Marlins trade rumors: Club open to moving Hechavarria for right starting pitcher

Miami is open to trading Adeiny Hechavarria and starting Miguel Rojas at shortstop if a deal built around Hechavarria would yield a top starting pitcher, according to FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal.

The Marlins are pursuing Rays starters Chris Archer, Matt Moore and Jake Odorizzi, but Tampa Bay isn’t very fond of losing a starter for a package involving Hechavarria, according to Rosenthal.

A source told Rosenthal the Marlins are “trying like crazy” to land any of the Rays’ three starters.

Miami has expressed interest in upgrading its starting rotation, though it seemed to be adamant about not moving any player on its major league roster.

Hechavarria, 27, is having his worst offensive year since 2013. After batting .278 last season, the Cuban shortstop has batted .238/.274/.336 with three home runs and 27 RBIs.

Hechavarria isn’t arbitration eligible until next season and won’t be a free agent until 2019, so the Marlins would be parting with a long-term option at shortstop. Beyond Rojas, Miami doesn’t have any immediate shortstop depth to turn to.

Rojas has been used off the bench and is batting .261 with 10 RBIs over 68 games this season.

The Marlins are seeking stability in their rotation, with Jose Fernandez and Adam Conley serving as the lone Miami starters to have consistent first halves.

Archer could be Miami’s primary target, but he isn’t having a dominant season, pitching to a 4.68 ERA and 4.36 FIP over 117.1 innings.

Odorizzi hasn’t been much better this season, pitching to a 4.47 ERA and 4.39 FIP over 104.2 innings. Moore has pitched to a 4.46 ERA and 4.59 FIP over 109.0 innings.

A rival executive told Rosenthal he doesn’t expect the Marlins to get any more than a rental starter before the deadline.