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As of Thursday afternoon, the Marlins have the unfathomable challenge of identifying 17 players to replace those who have recently tested positive for COVID-19. Some of those solutions will come from within the organization—fortunately, all players at the Marlins’ alternate training site in Jupiter are currently uninfected. But the front office is also surveying the waiver wire and inquiring with free agents who already have major league experience. Entertaining as it would be to rely on high-profile former Fish, the names below are fairly anonymous, and frankly, expendable. Keep in mind that recovered players will eventually need to be returned to Miami’s 60-man player pool and reinstated to the 40-man roster.
Here are key details about each acquisition (* indicates that the club hasn’t officially announced the acquisition yet):
- LHP Richard Bleier—Traded from Orioles for a player to be named later; prior MLB experience with Yankees (2016) and Orioles (2017-2020); 33 years old; one minor league option remaining
- C Wilkin Castillo*—Free agent signing; prior MLB experience with Reds (2008-2009) and Marlins (2019); 36 years old; two minor league options remaining
- RHP Brett Eibner*—Contract selected from Eastern Reyes del Tigre (independent league); prior MLB experience with Royals (2017), Athletics (2017) and Dodgers (2018); 31 years old; one minor league option remaining
- INF Logan Forsythe—Free agent signing; prior MLB experience with Padres (2011-2013), Rays (2014-2016), Dodgers (2017-2018), Twins (2018) and Rangers (2019); 33 years old; no minor league options remaining
- RHP James Hoyt—Traded from Indians for cash considerations; prior MLB experience with Astros (2016-2018) and Indians (2019); 33 years old; one minor league option remaining
If the Marlins can get James Hoyt into lots of matchups vs. right-handed batters, he could have a couple great months out of their bullpen. His slider is legit. pic.twitter.com/5zM6c48Kxf
— Fish Stripes (@fishstripes) August 2, 2020
- LHP Brian Moran—Claimed off waivers from the Blue Jays; prior MLB experience with Marlins (2019) and Blue Jays (2020); 31 years old; three minor league options remaining
- RHP Mike Morin—Claimed off waivers from the Brewers; prior MLB experience with Angels (2014-2017), Royals (2017), Mariners (2018), Twins (2019) and Phillies (2019); 29 years old; no minor league options remaining
- RHP Justin Shafer—Claimed off waivers from the Reds; prior MLB experience with the Blue Jays (2018-2019); 27 years old; two minor league options remaining
Some sliders from new Marlins RHP Justin Shafer pic.twitter.com/VIX8VgVa6V
— Fish Stripes (@fishstripes) July 27, 2020
- LHP Josh D. Smith—Claimed off waivers from the Reds; prior MLB experience with the Indians (2019) and Marlins (2019); 30 years old; two minor league options remaining
- SHP Pat Venditte*—Free agent signing; prior MLB experience with the Athletics (2015), Blue Jays (2016), Mariners (2016), Dodgers (2018) and Giants (2019); 35 years old; no minor league options remaining