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Marlins Looking To Acquire Starting Pitching

By Connor Byrne | October 30, 2016 at 2:18pm CDT

The Marlins’ main objective is to upgrade their rotation during the offseason, but their limited budget will likely prevent them from chasing either of the best impending free agent starters, Rich Hill or Jeremy Hellickson, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.

The upcoming free agent market is largely devoid of quality starters, which means the Marlins could go the trade route to bolster their rotation. The team doesn’t plan to shop its two best outfielders – Giancarlo Stanton and Christian Yelich – or catcher J.T. Realmuto in an attempt to acquire pitching, though it’s willing to listen to potential offers for outfielder Marcell Ozuna, second baseman Dee Gordon, shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria and utilityman Derek Dietrich, Jackson reports.

In the wake of former ace Jose Fernandez’s tragic death last month, the Marlins are down to Adam Conley, Wei-Yin Chen and Tom Koehler as their top starters heading into the winter. That’s an uninspiring trio on paper, but president of baseball operations Michael Hill believes Conley possesses “top of the rotation talent.” Since debuting in 2015, the 26-year-old has posted a 3.82 ERA, 8.22 K/9 and 3.73 BB/9 in 200 1/3 innings. The Marlins are also optimistic about Chen, who was a letdown this season after signing a five-year, $80MM deal with them last winter. Chen recorded the best K-BB percentage of his career (14.6), but he logged a bloated 4.96 ERA – up from a personal-best 3.34 with Baltimore in 2015. The 31-year-old also totaled just 123 1/3 innings because of an elbow injury that kept him out from late July until the end of September.

Three of the Marlins’ four potential trade chips (Ozuna, Hechavarria and Dietrich) are on track to receive raises via arbitration during the winter, while Gordon is controllable through 2021 on the five-year, $50MM extension he signed last January. The speedy Gordon inked that deal off two straight terrific seasons, but his value has since taken hits from an 80-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs and a stark decline in offensive production in the 79 contests he played this year.

Ozuna, who MLBTR projects will net $4.5MM in his first of three potential arbitration trips, was also on the block last offseason. The Mariners, Rangers and Reds were among the teams in on Ozuna, who was coming off a subpar season that included a demotion to Triple-A New Orleans. That 33-game minor league stint drew the ire of both Ozuna and agent Scott Boras, but in spite of the bad blood between them and the Marlins, no trade materialized. Ozuna then slashed .266/.321/.452 with 23 home runs in 608 plate appearances in a bounce-back 2016, which could put the soon-to-be 26-year-old on the radar of outfielder-needy teams. Ozuna has typically fared better in right field than center, where he ranked toward the bottom of the majors in Defensive Runs Saved and Ultimate Zone Rating this year.

While Hechavarria has been among the league’s premier defensive shortstops since last season, his below-average offense cratered this year (.238/.283/.311 in 547 PAs) and somewhat cancelled out his fielding prowess. MLBTR’s arbitration forecast for Hechavarria calls for a $3.7MM salary in 2017, which will be his penultimate year of club control. The fact that there are no starting-caliber shortstops set to hit the free agent market could help the Marlins’ cause if they shop him, though it’s certainly poor timing for them that Hechavarria had such a dreadful season at the plate.

Dietrich is in his first of four arbitration years, and he should make in the eminently affordable $1.8MM neighborhood in 2017. The 27-year-old spent time at first, second and third base this season, with the vast majority of his work coming at the keystone as a result of Gordon’s suspension. Dietrich also has experience in left field, but unless the Marlins deal Ozuna or Gordon, playing time could be difficult to come by for him in Miami. In addition to Gordon at second, the Marlins already have Justin Bour and Martin Prado locked in as their starting first and third basemen, thus limiting Dietrich to a bench role if the team’s lineup remains intact. Nevertheless, the Marlins regard Dietrich as someone who’s capable of starting, Jackson writes, and he made his case this season with a .279/.374/.425 line in 412 trips to the plate.

If the Marlins aren’t able to pick up a pair of starting pitchers from outside the organization during the offseason, swingman David Phelps could end up in the rotation next season, Hill told Jackson. Phelps, who was outstanding as both a reliever and starter this year, has made 64 starts with the Yankees and Marlins since cracking the major leagues in 2012. The Marlins also have Justin Nicolino and Jose Urena on hand as somewhat experienced options, but neither has been effective in the big leagues.

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Miami Marlins Adam Conley Adeiny Hechavarria Christian Yelich David Phelps Dee Gordon Derek Dietrich Giancarlo Stanton J.T. Realmuto Jeremy Hellickson Jose Urena Justin Nicolino Marcell Ozuna Rich Hill Wei-Yin Chen

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View Comments (67)
Post a Comment

67 Comments

  1. cardfan2011

    9 years ago

    I don’t suppose the Marlins would want Jaime Garcia if the Cardinals retained him to trade him

    Reply
    • EndinStealth

      9 years ago

      I wouldn’t give up on Jamie just yet. Last season was the first year he was healthy in a while. He faded about two thirds of the way, but another healthy season should see much better numbers.

      Reply
    • RedFeather

      9 years ago

      Reyes and Grichuk for Stanton and cash.

      Reply
      • Phillies2017

        9 years ago

        The Marlins should take that. Clears so much payroll space allowing them to properly reallocate some funds.

        Reply
  2. A'sfaninUK

    9 years ago

    Does the CF-needing Oakland match with pitching prospects for Ozuna?

    Reply
    • arc89

      9 years ago

      Looks like a good match if they are really going to trade Ozuna. Oakland has some extra pitching and their extreme need for a CF.

      Reply
    • Juansbz

      9 years ago

      I would prefer more a defensive wizard like Kiermaier or Pillar but Ozuna would be a great defensive upgrade and a nice backup to kHRis Davis

      Reply
  3. Wainofan

    9 years ago

    What would it take for cardinals to get Dee Gordon?

    Reply
    • mlb1029

      9 years ago

      Reyes

      Reply
      • mike156

        9 years ago

        They obviously will not do that.

        Reply
    • EndinStealth

      9 years ago

      Why?

      Reply
  4. willi

    9 years ago

    Marlins sign Hellickson for Chump Money !

    Reply
    • Philliesfan4life

      9 years ago

      No, I was hoping the angels would sign him, they need a solid number 3 pitcher

      Reply
  5. bengtmobile

    9 years ago

    Marlins will give up Yelich plus some aspiring prospects for Giants’ Cain. You heard it here first.

    Reply
    • jjm987

      9 years ago

      That’s ridiculous

      Reply
      • arc89

        9 years ago

        Of course it is. You couldn’t give away Cain right now even if the Giants eat half of the money they owe him.

        Reply
    • davidcoonce74

      9 years ago

      Matt Cain? He’s done. That’s absurd

      Reply
    • EndinStealth

      9 years ago

      Some people don’t get sarcasm

      Reply
  6. tribefla

    9 years ago

    Trade Dietrich to Cleveland for Zach McCallister. Dietrich is from Cleveland

    Reply
  7. redsox for_life

    9 years ago

    If im DD i trade Pomeranz for Ozuna!! Benentendi cf-Ozuna Lf-Betts Rf then Bradley for Sale

    Reply
    • ThatGuy 2

      9 years ago

      I I’m DD I’d do that too. The Marlins won’t though

      Reply
    • virginiascopist

      9 years ago

      Very creative, but the Marlins aren’t giving up Ozuna for Pomeranz.

      Reply
      • redsox for_life

        9 years ago

        Mabe! Pomeranz is a NL pitcher,who now!!if they want Marrero i add him to

        Reply
    • Nola Di Bari 67

      9 years ago

      Bradley for Sale? You’re on crack, along with 90% of the rest of Red Sox nation.

      Reply
      • redsox for_life

        9 years ago

        Is not Bradley alone!! Devers plus Marrero and Owen

        Reply
        • Jizz Chasholm

          9 years ago

          Get rid of devers and add in either benintendi or moncoda. I wouldn’t take anything less if I were Chicago

          Reply
  8. dwilson10

    9 years ago

    I know it probably won’t happen but what would the O’s have to give up to get Ozuna?

    Reply
    • Philliesfan4life

      9 years ago

      Hunter Harvey, Bundy or Gausman + christian walker or another prospect

      Reply
      • virginiascopist

        9 years ago

        Didn’t Hunter Harvey just have Tommy John surgery? However, I would guess maybe Bundy or Gausman plus a prospect might get it done.

        Reply
        • Brixton

          9 years ago

          Why would the Orioles trade one of their only passable starting pitchers for an outfielder? They have Jones, Kim/Prickard and can always go get someone off the scrap heap.

          The last team to be dealing SP should be the Orioles

          Reply
        • Philliesfan4life

          9 years ago

          Bundy or Gausman + Christian Walker since Davis is holding up his spot, and another prospect

          Reply
        • Blue_Painted_Dreams_LA

          9 years ago

          So the O’s major problem was SP with none in their system and people think they’d be willing to trade Gausman or Bundy?

          Reply
        • davidcoonce74

          9 years ago

          No team on earth wants Dylan bundy. He’s just not any good, is out of options, and is about to get expensive.

          Reply
        • stryk3istrukuout

          9 years ago

          You’re highly misinformed. Bundy has been coveted for years. Finally healthy, he showed flashes of dominance and had the chance to get some starts under his belt. A trade to a team like the Marlins would only help him blossom, but the Orioles would be silly to trade Bundy at this point as thin as they are on pitching.

          Reply
        • stryk3istrukuout

          9 years ago

          You’re highly misinformed. Bundy has been coveted for years. Finally healthy, he showed flashes of dominance and had the chance to get some starts under his belt. A trade to a team like the Marlins would only help him blossom, but the Orioles would be silly to trade Bundy at this point as thin as they are on pitching and the amount of time they’ve invested in him.

          Reply
        • stryk3istrukuout

          9 years ago

          You’re highly misinformed. Bundy has been coveted for years. Finally healthy, he showed flashes of dominance and had the chance to get some starts under his belt. A trade to a team like the Marlins would only help him blossom, but the Orioles would be silly to trade Bundy at this point as thin as they are on pitching and the amount of time they have invested in his development.

          Reply
    • mstrchef13

      9 years ago

      #1, O’s don’t have enough in their system to get Ozuna without giving up Gausman or Bundy, which they will not do. #2, O’s don’t need Ozuna. They need a speed/on base guy at the top of the order.

      Reply
  9. goldmongoose

    9 years ago

    They should trade for Colin Rea.

    Reply
    • ThatGuy 2

      9 years ago

      Ha!

      Reply
  10. Brixton

    9 years ago

    Dee Gordon for Alex Wood and Ross Stripling

    Marlins replace Gordon with Dietrich
    Dodgers have Kershaw, Urias, Maeda, Ryu, Kazmir, McCarthy, JDL, and Stewart
    Dodgers have Gordon play 2B and Kendrick play 3B, let Turner walk and get the draft pick

    Reply
    • A'sfaninUK

      9 years ago

      Or keep Turner and move Kendrick to the bench. This is the Dodgers, they’re spending money, they’re probably keeping almost all their key FA’s.

      Reply
    • Blue_Painted_Dreams_LA

      9 years ago

      I just don’t see it he’s still a light hitting LH 2b who just got popped for steroids. It doesn’t really fit the front offices motto. Even Toles has some pop. I guess it makes more sense if they can get McCarthy and Kaz off the books. Other than that I don’t see a reunion.

      Reply
  11. kylelohse

    9 years ago

    Rays have several young controllable starters that they would listen on for Realmuto. I realize it says the Marlins won’t deal him, but that would be a win-win scenario.

    Reply
    • Philliesfan4life

      9 years ago

      Realmuto could get the marlins jake odorizzi

      Reply
  12. IACub

    9 years ago

    Some mediocre starting pitcher is going to get a huge payday this offseason.

    Reply
  13. Philliesfan4life

    9 years ago

    the best starters on the market is hellickson and nova

    Reply
    • Brixton

      9 years ago

      Hill is head and shoulders above both

      Reply
      • Phillies2017

        9 years ago

        Age is a huge factor there. Hellickson could get 4 years $60m IMO and Nova will probably get 4 $56= Hill is going to be held at 3 $45, simply due to age and durability concerns.

        Reply
      • Philliesfan4life

        9 years ago

        Hellickson was the most consistent

        Reply
  14. Prozack

    9 years ago

    I’m sure the dbacks would trade goldy and grienke for two lower level announcer prospects and a bucket of bp balls

    Reply
    • Philliesfan4life

      9 years ago

      I think Arizona will be one of those teams in 2017 that will be improved, They did get burned by the miller trade, But I think Greinke will be better and miller will make adjustments. A healthy Pollock + Goldy + Peralta and Owens, thats a great team if their pitching can get right

      Reply
      • brandons-3

        9 years ago

        Definitely. Miller is at best a frontline starter and at worse a very good #3. He’ll bounce back.

        Reply
        • chesteraarthur

          9 years ago

          Miller is at worst, a 6 era pitcher

          Reply
        • Cam

          9 years ago

          He’s already shown that worst case, is significantly worse than a #3. Worst case, he’s a minor league reclamation project.

          Reply
        • Jizz Chasholm

          9 years ago

          What are the odds he’s that bad again though?

          Reply
  15. Phillies2017

    9 years ago

    Why not the Mets for Ozuna- losing Cespedes, and have PLENTY of starting pitching. Seems like the best fit for me:
    Figure Ozuna and say Dietrich to replace Walker in exchange for say Harvey..
    Just seems like a good fit to me

    Reply
    • A'sfaninUK

      9 years ago

      Matz for Ozuna definitely makes sense for both sides, agree.

      Reply
      • Blue_Painted_Dreams_LA

        9 years ago

        Matz can’t stay healthy that’s the big problem.

        Reply
  16. adshadbolt

    9 years ago

    Heres a few ideas for some trades: Ozuna, Dillon peters and stone garret to the cardinals for Wacha , tommy Pham and Marco Gonzales. Ozuna, Casey solits, Dillon peters and Avery Romero to the tigers for Daniel Norris, anibal Sanchez cash, Bruce Rondon, Anthony gose and Dixon machado (they then can trade hecavarria for another starter). Ozuna and Austin Brice to the royals for Ventura, Chris young and dyson. Ozuna to the white Sox for rondon. Ozuna to the Giants for Cain cash ,Tomlinson, Kyle crick and Chris Shaw. Ozuna, hechavarria and Austin Brice to the mariners for walker and marte.

    Reply
    • adshadbolt

      9 years ago

      Here’s a deal around hechavarria
      Marlins get: drew smyly and nick franklin or Tim Beckham
      Padres get : hechavarria and Luis Castillo
      Rays get: Derek Norris and Brandon Mayer

      Reply
  17. Mr Pike

    9 years ago

    They should just take Anibal Sanchez or Mike Pelfry from the Tigers for the price of their salary and hope for a comeback.

    Reply
    • GarryHarris

      9 years ago

      The Tigers biggest need is a Manager who can manage a pitching staff.

      I think the Tigers should keep Anibal Sanchez. He’s better than his first half record. During the second half of the season, perhaps the Tiger’s relievers were wore out…, however, if Brad Ausmus would’ve pulled Sanchez sooner, he might not look so bad.

      Because of the lack of free agent SPs, the Tigers may get lucky and trade Mike Pelfry.

      Reply
  18. everlastingdave

    9 years ago

    The problem is, the Marlins need a #1 and a #3 starter at minimum to contend. If the top end of the free agent market isn’t in play, they don’t have the assets to fix this staff AND keep a competitive lineup together.

    Reply
  19. Wainofan

    9 years ago

    Weaver, Garcia, Wong for Dee Gordon

    Reply
  20. Wainofan

    9 years ago

    And cards eat Garcias contract after they pick up option

    Reply
  21. stanleydancer

    9 years ago

    Before Marlins can make a trade, there must be a team in need of that player. I see no teams that don’t already have a better SS, or are grooming a young player with much more potential than Hech. Only exception is Colorado, but do they have a pitcher that the Marlins could use.
    I really like the Anibel Sanchez idea. He makes way too much money, but if Detroit absorbed part of it, the man is a far better pitcher than last year’s record shows. What does Detroit need?
    There is no way I’d trade Dietrich. His trade value is relatively low, but his potential is very promising. Right bow he is a better player than Gordon. When Gordon returned, Marlins were 1/2 game ahead in last Wild Card position and look what happened.

    Reply
    • Mr Pike

      9 years ago

      Barring any openings created by future trades they need salary relief and minor league quality depth. The Marlins can offer that without hurting themselves.

      Reply

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