final players in camp fighting for a roster spot.

Jose Urena

I agreed with the experts long ago that Jose Urena would be traded before the start of the season. I’m gonna stick with that although he has been impressive in camp.

The Marlins have three of the five starting pitchers set. Sandy Alcantara, Caleb Smith, and Pablo Lopez are good to go. After that, there are a handful of arms who could fill spots four and five. The team sent Neidert to the minors. Now, it’s a discussion amongst four players for two positions.

Urena and Elieser Hernandez can both work out of the bullpen. That makes them valuable, not only to the team but to other teams looking for experienced relievers. If the Marlins are going to trade a veteran arm, Urena will be the one.

Chad Wallach

This one is just a hunch because I doubt the Marlins will keep three catchers. Chad Wallach is a dependable receiver who has been with the organization since 2018.  The Marlins are set with Jorge Alfaro and Francisco Cervelli behind the dish.

This is one of those spots where having the 26th man on the roster becomes important. But because of the depth both in the outfield and around the diamond, I cannot see Mattingly keeping three players at this position.

Teams are always looking for a dependable catcher who can work with a talented pitching staff. This might be the case, and Wallach could be headed elsewhere.

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