One Trade the Miami Marlins Should Make Right Now

Looking at the biggest struggles of the 2023 Miami Marlins the picture is clear, they are a young team with lots of ups and downs who need to improve on offense. The Marlins at this point in the season rank 27th in the MLB in run differential and near the bottom in the MLB in offensive production. Teams don't often make trades this early in the season unless there is a big need that needs to be fulfilled and the Houston Astros seem to be at that point. The Astros have two pitchers on the IL with Luis Garcia gone for the season with Tommy John surgery upcoming, and Jose Urquidy on the 15 day IL with a shoulder injury, not to mention their Ace pitcher Lance McCullers still on the IL from last season working his way back.

Since the Houston Astros need another arm in the rotation to eat up some innings the Marlins could send one of their fifth starters, which has been a platoon so far this year since they have their own injuries, to Houston for one of their productive offensive players in Chas McCormick. McCormick is most notably known for his play in the 2022 World Series known as 'the catch' and he would be a huge upgrade to the Marlins offense.

McCormick is ready to come off the IL for the Astros and has hit two home runs, driven in nine, stolen four bases, and is hitting .275 in 40 at bats so far this season. If his averages play out the same as his first 40 at bats, McCormick would lead the team in RBI and would be up near the top in home runs and stolen bases. Chas could easily extend the dangerous part of the Marlins lineup another spot and put more pressure on opposing pitchers, which should pay dividends with regards to runs and their current last place ranking in RBI. McCormick could be easy trade fodder for the crowded Astros outfield, as he is not on Manager Dusty Bakers favored list and he is competing with Michael Brantley, Mauricio Dubon, Jake Meyers, Kyle Tucker, and Yordan Alvarez. The Marlins could offer up Bryan Hoeing, Chi Chi Gonzalez, or even Johnny Cueto when he returns from the IL, either way the Marlins would benefit from adding the 28 year old outfielder who is under team control until 2027.