With 4 days left until the trade deadline, teams are starting to make a flurry of moves. Blue Jays have been active today making 1 (about to be 2) trade(s) and the Giants are close to acquiring Carlos Beltran. I'm going to do my best MarlinsLou impression here and break down some possible scenarios with teams and players that could be involved from the Fish's point of view.

 

Possible Marlin Players on the Move

 

Leo Nunez: Heath Bell is obviously the prized possession in the RP market, but Leo could provide some team with a nice setup man or possible closer.

 

Omar Infante: A former utility man who slipped into a starting role and made an All-Star team last year, Infante can play that utility role again for a potential playoff team. And he's hot right now, which is always a plus.

 

Greg Dobbs: Lefties off the bench are always a valuable commodity. And Dobbs has been no slouch this year, hitting over .300 in spot-starter role.

 

Mike Cameron/Dewayne Wise: A couple of veteran OFs that would provide defensive depth. Probably not on the move though because a lot of teams wouldn't consider them an "upgrade"

 

Javier Vasquez: He has a no-trade clause (but he could waive it) and a pretty big contract. But he's been performing well lately and could give a team a push into the playoffs.

 

Wes Helms: Think we can sell some team on his "professionalism"? No? Ok...

 

Possible Playoff Teams/Buyers

 

NL East

Phillies: Mainly looking for an offensive threat like Beltran or Pence, the Marlins don't have a match. However, the Phillies pen is pretty beat up this year and Leo Nunez could close if Bastardo falters, or provide a quality setup man once injured players (namely Ryan Madson) come back to the helm.

 

Braves: The Braves are also seeking an OF bat like the Phillies but however, their bullpen is one of the tops in the Majors.

 

NL Central

Cardinals: The Red Birds are about to move Colby Rasmus to the Blue Jays for mainly Edwin Jackson and some company. However, they are still actively searching for relievers since their pen has been unstable due to Ryan Franklin's meltdown. A possible target for a Leo Nunez deal?

 

Brewers: Yet again, the Brew Crew is interested in Beltran, Pence, and Upton. They already acquired K-Rod to shore up their pen. And the offense has a pretty damn good bunch of hitters already. Don't look for any chemistry here.

 

Pirates: Pirates are looking down the road and don't want to sacrifice any future pieces for a quick fix. No deal is likely here.

 

Reds: Reds could use Greg Dobbs at 3rd base to split time with Miguel Cairo. Other than that, the Reds and Marlins don't seem to have fits.

 

NL West

Giants: Surprise, surprise. The Giants need offense. They are relying on rookie SS Brandon Crawford to start right now, and he currently sports a .200 BA. Omar Infante would make sense as a major improvement not only with his bat, but with his glove as Crawford has 7 errors in limited time.

 

Diamondbacks: With Stephen Drew injured, the DBacks could use another SS. Again, Infante could slide into Arizona and stop the bleeding.

 

AL East

Red Sox: The Sox look invincible right now. And certainly nothing the Marlins could offer would really be worth listening in on.

 

Yankees: According to reports, the Yankees tried to acquire Ricky Nolasco, but the Marlins aren't going to deal him just yet. Think the Yanks might take Vasquez back?

 

AL Central

Tigers: They're in desperate need of some starting pitching. Javy Vasquez would actually be a great fit because the AL Central is a weaker offensive division (except for the Tigers, but he would be playing for them) and the Tigers could cover the rest of his salary if need be.

 

Indians: Injuries to Choo and Sizemore have left the Indians OF pretty barren in the hitting department. And I doubt Cameron/Wise have the bats that the Indians are looking for.

 

White Sox: The Sox are getting their deal done for Colby Rasmus with the Cards but possibly might still have interest for a reliever.

 

AL West

Rangers: Texas has the 2nd most errors in all of baseball, so a defensive upgrade like Cameron or Wise could be in the works. Or Greg Dobbs could provide some help at 3rd base and come off the bench to give the Rangers another threat.

 

Angels: The Angels could use some relief help, but their prospects are slim pickings. And a Mike Trout-Leo Nunez trade is not in the works.

I can see only Infante and Dobbs being traded right now. I would say Nunez, but it sounds like they want to hold on to him for now. Maybe they hope to get Type A compensation from him after next season.

FloridaFly you write for the site correct? Just curious.

 

Is it possible for an organization to be both buyers and sellers? I would consider my 2nd tier Seattle Mariners in that category.

 

If I were another team needing a good bat it would be hard to overlook Dobbs although I hope he does stay with the Marlins, a left handed bat with good average as well as being a smart hitter.

 

About Leo Nunez, someone said the FO wants to keep the core of the team around, how is Leo Nunez the core of the team?

FloridaFly you write for the site correct? Just curious.

 

Is it possible for an organization to be both buyers and sellers? I would consider my 2nd tier Seattle Mariners in that category.

 

If I were another team needing a good bat it would be hard to overlook Dobbs although I hope he does stay with the Marlins, a left handed bat with good average as well as being a smart hitter.

 

About Leo Nunez, someone said the FO wants to keep the core of the team around, how is Leo Nunez the core of the team?

 

 

Yes I do, I've written two articles so far but I've been gone for most of July.

 

And yes. Well kind of. Teams can be active in the trade deadline in getting long term pieces, even if they aren't selling. Like the Nats just acquired Jonny Gomes, who they probably intend to keep around next year. And the Blue Jays just got Colby Rasmus even though they are out of contention.

 

Leo is not the core of the team because we have pieces in our pen that could replace him as closer. Trading him is all about 1) Making sure it's the right time so that he has maximum value, which might be the offseason if the market for RP's is weak. And 2) Deciding if the two 1st round picks we would get for him once he declines Arbitration next season.

#marlins not anxious to trade pieces. nolasco/anibal off-limits so far. asking high on choate/nunez. #trade deadline

 

-Heyman

i really do hope they keep Choate because he's signed cheap and through next season too I believe and he's been every bit the lefty specialist as advertised. I just want to see Nunez GONE. I'd like to keep Dobbs too but if they can get some quality prospects back then it would be ok. I'd really like to keep him as a bench guy though.

 

Helms won't go anywhere but I'm sure any day now they'll announce his contract has been picked up for next season again

I don't understand why anyone would want to keep any of these guys who arent aigned past this year, such as Dobbs and Infante. We aren't making the playoffs, and we will get nothing for them. If they love the Marlins, then they can resign in the offseason. I don't get it.

I don't understand why anyone would want to keep any of these guys who arent aigned past this year, such as Dobbs and Infante. We aren't making the playoffs, and we will get nothing for them. If they love the Marlins, then they can resign in the offseason. I don't get it.

 

 

Do you know how much worse we'd be without Dobbs and Infante? Despite us not being a playoff team, they'd tear us to shreds due to lack of depth assuming whatever comes back this way isn't playing in the MLB.

 

We might not be making the playoffs, but we're not really in a position in the standings that we can just tank it. Better off just trying to put together some wins.

I agree that the team should move Dobbs and Infante for whatever they can get, unless they really think one or both of them is coming back next year (I doubt it).

If the Twins are willing to trade Storen for Denard Span, why can't we trade Nunez and Choate for Span? He'd look mighty nice roaming CF (allowing Coghlan to move to 2B).

Do you think Gabby Sanchez could get us Mike Trout?

If the Twins are willing to trade Storen for Denard Span, why can't we trade Nunez and Choate for Span? He'd look mighty nice roaming CF (allowing Coghlan to move to 2B).

 

 

 

Sigh

If Cogs were to play 2nd base in the Majors, he would have been doing it this season. Either Cogs is our CF of the future, or he will be a piece of trade bait one of these offseasons.

I'd trade Coghlan. He Hermida's me scares me.

I wouldn't be opposed to giving Dobbs the Helms treatment and offering him now $1 million for next season. He plays bad defense, but he's great off of the bench.

 

Trade Infante, Nunez, and Vazquez (if he accepts).

If Cogs were to play 2nd base in the Majors, he would have been doing it this season. Either Cogs is our CF of the future, or he will be a piece of trade bait one of these offseasons.

 

 

Or, the team will realize that Gabby is basically at his peak and that Lomo needs to be a 1B. Then Coghlan would be a LF again and the team would acquire a legit CF.

 

Gabby could get us a legit CF option if sent to the right team.

Why do you want to trade our most consistent hitter? That's not really what this team needs right now.

Why didn't we deal for Colby Rasmus? Leo and Choate and a prospect would have done it.

Why didn't we deal for Colby Rasmus? Leo and Choate and a prospect would have done it.

 

 

 

Because he is named after cheese.

Why didn't we deal for Colby Rasmus? Leo and Choate and a prospect would have done it.

 

He'd still be a huge piece going into next year.

 

 

Because he is named after cheese.

I wouldn't be opposed to giving Dobbs the Helms treatment and offering him now $1 million for next season. He plays bad defense, but he's great off of the bench.

 

Trade Infante, Nunez, and Vazquez (if he accepts).

 

 

 

wouldnt mind bringing dobbs back but i still dont understand how wes helms warrants even being on a minor league team witht eh numbers he has.

I wanted Colby Rasmus as well. Lets trade Boni while he has a lot of trade potential! (sarcasm off)

Why do you want to trade our most consistent hitter? That's not really what this team needs right now.

 

 

"want?" maybe not.

 

Lomo needs to play 1B

Coghlan doesn't look like he'll stay healthy in CF

Bonifacio looks like he can be our 2B

Why do you want to trade our most consistent hitter? That's not really what this team needs right now.

Like I've been saying since day one Gabby is good he's just a dime a dozen.

 

 

"want?" maybe not.

 

Lomo needs to play 1B

Coghlan doesn't look like he'll stay healthy in CF

Bonifacio looks like he can be our 2B

If Cogs were to play 2nd base in the Majors, he would have been doing it this season. Either Cogs is our CF of the future, or he will be a piece of trade bait one of these offseasons.

 

 

Or, the team will realize that Gabby is basically at his peak and that Lomo needs to be a 1B. Then Coghlan would be a LF again and the team would acquire a legit CF.

 

Gabby could get us a legit CF option if sent to the right team.

You do that and you weaken the offense (Gaby's bat > Cog's bat). Gaby's defense has improved so you also weaken the defense.

 

I guess it depends on what Gaby would net in the trade.