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Where every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, I’ll be starting your baseball day with some news, notes, and thoughts about the game we love.
On Friday night, after a horrendous 9-24 start to the season, the Marlins waved the white flag barely a month into the campaign when they traded back-to-back batting champion Luis Arraez to the Padres for a quartet of prospects. Arraez almost certainly won’t be the last player Miami will swap for prospects this year as new president of baseball operations Peter Bendix looks to reset his beleaguered roster and build for the future.
Considering the team’s position, there are only two Marlins players who should be off limits to prospective trade partners, starting pitchers Eury Pérez and Sandy Alcantara, who are both out for the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Alcantara, who signed a five-year, $56 million extension after the 2021 season, should be ready for Opening Day, while Pérez will miss at least a couple months of next season, too.
Players the Marlins could deal:
Jazz Chisholm Jr., CF
Few players in baseball are more entertaining than the lefty-swinging Jazz Chisholm Jr., who’s been viewed as a key piece for the Marlins since his 2021 rookie year. Chisholm’s 2024 hasn’t been great thus far but he’s stayed healthy and is taking walks more than ever. The 26-year-old Chisholm is earning $2.625 million this year and isn’t a free agent until the conclusion of the 2026 season.
Best Fits: Phillies, Mariners, Royals, Guardians
Jesús Luzardo, SP
The Marlins made a savvy deal back in 2021 when they acquired lefty starter Jesús Luzardo from the A’s. Luzardo has two more years of club control after this one.
Best Fits: Dodgers, Rangers, Giants, Twins, Astros
Bryan De La Cruz, OF
Bryan De La Cruz hasn’t had a flashy career to date but some of the stronger teams at hitting development could look to iron out some kinks with him.
Best Fits: Phillies, Rays, Mariners, Cardinals
Of course, the Marlins should look to deal away more than just these three players. Some of these players probably will be traded, if for no reason other than to shed some payroll.
Alek Manoah Looks Like Himself, for Better and Worse
On Sunday, Blue Jays righty Alek Manoah returned to a big league mound for the first time since August 10. His command was shaky in his return performance, and ultimately, if he wants to stick in the rotation and resurrect his career, he’ll have to make more competitive pitches.
