The Miami Marlins are heading into the trade deadline in unfamiliar territory.
For years, this has been a club more likely to move pieces out than bring help in, and that was the story again at last year’s deadline and during the offseason. But after a huge June and a strong start to July, the Marlins are in the postseason mix and, according to reporting from Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, they’re expected to approach this deadline as buyers.
Rosenthal identified three spots the Marlins could target: third base, a back-end starting pitcher, and a high-leverage reliever.
"The Marlins' potential needs include a third baseman, a back-end starting pitcher, and a high-leverage reliever," Rosenthal writes. "They could trade off their major-league roster to protect their farm system, sources say."
That gives Peter Bendix and the front office a clear shopping list if Miami stays on this path after the All-Star break.
Third base is one of the most obvious areas to watch. Javier Sanoja is handling the job right now and has posted a .278 batting average with a .737 OPS.
That’s workable, but the Marlins could still look for more impact there, especially if they want extra pop from the position. Isaac Paredes of the Houston Astros and Eugenio Suarez of the Cincinnati Reds are two names mentioned as possible fits.
The pitching side of the board is just as important. For a back-end starter, the market should offer plenty of options, and Foster Griffin and Robbie Ray are among the names that could make sense.
The bullpen picture is crowded too. High-leverage relief help could come from a long list of possible targets, including Aroldis Chapman, Antonio Senzatela, Garrett Whitlock, Luke Weaver, A.J. Minter, and Brooks Raley.
If the Marlins keep playing like they did in June and early July, this could be a rare deadline where they’re trying to add instead of subtract. For Miami, that alone makes this summer feel different.
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