There are times when Jose Urena looks like a building block for the Miami Marlins. Then there are times when Urena does not appear to have a clue as to what he is doing on the mound.
This season has been the typical mixed bag of results. Urena has four outings where he has given up at least four runs, but also has seven outings of allowing two or fewer runs. All told, his performance has led to a roughly league average 4.14 ERA and a 1.340 WHiP, with 49 strikeouts and 22 walks in his 71.2 innings.
With a number of intriguing arms coming through the system, and a rotation that is already filled with young arms, the Marlins will eventually need to make some moves. Urena, even though he is under team control through 2022, is the most expensive of their starting pitchers. As the Marlins have looked to slash costs where they can, Urena would be a logical candidate to be sent away.
Although Urena would not be a top of the rotation solution, he could fill a role as a decent third or fourth starter. His remaining years under team control, as well as his moments of brilliance, could lead plenty of teams to have an interest. Should Urena come available, the Marlins might end up with a better return than one would expect.
The Miami Marlins do not need to trade Jose Urena. However, with the arms coming up in their system, and the increases coming in arbitration, it may be time.