In a major deadline swap that no one could’ve foreseen a month ago, the Marlins announced Monday that they’ve acquired All-Star center fielder Starling Marte from the D-backs. Heading to Arizona are lefty Caleb Smith, right-hander Humberto Mejia and a player to be named later (reportedly Class-A lefty Julio Frias).
Not long before the trade was agreed upon, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported that the D-backs throughout the day had been signaling to other teams that they don’t expect to pick up their $12.5MM club option on Starling Marte.
The aversion to picking up the option on Marte registers as a major surprise. It’s certainly not for any lack of production; Marte has been flat-out excellent in Arizona, hitting at a .311/.384/.443 clip with a pair of homers, eight doubles, a triple and five steals. His defense in center has graded out as +0.5, per Ultimate Zone Rating, and -2 per Defensive Runs Saved. Through 33 games, FanGraphs has Marte at 1.1 WAR, while Baseball-Reference has him at 0.9 — a pace that is roughly in line with Mate’s characteristic 3-4 WAR output.
Of course, the 2020 season has brought about some pressing revenue losses for all 30 clubs, and D-backs owner Ken Kendrick was among the most outspoken owners about the hardships faced by teams with fans unable to attend games. Kendrick pined for revenue sharing with players, placing the blame on them for the difficult negotiations and steadfastly expressing that owners would not green-light any scenario that saw games played into November.
As surprising as the fact that the D-backs are moving on from Marte is the fact that the Marlins are the team that will acquire him. Miami entered the season expected to be a cellar-dwelling outfit in the NL East, and those expectations only grew when more than half their active roster was sidelined by a team-wide Covid-19 outbreak. But Miami has continued to persevere, hovering around the .500 mark and now sitting in a tie for a postseason bid in the National League. Some exciting young players, Sixto Sanchez perhaps chief among them, have made their big league debuts in 2020, as other young talents like Pablo Lopez have taken substantial steps forward.
Miami’s move to add Marte comes in simultaneous conjuncture with another trade shipping the versatile Jonathan Villar to the Blue Jays. Marte will now step into his roster spot while making up for some of the speed lost with the Villar trade (and more overall offensive output). He’ll cost the Marlins an additional $1.71MM in 2020 — the remainder of this year’s prorated $11.5MM salary — and they’ll surely be picking up that $12.5MM option, given the price they paid to acquire him.
Moving forward, that’ll position the Marlins to trot out an outfield with Corey Dickerson in left field, Marte in center and some combination of Harold Ramirez, Monte Harrison, Lewis Brinson, Jesus Sanchez, Garrett Cooper or an outside addition to patrol right field. Alternatively, the Fish could push Brian Anderson back to right field and pursue a new third base option, though their abundance of in-house outfield options makes that seem less likely. Assuming that the options on both Marte and Brandon Kintzler are picked up, the Marlins will have $35.85MM on the 2021 books before arbitration raises to Anderson, Jorge Alfaro, Jesus Aguilar, Ryne Stanek and Yimi Garcia, among others.
The 29-year-old Smith, controlled through 2023, has missed bats in droves since being acquired from the Yankees prior to the 2018 season (259 punchouts in 233 2/3 innings). He’s also been plagued by injuries in that time, though, including a brutal Grade 3 lat strain in 2018 and a hip injury that cost him just shy of a month last year. Smith was placed on the injured list earlier this month after the Marlins’ Covid-19 outbreak and has pitched just three innings so far. He looked rusty, issuing six free passes in that time. Overall, he has a 4.39 ERA and 10.0 K/9 against 3.8 BB/9 in his time with Miami.
But Smith also fits the modus operandi we frequently see under general manager Mike Hazen in Arizona. Rather than moving Marte for well-regarded but unproven prospects, he’s instead added a big league arm who can step immediately onto the roster and help this year and for years to come. Smith, in many ways, gives the Snakes a replacement for the recently traded Robbie Ray — one who bears some stark similarities to Ray, as a high-strikeout lefty with occasional control difficulties.
Also able to provide help in the very near future will be the 23-year-old Mejia, who made his big league debut earlier this season. He’s allowed six earned runs on 13 hits and six walks with 11 strikeouts in eight MLB innings. His promotion to the big leagues was in some ways necessitated by the aforementioned outbreak, as he’d yet to even pitch at Double-A when he was promoted. The Diamondbacks may well want to get Mejia some additional development time before bringing him to Chase Field, but he’s already on the 40-man roster and has gotten his feet wet in the bigs, so he’s a viable option anytime moving forward.
As for Frias, he’ll give Arizona a 22-year-old southpaw who shined as a 21-year-old in short-season Class-A last year, when he pitched to a 2.83 ERA with a 73-to-23 K/BB ratio in 70 innings. Frias isn’t considered among the Marlins’ best prospects, but Miami has a relatively deep system after years of rebuilding moves. FanGraphs called Frias a “low-slot lefty” whose heater touches 97 mph but who has battled poor command at times. He’s a much further-off piece, but any club would welcome the opportunity to add a power-armed, left-handed lottery ticket.
SportsGrid’s Craig Mish broke the news that the two sides were close to a deal (Twitter link). Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported (on Twitter) that a deal had been reached. MLB Network’s Jon Heyman, MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand and The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported various aspects of the return (all Twitter links).
A 2-year rental for this young team… a bit confusing even if they are contending.
Whole damn thing seems confusing!
My thoughts as well. Joyce is platooning, he could platoon with Cooper in RF. Aguilar DH. Brinson is heating up he’s in CF. Dickerson in LF. Sierra will be back soon, Harold is ready..
Jesus Sanchez needs to play everyday.
Monte is waiting for another opportunity. Bleday should be ready next season. I don’t understand why we do this.
Bronson heating up in CF isn’t something I would count on lasting. Marte is a known strong performer on a good contract.
Brinson at .200/.273/.325 looks mighty replaceable to me!
“A 2-year rental” is an oxymoron. The Marlins have a legit shot at a playoff spot and the worst offensive production in baseball. It’s a strong move for a young team.
Bryzzo gets it. Solid move and we have up 0 long term pieces
Lol legit they’ll finish 4 or 5th depending on the Nats
I see MetsFan22 is back. I’m not sure if it’s a good time to knock the Marlins though. Mets are not in good shape. Marlins have been batting all year and hanging in there, even with 2/3rds of the roster having gone down due to covid. What’s the Mets excuse… this year?
The Mets have had their whole rotation hurt all year…. pay attention. Also marlins won’t finish ahead of the Mets. So I don’t know why you’re taking having a 2.5 games lead…
@metsfan22 Braves fan here. We currently have one of our expected five starters in the rotation that his been decimated by injuries. Next to last starter’s ERA in the league. And yet, we’re 20-14 and in first place. So you excuse is laughable, just like your beloved mutts. Stay down.
They can always trade him again. Offer a qualify offer as well.
Lovinmb, the Marlins have a $12.5MM team option on Marte for 2021. Cheaper and better than the QO!!
I know. They wouldn’t be able to qualify if this was his last year. Just saying he should be good enough to after next year.
Confusing until you see who’s running the outfit. Derek Jeter is a no-nothing broke joke who has no business owning a major league franchise.
Team gives up prospects for known quality. It’s been going on forever. It’s just confusing because it’s the Marlins. Good move for Miami.
*know
Jeter runs the team and he is the same guy who thought Yankee stadium was in Florida!!!!
Why would the Marlins do this?
idk if i’d call 2 years a rental
Wow. I wonder what Arizona is getting in return… I was definitely not expecting this.
They wanted rid of him but figured the asking price would be high. Guess the Marlin’s paid it.
I really didn’t see this coming
Bound to be a rare mistep for Hazen. Dbacks wont get anywhere near Peguero and Malone.
That’s what I figured, but Marlin’s may surprise, watch it be ptbnl and won’t know for months.
I love the confirmation bias narrative on Hazen. A rare misstep? He’s had a bunch of those and the team going from a 93 win roster (that he essentially inherited) in his first year to the debacle that this year has been should serve as evidence, but only if you’re willing to judge by results rather than mere philosophical alignment.
He hasn’t made that many mistakes. AZ ownership doesn’t give him much to work with. Signing Bumgarner could be a disaster but its way too early to tell.
He gets a mid-market payroll to work with. 16th in MLB this year. They’re a mid-market team. Other GMs do much better with less.
Confirmation bias? Don’t think that fits here.
I think there is room for skepticism but I also have some respect for Hazen. We all make first impression judgements which is part of analyzing trades but I do feel compelled to give Hazen the benefit of the doubt. He’s proven to be a competent GM by creating competitive teams with relatively little.
His best team was the 2017 team with a roster that he essentially inherited. He’s failed to improve the team since and now they’re having a fire sale because the team is so bad.
He gets the benefit of the doubt where others don’t or haven’t because he fits the model that most in baseball media today see as smart and forward thinking and that shared mindset trumps results…obviously.
Fangdango, between this and your comments in the Bradley article, I’m starting to get the impression you don’t care for the Diamondbacks. Am I wrong?
Wrote Mate at the end instead of Marte, hate being the guy to point it out but I feel it’s in your best interest to have it corrected. Cheers and thanks for the content!
Thanks, mate.
This is the one trade I wanted and expected the yankees to make. Disappointed to say the least
They already have two guys who cab play CF and another aging one as well.
Hicks and Gardner. Who’s the 3rd?
Caleb Smith, Humberto Mejia and one more going to AZ
You really have to fear for a team that wont pick up a 1 yr 12.5 mill contract- Has Covid put an extreme lock on Arz’s treasure chest moving forward? We dont yet know how finances will be 2021 for each team but this is a grim sign for ARZ
I mean they just traded for him….what the hell….
Im confused and then the dance partner was Mia??… Strange times
Kendrick is tying Hazen’s hands significantly if he wouldn’t pick up that option. Arizona is pretty screwed. Which is a shame because the team has some young talent w/ some more on the way.
I agree and I think Hazen is a great Gm thats why this is such a shame-
I Like Caleb and I get the direction of stockpiling a buncha young arms but man this has the feel of a Max 65 mill team moving forward and thats tough to do outside Oakland well
Yep. Especially when you already have a deal like Bumgarner’s on the books. If you’re going to be spending at the Rays/A’s-esque levels that’s a tough one to swallow.
It’s funny to watch people work so hard to love Hazen and make every excuse in the book for his failures that they would never allow for prior regimes.
Marte wasn’t a failure. And he was obviously worth 12.5 million dollars. The fact that it was said that the D’backs wouldn’t pick up his option tells you right there that ownership is meddling. The Marlins gave up assets in order to pick up his 12.5 MM salary next year.
That can’t be on Hazen. Trading for him in the first place and the team not working out this year is. But definitely not this.
No, it tells you that which is how it works with the Hazen fanboys. Anything good that happens is his fault. Anything bad that happens is ownership’s fault.
This very well could be Hazen’s decision because he knows now the team won’t be competing next year either, which would have been Marte’s last, so that $12.5M is better utilized elsewhere, on younger and cheaper players that have a chance to contribute to the team beyond 2021.
Well in this case ……
“This very well could be Hazen’s decision because he knows now the team won’t be competing next year either, which would have been Marte’s last, so that $12.5M is better utilized elsewhere, on younger and cheaper players that have a chance to contribute to the team beyond 2021.”
Thats what you would want your GM to be proactively doing – It seems he cant win from you…If its out of his hands to get a 1 yr 12.5 mill contract accepted on a team option I dont know what you’d want him to do
You have to remember he had to climb uphill outta Grienkes contract to begin this rebuild…Hes a top 10 Gm in the game in my eyes and Im not a snakes fan whatsoever- If the plan is to be a 65 mill team than moves like this have to be made
Than why sign Bumgarner and trade for Marte in the first place? Unless this is all COVID budget cuts.
Maybe they think 2021 will be cancelled as well and it’s time to clear everything off the books. Still no vaccine in sight.
D-Backs have been rumored to want to cut salary because of COVID. It’s unfortunate, especially after they signed MadBum when they didn’t really need to
Wow nice grab. DBacks are weird. I simply don’t get what they’re trying to do
seems kinda silly for Marlins. like Stroman to NYM last year.
Seems to me like a smart move by Miami, getting a very good player on a reasonable contract.
I think they gave up too much youth for a team likely to be in for a serious regression.
Could we see the Marlins move Lewis Brinson now for a middle infielder? Maybe Adalberto Mondesi from the Royals?
Bronson has been a consistent flop at the major league level. He won’t bring back Mondesi in trade.
Brinson has little to no value currently.
Bummer for fantasy baseball purposes.
Rays. Wtfffff are you doing
Uh, why? Makes no sense for Miami, unless they got him ridiculously cheap.
nope, they did not.
They got a very good player signed through 2021 for a reasonable price.
agreed, but he was not ridiculously cheap.
So essentially the Marlins just traded Villar for Marte? Would have made more sense to keep Villar.
Isnan Diaz is coming back to the club, he’s the future and opted to come back. Making Villar and his expiring contract expendable.
Villar hasn’t been good for the Fish.
You are absolutely correct Stretch. In his less than 190 at he has struggled. Definitely time to give up on top ranked offensive 2nd base prospect.
Surely you’re not calling Villar a “top ranked offensive 2nd baseman”, are you? Half of his pro seasons have had a WAR of <1.5, Career OPS of .734, OPS+ of 97. He can steal bases if he actually gets on, but a career OBP of .328 doesn't bode well. If it's being broken down as Villar for Marte, that is a definitive upgrade in almost every situation.
I see MetsFan22 is back. I’m not sure if it’s a good time to knock the Marlins though. Mets are not in good shape. Marlins have been batting all year and hanging in there, even with 2/3rds of the roster having gone down due to covid. What’s the Mets excuse… this year?
And Isan Diaz opting back in to replace Villar. Love this move.
Wow, Miami being semi-aggressive. I can’t stand that franchise, but credit where it’s due all the same.
A good move by the Marlins. I like trading pitchers for position players.
Wondering if there’s more to this deal… really wanted Archie. But CF has kinda been a revolving door. Good to have some stability there now. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Brinson flipped shortly here as well.
Glad he didn’t go to the Yankees.
They can have Polanco, though, if they want…
Dickerson LF
Marté CF
seems only logical to get Polanco for RF
Please. Pretty please.
Anyone that wants a homer and a single or two per 25 at-bats would jump on G. Polanco. Running into infielders could be an added bonus.
Julio Frias going to ARI as well. Kinda seems like an overpay unless there is more to this trade.
If I would had told in February the dbacks would trade Marte only months after acquiring him, you’d think their season tanked and they got exceptional value for him
But if I told you they trade him to the marlins at the trade deadline, you’d never believe me.
This is the most unexpected move by far
Sometimes a change of scenery is all a player needs to get going.
Who are you referring to in this deal?
Very solid deal for both teams, imo. AZ gets a rotation piece for three years, while Miami steps up to compete. This should sit well with their fans, who have been very patient.
AZ also recoups at least some of the value given up when they acquired Marte.
GOOD JOB JETES!!!
Did the D-backs get more for Marte than they gave the Pirates to get him?
I am thinking they did but what is your opinion?
They gave up 2 young top 150 prospects with huge upside for Marte. Got back a proven #4 starter and 2 guys who can pitch but not a ton of upside. I will always go with the most upside over a safer just a guy player.
Wow! The Dbacks trade two top prospects, Peguero and Malone, for one month of Marte? I’d say that the Pirates finally won a trade.
Pirates won almost all their trades past decade. That has never been their problem. The one famous trade they lost didn’t have much effect on the team. Horrible trade but pirates weren’t going to do much with those players. Meadows was just a guy, had a good month, they cut down his playing time, he struggled, sent down to minors. Glasnow was a reliever with no control, they gave up on him as a starter even though he had amazing stuff, because of control problems. I had no faith in them developing baz. Tampa made all those guys. Cole trade was a push. Remember Pittsburgh took one if the best most sure thing pitching prospects of the decade and developed him into a #3 starter so they got a fair price for that. Other than that lots of wins from what I can remember.
This might be the move that might take them over the hump. Marlins lack leadership and a guy like marte is a solid #2 hitter. He can bring balance to the lineup not only with his bat but the ground he covers too.
People will point to this trade as the starting point for the Marlins dynasty.
But we got Cal Quantrill and Bo older brother….right Tribe fans??? Good grief!
D-back Detonation Day
What are the marlins doing they aren’t making the playoffs
MetsFan22,
Today, another round taken by the scrub fighter against the fighter that’s not taking him seriously. When are the Marlins going to be taken seriously on this fight? How many rounds is the scrub going to be given?
Marlins in playoff position with 30 games left.
Mets 5 games under .500, and 4-game losing streak with 25 games left. The Mets, who loss 3 of the last 4 head to head games against the Marlins, and the last 3 against the Yankees, have to go 15-10 against the remaining teams just to get to. 500. They have to go 16-9 against the remaining teams on their schedule to finish above .500.
It’s gonna get late really early this season.
The Mets will finish ahead of marlins and they don’t have to be 500 to make playoffs. 2.0 games from a playoffs spot rn. With their whole Rotation having missed time and Alonso and McNeil playing really bad. Marlins hitting prospects all look horrible. I’d be worried if I was marlins fan. Stroman and Thor haven’t pitched once all year….
What are your projected standings today? We miss them. We need something to make us laugh.
The Dbacks have a few nice outfield prospects that should be ready pretty soon. The pitching is solid, the lineup is solid. This looks like a good restock and reload after a disappointing short season.
Caleb Smith should replace Robbie Ray in the rotation
Honestly, it’s worth a shot for the Marlins. The window is open.
A lot of money comes off the books at seasons end. Lamb & finally Tomas are two of them.
Kendrick isn’t spending in 2021 but we can be better in a couple years if our young guys contribute. Seems like a nice farm too. So with the monies saved maybe buy a piece or two. Just need to wait a little , unfortunately , I was hoping for a run this year.