Miami Marlins: 3 Bold Predictions from Now to the 2021 MLB Trade Deadline

2. The Miami Marlins #5 starter emerges with a Sub-2.00 ERA

The Miami Marlins currently display arguably one of the top trios in their starting rotation in all of baseball. Sandy Alcantara, Pablo Lopez, and Trevor Rogers have all been nothing short of outstanding so far this season, and I wouldn’t bet against them stopping anytime soon.

The holes left in 4-5 spots in the rotation that have been opened due to injuries mainly have been filled by either bullpen games or call-ups so far this season. When looking at options to fill them once they get healthy, it’s clear which pitcher will slot in where.

The #4 spot in the rotation will be filled by currently injured top prospect Sixto Sanchez, who posted a 3-2 record with a 3.46 ERA in seven starts last season. With the fourth spot in the rotation filled, how will the Marlins fill #5?

While Miami could be considered as a team that could trade for the starting pitcher at the deadline, they could have their fifth starter for the remainder of the season already in place by then. There are multiple candidates, but who will emerge?

Currently injured Elieser Hernandez is the prime candidate to fill the last spot in the rotation, while top prospects such as Edward Cabrera and Braxton Garrett should also be considered candidates. Regardless of who it is, one of these three will emerge between now and the deadline as the #5 starter.

If none emerge, the Marlins will certainly be a team to monitor to make a big splash at the trade deadline for a starting pitcher. If one does emerge however, Miami will have arguably the best young starting rotation in all of baseball.

The Marlins #5 starter will emerge, but if whoever it is has a sub-2.00 ERA at the deadline, Miami might opt-to not alter the rotation.