How Marlins’ trade deadline approach differs from 2021. Plus looking back at Leblanc, Neidert
As Miami Marlins general manager Kim Ng answered questions for nearly 12 minutes Saturday, she pointed out one facet about how the organization’s approach at the trade deadline differs this season from what they did in 2021.
“Last year was a little bit different,” Ng said. “I think there were some easy objectives we were trying to meet.”
Last season, the Marlins knew they were going to have to trade outfielder Starling Marte when the two sides failed to agree on a contract extension. Marte was an impending free agent, and Miami opted to get something for him — in this case, left-handed starting pitcher Jesus Luzardo from the Oakland Athletics — instead of carrying him on the roster for two months when they were out of the playoff race only to see him walk.
Miami also traded right-handed relief pitcher Yimi Garcia to the Houston Astros for Bryan De La Cruz, outfielder Adam Duvall to the Atlanta Braves for Alex Jackson, and right-handed relief pitcher John Curtiss to the Milwaukee Brewers for catcher Payton Henry.
Garcia, like Marte, was on an expiring contract. Duvall had a mutual option for the 2022 season.
This year? Outside of maybe first baseman Jesus Aguilar, who has a $10 million mutual option for next season with a $200,000 buyout, none of the players on the Marlins’ active roster who could logically be seen as trade pieces are on expiring deals.
The group:
▪ Right-handed starting pitcher Pablo Lopez, who is under team control through the 2024 season.
▪ Right-handed relief pitcher Anthony Bass, who has a $3 million club option for the 2023 season or a $1 million buyout.
▪ Left-handed relief pitcher Steven Okert, who is under team control through the 2026 season and doesn’t enter arbitration until 2024.
▪ Right-handed relief pitcher Dylan Floro, who is under team control through the 2023 season.
▪ Left-handed relief pitcher Tanner Scott, who is under team control through the 2024 season.
▪ First baseman/designated hitter Garrett Cooper, who is under team control through the 2023 season.
In essence, the Marlins have some leverage when it comes to trade negotiations. They could — and should — make moves if they get the right offers. Pitching, specifically quality starting pitching with team control (like Lopez) and high-leverage relievers (like Bass, Okert, Floro and Scott), tend to get interest at the deadline.
But in another sense, there isn’t an outright need to deal anyone from this group regardless of if Miami plans to be buyers or sellers if the return is lackluster.
“We just have to take every deal individually,” Ng said, “and make sure that we’re addressing our needs.”
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Leblanc’s debut
Infielder Charles Leblanc, who has been a standout for the Triple A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp this season, made his MLB debut in Saturday’s 4-0 loss to the New York Mets. He went 1 for 3 at the plate, hitting a double to right field in the eighth inning, and played third base.
“It’s hard to explain,” Leblanc said. “I didn’t feel any pressure. After my first at-bat, my heart was just racing like crazy. So I was just like, ‘OK. Gotta calm down. Just got to see and hit. Had a pretty good second AB, I thought. The third one, I got a good pitch to hit and that happened.”
Leblanc, 26, joined the Marlins organization in December in the minor-league phase of the Rule 5 Draft. He hit .302 with 14 home runs, 20 doubles, 45 RBI and 47 runs scored in 87 games with the Jumbo Shrimp while playing second base, third base and left field.
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Neidert’s return
Nick Neidert has seen his role change multiple times this season.
After being a starting pitcher for the bulk of his career, the Marlins decided in spring training to transition the right-handed pitcher into being a reliever full-time.
That lasted ... about two months.
Neidert was used as a reliever for his first five outings with Triple A Jacksonville, a stretch that also included him being sidelined by a knee injury, before being built up as a starter again in June out of necessity as the organization dealt with injuries to a slew of starting pitchers both at the MLB level and in Triple A.
Neidert made his first MLB start of the season on Saturday, holding the Mets to two runs on five hits over five innings.
“It’s been a crazy year, going from starting to reliever now back to starter,” Neidert said. “They’re completely different roles, so having to learn both I think is a good tool to have.”
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