Miami Marlins: 3 trade proposals with the Cleveland Guardians

Miami Marlins/Cleveland Guardians Trade Proposal No. 2

Now yes, this is undoubtedly the biggest Marlins/Guardians trade that Miami could make, but is it the likeliest to happen? No, and that’s why it’s listed here at No. 2.

The Marlins do currently have Brian Anderson at third base, and while one could argue that Miami doesn’t need to acquire a third baseman, there is no denying that Ramirez would be an upgrade at the position.

A three-time All-Star and Silver Slugger winner, Ramirez is in the final year of his current deal, but does hold a $13 million team option for 2023, one that Miami would surely pickup. Coming off a phenomenal 2021 season in which the 29-year-old posted an .893 OPS with 36 home runs to finish sixth in AL MVP voting, a trade for Ramirez is possible, but what would the Guardians want in return for their star third baseman?

As for what Cleveland would want in return, the Marlins would not be able to trade for the star infielder without parting with at-least two of their top prospects, as well as potentially a veteran such as Anderson or Garrett Cooper who could help Cleveland in the outfield. Yes, that means Cleveland would likely ask for one of Miami’s top pitching prospects in either Max Meyer, Edward Cabrera, Sixto Sanchez, or Eury Perez, as well as a notable outfield prospect such as JJ Bleday or Peyton Burdick along with a lower-level prospect.

There will surely be a very-high price to acquire Ramirez, meaning that the Marlins should not make this move if they don’t plan on extending the 29-year-old. A trade for Ramirez is certainly a possibility for a Marlins team with the pieces to get a deal done, but you could also argue that it is unlikely to happen.

Miami Marlins/Cleveland Guardians Trade Proposal No. 1

We have already mentioned previously about the Marlins potentially adding to what-is an already strong bullpen. If Miami chooses to do that in a trade with the Guardians, any of their two closing options would make sense, but Karinchak is the more-likely to happen than Emmanuel Clase.

After a phenomenal 2020 rookie season, Karinchak got-off to another strong start to the 2021 season, but struggled to finish the year where the right-hander finished with a 4.07 ERA with 11 saves. Losing the closing role to Clase late in the year in the process, as well as being optioned to Triple-A at one point, the 26-year-old could be available coming off a down year, and is a move Miami should consider if available.

While not near as high of a price compared to Ramirez previously, Cleveland would still want a notable return for the young reliever who is under team control through the 2026 season. The Guardians need help in a few notable places, in particular the outfield, so why not the previously mentioned Cooper?

Coming off a strong 2021 season (.284/.380/.465 before suffering injury), Cooper is an experienced option that Cleveland could use at either first base, right field, or DH. A proven major league bat who doesn’t become a free agent until 2024, Cooper is a player the Guardians could build around, in addition to their up-and-coming younger players.

While a one-for-one proposal would likely result in the Guardians wanting a bit more in return for Karinchak, the Marlins could also include Neidert, Miami’s No. 12 prospect who is major league ready right now, as well as possibly another lower-level prospect.

Whenever the offseason resumes, could the Miami Marlins and Cleveland Guardians make any of these three trades?