For now, the Marlins are buyers and believe upgrading the Bullpen is the #1 priority before the trade deadline.

This appears to be questionable considering the current bullpen.

       Marlins' Bullpen: ~ 4.03 ERA         Matt  Lindstrom: 6.52 ERA (29 IN / 21 ER)

       Marlins' Bullpen Core (Meyer, Nunez, Sanches, Badenhop, Pinto, Calero): ~ 2.72 ERA

Trading or demoting Lindstrom after his DL stint may help the bullpen the most. We've already demoted the Opening Day Starter; why not Lindstrom.

No reason to think Nunez, Meyer, Calero, or even Sanches wouldn't do just as good closing as Lindstrom.

So, getting a reliever while Calero/Lindstrom are on the DL does make sense, should it be the #1 priority? What should our priority be if not the bullpen? This is my take:

       Jorge Cantu: hasn't gone deep since June 3rd & has only one HR since May 7th (1 HR last 49 games / 193 AB)

       Emilio Bonifacio: .292 OBP; lowest of ALL Marlins hitters except Wes Helms; though bats lead off/2nd

       Dan Uggla: .222 BA; probably finishes season at .250, but for now, one can only get so many RBIs batting .222

I believe the Marlins have two trade options to remedy these problems:

       1. High OBP leadoff guy - giving Hanley / Cantu more RBI opportunities

       2. Big LH bat - protect Hanley, take pressure off Cantu, & help against RHP

       OR Leave line up alone & rely on current team / call-ups for offense like they normally have

The front office will presumably keep payroll under a certain number and that will control the Marlins' trade options above all. Almost automatically taking Dunn ($8 mil), Pierre ($10 mil), and Holliday ($12.5 mil) out of the mix.

With salary in mind, these are the bats who I would like to see the Marlins go after: Shin-Soo Choo ($400k), Brad Hawpe ($5.5 mil) or Luke Scott ($2.4 mil) 

What do you all think?