The Marlins and White Sox have agreed to a deal sending infielder Jake Burger from Chicago to Miami in exchange for left-handed pitching prospect Jake Eder, reports Craig Mish of SportsGrid and the Miami Herald (Twitter links).
It’s a surprise deal given that the White Sox’ focus has generally been on trading short-term assets during their summer sell-off. Burger, 27, will be controllable for another five years beyond the current season and is batting .214/.279/.527. He’s already slugged a whopping 25 home runs on the season but also has the fifth-worst on-base percentage and sixth-highest strikeout rate (31.6%) of any player in the Majors (min. 300 plate appearances). The Marlins, with MLB’s third-fewest home runs (96 total), seemingly view those as acceptable trade-offs to add some pop to lineup that’s heavily reliant on stringing hits together.
Where Burger will line up on the diamond remains to be seen. He’s played primarily third base in his young big league career but drawn poor ratings there (-8 Defensive Runs Saved, -8 Outs Above Average, -3.6 Ultimate Zone Rating). Miami has been using the struggling Jean Segura at the hot corner and could certainly supplant him with Burger’s power bat, but Burger also has experience at second base and first base. The Fish currently have Garrett Cooper taking the bulk of the reps at first, but he’s in his final season of club control and has been a trade candidate at each of the past couple deadlines.
Whether Burger immediately begins to step into a more prominent role at first base or splits his time between the infield corners and designated hitter, he’ll give the Marlins an immediate jolt of power. Looking beyond the 2023 season, both the first base and designated hitter slots in the lineup figure to be vacant; Cooper is a free agent, and while Jorge Soler is technically signed through 2024, he can also opt out of the final one year and $9MM of his contract at the end of the current season.
Subtracting Burger from the White Sox’ long-term outlook obviously takes away a good bit of power potential, but if the club isn’t sold on his defensive acumen at third base then he becomes a tough fit. Chicago has Andrew Vaughn and Eloy Jimenez locked in as long-term options at first base and designated hitter, respectively, so it could prove difficult to find Burger regular at-bats if his glove is indeed a prominent concern.
It’s also possible that the Sox simply felt Eder too talented a prospect to pass up on when presented the opportunity to acquire him. The 2020 fourth-round pick had pitched his way into top-100 prospect status prior to undergoing Tommy John surgery and has already made his way to the Double-A level this year upon returning. Eder, a Vanderbilt product, posted a 1.17 ERA in 71 1/3 innings in his first pro season before going under the knife, and he’s returned with 39 1/3 innings of 4.12 ERA ball. FanGraphs has already plugged him right back into their top-100 list, ranking him as the Marlins’ No. 1 prospect and the No. 54 prospect in baseball.
Scouting reports on Eder tout his mid-90s heater and a slider that FanGraphs touts as “one of the nastiest pitches on the planet.” Eder also has a changeup that’s well behind his header and breaking ball, but both BA and FanGraphs agree it can be an average pitch with further refinement. There are certainly some concerns for any young pitcher coming off major arm surgery, and Eder’s 12.5% walk rate will need to be refined. However, he’s already pitching in Double-A, and it’s feasible that he could be an option for the ChiSox as soon as next season. He might be on something of a limited workload next year, depending on how high his innings total climbs this year, but he’ll immediately become the system’s top pitching prospect.
Marlins got a whopper in this deal
When he steals 2nd, he’s a slider. Too cheesy?
Wow, this statement has two (possibly unintentional) bad puns, which I approve. Only problem is: when has Burger ever stolen a base? 🙂
It I’ll forever be the “Burger Eder” trade.
Pretty good
Are you familiar with the term Hamburgler?
5/25/2023
While he’s not a base stealer, he’s faster than he looks.
2nd fastest on the Sox!
So what does anyone know about the LH pitcher Elder?!!!
@#1
Eder is a quality prospect recovering from Tommy John and ptching well at AA. Before the injury he was electric, His starts are still working their way back there.
Nobody is a can’t miss, but Jake definitely looks very likely a #2 starter
Please, no more sliders with cheese
Miami could have gotten Patrick Wisdom for a whole lot less.
Soda what, he can’t run rings around onions, but he catches a lot of fry balls. When it comes to the Marlins, have it your way, Jake is King. and he’s the power the Marlins are looking for
Na. It’s a nothing burger.
Now that is a total shocker
Burger was one of the few remaining players on the Sox worth watching. Now it’s down to Cease, Robert, Moncada and Vaughn. Marlins fans: With the Sox, when Jake hit a homer, it was called a Burger Bomb. Definitely gonna miss him.
That’s a fascinating swap
I think this is actually an excellent add for the Marlins with control and a high power profile upside.
Can also slide Burger to DH next season if they can’t afford Soler’s asking price when he opts out.
No need to issue him a road jersey. Burger’s road splits are horrible. .171/.228/.390.
That’s unpayable even before you consider his poor defense. Add in the K rate… Yikes.
Good pieces going both ways.
Solid for both sides
If Jake hits two 2-baggers, can we call it a Double-Double Burger?
What if he was a vegetarian just for attention
AJ better have Rick Hahn on the line. Eloy would look too nice in the DH spot!
a burger for the eater
*BORGER
Ooohhhh. Sneaky good trade. Love Eder.
Basically the middle finger back at the Yankees who were trying to trade “10 cent head” Gleyber to them for a bloated return…….
Lol. We’ll give Gleyber for nothing. You’ll just have to take back Stanton too.
Sox got fleeced.
Really? Because I’m pretty sure this is an amazing trade for them.
Clearing the roster of 1 of their 5 DHs, and they got a prospect. That’s a win.
What else is new.
The Chisox can now get Wisdom from the Cubs, to replace Burger. Maybe now Wisdom and Madrigal.
Jake swap
The Two Jakes = an underrated sequel
Marlins are all in !
Oh wow okay did not expect this. Good bopper for the Marlins, was just wondering if they were going to get a bat. Jake is a solid puck up and the White Sox could use more pitching.
Burger was #8 in all of MLB with # of HR’s.
And way fewer ABs than the other “leaders”.
Unfortunately, 82 games are played on the road. And the Marlins don’t play in Guaranteed Rate.
You’re right. This was a good get for the White Sox. Burger is a man without a position on the field and does not get on base enough to cover his line up spot.
Interesting trade. Fills a need for this year.
I admit that I didn’t see this coming. I thought when they were talking to the White Sox, it was for the likes of Tim Anderson and/or maybe Yasmani Grandal. I like this move, even though Burger is an all-or-nothing strikeout machine. At least he’s another guy that can hit HRs.
Trading Eder for him is a surprise.
You don’t want Tim Anderson, Burger has at least been consistent and I say this as a White Sox fan.
@across13
I understand that. But trust me as a Marlins fan, After having Wendle at SS all season, I’d take Anderson in a hearbeat – site unseen.
This feels like the copium of copium response…
@formerlyz
I don’t know if that was to me or not, but still a good post. lol
It was. When you say things like “interesting”, or “”even though”, or “at least”, and”thats surprising,” you’re trying so hard to want to accept it lol, but you know…you know…
@formerlyz
Yep, you covered that well. lol
At this point, I’d rather have Burger than nothing at all added to our lineup. At least this is a guy that gives us something that we don’t have in the additional HRs…and he gets Segura out of 3B until Segura shows he deserves some playing time. We’re exchanging poor batting average and OBP with 3 HRs for poor batting avg and OBP with 25 HRs…in a significantly younger guy. That’s an upgrade.
Also, I’m not too keen with trading the farm just yet because I don’t think we’re there yet as a team. This offseason though, after evaluating the final results of our season, then I’m up for it if we look like we’re there in a full win-now position.
Segura has actually at least been playable this month. That being said, being forced to bring back him and Garcia, and now adding a strikeout machine doesn’t help. I have to disagree with that. I also would have much rather seen what we already had at that point
Also, we’re saying this when the Marlins just traded what fangraphs ranked as their #1 prospect…if you think this is the type of addition they should use their top prospect for, especially with waning depth, then that’s your prerogative, but fir me…I an once again left wondering how they manage to top themselves in clownery every time
The Eder part is the part that I’m concerned about. I don’t think any of us Marlins fans like that part of the deal. For me, I get what they’re trying to do, but I would’ve used someone other than Eder.
Now with the rest of the players, I think there’s another trade coming. They have too many position players now, unless they’re going to release someone or only carry 12 pitchers.
Here are their current positon players:
C – Fortes, Stallings
1B – Cooper, Gurriel
2B – Arraez, Segura
SS – Wendle, Berti
3B – Burger
OF – De La Cruz, Jazz, Garcia, and Sanchez
DH – Soler
That’s 14 guys – and Sanchez is out of options. I don’t think they’ll carry just 12 pitchers, especially since they need to manage innings for Perez and Cabrera.
A position player has got to move.
Here we go! Marlins trade Segura to Cleveland.
And Cooper is gone! Cooper is finally freaking done!
Luis is followed by “quintuple-J”
Luis Arraez – 2B
Jazz Chisholm – CF
Jorge Soler – DH
Jake Burger – 3B
Josh Bell – 1B
Jesus Sanchez – RF
Bryan De La Cruz – LF
Nick Fortes – C
Berti/Wendle – SS
Backup OF Avisail
Backup catcher Stallings
Pinch-hitter Gurriel
That’s 13 position players
Cooper and Segura are gone
Good catch of all the J’s, but De La Cruz bats higher because he’s a more stable hitter than some of those guys you list ahead of him.
And Jazz seems to be settling in lowere in the lineup – more around 3 or 4.
I’m the other Marlins diehard who posts here once a year. Eder for Burger is a joke and this is the word deal made on the Ng era. Controllable or not, Burger doesn’t get on base and is a .200 hitter. We have 100 .200 hitters in the minors. Burdick can hit 20+ HR’s and hit .200, why did it cost us Eder, a potential 2/3?
I don’t get this organization.
I admit that I’m concerned about giving up Eder for Burger, but I do get what Ng is trying to do with this deal. We needed HR power. It’s hard to convince HR hitters, unless they live in S Fla. or nearby, to come play in our park. So, grabbing a guy with this type of power and team control is an important get. While we can have guys that put the ball in play, and run our Small Ball style of baseball, we will still need guys that can bang the ball out the park – even if it’s at teh sacrifice of a ton of strikeouts and low BAvg and OBP.
Remember, we still have the other guys that are key, like Arraez (who we need to sign long term), Jazz (who needs to stay healthy), De La Cruz (who needs to stay consistent), Sanchez (assuming he doesn’t become trade bait), Fortes (who needs to improve, and assuming he doesn’t become trade bait).
Look at the other positive, Ng, unlike last year when she dropped the ball, this year she’s doing some key things – without giving up the likes of our MLB SPs (so far), and key future pieces that we’re looking to now and in the next year.
Eder is a tough give, but we really don’t know what the Marlins know about his arm after his injury.
I get it, but you look at the market and I keep using the Castillo for Marte and Arroyo comparison. We always seem to give up elite prospects for middle of the pack guys. Why? Why not go for Torres, Candelario, etc? The who jeimer thing is Eder would have been a. Bigger return, why didn’t we get him for Eder? 5 years of control doesn’t matter IMO when you got .214.
First the Marlins have tried to get Gleyber Torres, but the Yankees are asking for Edward Cabrera or Braxton Garrett to top a package that will include more prospects. The Marlins aren’t in a position yet as a team to start trading the farm for pieces. Also, they may be revisiting the Torres discussions in the offseason from reports I saw. The same may happen with the Royals for Salvador Perez.
As for Candelario, the reason I wouldn’t put Eder in for him is because Candelario is a rental. You don’t give up guys like Eder for a renatl like Eder. Besides, with Candelario, the Marlins can poitentially sign him in the offseason for next year when they have a better idea of how good this team is instead of risking too much on a 2-month rental. With Burger, we have a 3B for the remainder of this year, and/or potential 1B or DH going forward for a few years in a guy that gives us something hard for us to get via free agency in a HR guy.
There is the other aspect to all this too. Burger is young enough that the Marlins may be able to work him into what we do. He won’t ever become a guy with average or low strikeouts, but he could cut down to where he does improve as a run producer, especially from a supportive role he’ll be in.
Agreed !! Still,
Rather having given up Fulton lol.
Yeah, we had to give up something. Let’s give Burger a chance before we bash away.
At least this could lead to some good promo burger deals at the park.
So now we’re ok with it b/c at least we didnt do anything infinitely more significantly abhorrent, yet? Also, you can get players like this…easily..every year
Well, here’s the reality of our sutuation, and Ng’s situation. If she did not add a bat, and all she came accomplished was the Robertson trade since the other trade was a flip of our garbage in Floro for the Twins garbage in Lopez, we would’ve shredded Ng like we did last year all the way until she actually did something weeks before pitchers and catchers reported this year.
She made a move. We needed a move to add to the lineup. I’m for seeing what Burger does for us. He gives us something we don’t have – additional HRs to go with Soler.
For me, I’m going to just wait and see how this turns out. In the end, last trade deadline, last Winter Meetings were bigger issues, and this trade deadline will be a factor in what we see happens with Ng once her contract expires. Am I thrilled with what we gave? Not really. Am I unhappy about getting Burger? Not really either.
Making a move to make a move…that definitely makes sense
Well, she just made two more. lol
This day got very…ahem…interesting. I imagine you’re really ticked off with all three moves.
First Eder for Burger.
Then, Watson for Bell? Even if moving on from Segura.
And just Cooper moving in genral (which you know I’m throwing a party over).
It was all disturbing. Somehow the Cooper/Reynolds for Weathers deal made the most sense of anything they’ve done in a long time…which just shows how awful they are in general b/c I still think that is also a questionable move when you consider that it led to the Watson/Bell deal, which is beyond a clown show decision
It’s going to be even worse when they turn watson into Jose Ramirez and laugh in our face the way everyone else has for however many years, at this point
25 HR in 88 games. This is an amazing get for the Marlins. And he’s under team control for a bit.
5 years of control
When you can’t play defense, can’t hit for average, and can’t take a walk, the years of control don’t really matter. He is a one trick pony. How many other Major League players match his tools?
Burger’s road splits are also “amazing”.
Wow. That’s just not a good trade for CWS imo.
Jake Eder is an absolute stud. Great trace for CHI. I’m a Marlins fan and this trade is ridiculous.
I’m concerned about Eder being the trade piece for Burger, but I wouldn’t call it ridiculous. With this, we acually can see what Ng is trying to do with this deal in adding Burger.
Also, with the amount of pitching prospects we have in our organization, we’re going to trade talented pitching prospects any time we want to acquire a bat. We will win some of those deals while we’ll lose some of those deals. Let’s see what Burger gives us, and see what Eder actually becomes down the road before we judge this.
The Miami mashers. They got some pop in that lineup.
This team is totally unlikeable! What a Disaster!
Burger to go!!!!
Goodness gracious. This is why i’m still in therapy post-relocation of the Marlins. Eder is really good and a hometown kid (PBC-SFL). Burger can’t hit sliders. Go ahead and laugh, but I’m pissed.
Kim Ng, the only redemption you have is if you get Ohtani to Miami in the off-season. What a dystopian supposition oh my end.
Well, then you won’t get your redemption. Ohtani isn’t going to Miami.
Huh, maybe someone really will pry Cease away from CWS if they are trading a guy with a ton of control left like Burger.
and with Rodriguez giving the double bird to the doyers, the White Sox can really spin the screws on it
Good trade for the Sox!! Kid is going to be a stud pitcher. Burger was a defense liability and home run or bust
The Two Jakes
Burger Eder. Not what I’d expect to be typing on this site when I woke up this morning
Bro…every time… tell me the Marlins dont give up more than anyone else in every deal, regardless of what side they’re on
Also, why? What reason is there for this? Still refusing to even look at the multiple infield options in AAA. Still need pitching, but you trade your top pitching prospect for Dax Harwood…
Clown show continues
I wholeheartedly agree.
No! Burger went crazy at home in the Windy City with HRs. Watch him turn into Caucasian Jesus Aguilar and not ever hit a HR at loandepot, ever.
That’s a pretty silly statement and I’m a Marina fan who doesn’t like the deal.
Burger @ home (2023): 17 of his 25 HR have been at home with a .991 OPS vs. .620 away OPS.
Aguilar @ away (2021) 17 of his 22 HR were on the road with a .889 OPS vs. .690 home OPS.
Marlins *
I wonder if Burgers power output is sustainable and if it wanes a little bit how much use he would be as mainly a 1 tool guy.
He would be King if he can develop in other areas.
First, m.imdb.com/title/tt0100828/
Second, a reasonable deal. Burger is a decent player with some upside. Eder has a ton of upside but is a AA pitcher, so a ton of risk.
As a diehard Marlins fan and a diehard baseball fan who loves prospects, fantasy, and everything about the sport, wow. Why do the Marlins always give up top tier prospect for ok players then a team like the Reds get Marte and Arroyo for Castillo (who we traded ironically to the red for Strailey, my point exactly)?
Kim Ng is NOT doing a good job and I do think the Marlins have a great team, but they are overperforming (15 hits to 2 runs a game because they methodically cannot hit with RISP), they keep guys like Brozaban on the ML roster to continue blowing games, they draft poorly, then they trade their pitching capital, not for Candelario, but for… Jake Burder? Just what the Marlins need, another .230 hitter who doesn’t BB and Al’s every other at bad. On par Miami, on Par.
Horrible trade. Did love the Robertson trade.
In awe this is the Marlins as buyers. It trade deadline acquisition. Hate it.
I didnt like the Robertson trade b/c they gave up way too much, and they could have signed him multiple times themselves
Nah, who knows how those prospects will turn out. If we bash every trade because so and so gave up prospects no trade would make sense because it would always be assumed said prospects will be stars. You do have to take those risks. But Eder is going to be an Ace and Burger has huge upside, but he K’s way too much, doesn’t Walk, and is a .200+ hitter, the Marlins trade a top 100 prospect for him? Cmon. Castillo fetched Marte and Arroyo for Christ sakes.
Explain what was really accomplished in that trade then b/c those things you’re pointing out arent the point. Also remember they waited until after they lost 9 in a row, blowing game after game, to make that deal
Great trade…already blowing games lol
She’s a terrible GM. Hopefully The Twins’ ownership gets twitchy and fires Falvey so he can revamp Miami.
Bizarro trade. This is the exact opposite of the hitters the Marlins usually like. And Eder is a potential top of the rotation arm. Massive steal for Chicago and I have no idea what Miami is thinking here.
Yep. I’m livid.
After watching Burger go through all the injuries and other obstacles to get where he is now, this one kinda breaks my heart a bit. Hope he figures out how to take a pitch or two and continues to progress. Marlins fans you are in for a good dude who provides a lot of frustrating Ks and some tantalizing bombs.
That hitter excites me. If St Louis had him, they could have a Burger King team.
Nope. Conflict of interest with big Mac land in LF.
White Sox gave him away
Putting Burger anywhere but DH is a mistake. Kim Ng had 2 years to upgrade CF and 3B, and still haven’t got it done.
Welcoming news for us Cleveland fans
The only glove Eloy Jimenez should ever wear again is a batting glove. Wish Burger the best, it’s been tough coming back from 2 achilles surgeries.
Surf and turf, anyone?
Not who they’re suppose to be trading. Burger actually makes them kind of fun to watch in that every 3 innings kinda way.
Marlins just traded for David Fry to go with Burger
Edp007, you really scared me for a second. David Fry is one of my fav Guardians to watch right now. Dude plays hard.
The Marlins are flipping , going all beef , no Fry , turned to Spencer Steer
We should give you Oscar Colas as well…
Yes
Burger has 5 years of team control and 25 homers this year. The Marlins 3rd basemen have hit a combined 3 homers this year. Eder might be a good MLB pitcher one day, but he’s also pitched 3 times since coming back from TJ surgery. You can’t predict his future. The Marlins due have an absurd abundance of MLB pitching and stud pitching prospects. I think it’s a good trade for both sides, but it really helps the Marlins.
With said “absurd abundance,” why is it that they need pitching? I guess say something enough times, it becomes a narrative, regardless of how clearly false it is…but it’s been said for 2 5 years now, so I see how it became a go to thing for people to repeat.
Also Eder has been back for more than 3 starts lol, but even if he hosts, that’s not the point. The point is his perceived value now, and asset management, which is why moving him in this deal is another typical Marlins moment
Excuse me…he’s made 9 starts, not 3 and I haven’t seen anyone say that the Marlins were interested in acquiring starting pitching anywhere.
How about on just this site a couple of days ago, when there was a whole article about it? But again, I didnt say that either. I said they need pitching, which they do
Eder-Burger? Only if she’s not hungry
And Jake from State Farm will be their insurance agent
A for Sox. Heck of a pitching prospect for a Burger. Great return.
Meh for Miami. Gave up a top arm. Hrs and years of control are nice but K’s and not walking aren’t. They know their pitching though.
Burger has missed a ton of time with injuries. Some good health and steady playing time at the big league level might do him a lot of good.
No more Burger and Colas.
Even if he does medium well, the trade will have been well done.
Bad trade for the Marlins. marlins have no sense when it come to value their assets. .Giving away Eder for a no good third base fielder, not a good hitter is just make no sense. Where is the Oh! we want hitters that put the ball in play. We see teams giving away good players for way less value. Eder is a valuable lefty. This lefty will win a lot of games in the next couple of seasons his value will be off the charts. On the other hand Burger will be no where to be found in a year or so. His skills set are not value at a high level. Bottom line, Marlins could have done way better if they were to give up an asset like Eder. But again this are the Marlins. Exhibit one Segura, not a third baseman, giving the Mets two good prospects for Robertson and the most insane one, Yelich, for well we all know how that one worked out..
Ceilings for both …..Burger = CJ Cron type will always be 20+ HRs question is can he hit .260. Eder probably #4 or #5 by 2025 if he stays healthy middle reliever if he never regains the arm strength. Good deal for both….
Cron not only hits hrs, he can field, takes walks, and hit for a decent average. All things Burger can’t do.
Whoa-oh here he he comes. He’s a Jaaake Eder.
Sorry.
Marlins need to room Arraez and Burger together, and hope the best of both rub off on the other.
And you wonder why the Chi-Sox suck!!
Wait until he finds out that they only got him to run in the condiments race.
Nobody can accuse Kim Ng of sitting on her hands during the deadline now, but is a home run or nothing hitter with zero defensive value truly what this team needed?
Admittedly it could be argued they could have maybe used a corner bat, at least an actual useful one, but it wasnt necessary compared to pitching. Also, they have several infield prospects in AAA they could have given opportunities to, some of whom did well in their short sample sizes in the big leagues and are also raking in AAA
They also shouldnt be adding worse defenders when their infield defense had already been terrible all year
Wow. I mean it is what it is, but Im really surprised that Burger was moved. Pitching Prospect or not. But I will say this, given the vitriol from both sides, this may turn out to be a good trade for both teams.. Time will tell.
Who knows how things will turn out, but netting an intriguing OPS hitter that’s already performing at the major league level in exchange for a slider machine that’s already having significant arm trouble, seems like a win for Miami.
” significant arm trouble”.. What? TJS? Most pitchers need TJS when rolling out of bed these days.. Maybe 20 years ago TJS was a ‘significant’ arm issue, not so much anymore. Unless Im missing the other arm issues (I only saw the mention of TJS when searching for Aher and arm issues). Sure he may need it again some time down the road. But as for Burger he has torn his Achilles twice. Now, I doubt that it will happen again, but point is that ‘significant’ injuries happen to all, but a pitcher getting TJS is not really a major thing anymore.