Miami Marlins notes: new player claimed; rivals improve farms

The Trade Deadline is getting nearer! Nothing can beat the earlier blockbuster. Well...almost nothing that is. So, what's on the menu tonight? The Fish claimed a player from the Houston Astros; a division rival made another trade; a league rival made a depth move and much more! Are you ready? Let's get into it!

The Miami Marlins farm and Major League team will soon look much different...

Let's start with what is mostly a depth move. The Miami Marlins claimed 2B David Hensley from the Houston Astros. Hensley has a -0.4 WAR this season, and has a career .177/.273/.274 batting line in 46 games and 84 AB, from 2022 to 2023. The 28 year old spent his entire career in Houston. He has a 90.8 EV, so I guess there's that. I'm not sure what to think of this one, I guess it's just a depth move with upside.

In trade news, the Washington Nationals smartly upgraded their farm system with Minor League LHP Alex Clemmey, IF Jose Tena and SS Rafael Ramirez. They acquired all three from the Cleveland Guardians for RF Lane Thomas. The latter was expendable with all of Washington's OF prospects. He will now likely take over for Cleveland in CF. Clemmey was the best prospect in the deal (#7 for Cleveland). I like this deal for Washington, don't see it making much of a difference for Cleveland. Thomas is a platoon bat and the Minnesota Twins are still the best team in that division.

The Los Angeles Dodgers re-acquired IF/OF Amed Rosario from the selling Tampa Bay Rays, for Minor League RHP Michael Flynn. It's just a depth move and Flynn is a journeyman 28 year old. The Houston Astros have now landed SP Yusei Kikuchi from the Toronto Blue Jays for LF Joey Loperfido, Minor League RHP Jake Bloss and Minor League IF Will Wagner. Houston's farm system will likely contend for being the worst in the game. Bloss and Loperfido are two of their top five prospects.

Houston paid a steep price for Kikuchi, which I see them eventually regretting Kikuchi is more of a mid-rotation starter and their farm can't really afford the hit. In an intra-division trade, the Cincinnati Reds traded SP Frankie Montas to the Milwaukee Brewers for OF Joey Wiemer and RP Jakob Junis. This is an OK deal as Milwaukee gets a much-needed starting pitcher and Cincinnati get something back for a free agent-to be.

The Miami Marlins will have to see Washington improve their farm, but some other declining farms could push The Fish's up the leader boards.