Miami Marlins: One Potential Trade Deadline Position of Need Beginning to Emerge

The MLB Trade Deadline is still months away, but the Miami Marlins may already have a potential position of need emerging.

The Miami Marlins are currently 20-24 standing at 4th in the NL East. While the roster appears early on to have talent across the board at multiple positions, there is one position in particular that is emerging as a potential area of need.

That position is indeed catcher. Now yes, Miami does currently have three major league caliber catchers, but you could make the argument that the Marlins should be active in the catcher market this summer.

The Miami Marlins should target a catcher at the deadline.

Yes, Jorge Alfaro is the Marlins starting catcher when fully healthy. Currently on a rehab assignment in Triple-A with Jacksonville, Alfaro is nearing a return to the big leagues, but should he be the everyday starter when he returns?

Only hitting .229 in 10 games before suffering the injury, Alfaro didn’t necessarily impress during his limited action so far in 2021. Aside from his first season in Miami back in 2019 where he hit .262 with a .736 OPS, the recent trends with Alfaro’s play aren’t necessarily encouraging.

What about the two current catchers Sandy Leon and Chad Wallach? Neither are essentially “lighting-it-up” currently, and both appear at this point in their careers to be back-up catchers.

So with no other clear option ready in the minors that is arguably an upgrade, why not trade for one that is ready to contribute now to potentially takeover as the starter, or split time as the starter?

There will surely be options on the market, both veterans and younger players. If there is someone available, why not do it?

Why Alfaro is not a bad player, if Miami wants to compete in 2021 and going forward they need to upgrade at a few key positions. You could make the argument that catcher is one of those. If Alfaro can return to his 2018 and 2019 self at the plate, combined with Miami also acquiring a catcher capable of doing the same, that might just work.

There will be options available at the trade deadline if the Miami Marlins choose to go that route. The next two months will be important for both the Marlins and their catchers.