Miami Marlins: 3 things Kim Ng should do at the trade deadline that would make her a deadline Hero

Issue 1 - A big bat

The Miami Marlins have had a revolving door hitting at the 3 hole and 4 hole this season, positions that should be very consistent on any playoff team.  Unlike other playoff teams who are looking for more depth that lines up hitters in every spot of the lineup, the Marlins need a middle of the lineup.   

On no other playoff team would Bryan De La Cruz, Jesus Sanchez, or Garrett Cooper hit in the 3 or 4 position in the lineup.  Not that all three aren’t useful or better than average at their positions but more so that they don’t have the impact numbers to fill that position.  Certainly if Jazz Chisholm comes back and stays the 3 spot is filled but that still leaves one more spot to fill at cleanup.  

If Kim Ng can trade for a true power hitter that will have a big impact on the lineup the Marlins will be hard to beat.  On the short list of desirables that will be very difficult to acquire are Cardinals Paul Goldschmidt or Nolan Gorman, Padres Juan Soto, and Nationals Lane Thomas. Two of those names are very high profile and would make a huge splash to the fan base saying we are committed to contending, however the other two are more realistic and still very good options.  Adding Gorman (18 home runs), Thomas (14), Goldschmidt (16), or Soto (16) would make any of those players the second highest home run hitter on the team.

Issue 2 - Non-producers

The second biggest issue the Marlins GM needs to address is the bad signings that are dragging down the team by the wallet.  The top of the dead weight that will be almost impossible to trade is Johnny Cueto.  

Cueto is scheduled to make $8.5 million this season and even if they can package a trade to get him elsewhere and keep half it would be a benefit to the team if they can sign a big bat like Soto.  Soto will produce for years and if they can sign him long term it would be huge.  

Cueto is coming out of the pen and is being paid like a premier starter or closer.  Cueto is just now coming back for the season and is coming out of the pen but is being paid like a rotation pitcher. If the Marlins can deal him or get him back up to an elite pitcher like last year or in 2018 they may have something, but if not, I would deal him.  

Jean Segura has been the most underwhelming of signings, as he has played but has not produced at all.  Segura is also scheduled to make a similar amount to Cueto this season and next and has not produced for a big offseason signing.  

Segura is hitting .221 with 2 home runs and 19 RBI for the season.  With that said his value may have increased some that would make him more trade-able. Segura is hitting .341 in July with 5 RBI over 12 games.  If the Marlins can upgrade and acquire a big producer at third and trade Segura, that would be a boon for their playoff hopes as it would give them more capital to work on pitching additions.  

Issue 3 - A starting pitcher

If Eury Perez will be severely limited for the rest of the season the Miami Marlins need to add another starter and it doesn’t have to be very flashy.  If the Marlins can add a starter that will be serviceable for the rest of the season that would be enough and the Cardinals are a great match for that, but even more so if they can add a big starter that will transform their team.  

If the Marlins can trade either Cueto or Segura or both, they would have room to trade for a bigger name starter and Blake Snell would be a great fit.  Snell has the resume to be a top tier starter and can be utilized in the playoffs and he would upgrade the Marlins already amazing rotation.  

Since the rotation is amazing someone as simple as Jack Flaherty who is a free agent next season would fit the bill.  He would be the fill in until the Marlins can use Eury every day.  He is streaky but has pitched at least 6 innings each start and that’s what the Marlins need. He will eat innings and get the Marlins, their worn out bullpen, and Eury Perez to the playoffs.