Miami Marlins: 3 potential power hitting trade targets

The Miami Marlins could use one more power hitter to join the lineup that can help drive in runs and continue to compete with the best teams. There are two approaches they could take to solving this issue, one of which is a very simple one, and yet it might not be welcomed by the team. The other would be putting together a trade package to acquire a big name at the deadline, both of which we will explore.

Paul DeJong, SS

The Miami Marlins could look at one easy fix to the middle of the lineup, that is one Jazz Chisholm returns. The Marlins could move the lineup to have Jorge Soler hitting 4th and Chisholm hitting 3rd, and acquiring another bat to fill in the 2-hole. Paul DeJong would be a great fit for that spot.

DeJong is slashing .235/.302/.452 with an OPS of .754 and he has hit 10 home runs and driven in 21 so far this season. You might be asking yourself, why would we want to add him, doesn't seem like much of an upgrade? His numbers are all way up and look very close to his 2019 numbers when he had a 30 home run season. DeJong's percentage increases in many categories make this a real possibility, take a look:

HR % 2022 - 2.5, 2023 - 5.5;
SO % 2022 - 33.3, 2023 - 29.1
BAbip 2022 - .213, 2023 - .282
Hard hit 2022 - 37.6%, 2023 - 38.9%

Now how would you like to see a lineup like this: Arraez, DeJong, Chisholm, Soler, De La Cruz. That's a pretty strong 1-5.

Lane Thomas, OF

The Miami Marlins other route would be to find a true 4 hole hitter and plug him in the lineup and to not change the order that is working now, put Chisholm in the 3-hole and then plug in a slugger. Lane Thomas would be an interesting add and as Marlins fans will remember, he hit two home runs against the Marlins in their recent three game series.

Thomas is slashing .290/.341/.493 with an .834 OPS this season with 11 home runs and 35 RBI. Thomas is not just a home run hitting power hitter, he has 19 doubles on the year and 2 triples while boasting a .363 BAbip. His numbers have risen dramatically this year with his hard hit percentage up from 34.8 to 40.8, as well as his exit velocity rising from 86.3 to 88.4 from last year to this year. Thomas would provide a solid cleanup hitter for the Marlins to drive in Arraez, Soler, Chisholm and get on base for Bryan De La Cruz.