Marlins right-handers Trevor Richards and Sergio Romo are drawing interest in advance of the trade deadline, according to Joe Frisaro of MLB.com.
Neither player looks like a substantial difference-maker, but there is appeal in both cases. The 26-year-old Richards’ main selling point is likely his affordable control. He’s on a minimum salary now, won’t be eligible for arbitration until after 2021, and isn’t on track to reach free agency until the conclusion of the 2024 season. The battle-tested Romo, 36, could give a contender a credible late-game option down the stretch, and he presumably wouldn’t cost much to acquire.
An undrafted free agent in 2013, Richards has emerged as a back-end starter for the Marlins since he debuted in the majors last season. Dating back to then, Richards has pitched to a 4.51 ERA/4.39 FIP with 8.8 K/9 and 3.94 BB/9 in 235 1/3 innings and 45 starts. While the Marlins are open to trading starters if doing so would help improve their position player group, they may be hard-pressed to get a desirable, major league-ready hitter back for Richards – who has been useful but far from spectacular.
Romo, previously with the Giants, Dodgers and Rays, inked a $2.5MM guarantee with the Marlins in free agency last winter. At the time, non-contending Miami was likely hoping Romo would wind up bringing something back in an in-season trade. With a 3.68 ERA/3.96 FIP, 7.85 K/9 against 3.19 BB/9 and 16 saves on 17 chances in 36 2/3 innings, perhaps the three-time world champion has performed well enough to end the season with a playoff-caliber team.
As has been the case over the past few years, Romo has limited damaging contact despite velocity that only tops out in the 85 to 86 mph range. Romo ranks in the league’s 86th percentile or better in exit velocity, expected weighted on-base average against (.273, not far from a .280 actual wOBA), expected batting average against and hard-hit rate, per Statcast. His primary pitch – a slider – has held opposing hitters to a matching and minuscule .211 xwOBA and wOBA. It’s the second-best slider in the game among relievers, according to FanGraphs’ linear weights. Judging by teams’ interest in Romo, his go-to pitch just might factor into this year’s playoff race.
I’ve long expected Romo to end up in the Nationals bullpen.
Richard’s has had a rough stretch, but he is better than that. Would be really disappointed if they sell low, but it wouldnt be anything different than the norm
What’s the norm? With this ownership I mean.
Still waiting too long or selling low too early, not much different.
Probably waited too long on Barraclough, missed out on trading Dietrich for something last year, same can be said of Prado and Castro if they would have picked up some of the money on their contracts.
Otherwise this ownership group has turned things around. They clearly won the Ozuna trade, Devers and Guzman are looking nice right now plus getting Stanton off the books was key. The Realmuto trade is looking like a very good haul. And they hit that Michael King for Caleb Smith and Garrett Cooper trade out of the park. They could turn around and trade both Cooper and Smith for 3-4 top 100 prospects and more or build around the 2 of them to be veterans on cheap contracts when the Marlins are ready to contend in a few years.
If the giants decide to buy and sell at the same time I can see them going after Romo. He comes in to reinforce the bullpen (assuming Smith and/or Dyson/Watson is traded), because the prospect cost likely will not be that high. Helps keep them in the hunt and you pick up possibly 1-2 top 100 prospects along the way
id honestly prefer Richards to Smith. much higher floor for sure and more consistant.
Why Richards? He’s brutally bad! Wouldn’t mind romo on the braves but the marlins will demand Acuna for him, then ultimately trade him for a bag of balls. They have no clue what they are doing in that organization
He’s had a rough stretch but dating back to last year, he’s been reliable and will be a solid No 5 for years to come.
Dude we get it Braves lost out on JTR…LET. IT. GO.
Bottom 5 farm to 7 on FanGraphs and 5 top 100 prospects on BA in a year and a half, I’d say they’re doing just fine. Idiot