Miami Marlins trade rumors: Club scouting Sonny Gray

Miami had scouts present to watch Ervin Santana and Sonny Gray pitch in Minnesota’s 4-0 win over the Athletics on Wednesday, according to Susan Slusser of The San Francisco Chronicle.

Gray allowed a run over six innings while Santana tossed a two-hit shutout.

After improving their bullpen by acquiring Fernando Rodney from the Padres, the Marlins appear interested in upgrading their starting rotation. As has been the case in the past, the Marlins are seeking a controllable starter rather than a rental type arm.

Miami has been linked to Jake Odorizzi and Drew Pomeranz and reportedly was interested in Bud Norris before the Braves dealt him to Los Angeles.

It seems unlikely Gray, who is winless in his last 12 starts, will be moved by the Athletics, since he isn’t arbitration eligible until 2017 and won’t be a free agent until 2020. However, it might be something the Athletics, now 13 games under five-hundred, consider before the non-waiver trade deadline.

Over 90.2 innings this season, Gray has pitched to 5.16 ERA and 4.50 FIP. While Gray is having a down year, he posted a 2.88 ERA over his first three seasons in Oakland and could be a realistic front-end of the rotation arm for the Marlins.

Like Gray, Santana hasn’t had much success this season, pitching to a 4.06 ERA and 4.09 FIP over 93.0 innings with the Twins. He could be a more realistic option for the Marlins, who don’t have many prospects to include in deals this summer.

Santana won’t be a free agent until 2019 and could be the No. 4 or No. 5 starter the Marlins appear to be searching for. He signed a four-year, $55 million deal entering 2015.

Miami might not have enough depth to acquire Gray, but Santana could be a realistic option. It seems the Marlins are considering every option before making a move.