MLB Trade Rumors: Marlins ‘actively shopping’ AJ Ramos

The Marlins are “actively shopping” closer AJ Ramos, according to the Miami Herald’s Clark Spencer, and plenty of teams have shown interest.

FanRag’s Jon Heyman named six teams who are in on Ramos — the Diamondbacks, Rockies, Rays, Red Sox, Brewers and Cubs — and mentioned that even more unnamed teams could be interested.

Of those six teams, some have established closers and would use Ramos in more of a set-up role, while others could give the 30-year-old right-hander the ninth inning.

One team that could give him any role is the Rays, while the Diamondbacks also fall into that boat. Arizona has had former Marlin Fernando Rodney closing games this season, but it has been a rollercoaster ride as he has blown five of his 27 save chances.

Rodney’s strikeout rate is up at 10.19 K/9, but his 5.23 ERA is his highest since 2003. He has gone on streaks where he has been lights out and then has suddenly lost everything on mound at times as well.

If Ramos is dealt to one of the other four teams listed, he would most likely have to assume a new role in the bullpen. The Cubs (Wade Davis), Rockies (Greg Holland), Brewers (Corey Knebel) and Red Sox (Craig Kimbrel) all have established closers and would use Ramos to improve the rest of their bullpen’s depth.

As far as the return on the closer, the Marlins got quite a return for David Phelps from the Mariners, and they could get even more for Ramos. The righty could bring back two of a team’s top-10 prospects, plus a few other fringe minor leaguers.

The Brewers have the best farm system of the six teams, with the Rockies and Rays close behind. All three can be considered top-10 minor league systems in baseball. Plus, it’s important to remember that the Marlins got what they did for Phelps from a Mariners system that ranks in the bottom 10 in baseball.