Miami Marlins: 5 Prospects to Demand in a Starting Marte Trade

As the July 30th MLB Trade Deadline is a little over a week away, the Miami Marlins are one of the teams to watch. While Miami displays multiple top trade candidates around the league, there are arguably none bigger than star outfielder Starling Marte.

Originally acquired by the Marlins from the Diamondbacks at the 2020 MLB Trade Deadline, Marte was a big part of Miami’s postseason team that made a run during October a year ago.

However, with the Miami Marlins seemingly out of potential postseason contention in 2021, Marte has emerged as the biggest selling piece for Miami at this year’s deadline. Slashing .293/.390/.451 with seven HR’s, 22 RBI’s, and 19 SB’s across 215 AB’s so far this season, Marte is one of the biggest names available, and should land the Marlins the biggest return.

Will the Miami Marlins trade outfielder Starling Marte?

The potential future of Marte in Miami has been discussed numerous times throughout the season with constant reports of talks about an extension. However, with recent reports of extension talks having ended with no deal, it now seems likely that the 32-year old upcoming free agent will be traded at some point over the next week.

As mentioned previously, Marte will likely land Miami the biggest return of any player at the deadline, but what should the Marlins demand in return? With a roster displaying numerous pieces ready to win-now, it makes sense that Miami receives players/prospects ready to contribute in the big leagues in 2022 at positions of need.

When looking at the combination of teams that will most-likely be in-play for Marte, there are five clear prospects on those teams that the Marlins should demand in return that will be ready to feature prominent roles in the major leagues in 2022.

Here are those five teams and prospects, starting with the Philadelphia Phillies.

5. C Rafael Marchan – Philadelphia Phillies No. 4 Prospect

The first team that could possibly be in-play for Marte over the next week is an NL East division foe in the Phillies. Now yes, Miami will most-likely want to deal their star outfielder outside of the division, but there is no denying they could get a nice return from Philadelphia, a team they have made a big trade with before (JT Realmuto).

The Phillies may not have the biggest pure “need” in center field with Odubel Herrera and Travis Jankowski having manned the position, but a potential addition of Marte would be an instant upgrade. When looking at which prospect Miami should demand, top catching prospect Rafael Marchan makes a lot of sense.

Marchan originally signed with the Phillies back in 2015, and reached the big leagues for the first time with Philadelphia during the 2020 season going 4/8 with a HR and three RBI’s. Splitting time this season between the big leagues and Triple-A Lehigh Valley, Marchan is seemingly blocked by the previously mentioned Realmuto at the position, whom the Phillies signed to a five-year extension this offseason.

While the 22-year old backstop would be a nice backup option for the Phillies, he is a player that could help Philadelphia land a piece via trade to help a team that is currently 3.5 GB of first in the NL East.

Marchan is considered as an elite defensive catcher, which allowed him to make the jump from A-Ball to the big leagues in 2020, even making his major league debut against the Marlins last season. Also an excellent contact hitter, it’s clear that Marchan is ready to become a starting major league catcher right now.

If the Miami Marlins want to improve their catching depth with a prospect ready to start full-time in 2022, Marchan is a clear choice should the Marlins flip Marte to their NL East division foes.

4. OF/SS Pedro Leon – Houston Astros No. 2 Prospect

The Houston Astros could make a play for the Marlins star outfielder. Yes, Myles Straw has been good so far this season, but there is no denying Marte would be an instant-upgrade at the position for an Astros team with World Series aspirations.

Houston has multiple prospects ranked within their Top 10 that will be ready to contribute in the big leagues during the 2022 season, but one in particular that sticks out most that Miami should demand in return is the Astros No. 2 prospect Pedro Leon.

The 23-year old signed with the Astros as a free agent back in January where he was instantly considered as the replacement for George Springer, who as we know by now signed with the Toronto Blue Jays. Coming off two impressive seasons playing in Cuba, Leon was instantly touted as one of the Astros top overall prospects.

Leon began the 2021 season in Double-A, where he slashed .249/.359/.443 over 52 games to just recently earn a call-up to Triple-A with the Sugar Land Skeeters. With a potential fast-start in Triple-A, Leon could eventually earn a big league call-up at some point this season to takeover as Houston’s potential starting center fielder.

Leon displays two-tools that are considered elite which include his speed and arm. A strong hitter with above-average power, Leon also displays plus-fielding abilities at both center field and shortstop, where he could receive reps at both going forward.

While Houston could just bring up Leon to man center field, a trade for Marte is also a possibility if they want to solidify the position for a 2021 postseason run. Demanding Leon in a trade with the Astros may be a starting point in a potential Marte deal, which would give the Miami Marlins their no-doubt center fielder of the future.

2. C William Contreras – Atlanta Braves

The Atlanta Braves could be a player for Marte, but similar to the Phillies, would Miami even trade their star outfielder to an NL East division foe? The Braves have gotten excellent play from Guillermo Heredia to help solidify the center field position, but as with the others on this list, there is no denying that Marte would be an instant upgrade.

Atlanta displays multiple prospects that will be ready to contribute full-time in the major leagues at the start of the 2022 season, most notably outfielders Cristian Pache and Drew Waters, as well as pitchers Kyle Muller, Tucker Davidson, and Jasseel De La Cruz.

While it’s unlikely Atlanta will trade Pache, Waters, or Muller for an upcoming free agent in Marte, the prospect the Marlins should demand is catcher William Contreras. The 23-year old backstop just recently lost his “prospect” status, but is still getting started in his major league career only having appeared in 48 games.

The younger brother of current Cubs catcher Willson Contreras, William was originally signed by Atlanta back in 2015 where he has since impressed on his way to the major leagues. Spending time the past two seasons in the big leagues, Contreras has slashed a combined .217/.286/.395 across 152 AB’s.

Since recently being sent down to Triple-A Gwinnett, Contreras has slashed .421/.476/.868 across 10 games, and is surely going to be called back up in the very near future. The 23-year old catcher is major league ready right now, and would be an excellent return for the Miami Marlins should they trade Marte to the Braves.

1. OF Estevan Florial – New York Yankees No. 10 Prospect

Arguably the team with the biggest pure need in center field with a player of Marte’s caliber are the Yankees. The Yankees have had to use numerous different options at the position over the course of the season, but the one prospect that makes sense for Miami to demand in return is one of those current options, outfielder Estevan Florial.

While New York also has a few other top prospects as potential options, it is unknown if the Yankees would flip notable pitchers such as Clarke Schmidt, Deivi Garcia, or Luis Gil for Marte making Florial the most likely option.

Originally signed by the Yankees back in 2015, Florial was once considered one of the top young outfield prospects in baseball before injuries in 2018-2019 and the shortened 2020 season slowed his development. The now 23-year old outfielder has reached the big leagues where he has certainly impressed in limited action.

Florial is an above-average fielder who pairs plus-speed with a powerful left-handed swing, even leaving some scouts to believe he has legit 30/30 potential in the future. Florial has the ability to play all three outfield positions, and would potentially become a day one starter should he be traded to Miami.

The Miami Marlins could potentially push for a prospect still 1-2 years away from the big leagues, but if they want a prospect ready for a full-time major league starting role in 2022, Florial is the most-likely option.

It seems likely that Marte will be dealt at some point before the July 30th MLB Trade Deadline. When looking at potential returns for the Miami Marlins, any of these five prospects would be strong returns to instantly contribute in the big leagues in 2022.