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Latest On Marlins’ Free Agent, Trade Possibilities

By Anthony Franco | December 21, 2022 at 6:36pm CDT

The Marlins have shown interest in free agent starter Johnny Cueto, tweets Jon Morosi of MLB.com. Miami joins the Blue Jays and Reds as clubs known to have touched base with the veteran righty’s camp.

Miami’s an odd fit for a rotation pickup. They’re already deep in starting pitching, with Trevor Rogers, Pablo López, Edward Cabrera, Braxton Garrett and Jesús Luzardo on hand as options behind Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara. There’s enough talent on the pitching staff the Fish have apparently looked for ways to swap out a starter for offensive help this offseason, though nothing has come together on that front.

Any interest in Cueto would seem to be contingent on dealing one of their current starters. He’s sure to find a rotation spot somewhere after a solid 2022 season in Chicago. The 36-year-old (37 in February) made 25 appearances and threw 158 1/3 innings this past season. Cueto posted a 3.35 ERA, based largely on his plus control. He only walked around 5% of opponents, maintaining the quality strike-throwing ability he’s shown throughout his career. He struck out a below-average 15.7% of batters faced while averaging just above 91 MPH, but his pitch-to-contact approach served him well this year.

That solid showing is likely to earn him a raise over this past season’s $4MM base salary. A pitcher-friendly home ballpark would be a particularly strong fit. Cueto has shown himself capable of succeeding in the hitter-friendly Guaranteed Rate Field (to say nothing of his run of high-end play early in his career with Cincinnati), but he saw just 7.7% of fly balls surrendered clear the fences this year. He’s unlikely to replicate a rate that extreme, but a more spacious park could help mitigate the effect of any regression in that department.

Marlins Park certainly qualifies, though there’s no room in the Opening Day rotation for Cueto at present. Morosi suggests an earnest free agent pursuit may be more of a fallback possibility in the event they align with another club on a López trade. There haven’t been many substantive rumors on the righty this offseason, though reports have suggested Miami would consider trades of anyone other than Alcantara or top prospect Eury Pérez. Teams like the Dodgers and Yankees were linked to López at this past summer’s trade deadline. New York has since acquired Frankie Montas and signed Carlos Rodón, but the Dodgers still make sense as a speculative fit for a rotation addition.

As part of a reader mailbag, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post writes that the Rockies have shown modest interest in López but don’t seem to be heavily pursuing him. Colorado entered the offseason seeking starting pitching help. They’ve yet to make any acquisitions of note outside of the bullpen. Yet Saunders suggests that López’s remaining two seasons of arbitration control may not align with the Rox’s target, as they’re facing an uphill battle to compete for a playoff spot in the next couple years.

Other teams with a more immediate path to contention figure to show stronger interest in the 26-year-old hurler. Dealing López would be one way to add to a lineup that was among the league’s worst in 2022, though the Marlins could also dip into the lower tiers of free agency in that regard. Craig Mish of SportsGrid reported last night (Twitter link) that Miami had shown interest in Brandon Drury, but the righty-hitting infielder instead agreed to terms on a $17MM deal with the Angels.

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Colorado Rockies Miami Marlins Brandon Drury Johnny Cueto Pablo Lopez

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View Comments (61)
Post a Comment

61 Comments

  1. MLB Top 100 Commenter

    2 years ago

    D before E except when it is Eury and Drury.

    6
    Reply
    • .

      2 years ago

      You and Curly are on some sort of roll today.

      6
      Reply
      • Curly Was The Smart Stooge

        2 years ago

        There’s ham & mustard on that roll…

        1
        Reply
        • .

          2 years ago

          At least I know what I’m making myself to eat in a bit now!

          Reply
        • Curly Was The Smart Stooge

          2 years ago

          Here’s what’s bad for baseball, this is all so anti climatic, it’s actually dull. What’s the latest on Marlin’s free agents, trades? Wake me up when it’s over…

          1
          Reply
        • Curly Was The Smart Stooge

          2 years ago

          I apologize for that, Marlin fans care, BB makes me dizzy anymore…

          1
          Reply
        • .

          2 years ago

          Hahahahaha Love how when your blood sugar gets a bit low you instinctively move in on the fish!!!! Ahahahahahahahahahahahha!!!

          3
          Reply
        • .

          2 years ago

          It’s ok though I know you were baited…hahaha

          Reply
        • Curly Was The Smart Stooge

          2 years ago

          I love fish, it’s meat I’ve lost a taste for. It was weird how I jumped from one opinion to another, blame it on the bosa nova. Remember that TJ?

          1
          Reply
        • .

          2 years ago

          Hahahahaha Oh man….I’m marking the date in case I ever need to come back to todays comments for a pick me up….I was on late last night when the Correa news broke and it has been priceless on here since
          ..

          1
          Reply
        • .

          2 years ago

          Make it to SoCal one day and I’ll have some grilled sockeye salmon with your name on it. You’ll regain your taste for fish once you get a whiff!

          Reply
        • marlinsfan818

          2 years ago

          Get a room you two lol

          2
          Reply
        • JoeBrady

          2 years ago

          Here’s what’s bad for baseball, this is all so anti climatic, it’s actually dull.
          =======================
          Not for me. This is what pays the rent. Signing crazy contracts like Cohen & Preller do is easy. I like to see GMs fill open slots without breaking the banks.

          Reply
  2. Cincyfan85

    2 years ago

    I hope the Reds bring back old friend Johnny Cueto.

    1
    Reply
    • avenger65

      2 years ago

      It’s interesting that the article started out about Cueto but veered very quickly to Lopez.

      1
      Reply
      • TheMan 3

        2 years ago

        my favorite memory of Cueto, pitching against the Pirates in a playoff game at PNC Park, facing catcher Russell Martin, the fans chanting Cueto’s name loudly, first he drops the ball then gives up a home run to Martin

        1
        Reply
  3. lettersandnumbersonly

    2 years ago

    Nats could use an innings eater.

    1
    Reply
  4. In Seager/Hader We Trust > the 70 MM DH Ohtani

    2 years ago

    Texas wants these guys. All of them! Huff/Foscue/Duran/Smith/Leody Tavares could all be dealt from

    1
    Reply
  5. towinagain

    2 years ago

    The Padres could really use Lopez. as the 4th and 5th spots in the rotation aren’t locked down.

    Trade Kim and prospects or even Cronenworth for a starter from the fish.

    3
    Reply
    • bighiggy

      2 years ago

      They already have a great short stop. And not sure they would want cronenworth. They want most likely near ready talent. They would probably take Grisham over cronenworth or kim. But padres probably have the prospects to make it work

      2
      Reply
      • Simm

        2 years ago

        I would guess any trade between the marlins and padres will have the padres sending prospects.

        Marlins are in a real tight spot. In that division and the nl in general makes it a pretty steep jump right now to make the playoffs.

        Who are they going to be out.

        Mets, braves, phillies, dodgers, padres

        All seem like near locks to male the post season.

        That leaves the central where the cards are heavy favorites with the brewers and cubs having an outside shot.

        Everyone else should be acquiring additional young talent to be ready when their time arrives.

        4
        Reply
        • YourDreamGM

          2 years ago

          Not ruling Milwaukee out but lets just give the Cardinals the central and start the October Madness Tournament. I don’t care about the bye week enough to watch 162 games.

          Reply
        • case

          2 years ago

          Mets, Braves, Dodger, Padres, and one automatic entry from the central, any of the teams not named the Reds or Pirates.

          Reply
        • MLB Top 100 Commenter

          2 years ago

          Case

          Some phan named “Phil” may disagree

          1
          Reply
        • Herc33

          2 years ago

          The only thing with this is, the Padres really only have like Jackson Merrill and Dylan Lesko as marquee prospects at this point. Lesko is rehabbing from Tommy John currently and I don’t think they trade him before he even plays for them. His value at this point has to be hard to gauge since his ETA to the majors is like 4+ years out. So pretty much that means a big trade with prospects for SD would have to be centered around Jackson Merrill and I don’t know if they want to play that chip yet.

          Padres would be an interesting 3 team trade partner because they could unload a middle infielder (Cronenworth/Kim) to a contender who needs help up the middle and then the Marlins could supply starting pitching to SD in exchange for prospects from the other contender. I don’t know if I even like that for SD, but theoretically thats how you could structure it.

          Reply
  6. rememberthecoop

    2 years ago

    Anthony – seems like you wrote this in response to the chat comment haha. And now you can’t say you didn’t see this. (But don’t worry, your secret is safe with me)

    1
    Reply
  7. D2323

    2 years ago

    It would have been funny if you posted this article with just the headline and no body content.

    4
    Reply
    • rememberthecoop

      2 years ago

      Right D. Or you open it and it’s just a pic of a bunch of Z’s (asleep at the wheel). ha.

      Reply
  8. Trafficked

    2 years ago

    Aren’t the Marlins almost in a forced rebuild mode? Reset the farm and wait 3 years for the Mets and Phillies to be aging and overpaid

    11
    Reply
    • YourDreamGM

      2 years ago

      Agree. At least refigure. Their moves last year were awful. They aren’t going to spend their way into contention and I don’t think they can trade themselves into contention.

      2
      Reply
  9. Rob66

    2 years ago

    Lopez to Toronto for a catcher

    Reply
    • Mjm117

      2 years ago

      Moreno? Do it

      Reply
      • Moonlight Graham

        2 years ago

        The Jays and Marlins seem like obvious trade partners. But the deal would either be Jansen and parts for Lopez, or Moreno for Luzardo (or Cabrera) and parts. I’d push for Jesus Sanchez as a change-of-scenery fixer-upper.

        But if the Marlins were to sign Cueto, they’d have seven starting pitchers, not including Eury Perez and TJ victim Max Meyer. They could theoretically make two trades to give their offense even more of a boost.

        1
        Reply
        • MLB Top 100 Commenter

          2 years ago

          How about Luzardo and Rogers for Moreno?

          1
          Reply
  10. towinagain

    2 years ago

    Lopez, Rogers or even Luzardo. Luzardo is a risk, injury wise but could be re-united with Melvin.

    Pick up a Grienke and slide Martinez and Lugo to the pen or long relief.

    Rotation:

    Darvish
    Musgrove
    Snell
    Lopez,Rogers or Luzardo
    Greinke

    Love it.

    3
    Reply
    • towinagain

      2 years ago

      Padres just need a lf and dh now. Maybe bring back Voit? Not sure about Profar.

      3
      Reply
      • Simm

        2 years ago

        Carpenter is going to be doing a lot of dh’ing.

        Greinke isn’t going to be better then Martinez or even Lugo. I do like the padres acquiring one of the marlins pitchers.

        5
        Reply
      • BaseballisLife

        2 years ago

        Didn’t they just sign Carpenter to DH? I was under the impression that Tatis was going to play one of the corners when he returns mid- May and Soto would play the other.

        Reply
      • RobblyDobs

        2 years ago

        Padres should call the Cards about Juan Yepez (protege of a certain Mr Pujols)

        Guy has a monster bat but blocked at 1B by a man called Goldsmith so is basically just a platoon DH and ‘day off’ guy

        Doubt the Cards would trade him but very much worth the Padres kicking the tires. Last chance to get him before everyone knows about him

        Reply
  11. Gwynning

    2 years ago

    Interesting call, towin. I’m all for upgrading the rotation, almost always. Kim is a veritable goldmine; if I were the Marlins, Red Sox, Yanks, Braves, Twins, et al. then I would be burning up the lines to SD for him, pronto. His acquisition cost won’t be cheap… and Cronie is worth even more. Very interesting to see what happens, but I can sense a rotation upgrade in the works.

    3
    Reply
    • thecoffinnail

      2 years ago

      It’s been reported that the Yankees had interest in Lopez before getting Montas. Of course Beane looted the Yanks once again for a pitcher that can’t pitch in New York. They should still get Lopez since one or both of Rodon and Severino will spend the majority of the year on the IL. They have Rortvedt to offer plus one of their hyped SS prospects maybe even sending Montas whom the Fish could flip to the Padres. Volpe, Montas and Rortvedt should be enough to get Ng to pull the trigger. Volpe is going to be a disaster in New York. Since Hanley Ramirez made a nice home with the Marlins I’m sure he would be a good fit for them. Lopez would be the solid #2 the Yankees need to offset the huge contracts of Cole and Rodon. I know it’s just wishful thinking but it’s nice to dream sometimes. They basically gave Rodon a similar contract to Tanaka’s expecting Tanaka to be their #3. Cole, Lopez, Rodon, Severino, Cortes looks like the best overall in the division. That rotation should get them past the Astros. Unfortunately, their bullpen is a mess for the first time in years.

      Reply
  12. fredlin34

    2 years ago

    Orioles should trade Urias and Santander for Lopez. Orioles get a starter, and Marlins get a quality outfielder and infielder who both have some pop. Orioles could then put Hays in RF and bring back Mancini in left, mixed with all their young talent (Cowser, Stowers, etc). Infield logjam gets fixed a little as well. Henderson 3B, Mateo SS, Frazier 2B, Mountcastle 1B, with Vavra as the super utility player. Westburg and Ortiz are right there too.

    2
    Reply
    • Mjm117

      2 years ago

      So O’s give up nothing for Marlins #2 Sp’er? Got it

      Reply
      • fredlin34

        2 years ago

        Lopez had an era of 3.75 last year and was 10-10. That’s not exactly ace-type material. Santander and Urias would instantly be starters in their lineup. Orioles could include prospects as well. But they need mlb ready hitters if they’re trading hitters for pitching. 2 hitters that are an upgrade over theirs plus a few prospects should get it done.

        1
        Reply
        • fredlin34

          2 years ago

          Santander hit 33 dingers last year. Urias hit 16. No player on the Marlins hit more than 15. If they want to compete, they need offense. Now, if they feel that they can’t compete in their division right now and want to completely rebuild, a trade like this wouldn’t make any sense of course.

          3
          Reply
        • avenger65

          2 years ago

          Uh, Cueto? Any discussion about Cueto? After all one-fourth of the article was about him.

          Reply
    • jk

      2 years ago

      Seems a little light … maybe try to get Alcsatara with that package

      Reply
      • Mjm117

        2 years ago

        Alcántara plus López for Urias/Santander. Marlins throw in Eury for good measure to seal the deal. Win/win

        Reply
      • Mjm117

        2 years ago

        Marlins better get Marte back if trading Lopez or Rodgers.

        Reply
  13. stretch123

    2 years ago

    I’m hoping for fish to trade with Baltimore or Arizona. Ton of young outfielders in both organizations.

    1
    Reply
  14. stretch123

    2 years ago

    Sign Cueto, Andrus and Duvall.
    Trade Rojas for a reliever.
    Trade Luzardo or Rodgers for a young OF from Arizona (Jake McCarthy or Alek Thomas) or Baltimore (Santander or Hays). I personally am hoping for Thomas. Can play a solid CF, seems to have some pop and speed and controllable.

    SS Andrus
    2B Chisholm
    1B Cooper
    LF Duvall
    RF Garcia
    DH Soler
    3B Wendle
    C Stallings
    CF Thomas

    Bench
    UT Berti, C Fortes, OF Bleday/Sanchez, IF LeBlanc/Hampson

    SP Alcantara, Lopez, Cueto, Cabrera, Rodgers/Luzardo, Sixto, Garrett

    1
    Reply
    • YourDreamGM

      2 years ago

      Looks like a team capable of beating Washington for a 4th place finish.

      Reply
  15. slider32

    2 years ago

    Marlins always seem to be indecisive, they seem to be afraid of making a mistake. They haven’t realized that unless they go all in they will remain as a feeder team to the contenders just like KC was in the 60’s

    Reply
    • Mjm117

      2 years ago

      They’re a team that CANT make mistakes. Unfortunately they have with the JTR and Yelich trades and last years signing.

      Compounding matters has been their ineptitude in drafting & developing starter quality starting Hitters.

      Fish have small room for error and have failed many times since Sherman bought the team.

      Reply
      • slider32

        2 years ago

        I thought withe Dembo in charge they woulld have done better, but they have come up short on the position player side. I

        Reply
  16. heavenblu4u

    2 years ago

    The Marlins were, are and will be for some time the laughing stock of Major League Baseball, and that is sad to say the least.

    1
    Reply
    • Chemo850

      2 years ago

      Nah. The Mets still have that title. Will most like retain it after they lose the division again this upcoming season despite all this noise.

      Reply
    • MLB Top 100 Commenter

      2 years ago

      Heavenblu4u

      World Series wins from 1997 to 2022:
      Yankees 4
      Red Sox 4
      Giants 3
      Marlins 2
      Asterisks 2
      Cardinals 2
      One each: Cubs, Dodgers, White Sox, Atlanta, Anaheim, Arizona, Washington, Kansas City, Philadephia

      Zero World Series wins in last 26 years: Padres, Rockies, Reds, Pirates, Brewers, Mets, Blue Jays, Rays, Guardians, Rangers, Mariners, A’s, Orioles, Twins, Tigers

      1
      Reply
      • rct

        2 years ago

        Pretty interesting to cherry pick back to 1997 to make the Marlins look good instead of focusing on the last 20 years when they’ve been horrible and made the playoffs only once, in the COVID year when they were 31-29 and got bounced in the first round without winning a game.

        Marlins are the biggest joke in baseball and perhaps in all of the big four US sports. Even the Sacramento Kings are playing well these days. Pretty soon they’ll have guys on their roster who were not even alive the last time the Marlins won a postseason game.

        Reply
        • Mjm117

          2 years ago

          In 2020, Marlins bounced the Cubs before losing to the Braves in the NLDS.

          Sorry please continue.

          Reply
  17. MarlinsFanBase

    2 years ago

    I can sum up the Marlins trade and free agent possibilities in one line.

    Kim Ng will talk about what she will do, but do absolutely nothing, while making sure none of her Marlins GM duties get in the way of her doing interviews.

    2
    Reply

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