The Miami Marlins were interested in starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen and Chicago White Sox DH Eloy Jimenez. I also suggested another trade target in St. Louis Cardinals SS Paul DeJong. Eloy is still available, but the others are off the board. The Fish are missing out on trade targets, will Kim Ng still have something up her sleeve? Or is acquiring a new closer the biggest move that The Fish are going to make ar this Trade Deadline?
The Miami Marlins are looking at a quiet Trade Deadline.
The Fish were reported to have been looking for starting pitching help. A specific name that was mentioned, was Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen, who is a free agent after the season. Lorenzen has a 3.58 ERA/3.88 FIP, with 7.1 K/9 and 2.3 BB/9. He has a career 4.02 ERA/4.22 FIP with 7.6 K/9 and 3.6 BB/9. Lorenzen is now going to the Philadelphia Phillies for prospect Hao-Yu Lee. Lorenzen is just an inning-eater, but he's a good depth acquisition. It's a shame that he;s going to Philly and not to The Fish.
St. Louis also finally freed themselves from Paul DeJong's contract, by trading him to the Toronto Blue Jays for Minor League pitcher Matt Svanson. Toronto got more depth, but I don't see it making much of a difference for them, due to Bo Bichette being around. DeJong will be a backup for them long-term.
In positive news, the New York Mets continue getting worse (and thus easier to beat division rivals). They traded their remaining ace Justin Verlander to the Houston Astros for OF prospects Drew Gilbert and Ryan Clifford. That said, it's only in the short-term. Long-term it was a great trade for the Mets, and a very risky one for Houston. Verlander is clearly in decline and Houston's farm system is now even worse as they overpaid quite a bit. Gilbert and Clifford are Houston's top two prospects.
Will the Miami Marlins still acquire some help? Is Eloy Jimenez or Tim Anderson from the Chicago White Sox still an option? They need to be as the Trade Deadline has been too quiet so far.