Everything Must Go: Who Else Will the Miami Marlins Flip?

Assets on Offense

After Arraez’s departure, the cupboard of offensive pieces that carry trade value in Miami really boils down to one person: Jazz Chisholm Jr.

All That Jazz

With Jazz, it is hard to determine his trade value, largely due to his inability to stay on the field. Although he has remained healthy throughout this season *knocks on wood,* Jazz hasn’t eclipsed the 100-game mark in any year outside of 2021.

However, when he is on the field, there is no denying that the talent does indeed flash. His transition to center field did not get off to a great start, but he has become far more familiar with the position. His combination of speed, power, overall athleticism, and contract control through the 2027 season should bode well for the Marlins in terms of a possible trade return.

So-called “character concerns” will likely weigh heavily on the minds of potential suitors. If Chisholm were to be traded, you’d assume it would be to a team with a strong clubhouse and established veterans that would likely be able to withstand any potential problems.

More Offensive Assets

Aside from Jazz, this team doesn’t have any moveable position players that could net a strong return and help propel the farm system in the overall prospect rankings.

It would not be a stretch to say that Bryan De La Cruz is the next-best trade asset the Marlins have on the offensive side. After coming over from the Astros in exchange for reliever Yimi García in 2021, De La Cruz has been a steady and solid contributor for Miami on both sides of the ball.

Then there are the likes of Josh Bell, Tim Anderson, and Jesús Sánchez. With Sánchez, the Marlins may be able to find a trade partner who believes in the potential of his bat and is willing to take a flier on him.

Bell and Anderson, however, have not done much this season to warrant a team parting with anything substantial. If either of the two veterans were to be moved, I would have trouble imagining the return is for anything other than organizational depth pieces.

Starting Pitching Assets

This should come to the surprise of no one, but Jesus Luzardo is the most valuable trade asset currently on the Marlins roster.

Since Miami acquired the hard-throwing left-hander in exchange for Starling Marte, Luzardo has become a staple of the team’s rotation. Molded by the hands of pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre Jr., Luzardo has been able to tap into the high potential that he has been tied to ever since he was selected by the Washington Nationals in the third round of the 2016 draft.

Rumors of Luzardo being on the trade block date back to the Winter Meetings when there were murmurs of a 1-for-1 swap with the Royals that would have had first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino heading south to Miami.

Now that Luzardo has returned from his IL stint, and has no reported ailments following his first outing, the rumors could likely re-emerge; the need for high-end starting pitching only continues to grow across the league.

With Sandy Alcantara and Eúry Perez on the shelf, Braxton Garrett might be the only other starting pitcher who could garner a decent return on the trade market.

After Edward Cabrera sustained another injury, and given the up-and-down nature of his outings, I would doubt there is a market for him anymore. The window for the Marlins to move Cabrera would have been in the offseason when rumors of a potential trade between the Marlins and Pirates floated around.

Bullpen Asset

This Marlins bullpen has been a shell of its former self, compared to the unit’s performance last season.

Tanner Scott came into the season as one of, if not arguably the top relief pitcher in baseball. After a couple of setbacks during the spring, he just has not been able to regain his form from 2023; he would no longer net the same return he could have gotten for the Marlins had they moved him in the offseason.

That said, multiple contending teams are starved for back-end bullpen arms, and a change of scenery could be what Scott needs to return to the 2023 version of himself.

What Happens Now?

The Marlins are clearly looking to reshape the organization after moving on from Arraez. Bendix took on his new position without much to work with, and he is going to have to try to maximize all he can out of what’s currently there.

Marlins fans, it’s going to get uglier before it gets pretty. Just give it time and trust that Bendix will do what’s right for the future of the organization, even if it doesn’t look like that now.