Miami Marlins: 6 centerfielders to trade for when MLB Lockout ends

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Oakland Athletics outfielder Ramon Laureano (Photo by Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images) /

The Miami Marlins were one of the more-active teams in baseball before the MLB Lockout began making a total of three significant trades, as well as a big free agent signing. However, when the lockout ends, will that continue?

When asking that question, the answer is most-likely yes. However, we obviously do not know when that will be, but what we do know is what the Marlins next significant move will likely be to address – centerfield.

The Miami Marlins should trade for a centerfielder

The Marlins are still looking for a long-term option in centerfield entering the 2022 season, making it obvious that adding to the position is the next big move. However, with the free agents at the position not necessarily what Miami is looking for, a significant trade to address the position seems likely whenever the offseason moves resume.

Who will the Marlins trade for however? Will the club look to acquire an experienced veteran to help in 2022, or a younger player who would patrol centerfield at loanDepot Park for years to come?

One thing is clear however – the Miami Marlins have options. With those options comes a talent-rich farm system that is capable of pulling off any potential trade for any of those options.

With that set, here are six centerfielders that the Miami Marlins should consider trading for once the MLB Lockout ends.

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Brandon Marsh (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /

6. Kevin Kiermaier

While not the most eye-popping acquisition that the Marlins could make at the position via a trade, you could certainly argue that trading once more with Tampa Bay this offseason could be a possibility. Now yes, the 31-year-old Kiermaier wouldn’t be a long-term answer for Miami in centerfield, but is a proven veteran option that could help you compete in 2022.

A three-time Gold Glove winner, Kiermaier is elite defensively in centerfield, and is coming off a 2021 season where he slashed .259/.328/.388 with a 3.4 WAR. Entering the final year of his current deal with a team option for 2023, Kiermaier is a player who is rumored to be traded this offseason, and would be a quality addition in centerfield for Miami, especially defensively.

5. Brandon Marsh

If the Marlins are opting to acquire a younger player or prospect at the position this offseason, a player like Marsh would be an intriguing possibility. The Angels former No. 1 overall prospect, the 23-year-old appeared in a total of 70 games with Los Angeles during the 2021 season where he slashed a combined .254/.317/.356 in what was his first big league action.

In addition to a younger player like Marsh, there are multiple big league ready centerfield prospects around baseball that would be intriguing trade options for Miami such as Cristian Pache and Drew Waters (Braves), as well as Estevan Florial (Yankees). While it is unknown how many of these players would even be available in a trade, there are multiple younger options that could be possibilities should the Marlins choose to go that route.

Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Ketel Marte (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

4. Ramon Laureano

If the Athletics end up selling when the Lockout ends, this might be the move to watch for the Marlins that arguably no one is talking about. Now yes, it isn’t a 100% given that Oakland would consider trading Laureano, but if the 27-year-old is available, Miami should pick up the phone and call.

A player with multiple years of control remaining, Laureano is entering his fifth season with the Athletics, and is coming off a year where he slashed .246/.317/.443 across 88 games. Laureano should be a bit cheaper in a trade than some of the other names on this list, and would provide Miami with a proven two-way option in centerfield whose arm would play well at loanDepot Park.

3. Ketel Marte

While the previously mentioned Laureano would be a massive addition if it happened, Marte at No. 3 arguably starts the run of superstar caliber centerfielders that Miami could realistically acquire in a trade. In fact, Marte is a player that the Marlins have reportedly shown interest in trading for previously, but as talked about before, it would likely be for a heavy price tag.

More. What a Ketel Marte trade would look like. light

A one-time All-Star back in 2019, Marte is coming off an impressive 2021 season where he slashed a combined .318/.377/.532 with 14 home runs across 90 games. A player who does not strike out much offensively, Marte has also seen extensive time at second base throughout his career, and would be a no-brainer to acquire in a trade as a player who holds a team option for the 2022 and 2023 seasons ($8M in 2022, $10M in 2023).

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /

2. Bryan Reynolds

Yet another intriguing superstar caliber centerfielder that would make sense for the Miami Marlins in a trade is Reynolds. However, the question surrounding a potential trade for the 26-year-old is clear – would the Pirates even trade Reynolds?

A first-time All-Star in 2021, Reynolds is coming off a career-year with Pittsburgh where he slashed a combined .302/.390/.522 with 24 home runs, 90 RBI’s, and a major league leading eight triples. A player who posted an impressive 11.6 BB% as well in 2021, a potential trade surrounding Reynolds remains an unknown, but if a trade were to happen, Miami is one of the teams that have the prospect capital to make a trade with the Pirates work.

1. Cedric Mullins

Arguably the top centerfielder that the Marlins could acquire in a trade this offseason is Mullins, a player who could potentially be available. As similar to Reynolds previously however, would Baltimore even consider trading the 27-year-old, a player who is also under control for multiple seasons?

Next. Breaking down a potential Cedric Mullins trade. dark

Coming off a career-year in 2021, Mullins slashed a combined .291/.360/.518 with the Orioles with 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases while making his first career All-Star appearance. Similar to Marte previously, a potential trade surrounding Mullins is something we have talked about before, and would arguably provide the biggest impact from any of these six players.

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