Marlins and Pirates in trade talks, a mock trade proposal

The Miami Marlins missed out on a potential deal with the Baltimore Orioles earlier this year and perhaps now the Pittsburgh Pirates are in the crosshairs. The Marlins are reported to be in trade conversations with the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Pirates are seeking immediate help in their starting rotation. It is pretty clear that Edward Cabrera is the target in play here as the Marlins really couldn’t gain much from trading Luzardo to the Pirates. 

The Marlins and Pirates are in trade talks

The Marlins still have a need at shortstop and DH and the Pirates have a younger team that could provide some potential. The Pirates have 24 year old Nick Gonzales battling 24 year old Ji Hwan Bae for the second base job this spring. In addition the Pirates also have 24 year old Alika Williams, 23 year old Liover Peguero, and 22 year old Tsung-Che Cheng listed at shortstop on their depth chart. One of the above 4 players could be a potential target for the Marlins for Cabrera. 

The Pirates also have a loaded outfield group with McCutchen at DH and Jack Suwinski, Bryan Reynolds, Connor Joe, and 2021 number 1 overall pick Henry Davis among others. Would the Pirates take on Avisail Garcia and Edward Cabrera for Alika Williams and a prospect? 

The Marlins would make out good if they could get a deal with Cabrera, Garcia, and Nick Fortes for Alika Williams, Henry Davis, and someone like Josiah Sightler who is ranked 25th in the Pirates system or Jase Bowen who is ranked 26th. The Marlins need to add depth and so adding a prospect is likely part of the deal. Marlins GM is most assuredly very familiar with Alika Williams as he was the Rays 37th overall pick in 2020. I am guessing he is a major part of discussion. 

I am doubtful the Marlins will get two top prospects out of the deal but I can see the Pirates willing to depart with Williams with Peguero getting the nod at short.  Alika Williams has great potential and has only 100 at bats in pro ball to his name but his minor league stats tell the real story. In 284 at bats last year in the minor leagues he had 19 doubles, 12 home runs, 43 RBI, and 6 stolen bases. Williams also slashed .268/.346/.468 with an OPS of .814 last year and hopefully will translate that productivity to the next level. 

Henry Davis would provide a versatile piece to the Marlins and they could easily part with Fortes and Garcia in exchange for his services. Davis produced well in 2023 with 7 home runs and 24 RBI in 225 at bats. The Marlins would plug him in right away but he could be too costly for the Marlins. Cabrera would easily bring in one of them, but how can the Marlins increase their depth as well? Bendix will find a way, but one thing is for sure, the Marlins need a DH after losing Jorge Soler to the Giants.