Miami Marlins: Three candidates for the trade block

Now that the calendar has turned to June, let us take a look at some trade candidates for the Miami Marlins.

Heading into Monday, the Miami Marlins were showing some signs of life. They had won 11 of their last 16 games, no longer looking like the doormats they had been at the beginning of the season. With Derek Jeter demanding that the team be competitive, this recent run has to be great to see.

Nonetheless, the Marlins remain last in the NL East, 11 games back in the division. While the division as a whole has disappointed, it is still quite the climb for the Marlins to get back into the race. The Phillies have already made a move to upgrade their lineup, while the Dallas Keuchel and Craig Kimbrel dominoes have yet to fall.

As such, the Marlins should be active at the trade deadline. With their focus on attempting to build sustainable success at the major league level, Miami will need to add impact players to their system. While they may not have the type of player that would bring back a top prospect, the Marlins could end up with some intriguing pieces. After all, just look at some of the prospects that the Marlins have traded away over the years…

Which players could the Miami Marlins trade at the deadline? Let’s take a look.

Sergio Romo

At first glance, Sergio Romo would not seem like the type of player that would bring much of a return for the Miami Marlins.

So far in 2019, Romo has posted a 4.50 ERA and a 1.400 WHiP, striking out 21 batters with 11 walks in his 20 innings of work. However, he has notched 11 saves in 12 chances, managing to get those final three outs to lock down the game.

Romo’s numbers have also been skewed by his first outing of the year. He allowed four runs on three hits and a walk while recording just one out. Taking that performance away, Romo has a 2.75 ERA and a 1.220 WHiP, numbers that would be far more enticing at first glance.

It also helps that Romo has pitched in a variety of roles over his career. He has been a solid closer, with four seasons of over 20 saves. Romo has also worked as a setup man, and was even the first player that the Rays used as an opener to get the rest of the team on board with the concept. In fact, in 2018, Romo appeared in every inning except the third.

Bullpen arms are always in demand come the trade deadline. With Sergio Romo able to fill a variety of roles, he could be an intriguing trade chip for the Miami Marlins.

Jose Urena

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.