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Are the Miami Marlins close to a trade at the deadline?
The Fish have been clamoring for a starting pitcher in this season's trade deadline, and they may be closing in on one within the evening. The clue here lies in the fact that the Fish pulled two prospects from their respective starts in tonight's minor league games.
#Marlins pulled pitching prospect Domingo German from his start at Single-A Greensboro. #HugWatch
— Max Wildstein ⚾️ (@MaxWildstein) July 31, 2014
#Marlins also pulled AAA prospect Mark Canha from his game tonight. #HugWatch
— Max Wildstein ⚾️ (@MaxWildstein) July 31, 2014
These early pulls usually signify some sort of trade, and with the Fish searching for a deal, it is possible Miami is lining something up as we speak. The club is said to be interested in Jon Lester, John Lackey, Tommy Milone, Wade Miley, and Ian Kennedy among other names.
But Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald provided two good excuses for why these moves may have been made.
#Marlins pitching prospect Domingo German, who pitched in Futures Game, came out after 3 innings tonight for Single A Greensboro.
— clarkspencer (@clarkspencer) July 31, 2014
@ScottAxelrod579 Blowout game and 1st game of a doubleheader.
— clarkspencer (@clarkspencer) July 31, 2014
Zephyrs game two line up pic.twitter.com/dlkUU473zT
— New Orleans Zephyrs (@zephyrsbaseball) July 31, 2014
It would appear as though Canha's pull is probably nothing, as he is literally listed in the lineup for the second half of the doubleheader tonight for New Orleans. I'd have more questions regarding German, who only threw one inning in the Futures Game. He was pulled after just three innings, and with Miami boasting mid-tier pitching prospect depth, the club may have found a trade of interest with him as the starting piece.
We'll keep an eye for all your Marlins trade rumors needs right here on Fish Stripes!
UDATE: 9:41 PM EST
It appears German also has a good excuse for his early exit. According to Chris Cotillo of MLB Daily Dish:
Told #Marlins prospect Domingo German has innings limit and is throwing only 3 innings per game for rest of year. Doesn't appear to be trade
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) July 31, 2014
The real fireworks may be yet to come, as Miami is still in pursuit of Ian Kennedy according to Cotillo, but it looks like these two prospects may still be Marlins by tomorrow's end.