The Miami Marlins put an official end to their 2012 postseason chase on Monday by shipping Anibal Sanchez and Omar Infante to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for highly touted SP Jacob Turner and more. The Marlins who have been a disappointment after high expectations coming into the season, decided to make a move and become sellers ahead of the July 31 Trade Deadline. Sanchez was set to be a free agent after the year while Infante was signed thru 2013.
Turner who may step right into the Marlins’ rotation after a few weeks in AAA is 21 years old and was a first round pick in 2009 by the Tigers. It has been a struggle for Turner thus far in limited time in the big leagues but he remains a top prospect. Along with Turner, the Marlins acquired catcher Rob Brantly, and left-hander Brian Flynn. Miami and Detroit also swapped competitive balance picks with Miami now having a lower draft pick in the new stage of the 2013 draft. Brantly is expected to head to AAA but may see time in the Major Leagues later in the year.
With Infante gone, the Marlins are expected to move Emilio Bonifacio to second base which is a more natural position for the utility player. The outfield situation is in flux with Donovan Solano possibly seeing time along with Greg Dobbs, and Austin Kearns until Giancarlo Stanton returns. It is possible Miami makes more trades in the next week as well to fill out both the Major League roster and their minor league depth.
About Larry Walansky
