Take heart, Willis is apparently off the market. But the Marlins could be shopping others.
One baseball source said the Marlins are telling teams that catcher Miguel Olivo, right-hander Rick Vanden Hurk and relief pitcher Armando Benitez are available. The team does not plan to trade Dontrelle Willis, the source said.
Or you could read this version that has a later time stamp:
One baseball source said the Marlins are telling teams that catcher Miguel Olivo, right-hander Byung-Hyun Kim and relief pitcher Armando Benitez are available. The team does not plan to trade Dontrelle Willis, the source said.
Let's get the starters out of the way first: given the team's situation with starting pitchers, I find it extremely hard to believe that they are looking to trade one. Especially, young Mr. Vanden Hurk.
Olivo I can see being on the table but I don't think what would end up being a backup catcher in most team's mind, would garner much value. Also, if the Marlins did move him they would need to either bring up a catcher or get one in the trade.
Benitez is interesting in that some team could possibly think he would provide late inning relief down the stretch. But the same with him as Olivo, he probably doesn't have that much value.
I doubt the Marlins will be players before the deadline. I could be wrong, I have been many times before. But I don't see it.