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Miami Marlins starters likely become more valuable following Johnny Cueto deal

Cueto is headed to Kansas City and starting pitchers will likely continue to be dealt.

Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Scott Kazmir and Johnny Cueto are now off the market. Kazmir was traded to Houston on Thursday and Cueto is reportedly joining the Royals as of Sunday afternoon. The market for starting pitching has started to heat up and as a result Miami's available starting pitchers will likely become even more valuable.

Dan Haren and Mat Latos are among the Marlins' pitchers drawing interest and both could be dealt before the end of next week. Brad Hand, Mike Dunn, Michael Morse, and Derek Dietrich have also all consistently been mentioned in trade rumors over the past few days.

Haren, 34, has had success in the middle of the Marlins' rotation, posting a 3.51 ERA and 4.54 FIP over 123.0 innings in 2015. The Dodgers are paying the majority of his 2015 salary and as a result the Marlins might not be in a hurry to deal him. He allowed three runs over six innings in his last start against the Padres but likely did not hurt his trade value.

Latos is on the mound against San Diego on Sunday afternoon and has posted a 4.48 ERA and 3.32 FIP over 82.1 innings. He is set to become a free agent and the Marlins might be more encouraged to move him before the end of next week.

Although prospects were involved in deals for Kazmir and Cueto, the Marlins might not receive as much in return. Hand is out of options and Latos and Haren are both impending free agents. Only a handful of teams are seeking starting pitching depth and as a result the Marlins might act quickly.

Even though Latos and Haren are not necessarily top of the rotation arms, the Marlins likely will have a better idea of what to expect in return with Kazmir and Cueto being traded. One of both could be dealt and dealt soon with the market for starters picking up.