New Marlins Josh Bell, Jake Burger ready to play for team ‘that’s competing to win’
Josh Bell hadn’t heard any rumors linking him to being on the trading block. It wasn’t until he was told right around the 6 p.m. Tuesday that the Cleveland Guardians were trading him to the Miami Marlins, just seven-and-a-half months after they signed him to a $16.5 million deal with a player option for the 2024 season.
His initial reaction to the trade?
“Definitely fortunate for the opportunity to play here,” Bell said, “for a team that’s competing to win.”
Indeed, the Marlins are in the midst of a playoff push. They entered their Wednesday game against the Philadelphia Phillies just one game out of wild card position with 54 games left in the regular season.
And Bell, a switch-hitting first baseman, wasn’t the only addition they made at the deadline. Miami also acquired third baseman Jake Burger from the Chicago White Sox to add another batter to the lineup and left-handed pitcher Ryan Weathers from the San Diego Padres to add starting pitching depth.
Both Bell and Burger are in the lineup Wednesday, with Bell batting third and Burger batting sixth. Bell slots in behind leadoff hitter Luis Arraez and two-hole hitter Jorge Soler, the Marlins’ typical one-two punch at the top. Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Avisail Garcia, both of whom recently returned from injury, slot into the Nos. 4 and 5 spots in the lineup between Bell and Burger.
“I definitely like the new look of the lineup,” Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said. “It shows you the front office is in it to win it for us and gives you some energy in that clubhouse that [shows] they believe in us.”
Bell and Burger both bring aspects the Marlins need in their lineup.
Bell being a switch-hitter with a history of success gives the Marlins a player they can slot into different spots in the lineup.
Burger gives Miami another power threat. His 25 home runs are tied for the ninth-most in baseball.
“Ready to play some fun baseball here,” Burger said, “and compete for a playoff spot.”
Defensively, Bell will play first base and get time at designated hitter. Burger will primarily play third base but could get time at first base, too, Schumaker said.
Yuli Gurriel is the Marlins’ other option at first base, while Soler has been getting the bulk of his playing time at designated hitter although he has played his share of games in right field.
Cooper reflects on Marlins career
Heading into the season, Garrett Cooper was the last remaining player from the Marlins’ Opening Day roster in 2018, the first season under the Bruce Sherman ownership group. He was part of the first trade under the ownership group, joining the Marlins along with left-handed pitcher Caleb Smith from the New York Yankees for Michael King.
That came to an end Tuesday when he was traded along with right-handed pitcher prospect Sean Reynolds for Weathers.
Cooper’s parting words shortly after the trade became official: “It’s part of the business. You spend six years in an organization, you kind of grow up and mature through the big leagues at this level. Nothing but great things to say about the Marlins the last six years. They gave me a chance to play every day. It’s just been a wild ride. I’ve gone through so many different things with this organization, so many different coaching staff [members], so many different hitting coaches. It says everything. You see the fruits of the labor this year. They’re doing well. It’s just an exciting time to be part of this organization.”
Does that make the trade bittersweet, considering he went through all of the struggles only to be shipped off right as they’re on the cusp of potentially breaking through?
“No,” Cooper said. “It’s just part of the business. You can sign a deal somewhere and you can get traded the next day. ... Not many guys spend their careers in one organization. Nothing but great things to say the last six years.”
This and that
▪ The Marlins optioned utility player Garrett Hampson to Triple A Jacksonville to make room on the active roster for Bell and Burger. Miami already had one open spot on the 26-man roster after the trades on Tuesday, so only one transaction needed to be made.
▪ The Marlins have an open spot in the starting rotation that is scheduled to pitch on Saturday after optioning Edward Cabrera to Triple A Jacksonville. Schumaker said pregame Wednesday the organization is still mulling its options on how it plans to fill it.
This story was originally published August 2, 2023 at 5:01 PM.
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