Miami Marlins make a trade as Spring Training nears

The Miami Marlins finally made a move! There's some hope for the season, but it's mostly in player development unfortunately. Although there's still time for a trade that could surprise us and make sense. As Spring Training nears, it certainly looks like The Fish are done making any major moves, which again is not very satisfying for us Marlins fans.

Miami Marlins make a trade on the road to Spring Training.

The Atlanta Braves recently designated RHP Connor Gillispie for assignment. Gillispie pitched to a 2.25 ERA/3.04 FIP, with 9.0 K/9 and 5.6 BB/9 in 3 games and 8.0 innings pitched. He pitched entirely as a reliever during this time. I expect him to fill this same exact role with the Miami Marlins. The ERA and FIP are very impressive, as is the strikeout rate.

I don't see Gillispie being stretched out as a starting pitcher, but you never know what Peter Bendix might have in mind. I just hope that Gillispie works out and do believe in Bendix's ability to potentially find a hidden gem. It certainly could be that Gillispie is one such hidden gem, though of course that may be very wishful thinking on my end.

The Miami Marlins did however have to designate a player for assignment to make room. Who was that player? C Jhonny Pereda. Pereda batted just .250/.231/.281, with 0 home runs and 4 RBI in 20 games and 39 AB in 2024. He was worth a pretty dismal -0.1 WAR. The 28 year old was clearly not high on the Marlins' depth chart, which is why The Fish designated him for assignment in order to make room for Connor Gillispie on the roster.

How does this move look like for the Miami Marlins long-term or in the short-term next season? Connor Gillispie looks like he might be a hidden gem based on the strikeout rate. I do believe that Peter Bendix will be using his Tampa Bay Rays like tricks to find these types of players. I don't see The Fish missing Jhonny Pereda at all to be honest either.