The Miami Marlins hit a high in 2023 with their first playoff spot since 2003, finishing 84-78. However, their success has declined so far this year. The Marlins started the 2024 season with a franchise record-breaking 0-9 start and are currently 3-12. A major reason for this poor start has been their lack of offense and offseason free-agent acquisitions. With this disappointing start, questions are being raised about which Marlins players are candidates to be traded by the trade deadline this summer.
Marlins Candidates To Be Traded By The Trade Deadline
SP Jesús Luzardo
The Miami Marlins acquired Jesús Luzardo in a 2021 trade with the Oakland Athletics. He currently has three years of team control remaining in his contract and is set to be a free agent after the 2026 season. In 2023, Luzardo had a 10-10 record with a 3.63 ERA, 208 strikeouts, and 55 walks in 178 2/3 innings pitched. With the recent news of Sandy Alcántara‘s devastating injury, in 2024 Luzardo would seemingly fill his shoes and become the top-of-the-rotation starter.
The 26-year-old has encountered some struggles in his first three starts, though, with a 7.20 ERA and a 1.533 WHIP. Despite this, he is a very good option for many teams in need of starting pitching. If the Marlins don’t see the playoffs in the cards for 2024, Luzardo may end up traded. They would most likely rather revert their focus to improving their farm system. In addition, it is unlikely they will sign him to an extension. Early in the season, teams have already shown interest in pursuing a trade for him.
2B Luis Arráez
In Luis Arráez’s first season with the Marlins, he led the MLB in average with a .354 clip. This led to him finishing 8th in National League MVP voting and leading the Marlins to the playoffs. So far in 2024, he has a .259 average with 14 hits and eight strikeouts in 54 at-bats. Arráez is set to become a free agent after this season, and the Marlins will likely be trading him if their record doesn’t improve. His eventual extension should surpass $100 million.
The Marlins tend to avoid spending that much money on their star players, so this will probably end up with Arráez leaving or being traded. Like Luzardo, Arráez is an All-Star caliber player who has piqued the interest of many teams because of his offense. Although it will be hard to see the Marlins trade their best player, it looks like this is what will eventually take place.
Luis Arráez is a generational contact hitter pic.twitter.com/WmTmfNM13d
— Pitcherclips (@pitcherclips) April 13, 2024
1B Josh Bell
Josh Bell joined the Marlins via trade from the Cleveland Guardians at the 2023 trade deadline. He was added on to give depth to the Marlins offense. Bell did just that. He, Arráez, and fellow deadline acquisition Jake Burger carried the Marlins offense to clinch a postseason spot. However, Bell is set to become a free agent after this season. It looks like the Marlins might be looking to trade him by this summer. Ideally, they could add some top prospects to their farm systems in exchange for Bell.
In 2023, Bell had 135 hits, 22 homers, and a .247 AVG in 150 games played. Only time will tell whether the Marlins trade him, let him leave during free agency, or sign him to an extension. Between Bell, Luzardo, and Arraez, all top Marlins players, it will be hard to picture the state of the team without them.
Photo Credit: © Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports
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