Kim Ng and the Miami Marlins front office: A mid-term grade
By Bill Felber
Acquired or traded
Ng hasn’t been afraid to deal. Since the end of the 2022 season, she’s brought eight major leaguers to the Marlins from other teams, among whom Arraez is obviously the most consequential. His .396 average translates to a +2.5 WAA for Miami, making Arraez one of the most consequential pickups by any team since the end of play in 2022.
The Marlins also got their closer, A.J. Puk, in a trade with Oakland that cost J.J. Bleday. Puk is 3-2 with a 3.00 ERA and 12 saves, although that works out to just a +0.1 WAA.
The other six arrivals without exception have been role players. Matt Barnes and J.T. Chargois are both journeyman pitchers who have fleshed out the Miami bullpen. Daniel Castano and Sean Nolin have seen just enough action to merit being given a uniform. Outfielder Jonathan Davis and versatile Xavier Edwards have a handful of plate appearances to their credit.
Bleday is probably the most noteworthy departure, although his numbers in Oakland only translate to a 0.0 WAA. By the numbers, Ng gave up seven players in deals with other teams, not one of which has to date helped that receiving team.
The names are generally unfamiliar: Jeff Brigham, Richard Bleier, Cole Sulser.
The exception is Lopez, who was the bait Ng used to lure Arraez. With the Marlins in 2022, he was 10-10 in 32 starts encompassing 180 innings. He has not been nearly as effective in Minnesota, carrying a 3-5 record in 16 starts spanning 96 innings.
The 3.75 ERA he had in Miami is inflated by nearly three-quarters of a point.