Miami Marlins trade rumors: Any prospect available in deal for starting pitching

Miami Owner Jeffrey Loria is “committed to improving the rotation,” and as a result, the Marlins are considering trading any prospect in a deal for pitching if the return is right, according to Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald.

As the trade deadline approaches, the Marlins are reportedly hoping to add at least one but potentially two starters to a rotation that features Jose Fernandez and Adam Conley, who are having success this season.

Since the Marlins don’t have much minor league depth, they could take on extensive salaries in the right deals. However, even that might not be enough to acquire one of the few starters known to be available.

Teams continue to express interest in Josh Naylor, according to Jackson, but the Marlins are unlikely to part ways with Naylor in a deal for a rental starter. If the club is able to add a controllable arm, though, Naylor might be in play.

Naylor, Miami’s first round draft pick in 2015 and second-best prospect according to MLB.com, is batting .265/.314/.429 with nine home runs, 53 RBIs and 10 stolen bases this season. The Marlins don’t have much first base depth, which could make them even more hesitant to trade Naylor this summer.

While Naylor is drawing interest, Class-A pitcher Luis Castillo is a “hot prospect to move,” according to MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro. Miami acquired Castillo in the Casey McGehee deal with the Giants after 2014.

Castillo is having a solid season with Class-A Jupiter, pitching to a 2.25 ERA over 100.0 innings this season. MLB.com deemed Castillo the Marlins’ sixth-best prospect.

For an organization that lacks minor league depth, moving prospects for starting pitching could be counterproductive. However, the Marlins also want to capitalize on the opportunity, and given the market for starting pitching, it might take several prospects to add established starters.