Miami Marlins: Ranking each Trade Deadline Deal in Terms of Impact
As the 2021 MLB Trade Deadline has now officially passed, the Miami Marlins roster outlook for the remainder of the 2021 season is now clear.
The Marlins made four separate trades over the course of the last week leading up to the deadline. In all, Miami traded away four players, and in return the Marlins received five, all of which can be found below:
Traded Away:
- OF Starling Marte
- RHP Yimi Garcia
- OF Adam Duvall
- RHP John Curtiss
Traded To:
- LHP Jesus Luzardo
- OF Bryan De La Cruz
- RHP Austin Pruitt
- C Alex Jackson
- C Payton Henry
Which Miami Marlins trade will have the biggest impact going forward?
Each of these trades will obviously provide a significant impact for the other teams involved, as all of which are currently in postseason contention. However, these moves will also provide a big impact for the Marlins, not only for the remainder of this season, but for years to come.
When looking at the players that Miami brought in, the Marlins added to positions of need, but also added major league ready players to those positions. While the additions might not be the most eye-popping moves, these moves will help the Marlins from day one as we already saw on Friday night.
So, let’s take a look at which Miami Marlins trade deadline moves will provide the biggest impact going forward.
4. Miami Marlins Get a Catcher
Brewers receive:
- RHP John Curtiss
Marlins receive:
- C Payton Henry (Milwaukee Brewers No. 19 Prospect)
In a move that the Marlins made almost right at the 4:00 pm ET deadline, Miami sent relief pitcher John Curtiss to Milwaukee for catching prospect Payton Henry.
Curtiss had been outstanding in year one of his time in Miami posting a 2.48 ERA across 40 innings pitched this season. The 28-year old right-hander is still under team control for multiple years, and will join a dominant Brewers bullpen that seems extremely likely to be well on their way to winning the NL Central.
The Marlins in return added more much-needed depth to the catching position acquiring Henry, Milwaukee’s No. 19 prospect. Henry has slashed .262/.338/.361 since recently being called up to Triple-A in the Brewers system.
This deal could be considered as a win-win for each team as Milwaukee lands bullpen help to prepare for a 2021 postseason run, while Miami lands much-needed catching depth. While Henry might need a little more time in Triple-A, the 24-year old backstop is certainly not too-far away from a big league debut.
3. Miami Marlins Get another Catcher
Braves receive:
- OF Adam Duvall
Marlins receive:
- C Alex Jackson
When looking at the four deals that Miami made leading up to yesterday’s MLB Trade Deadline, this move with the Braves might be the one that arguably provides the biggest immediate impact.
The Marlins traded veteran outfielder Adam Duvall to Atlanta, the team he had spent the previous three seasons with, and in return received 25-year old catcher Alex Jackson.
Duvall was a familiar face for the Braves, and for a team needing outfield and offensive help, the veteran slugger made a lot of sense as a trade partner for the 32-year old. Duvall made an instant impact for the Braves last night as he was in the starting lineup playing left field while also going 1-for-4 at the plate with one RBI.
In return, the Marlins received Jackson, a 25-year old catcher who will instantly make an impact for Miami at the big league level. Jackson was available for last night’s game against the Yankees, but did not see any action in the 3-1 Marlins loss. However, for a player who was slashing .287/.366/.694 with 11 HR’s and 36 RBI’s across 30 games in Triple-A this season, it is only a matter of time until Jackson see’s some playing time as Miami’s starting catcher.
While this move is third on this list, that does not mean that Jackson will not provide a big impact going forward for Miami. The 25-year old is waiting for a full-time big league opportunity, and based on his Triple-A numbers in recent years, Jackson could be a very good power-hitting offensive catcher for the Marlins going forward.
2. Miami Marlins Land Multiple Players
Astros receive:
- RHP Yimi Garcia
Marlins receive:
- OF Bryan De La Cruz
- RHP Austin Pruitt
The Miami Marlins had multiple potential bullpen arms that would garner interest from teams with arguably none bigger than Yimi Garcia. The Marlins flipped their closer on Wednesday to the Astros, and in return received outfielder Bryan De La Cruz and right-hander pitcher Austin Pruitt.
Garcia will certainly play a massive role in the back-end of the bullpen for an Astros team with World Series aspirations in 2021. A free agent at seasons end, a move surrounding the Marlins closer made sense, but Miami landed a strong return for the rental arm as well.
De La Cruz made his major league debut on Friday against the Yankees going 0-for-4 at the plate, but made an impressive catch out in right field. The 24-year old put up some impressive numbers in Triple-A this season, and should be an impact outfielder for the Marlins going forward, one who can play all three outfield positions.
Miami also received Pruitt, a 31-year old right-hander who also made his Marlins debut on Friday throwing a scoreless inning. Pruitt is still under team control for multiple seasons, and should see some looks in both the Marlins rotation and bullpen going forward.
It seemed likely that the Marlins would move Garcia before the deadline, and they did, landing two players who can contribute in areas of need for Miami right now. Depending on what these players do going forward, this could possibly end up being one of the best moves for the Marlins over this trade deadline.
1. Miami Marlins Land a Former Top Prospect
Athletics receive:
- OF Starling Marte
Marlins receive:
- LHP Jesus Luzardo
The no-doubt biggest move that the Marlins made over the 2021 MLB Trade Deadline was sending star outfielder Starling Marte to the Oakland Athletics. In return, the Marlins received the Athletics former top overall prospect Jesus Luzardo.
Marte, arguably the Marlins best positional player so far this season, will join the Athletics to provide much-needed help for a team currently 5.5 GB in the AL West. A free agent at seasons end, a potential Marte trade seemed likely after the two sides were unable to reach an extension. However, those talks can always be brought back-up in the offseason when Marte enters free agency.
In return for Marte, the Marlins received Luzardo, a 23-year old left-hander originally from Parkland, FL. Though Luzardo has struggled over the past two seasons, the southpaw is still considered as one of the best young left-handed pitchers in baseball, and will most-likely be a mainstay at the back-end of the Marlins rotation for years to come.
It was honestly shocking that the Athletics would make their former top prospect from a year or two ago even available at all. This was a phenomenal return for the Marlins to get for a rental player, as Luzardo will add yet another talented young arm to this phenomenal Marlins rotation going forward.
When looking at the Miami Marlins deadline deals as a whole, yes the Marlins sold key players, but there is no denying that the return will help Miami at key positions instantly and for years to come.