What will the Marlins do about the trade deadline?

We have now entered an interesting time for the Marlins in which they are close to contention, but may need assistance in the bullpen to compete against the NL East. There are eight games until the deadline which means a lot could change, but primarily the record will impact the team’s decision moving forward. If the team manages to stay afloat over .500, you could easily see the team decide to make a trade to acquire a veteran arm for an affordable cost, without jeopardizing future contention. Then again, if the team struggles—losing six of the next eight as the Braves pull away—it will more likely be a hands-off approach, reluctantly working with what they have down the stretch.

Reinforcements are on the horizon from the COVID-19 players and the farm system that still has impact talent capable of assisting the squad. It’s important to note that every veteran on the roster is one spot less for a potentially major league-ready player to fill. You already see this with Lewin Díaz and it may soon be the case for Jesús Sánchez, as their roles get reduced by the veterans and offseason acquisitions.

As the trade deadline comes closer, there are really only three options: acquire a bullpen arm for little value, trade away surplus talent for talent in places of need long term, or do nothing. No one predicted the Gallen-Chisholm trade last season, but it’s possible the team could pull off another trade similar to it.

The Marlins have been linked to the Royals which leaves me hesitant at best. Bullpen arms that they’re likely to put on the trading block include Ian Kennedy or Trevor Rosenthal. Kennedy had a resurgence last season, converting from a starter to a closer, posting an ERA of 3.43 and 30 saves, but has struggled to find his form again this season, already giving up 6 home runs in just 11 ²⁄₃ innings pitched. Rosenthal, however, is finding his St. Louis Cardinals form again under his former manager. The pending free agent has only given up one run in 10 innings pitched with 14 strikeouts.

I am hesitant about any trade that acquires the closer though, because he has found success under Mike Matheny. Last season, he was released by three different teams and left for dead until he was recovered by his former manager. The Kansas City closer allowed 23 runs and 26 walks in just 15 innings in a 2019 season where he obviously struggled. Could he keep the magic once he’s separated from Matheny? I don’t believe so. The process with the Miami Marlins has always been simple: acquire as much talent as possible. Trading for pending free agents has not been the front office’s philosophy.

If the Marlins are going to make a move this offseason that gives up controllable pieces, it will be because they believe it will help the team as they reach their window of contention. The corner outfield spots have a lot of talent, but I think it may be possible they move some surplus into potentially second base or center field. Is someone like Elieser Hernandez available for a talented positional player? The front office hasn’t given us any glimpses of their plans other than they want to acquire as much talent as possible.

This trade deadline will be unpredictable, but keeping in mind the process that the organization has preached will help you understand their view point as the deadline approaches.