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

The Miami Marlins are buyers at the trade deadline and need reinforcements for their current roster to make the push to the postseason.  As it were there are several areas they could improve upon to help them down the stretch.  

One of the biggest areas of need we will focus on first, that being a middle of the order power hitter.  According to MLB.com, there is a list of 17 players most likely to be traded in the next week at the trade deadline and we will utilize that list as well as going off on a few more names that have come up during the deadline talks.  

The Miami Marlins will have a tough go at the deadline for one major reason, that being their weak minor league system.  Could the Marlins cobble together enough prospects to land multiple trades, time will tell, but there are a few names I think could be involved.  

Xavier Edwards is one such name that has bounced between the big leagues and AAA and would be on the block for teams needing a second baseman.  Khalil Watson is another that will garner interest along with Jacob Berry, Max Meyer, and Jake Eder.  The last prospect, which I would not like to see go, is Troy Johnston, AA first baseman who leads the league in RBI and is crushing home runs with 18 total to go along with his 83 RBI.  It is not explainable why he is still on the AA roster unless they want his numbers to continue to soar to trade him.  Who will these prospects bring, let’s get to it. 

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.