2026 Transactions: Marlins Get Blalock, Braves Add Mateo

From a moves standpoint, it’s been a very quiet past few days for the offseason hot stove. There was some movement on January 20, as the Rockies traded recently-DFA’d pitcher Bradley Blalock to the Marlins.

Blalock traded to Marlins

The Marlins and Rockies announced a trade on January 20. Bradley Blalock, who was previously designated for assignment by the Rockies, was acquired by Miami for Minor League pitcher Jake Brooks.

Blalock, a 25-year-old right-hander, spent parts of two seasons with the Rockies, between 2024 and 2025. Colorado acquired him in July 2024 as part of the deal that sent Nick Mears to the Brewers.

The new Marlin is a five-pitch pitcher who, on paper, does have an interesting pitch mix. A mid-90s four-seam with cut and ride, coupled with a slider and death-ball-like curveball that sits in the low-80s. Additionally, Blalock has a splitter and cutter.

However, Blalock was hit quite hard as a Rockie. Blalock gave up 11 home runs off the four-seamer this past year. Across seven outings at home with Colorado, he conceded nine home runs and posted a 12.27 ERA over 29.2 IP.

Colorado turned him into Brooks, a 24-year-old who was an 11th-round pick by the Marlins in 2023. Brooks posted a 2.28 ERA over 114.2 IP in 2024 with Low-A Jupiter, where he showed a low-to-mid-90s sinker, along with a changeup and slider. This past year, he struck out 97 and walked 24 over 116.1 IP between High-A and Low-A.

Brooks is a heavy groundball pitcher. His GB% of 51.7% in the Midwest League this past season ranked among the top-20 in the circuit.

Mateo joins Braves

The Braves announced on January 20 that utilityman Jorge Mateo signed a one-year deal with the team.