Miami Marlins: Predicting the Starting Lineup post-2021 MLB Trade Deadline
![PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 16: Jazz Chisholm Jr. #2 of the Miami Marlins bats against the Philadelphia Phillies during Game One of the doubleheader at Citizens Bank Park on July 16, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Marlins 5-2. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_752,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fmarlinmaniac-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2017-2F07-2F1329247535-850x560-10b4c9e2c511c8ae1f8aa3a997e6b77a.jpg)
![Catcher Jorge Alfaro of the Miami Marlins (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/w_480/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fmarlinmaniac-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2017-2F07-2F1323966215-c745120fbe9f07b17957abdd4d7221f4.jpg)
As the second half of the 2021 Miami Marlins season officially began with a split of a double-header Friday in Philadelphia, the next two weeks will be very telling on what the team’s future roster will look-like.
The Marlins have multiple players that will garner interest from teams around the league at this year’s MLB Trade Deadline. Assuming that the Marlins sell, how will these potential trades affect Miami’s everyday starting lineup going forward?
What will the Miami Marlins lineup look-like post-2021 MLB Trade Deadline?
There are multiple options to fill each position based on the moves that the Marlins make, with some a little clearer, or more obvious, than others. While Miami could obviously potentially acquire a big league starter at one of these positions over the next two weeks, let’s assume solely for these predictions that they get back prospects only via trade, and that we should use internal options only.
When looking at the rotation post-deadline, it will most-likely stay the same. The bullpen however could undergo some change as Miami has multiple relievers that will be sought-after on the reliever market.
The lineup however is one of the biggest questions, as at-least three-to-four positions could be potentially up for grabs. When making predictions for each starter in the lineup on August 1, there are some positions that are a little easier to predict than others.
C – Jorge Alfaro
While it is entirely possible that the Marlins potentially sell the veteran catcher, I’ll say that Alfaro will most-likely remain the primary backstop for Miami on August 1. While his .212/.265/.298 season slash line will need to improve, his previous track record shows us that the 28-year old catcher is bound to turn things around offensively at some point.
![First Baseman Lewin Diaz of the Miami Marlins (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/w_480/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fmarlinmaniac-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2017-2F07-2F1233140711-e155ebcaabe0f87d989bc957830b32cb.jpg)
1B – Lewin Diaz
With current first baseman Jesus Aguilar as one of Miami’s top potentially trade candidates, the Marlins should hand the starting role over to their No. 6 prospect after this year’s deadline. Diaz has appeared in 11-games so far this season with the big league club, and is currently slashing .230/.308/.545 in Triple-A with 14 HR’s and 36 RBI’s in 165 at-bat’s.
2B – Jazz Chisholm
Despite even a potential opening at his natural position, Chisholm will most-likely remain at second base where he may be preferred to remain long-term. While the Marlins’ deadline plans could affect who fills the second base spot on August 1, Chisholm makes the most-sense here when you look toward Miami’s future.
SS – Miguel Rojas
Holding a team-option for the 2022 season, Rojas will be one of the most interesting players to monitor at the shortstop position leading up to the July 30th deadline. While it is unknown whether or not Miami will even trade their long-time shortstop, I’ll say that Rojas will remain a Marlin.
3B – Brian Anderson
Currently nearing a return to the field from a stint on the IL, it’s unlikely Anderson is dealt at the deadline meaning the 28-year old will resume his normal starting role at the hot-corner. Also sporting a career-low .687 OPS when he went down with an injury, expect Anderson to turn things around quickly at the plate after his return.
![Outfielder Jesus Sanchez of the Miami Marlins (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/w_480/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fmarlinmaniac-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2017-2F07-2F1326533693-a45fef05a6515490c483b1b5eba3b0cc.jpg)
LF – Jesus Sanchez
The Marlins primary left fielder since his return to the big leagues a couple of weeks ago, Sanchez will continue to see everyday action in the starting lineup, as well as likely moving up in the batting order. While a move to right field after the deadline is a possibility depending on what moves the Marlins make, staying in left field makes sense for Sanchez who could remain at the position long-term.
CF – Monte Harrison
Unable to garner consistent playing time so far in the big leagues, that could change should Miami decide to trade center fielder Starling Marte. While Lewis Brinson would also be a candidate to takeover a potential vacant spot in center, the starting role to begin should go to Harrison who has slashed .259/.331/.431 with four HR’s, 16 RBI’s, and eight stolen bases in the minor leagues so far this season.
RF – Magneuris Sierra
Right field may be the position hardest to predict as Adam Duvall and Garrett Cooper are among the Marlins that will most-likely garner the most interest via trade. If one or both are still with Miami post-deadline, the position will remain unchanged, but if neither are still with the team then, the starting role will most-likely go to Sierra who is slashing .237/.298/.263 with five SB’s this season.
Next. Marlins to Sell at the 2021 MLB Trade Deadline. dark
While we obviously won’t know for another two weeks on what the potential lineup will look-like post-deadline, it’s clear that the Marlins have internal options including both top prospects and younger players looking for more opportunity. Depending on the Marlins’ moves, is this what the lineup post-deadline lineup should look like?