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Minor MLB Transactions: 7/11/17

By Steve Adams | July 11, 2017 at 5:56pm CDT

Here are the day’s minor moves…

  • The Orioles announced that infielder Paul Janish and first baseman/outfielder David Washington have both cleared waivers and been sent outright to Triple-A Norfolk. The veteran Janish has the option to reject the assignment in favor of free agency, though he’s accepted a number of outrights from the O’s in the past and figures to do so once again. The 34-year-old Janish has appeared in exactly 14 games for the Orioles in each of the past three season but went just 2-for-26 at the plate in this year’s run. Janish has never offered much with the bat but is an excellent defensive shortstop and will continue to provide depth in Triple-A. Washington, meanwhile, made his Major League debut with Baltimore this season. The 26-year-old collected six plate appearances and punched out five times in a brief cup of coffee. The longtime Cardinals farmhand has a strong track record in Triple-A, though, where he’s hit .267/.343/.518 with 38 homers in 682 plate appearances.
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Baltimore Orioles Transactions David Washington Paul Janish

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Manfred & Clark On Int’l FA, Homers, 10-Day DL, Expansion, Rays, A’s

By Jeff Todd and Steve Adams | July 11, 2017 at 4:18pm CDT

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred and MLBPA chief Tony Clark each chatted with the media today in advance of tonight’s All-Star Game. Here are a few highlights from their comments:

  • While the new CBA instituted some rather significant changes to the international signing system, there remain quite a few ad hoc rules in place — with variation, in particular, based on a player’s country of origin. Manfred suggested a more comprehensive change, with the intent of establishing one uniform system for acquiring foreign professional talent, as Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe notes (Twitter links). Clark expressed general agreement with that concept, which suggests that the league and Union will continue working to create one standardized means of acquiring talent from foreign professional leagues in Japan, Korea, Cuba and others.
  • The leaguewide power surge has been the source of much discussion of late, with Manfred suggesting there has been no change to the game ball that would explain it. In his most recent comments, he suggested that the current ball falls within rather wide established standards, while also hinting he’s not exactly displeased to see more balls leaving the yard. A tighter variance in testing may be one possible solution, Manfred said (and Jared Diamond of the Wall Street Journal tweets). But he also noted that bats could be as much of a cause as the baseballs and suggested that MLB will begin testing bats as well, as Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times tweets. As for the MLBPA, Clark says “health and safety” considerations — presumably, recent complaints over blisters feature among them — have led the union to engage the league on the topic, Shaikin tweets.
  • Changes in home run propensity and the run-scoring environment can impact the player market in subtle ways; so, too, does the change from a fifteen to a ten-day minimum DL stint. Of course, that latter modification also bears more directly on roster movement, since it makes it easier for teams to give rest to slightly injured or worn down players. Manfred suggested that some organizations may have gone too far already with aggressive DL placements, as Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports tweets. “I don’t like some of the activity in terms of what’s going on with the 10-day DL,” said Manfred. That did not seem to be a concern shared by Clark, who indicated he had not received complaints from the players about the way the 10-day DL has functioned.
  • Manfred also touched upon a few open stadium issues. As Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times writes. “I continue to believe Tampa (Bay) is a viable major-league market, and I also believe it may be better than the alternatives than we have out there,” Manfred said of the Rays and their efforts to move into a newly constructed, more modern facility. “And I am hopeful we get to a resolution.” The commissioner did concede that eventually there may come a point where alternatives must be considered but stressed that such a point is not close at hand. Topkin adds that based on Manfred’s comments about expansion/relocation on Monday, the primary alternatives are believed to be Montreal, Charlotte and Mexico City (or elsewhere in Mexico).
  • Regarding the ongoing stadium issues for the cross-country Athletics, Manfred again offered hope that the team would not need to relocate (via MLB.com’s Mark Newman). Newly hired A’s president Dave Kaval, who was brought in largely to oversee the stadium process, has said recently that the team hopes to have a proposal for the site of a new facility this year, and Manfred is heartened by the efforts being put forth. “I think the renewed interest that [managing partner] John Fisher has shown in finding a new site in Oakland is positive,” said Manfred. “Baseball has had a long history of commitment to its communities. We have been the sport least likely to relocate. We’d like to have Oakland be a success. I think the identification of a single site in Oakland will be a step forward in that stadium process.”
  • Newman also notes that Manfred continues to have interest in expanding the league, though the commissioner said expansion will not become a prominent focus until the stadium issues for both the Rays and A’s are resolved. “I know the Mayor of Montreal has been very vocal about bringing baseball back to Montreal,” said Manfred. “Charlotte’s a possibility. And I’d like to think that Mexico City or some other place in Mexico would be a possibility.”
  • Finally, Clark addressed the long-simmering issue of substandard wages for minor-league players. Though the MLBPA does not technically represent non-40-man players, almost all of its members spent at least some time playing in the minors without a 40-man spot. Still, Clark largely demurred when asked about the union’s role in the minimum-wage dispute between minor leaguers and MLB organizations. “We’ve done what we can where we can,” Clark said (via Shaikin, on Twitter).
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Athletics Newsstand Tampa Bay Rays

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MLBTR Chat Transcript

By Steve Adams | July 11, 2017 at 2:31pm CDT

Click here to read a transcript of Tuesday’s chat with MLBTR’s Steve Adams.

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MLBTR Chats

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Twins Showing Interest In Controllable Starters

By Jeff Todd | July 11, 2017 at 1:33pm CDT

The Twins are “checking in” on a few starting pitchers around the game, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (via Twitter). Minnesota is seemingly limiting its interest to controllable arms at this point.

That’s not terribly surprising to hear. After all, the Twins are still treading water in the AL Central and AL Wild Card races. And GM Thad Levine said recently that the organization “would be very open to spending aggressively on assets that we could use to propel our team forward this year and for years to come.”

As noted in that above-linked post, the Twins have an obvious need — both now and in the near future — for reliable starting pitching. While there’s little reason to think that the team would part with significant future talent just for an immediate upgrade, it makes sense that the club would value the chance at contending this year while also considering arms that could bolster the roster for a few more seasons to come.

Rosenthal notes that Jose Quintana of the White Sox and Sonny Gray of the Athletics are two pitchers who’d likely appear on Minnesota’s list of possible targets, though it’s not clear whether the Twins have eyes for either in particular. He also suggests Dan Straily of the Marlins as an option, though again there’s still no indication that he’s specifically on the radar of Levine and chief baseball officer Derek Falvey.

Of course, those sorts of pitchers — Quintana and Gray, in particular — figure to draw interest from many other organizations. Those two have done so for quite some time, in fact, with the continued demand perhaps also representing a big reason that their respective organizations have felt comfortable waiting to deal them.

At this stage, there’s still a lack of clarity as to how the market will develop. Quintana and Gray might spur bidding wars; certain contenders could pivot to more affordable rental pieces (or even relievers); and/or we could see other long-term rotation assets (such as Julio Teheran or Gerrit Cole, among many other possibilities) reach the market to meet the demand. The level of involvement of teams such as the Twins will very likely play a role in dictating those developments, though the question remains whether Minnesota will press to get a deal done for a new starter.

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Athletics Chicago White Sox Miami Marlins Minnesota Twins Dan Straily Derek Falvey Jose Quintana Sonny Gray Thad Levine

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Injury Notes: Otani, Nunez, Bumgarner, Harvey

By Jeff Todd | July 11, 2017 at 12:40pm CDT

Japanese star Shohei Otani is slated to pitch for the first time this year, per a report from the Japan Times. That’ll come in Japan’s NPB, not the majors, but nevertheless has importance on the other side of the globe. As Otani ponders a move to the big leagues after the current season, MLB clubs will be watching closely. He has been held out of pitching duties due to ankle and thigh injuries; Nippon Ham Fighters skipper Hideki Kuriyama says he’ll bring back Otani slowly as he “build[s] up his pitch counts.”

Here’s more on some health situations from around the game:

  • It seems that the Giants will welcome back trade candidate Eduardo Nunez heading out of the break. He’s slated to start a brief rehab assignment tomorrow, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports on Twitter; the organization has already optioned outfielder Mac Williamson to open a roster spot, as Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area tweets. While it remains to be seen how far San Francisco will go in dealing away veterans, Nunez is a pending free agent who would seem better utilized by a 2017 contender.
  • Also nearing a return to the Giants is ace southpaw Madison Bumgarner. He just turned in six strong innings at the High-A level in what appears to be his final rehab start, as Martin Gallegos of the Bay Area News Group writes. It seems that Bumgarner will make it back after about a three-month layoff following a shoulder injury suffered in a dirtbike accident earlier this season. While he won’t factor directly in the trade deadline, Bumgarner’s health is an important factor in San Francisco’s long-term roster and budgeting. There have long been suggestions of possible talks on a new extension for the postseason hero, and those could take place later this year if Bumgarner shows he’s healthy.
  • The Mets are set to begin welcoming back some dearly missed players, as Marc Carig of Newsday reports. That includes star righty Noah Syndergaard, who is going to pick up a ball again in about two weeks, and closer Jeurys Familia, who’ll do so over the All-Star break. It also includes former star righty Matt Harvey, whose future remains murky. Interesting, pitching coach Dan Warthen says that doctors found significant weakness in Harvey’s right shoulder muscles. The current focus is on “building that back up,” says Warthen, though at present it’s unclear just when Harvey might be expected back.

 

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New York Mets San Francisco Giants Eduardo Nunez Jeurys Familia Mac Williamson Madison Bumgarner Matt Harvey Noah Syndergaard Shohei Ohtani

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Trade Market For Third Basemen

By Jeff Todd | July 11, 2017 at 11:22am CDT

The hot corner is shaping up tot be an area of interest, with the Red Sox clearly in need of an upgrade and clubs like the Yankees and Cardinals perhaps weighing their options as well. As buyers scan the market for available players, here are some of the names they’ll likely consider:

Rentals

Todd Frazier, White Sox | $12MM in 2017

Long the most obviously available hot corner rental, Frazier has turned it on at the plate over the past two months. He can still handle the position and has been a more balanced hitter (.335 OBP; .444 SLG; 16 home runs; 67:47 K/BB) after selling out for power over the prior two campaigns.

Eduardo Nunez, Giants | $4.2MM in 2017 

The 30-year-old has continued to do the things that made him a rather appealing trade target last summer, with approximately average offensive work combined with solid glovework and excellent baserunning. Nunez is not a particularly overwhelming option as a regular at third, but would make for a nice platoon mate or a utility piece (he can also play short). He’ll be returning from a hamstring injury after the All-Star break, but has a few weeks to show he’s at full health.

Howie Kendrick, Phillies | $10MM in 2017

Soon to turn 34, Kendrick has hit as well as ever this year, though his .349/.403/.476 slash line has undoubtedly been driven by a .433 BABIP. Even when that falls to his lofty career levels, the veteran ought to represent a quality hitter who can play the outfield, second, or perhaps third. Of course, this particular post is dedicated to the hot corner, where Kendrick has spent must 132 major league innings. Though he could be added as a utility player, it’s not clear whether teams will see him as a semi-regular at third.

Yunel Escobar, Angels | $7MM in 2017

It seems unlikely that the Halos will end up selling, but Escobar would be among the team’s clearest trade candidates if they do. He’s continuing to post solidly above-average offensive numbers with a high-contact, high-average, low-power approach at the plate. But Escobar is a poor fielder and baserunner, so he’s more a plug-in option than a player who’d be targeted heavily even if he is shopped.

Controlled Through 2018

Josh Donaldson, Blue Jays | $17MM in 2017; arb-eligible in 2018

Injuries and age limit the market for Donaldson somewhat, but that’s less of a concern given that his contract has just one year remaining. While he’s not quite playing at his usual superstar rate in 2017 — he’s hitting a merely excellent .261/.383/.484 and isn’t drawing stellar ratings with the glove — Donaldson would draw huge interest. But the Jays have shown little inclination even to consider parting with him, even with the club mired in the AL East basement.

Manny Machado, Orioles | $11.5MM in 2017; arb-eligible in 2018

Similarly, the 25-year-old Machado isn’t playing to his typical standards. In his case, though, there’s even less reason for concern. Machado still profiles as an all-world defender and has maintained his power and pate discipline. He’s making more contact than ever before, though he has traded in a few line drives for grounders. In all likelihood, the real culprit behind his .230/.296/.445 slash is likely a .239 BABIP that’ll surely head northward. Again, though, there’s no indication yet that the O’s will part with their best player.

Jed Lowrie, Athletics | $6.5MM in 2017; $6MM club option ($1MM buyout) in 2018

The 33-year-old switch-hitter is a prime deadline candidate who could step in at second or third — while perhaps still lining up at short in a pinch. Now healthy, Lowrie is also back on track at the plate (.279/.346/.458, 9 home runs). His injury profile isn’t the greatest, which perhaps reduces the value of the affordable option year, though that still looks to be an appealing element of his trade stock.

Asdrubal Cabrera, Mets | $8.25MM in 2017; $8.5MM club option ($2MM buyout) in 2018

Cabrera is in a generally similar situation to Lowrie, but he’s a bit more expensive and hasn’t hit quite as well this year. Plus, the Mets are likely still somewhat interested in picking up his option. Cabrera has spent plenty of time at short but probably ought to be shifted to second or third at this point. He’s also drawing some eye-opening baserunning ratings this year, and not in a good way.

Longer-Term Assets

Yangervis Solarte, Padres | $2.5MM in 2017; $4MM in 2018; 2019-20 club options

A solid hitter and versatile defender on an affordable deal, Solarte looks to be a useful trade chip. He’ll need to return from an oblique strain first, though. Ultimately, Solarte looks to represent a somewhat younger and less expensive version of some of the players listed above. Whether contenders will pay a premium for that kind of asset, though, remains unclear.

Martin Prado, Marlins | $11.5MM in 2017; $13.5MM in 2018; $15MM in 2019

Miami will surely need to hold onto some of the cash it still owes Prado, who has not been at peak form in his age-33 season. While there’s plenty of reason to believe he’ll bounce back from an injury-filled first half, Prado profiles not as a star but as a slightly above-average hitter and defender. He is held in high regard around the game and has already drawn interest, but he doesn’t seem worth the significant contract premium he is owed over some of the other players covered in this post.

Josh Harrison, Pirates | $7.5MM in 2017; $10MM in 2018; 2019-20 club options

The Bucs reportedly dabbled in some talks involving Harrison over the winter, but ultimately held onto him. He has responded with a bounceback 2017 season that has his contract again looking appealing. Through 368 plate appearances, Harrison is slashing .280/.361/.436 with ten home runs and ten steals — along with typically strong marks for his work on the bases and in the field. A dynamic athlete, Harrison would be quite an interesting target, though it’s now less than clear that Pittsburgh has real interest in moving him.

Luis Valbuena, Angels | $6.5MM in 2017; $8MM in 2018; $8.5MM mutual option ($500K buyout) in 2019

Things haven’t gone as hoped for Valbuena since he signed on with the Halos. At the time of the deal, he seemed a nice buy-low piece who was available for less because he lost half of the prior campaign due to injury. But the health woes have continued and Valbuena has limped to a .185/.267/.318 batting line thus far. As noted above, the Angels don’t really profile as sellers. And Valbuena isn’t really doing much to suggest he’d be a target for most contenders. But it’s still possible to imagine a trade, particularly if the Angels saw an opportunity to add a similarly expensive pitcher.

Eugenio Suarez, Reds | First-time arb-eligible in 2018

Thus far in 2017, Suarez is showing a big jump in his walk rate (to 12.4%) and continuing to grow in the power department (.183 ISO; 12 home runs). He rates well at third and can also play up the middle in the infield. While the Reds will no doubt be willing to listen, perhaps there’s also not much urgency to finding a taker for Suarez, particularly with the team’s shortstop position likely to come open sooner than later.

Nick Castellanos, Tigers | $3MM in 2017; arb-eligible in 2018-19

It’s still hard to know just what to make of the former top prospect, who’s still just 25 and put up a strong 2016 season. He’s now back to hitting at about the league average, making his BABIP-fueled effort from a year ago seem like something of an outlier. The value is tied up in the bat, and it just hasn’t been that great. That’s not to say other organizations wouldn’t love to take a shot on his talent, but will they pay enough to make that worthwhile for Detroit?

Maikel Franco, Phillies | First-time arb-eligible (Super Two) in 2018

Generally viewed as a core piece for the Phils, Franco has increasingly been mentioned as a possible trade candidate. While he’s not going to be seen as an immediate option for contenders and may not be dealt at this low point of his value, it seems that Philadelphia is very much open to considering offers involving the highly talented youngster. Franco is off to a miserable start at the plate, though he has made strides in his plate discipline and carries a personal-best 13.5% strikeout rate. The power is lagging and Franco is struggling to square up baseballs, though surely his .215 BABIP also reflects some poor fortune. Somewhat like Castellanos, Franco could conceivably factor into some creative trade scenarios over the next few weeks.

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2017 Trade Market MLBTR Originals

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Coco Crisp Reportedly Takes High School Coaching Job

By Jeff Todd | July 11, 2017 at 8:43am CDT

Veteran outfielder Coco Crisp has evidently decided upon a new career path. He has signed on to be the head coach at Shadow Hills High School in Indio, California, according to a report from Blake Arthur and Jesus Reyes of KESQ News.

The high school’s athletic director confirmed that an agreement is in place to bring aboard Crisp to run the school’s baseball program. Crisp’s connection to the school isn’t immediately apparent, but the report does note that the Los Angeles native has lived in the area — in the desert east of L.A. — for quite some time.

Last we checked in, Crisp was still holding out hope of finding a big league job for the current season. Clearly, that had not occurred. While there has yet to be any formal announcement regarding his playing future, the 37-year-old seems to be on the way to hanging up his spikes for good.

Crisp turned in an underwhelming 2016 season, slashing .231/.302/.397 over 498 plate appearances. He hit 13 home runs but stole just ten bags (well below his typical output), while defensive metrics graded him an acceptable performer in left but panned his glovework in center.

Still, Crisp was valued highly enough for the Indians to acquire and rely upon him rather heavily in the postseason. In 32 total plate appearances from the ALDS through the World Series, Crisp recorded seven hits (four for extra bases) and as many walks as strikeouts (three apiece).

Looking more broadly at Crisp’s 15-year career, he delivered plenty of value to the teams that employed him. He racked up 29.1 rWAR and 30.0 fWAR in over 1,500 games played, representing an excellent output for the $70MM+ salary he took home over that span. Crisp enjoyed notable runs with the Athletics, Indians, and Red Sox while also spending a somewhat less memorable year with the Royals back in 2009.

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Uncategorized Coco Crisp

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Dee Gordon Drawing Interest From Angels, Blue Jays, Royals

By Jeff Todd | July 10, 2017 at 9:26pm CDT

At least three teams have expressed some interest in Marlins second baseman Dee Gordon, according to a report from Jon Heyman of Fan Rag. The Angels, Blue Jays, and Royals have each “at least mentioned” the infielder as a possible deadline target, per Heyman.

Gordon, 29, hasn’t continued the form he showed in 2015, his first season with Miami. He slashed a career-best .333/.359/.418 — helped along by a .383 batting average on balls in play — and swiped 58 bags that year. With quality glovework mixed in, Gordon was valued at 4.7 fWAR and earned himself a five-year, $50MM extension.

He has had a somewhat redemptive 2017 season, at least, after his second season with the Marlins was marred by a PED suspension and significant performance decline. In his 375 plate appearances this year, Gordon owns a .295/.342/.358 batting line and has already stolen 32 bases.

While there isn’t immense need at second base around the game, Gordon would be a future asset for any acquiring team. And with his immense speed and highly rated glovework, he’d also be a particularly useful postseason roster piece.

All said, Gordon’s contract seems fairly reasonable, though it’s certainly not the bargain the Marlins once hoped it would be. The deal promises Gordon $7.5MM this year and $38MM over the three seasons to come — which includes a $1MM buyout on a $14MM option for 2021. (That option would be guaranteed if Gordon reaches 600 plate appearances in 2020 or 1,200 over that and the prior season.)

It’s not yet clear just what kinds of trade scenarios might entice the Marlins. Presumably, though, the focus would be on shedding as much of the financial commitment as possible. It’s not difficult to see the reason for interest from the teams that Heyman lists, as the Halos, Jays, and Royals have each had their share of uncertainty at second base. But it’s an open question whether those or any other teams would really be willing to take on most or all of Gordon’s contract.

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Kansas City Royals Los Angeles Angels Miami Marlins Toronto Blue Jays Dee Gordon

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Minor MLB Transactions: 7/10/17

By Jeff Todd | July 10, 2017 at 7:58pm CDT

Here are the latest minor moves from around the game:

  • The Yankees have released first baseman Chris Carter, per the MLB.com transactions page. While Carter accepted one outright assignment from the club previously, with the Yankees calling him back up shortly thereafter, he’ll return to free agency this time around. Despite his struggles — a .201/.284/.370 slash over 208 plate appearances on the season — there ought to be a fair bit of interest in the 30-year-old. After all, Carter mashed 41 long balls last year and carried a .221/.318/.474 batting line over the five prior seasons. For organizations interested in getting ahold of some righty pop off the bench, Carter ought to hold appeal — particularly since the Yankees are paying his $3.5MM salary.
  • The Dodgers have acquired outfielder Todd Cunningham from the Cardinals, also per the transactions page. Cunningham, a 28-year-old switch-hitter, has seen brief MLB action in three seasons but has spent the bulk of his time at Triple-A in recent years. Since joining the Cards as a minor-league deal over the winter, he has slashed .270/.401/.400 with as many walks as strikeouts (37 apiece) over 286 plate appearances at Triple-A Memphis.
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Michael Hill Under Contract With Marlins Through 2020

By Connor Byrne | July 10, 2017 at 6:12pm CDT

JULY 10: Hill’s contract was actually most recently extended about two years ago, Jon Heyman of Fan Rag tweets. At that point, two years were added to his existing deal (making five in total) to take him through 2020.

JULY 5, 10:21pm: With Miami’s ownership situation up in the air, commissioner Rob Manfred has said that the team would need to consult with the league before a potential fire sale, tweets Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.

8:13pm: Owner Jeffrey Loria is set to sell the Marlins, but he won’t leave without first taking care of his most trusted employees. That list includes president of baseball operations Michael Hill, whom Loria recently awarded a five-year, $10MM-plus extension, reports Bob Nightengale of USA Today. There are also other Marlins executives with five-year agreements in place, Nightengale adds.

[RELATED: Taking Inventory Of Miami’s Trade Chips]

The Marlins are likely to sell for upward of $1.1 billion, so buying out front office employees’ contracts shouldn’t be a no-go for the team’s next ownership group if it’s so inclined. For now, the Hill-led franchise is ready to orchestrate a fire sale, per Nightengale, who writes that all of Miami’s players on multiyear contracts are available. At 37-45, the Marlins are well out of postseason contention and on their way to extending their playoff drought to 15 years. They haven’t finished over .500 in a season since 2009, when Hill was in his third season as their general manager. He took over as their president in 2013.

While Miami hasn’t fared well on the field, its off-field situation has also been disastrous. The Marlins are projected to lose $62MM this year, according to investors who have seen their books. They’re also approximately $500MM in debt, relays Nightengale, who notes that they have a major league-high $488MM in salary commitments. Moreover, they carry baseball’s lowest attendance rate and its least valuable television contract ($20MM per year through 2020). Those problems won’t be Loria’s for much longer, though.

“There are a lot of moving parts to this sale, no doubt, but it’s happening,’’ said Marlins president David Samson. “The timetable is the same. But it will be sold. It’s in the process right now.’’

In order to reduce the Marlins’ debt and make the franchise more appealing to buyers, Hill will work to jettison some of the team’s high-priced talent by the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. Right fielder Giancarlo Stanton, owed $295MM through 2028 (if he doesn’t opt out after 2020), easily possesses Miami’s most onerous contract. The 27-year-old has the right to block a trade to any team, which could be problematic if the Marlins do find a taker, but FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reported Saturday that a Stanton deal isn’t as far-fetched as it may seem.

Aside from Stanton, the club’s big-money multiyear commitments include left-hander Wei-Yin Chen, outfielder Christian Yelich, third baseman Martin Prado, second baseman Dee Gordon, right-hander Edinson Volquez, and relievers Brad Ziegler and Junichi Tazawa.

After the season, Chen will be able to opt out of the five-year, $80MM deal he signed with the Marlins before the 2016 campaign. That’s not going to happen, though, and nor is dumping Chen’s salary via trade. In his year-plus with the Marlins, Chen has underperformed and dealt with elbow injuries, the latest of which has kept him off the mound since May 1. The Marlins could also have a hard time moving Ziegler and Tazawa, both of whom have flopped in the first season of their two-year contracts. The 37-year-old Ziegler is on a $7MM salary this season and will rake in another $9MM in 2018. Tazawa, 31, is making $5MM now and due another $7MM in 2018.

Meanwhile, Prado (in the first season of a three-year, $40MM contract), Gordon (in Year 2 of a five-year, $50.5MM pact) and Volquez (in the first season of a two-year, $22MM accord) are realistic trade candidates, though Yelich is the one Marlin on a multiyear contract who could actually bring back a major return. By his standards, the 25-year-old is having a down campaign (.275/.356/.397 in 349 plate appearances), but he’s still a valuable commodity and has been a four-WAR player in two of his three full seasons. He comes with a highly appealing contract and plenty of team control, having inked a seven-year, $49.57MM deal that began in 2015. The pact also carries a $15MM club option or a $1.25MM buyout for 2022.

Elsewhere on the Marlins’ roster, they have several arbitration-eligible players they could cut ties with in the coming weeks. Those include outfielder Marcell Ozuna, who, like Yelich, would net a return that would help the Marlins significantly improve their bottom-of-the-barrel farm system. The big-hitting Ozuna, 26, is collecting $3.5MM this season and is scheduled to make two more trips through arbitration. Controllable and reasonably priced through 2018, relievers AJ Ramos ($6.55MM) and David Phelps ($4.6MM) are also among Marlins who should have some trade value.

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Miami Marlins Newsstand Michael Hill

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