The Miami Marlins have been toying with their fans' emotions for most of the 2014 s..."/> The Miami Marlins have been toying with their fans' emotions for most of the 2014 s..."/> The Miami Marlins have been toying with their fans' emotions for most of the 2014 s..."/>
Call to the pen
Fansided

Trade Deadline Preview: Miami Marlins

By Travis Honeycutt

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Middle Infielder

Until both recently landed on the DL the Marlins had been trotting out Adeiny Hechavarria and Rafael Furcal at shortstop and second base. They have posted respective .272/.299/.332 and .171/.216/.229 batting lines. Yeah, that’s bad. The Marlins likely have their shortstop of the future in the pleasantly surprising Derek Dietrich, but could certainly use an immediate upgrade at one of the middle infield spots.

1. Ben Zobrist

The Marlins struck a deal with the Rays last year to acquire a solid middle infield prospect in Dietrich, so why not come full circle and pick up a player like Zobrist? He is in the last year of a very affordable five-year, $23 million contract but has a player option for next year. And with the Rays firmly in the AL East basement and on the verge of throwing in the towel at any time, they could net a solid haul for their career .785 OPS-ing utility infielder/outfielder.

As I mentioned earlier, the Rays love pitching depth and the Marlins have plenty to offer. Add in perhaps a middle infield prospect to compensate — Miami has a promising kid in Avery Romero in low-A ball — and this is a deal that I don’t think would be unheard-of for a contending Marlins team.

2. Rickie Weeks

Weeks has been a bummer over the past couple years for the Milwaukee Brewers, and has opened the door for Scooter Gennett to surface as the full-time second baseman. The Marlins have hit for surprising power this year at Marlins Park, which was considered one of the best pitchers’ parks in baseball, and Weeks could provide even more pop in the middle of a lineup which already includes Garrett Jones, Jarrod Saltalamacchia and of course, Giancarlo Stanton.

3. Anyone but Adeiny Hechavarria

I’m sorry, but the Marlins need to accept that their shortstop is a complete bust. In 2013, he was literally the worst hitter in MLB, slashing .227/.267/.298 in 578 (!!) plate appearances. That was good for a -1.6 WAR according to Baseball Reference. While he has improved so far in 2014 (which was not hard to do), he is still posting just a .272/.299/.332 line. He just doesn’t get on base, almost never walks and has no power whatsoever to justify a full-time starting job. The Marlins front office is still enamored with his occasional flashy defensive play, but the Marlins are going nowhere with Hechavarria in the lineup and unfortunately have no viable predecessor waiting in the minors.

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