Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports that the Miami Marlins “most immediate priority” is re-signing free agent Greg Dobbs. However, Frisaro notes that the Marlins also have another item high atop their shopping list; a frontline starting pitcher. After watching the Athletics send Gio Gonzalez to the Nationals, the Marlins are continuing their search for a top-of-the-rotation starting pitcher.
Miami was in on Gonzalez from the start, but the Marlins were unwilling to part with their major league talent in order to bring in the young left-hander. The A’s wanted Mike Stanton or Logan Morrison in any deal involving Gonzalez, but the Marlins were only interested in trading minor leaguers.
Unfortunately for Miami, the talent on their farm system didn’t match up with Oakland, and the A’s decided to send Gonzalez to the Nationals for a bevy of young arms.
Frisaro says the Marlins remain unwilling to deal Stanton or Morrison for starting pitching, but that the club is still on the hunt for a top-of-the-rotation arm. While the Marlins have plenty of options to fill in the back end of their rotation, they still seek another elite arm to pair with Josh Johnson and Mark Buehrle.
Frisaro believes that, while there are several intriguing options remaining on the free agent market, the Marlins are more likely to find a starter through a major trade than a signing.
Matt Garza and James Shields would certainly qualify as elite pitchers, but Frisaro isn’t sure the Marlins have what it would take to acquire such a pitcher without dealing Stanton or Morrison.
Frisaro says that a more likely option for the Marlins may be Astros left-hander Wandy Rodriguez.
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