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Miami Marlins acquire Fernando Rodney for Chris Paddack

Miami’s bullpen just got better.

By Scott Gelman
San Diego Padres v Milwaukee Brewers Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images

Miami acquired veteran reliever Fernando Rodney from the Padres in exchange for Single-A prospect Chris Paddack, the club announced Thursday afternoon.

ESPN’s Keith Law was the first to report a deal between the two clubs was close. Aroldis Chapman was among the other relievers the Marlins expressed interest in, according to MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro.

While the Marlins’ bullpen ranks 13th in baseball and sixth in the National League in ERA, the club was known to be seeking relief help. Miami will likely now focus on adding another starter.

Rodney, 39, pitched to a 0.31 ERA and 22.9 ERA over 28.2 innings with San Diego. His .137 average against is the best in baseball among qualifying relievers, and Rodney successfully converted all 17 save opportunities with the Padres.

Miami’s bullpen now has a pair of closers that haven’t blown a save this season. Marlins closer A.J. Ramos is 24-for-24 in save opportunities.

It’s unclear how the Marlins plan to use Rodney, but the club upgraded its bullpen by adding him to the mix. Kyle Barraclough, David Phelps, Rodney and Ramos will likely pitch late in games for the Marlins.

Rodney has a 2017 club option in his contract.

Although the Marlins added relief depth, they lost Paddack, their eight round selection in last year’s draft. Paddack, 20, pitched to a 0.95 ERA over 28.1 innings and six starts in Single-A.

Over 73.2 minor league innings, Paddack has posted a 1.71 ERA.

SB Nation’s John Sickels deemed Paddack Miami’s 13th-best prospect entering 2016:

Age 20, eighth round pick in 2015 from high school in Texas, posted 2.18 ERA with 39/7 K/BB in 45 innings in rookie ball. Was supposed to be quite raw but projectable. He’s still projectable at 6-4, 190, but pitchability was much better than advertised, showing excellent change-up and promising curve, sharp control. Aggressive placement here ahead of better-known prospects but seems like a real breakthrough candidate.

A scout told FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal Paddack has a bright future:

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