4 trades I would make if I were Miami Marlins GM Kim Ng

Power hitters

If I could be the Miami Marlins GM for a week, I would continue down the trail they are on for Jeimer Candelario, and I would try my best to bundle Jean Segura with the deal.   That might be easier said than done but the Washington Nationals will need a starting corner infielder and Segura can fill that role.  

Segura has played better over the past month and in particular over the last 30 games he has hit 2 home runs, driven in 11, and has a .255 average.  This certainly doesn’t make up for his lackluster season totals of 2 home runs, 19 RBI, and .220 batting average.  The Nationals could see his progress and vote for a future of continued progress over his 2023 start.  

Candelario is the perfect fit for the Marlins as Neil wrote about prior and might cost them a few prospects since he is the primer third baseman in the market for the trade deadline and they will have to beat out multiple teams.  It is worth it.  Candelario has been hitting in the middle of the order for the Nationals and has 28 doubles, 16 home runs, 50 RBI, and is slashing .257/.335/.486 with an .821 OPS.  Candelario really transforms the lineup as a switch hitter and he has exploded over the past 30 days with 8 home runs and 20 RBI while hitting .286.

If the price is right on Candelario I would look into adding one more power hitting bat to the lineup and teammate Lane Thomas would be my first option.  Could the Marlins pull off a mega deal for both players?  Here is where Jake Eder could be dealt if a mega deal was put together for the two players.  I would work on that deal as the best possible deal for the team and I would give up a few prospects for Thomas as well.  Thomas would be under control for longer than a season and if Jorge Soler leaves, it’s not as big of a hit to the roster. Thomas is hitting .293 with 16 home runs, 54 RBI, 26 doubles, and 12 stolen bases.  I really love the idea of the Marlins lineup going as follows:

Arraez, Soler, Chisholm, Candelario, Thomas.  That’s a tough top 5 and if Cooper is not dealt, the top 6 is pretty solid.  Rockies CJ Cron or Pirates Carlos Santana would also be interesting adds to the lineup in place of Thomas if the Marlins can’t muster a deal for him.  

Starting Pitching

The Miami Marlins fans know how good their rotation can be when they are at their best and how bad it can be when they are not.   Sending down Eury Perez to save his arm for a hopeful long future with the Marlins has had a huge impact to the rotation, and they need a solid starter who will eat innings and keep them in the game.  

The Marlins don’t need to go fishing for the top pitching talent for sale at the deadline as they are not in need of a star starter if the playoff rotation could be Alcantara, Perez, Luzardo, Cabrera.  Braxton Garrett could come out of the bullpen in long relief along with Cueto.  The Marlins just need a guy who will consistently go 6 or 7 innings and keep them in the game for the newly powered offense.  Jack Flaherty is that guy.  

Flaherty is a free agent at the end of the season so his price shouldn’t be too high, as he has been an average pitcher this season but would help with innings.  He is 7-6 with a 4.39 ERA and a 1.53 WHIP, not bad for a 5th starter for the Marlins.  He will certainly be able to take on the innings eater role, going at least 6 innings in his last four starts and has averaged 5.1 innings per outing this season.   The Cardinals want a pitcher with control for their future and Trevor Rogers could be dealt to fill that role but Flaherty is only a rental.  I would have to see how flexible the Cardinals would be and trade another arm to get him if possible.  

Bullpen help

The biggest need I see for the Marlins, outside of a power hitter, is in their bullpen and they could go after a few players.  I really think they need two arms, one of which should be a closer.  AJ Puk has 5 blown saves on the season in 20 chances and the Marlins will  need a shut the door closer if they are gonna get through the tough August stretch and the playoffs.  

Two primer closers are on the market and if the Marlins can swing David Bednar I would take him.  Jake Eder is likely a part of this deal but Bednar has been lights out this season as I wrote previously.  Bednar is a two time All-Star and has a 1.15 ERA and sub 1 WHIP.  Most importantly he is under team control until 2027, which is why I like Bednar as he is a now and future move, just like Thomas.  The Marlins will like the salary as he is on a 1 year $745,000 salary.  It’s a perfect fit for their current needs.  

Brad Hand is the second player who I would target as he is also a very nice price.  Hand is on a 1 year $2 million dollar deal, with a team option for 2024.  Hand’s numbers aren’t sexy at 4.54 but his numbers away from Denver is why he makes sense.  Hand has given up 4 runs away from home since May 1st in 12 appearances, 2 of which were in one outing against the Giants.  His 3.71 ERA away from home is not bad and would be a cheaper add than some more premier relievers on the market.  Hand would also fit in perfectly as a reunion guy who played for both Florida and Miami Marlins, and maybe that teal and black Friday uniform will bring him back to his All-Star form.  

Would Marlins fans love these moves, I think so and they would have future implications as the team is on the rise still, not at its peak potential.  These moves pull the bullpen to one of the better ones in the league, solidify the rotation, and most importantly bring the necessary power to the lineup to make teams fear facing the Marlins.  Managers would have a tough time planning for a Marlins roster if all these moves are made at the trade deadline.   I for one would be excited.