Trade Deadline Snoozefest

Yesterday's trade deadline was one giant wet fart. The Marlins did absolutely nothing, though they apparently came close to trading Placido Polanco to the Yankees.

On the plus side, Jeffrey Loria declined to accept a ginormous offer for Giancarlo Stanton from the Pirates (unless he didn't). Either he wasn't willing to repeat the mistake of trading Miguel Cabrera, didn't want another massive fan backlash, or both, but we'll take it.

This brings us to the Trade Pool. With only Ricky Nolasco being dealt this year, everyone who entered the pool is in a tie for first place (since anyone with sense could see that move coming from a mile away). So here is what we will do. Instead of buying all of you a beer, we are extending the trade pool through the August 31 waiver deadline (for a good explanation of the mechanics of waiver wire deals, go here).

This is just a hunch, but the Marlins will place a bunch of their veterans on waivers in August (as just about every team does to test the waters), and we're betting some team will bite and try to work out a deal for Polanco, Juan Pierre, or one of Miami's relievers. So stay tuned...

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Marlins Trade Block: Who's Next?

With Ricky Nolasco shipped off to LA, our thoughts turn to who else the Marlins could send off into the Marlins diaspora before the July 31 trade deadline, and the answer is: probably no one.

Unless another team makes an offer with a bevy of top prospects, Giancarlo Stanton is not going anywhere (with three years of club control remaining, he is too valuable for even Jeffrey Loria to pawn off on a trade). This is entirely speculative, but I'm guessing the front office has learned its lesson from the Miguel Cabrera trade, namely that the best prospects are no sure thing, especially when they are exchanged for a budding young superstar.

Additionallu, there are not many more expensive contracts to unload. Placido Polanco and Adeiny Hechavarria are the highest paid Marlins now, each earning $2.75 million. The front office won't move Hechavarria, who won't be a free agent until 2019, and Polanco is not on anyone's wish list.

A few relievers could be dangled if another team offers an interesting prospect. Ryan Webb, Mike Dunn, and Steve Cishek fall into this category, though none make 7 figures. There are reports that teams are inquiring about Justin Ruggiano, but the Marlins may need him around to play centerfield and platoon with Juan Pierre in left field due to Chris Coghlan's back injury.

So we could be in for a quiet three weeks.

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Return of the Trade Pool

Now that the Marlins are firmly in "Get Rid of Expensive Veterans with Expiring Contracts" mode, the Diehards are pleased to announce the revival of the annual Marlins Trade Pool.

The rules are simple:

1. Pick five Marlins (all players in organization are eligible, including minor-leaguers) who you think could be traded before the July 31st deadline.
2. Rank those five players, one to five, in order of most likely to least likely to be traded.
3. Points will be awarded based on where the player is in each competitor's list. Number one selections who get traded will get five points, number twos get four and so on down to number five selections receiving one point.
4. Whoever has the most points immediately following the trade deadline wins. Prize tbd, but we'll probably send you a gift card to World of Beer or some such place.

Leave your list in the comments, post to our Facebook page, or tweet at us. 

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The Last Days of Ricky Nolasco

This is only a surprise if you weren't paying attention to the Marlins' winter fire sale: Ricky Nolasco is on the trade block. The Giants, Dodgers, Orioles, Padres, and Rockies are all interested, according to Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal.

Writing at Fish Stripes, Michael Jong thinks the Marlins are trying to act fast so that they can set the market for Nolasco:

The Marlins could be doing this to establish the most value for Nolasco. Getting a jump on the thin starting pitching market this season may allow the Fish to set the price for starters. Setting their own price could get them a better return, especially from a free-wheeling team like the Los Angeles Dodgers, than if the Fish waited until any bigger fishes like Yovani Gallardo or, if the market gets to that point, Cliff Lee become available.

Nolasco's fate has been sealed ever since the Marlins initiated their massive trade with Toronto last year. With his $11.5 million 2013 salary, plus his impending free-agent status, Nolasco would never be part of Miami's long-run plans. It's only a matter of time before he's gone. We'll always have the memories (of the haircuts and wardrobe).

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The Leocoaster is actually the Oviedocoaster

Leo Nunez has left the country:

Florida Marlins closer Leo Nunez has been playing under an assumed name, and the issue prompted him to return Thursday to his native Dominican Republic, two people familiar with his immigration status said.

Weeeeeeeird. Contrary to initial reports, his real name is not Leo Costa.

Both people said the Marlins have been aware of the issue for several months. They spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because Dominican and team officials haven't made any public comment on the case.

Let's pause for some guest commentary:

Glad we held onto Leo at the deadline.

Back to the story.

One of the people said Nunez's real name is Juan Carlos Oviedo and he's 29, a year older than listed in the team media guide. The Marlins placed Nunez on Major League Baseball's restricted list, and he isn't expected to pitch in the final week of the season.

That is officially the weirdest baseball story I've ever read. That is probably the end of Leo Nunez as a Marlin. It was already unlikely that the Fish would keep him this offseason, when he will get a hefty pay raise thanks to arbitration. Now it's an impossibility, coinciding with a huge drop in his trade value to boot.

Clearly this is why the team did not deal him at the trade deadline. If they knew about the issue, there was no way they could withhold it from any trading partner, and who would trade for a player that could be forced to leave the country at any time?

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You may not get many more rides on the Leocoaster

Another NBCMiami piece today, this time on potential trade deals:

With a playoff appearance looking more and more remote, the Florida Marlins are reportedly considering trading a few of their pitchers before the July 31 trade deadline.

According to CBSSports.com, the Fish are amenable to dealing starter Javier Vazquez and relievers Leo Nunez and Randy Choate.

Nunez will get $5+ million in arbitration this winter, and that's a lot to pay for a middling closer. Ted and I are of the same opinion on closers: There are usually 2 or 3 in all of baseball worth their weight in gold (think Mariano Rivera or John Smoltz in his brief closer stint), and the rest are interchangeable (SCWS thinks so, too). The Marlins (wisely) won't pay for Leo next year, so they may as well try to get something for him now.

Vazquez is an interesting case due to his no-trade clause. But he's on a one-year deal, so it makes little sense to keep him if the Marlins can't make a run at the playoffs. Finding a taker for Vazquez could be difficult, but the Tigers once traded John Smoltz for Doyle Alexander, so anything is possible.

I think the Marlins should hold on to Choate, though. He is only due $1.5 million in 2012, and he has been quite effective against lefties this year (facing 57 left-handed hitters in 2011, he has allowed only 5 hits and 1 walk, striking out 23). Unless someone blows them away with an offer, it would be wise to keep him.

Only slightly-related, but interesting nonetheless: Choate and Vazquez were traded for each other in 2003 when the Yankees sent Choate, Nick Johnson and Juan Rivera to Montreal for Javy.

One other thing:

Starters Josh Johnson, Ricky Nolasco and Anibal Sanchez are off the table, though, as the Marlins want to "build around" the trio as they move into their new stadium next season.

I would not have been surprised if Sanchez were dealt this year, but apparently the team wants to pay for his services over the next few years. Considering his injury history though, the Marlins might be declining to sell Sanchez when his value is highest. Here's hoping that doesn't turn out to be a mistake.

Speaking of selling high, remember when everyone was mad about the Marlins trading Dan Uggla? As of July 17, he's slashing .189/.264/.366, good for an OPS+ of 72. And the Braves have him for four more years. At least he makes up for it with his -1.2 defensive WAR, amirite?

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Hey, Trade Rumors!

ed. note: Please join our contest, the Marlins Diehards Trade Pool. Easy to play, anyone can enter.

We've come to the time now when trade rumors start to heat up ahead of the July 31st deadline. We shall highlight some here since it seems like the Marlins may be more active this year, in a bad way. Today's installment comes from Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.

The Marlins have made infielder Jorge Cantu and outfielder Cody Ross available, major league sources say, but are holding off - for now - on second baseman Dan Uggla and right-hander Ricky Nolasco.

Rosenthal goes on to mention that Cantu is probably a better fit for Colorado than Dan Uggla, because of Todd Helton's uncertain status (DL - lower back) and he will be due less in arbitration in 2011 than Uggla. Take from that whatever you'd like.

(h/t MLB Trade Rumors)

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Trade Deadline

The Marlins have traded minor-leaguer Aaron Thompson to the Nationals for Nick Johnson.

The deal seems really good for the Marlins. Jorge Cantu will likely displace Bonifacio at third, while Johnson moves into first base and the two-hole in the lineup. The Nats will be paying most of Johnson's remaining salary, and all the Marlins had to give up was a former first-rounder who couldn't get noticed in the minors behind Josh Johnson, Andrew Miller, Chris Volstad et al., and struggled this year in Double-A ball. Suckers. Welcome to the team, Nick. Don't fuck this up for us.

No one had Aaron in this year's Trade Pool, and it looks like there will be no winner this year, unless something else hits the news late. So no one is getting a free 12-pack from me this year. That's too bad for everyone else, but I'll be celebrating later with some Bell's Oberon.

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Decisions, Decisions

Eight days ago, I boldly proclaimed that the Marlins had gone from buyers to sellers in a matter of days, by virtue of losing three straight to the Phillies and also having a Josh Johnson start rained out. At that point they were seven back of Philadelphia and behind seven teams in the wild card race. But, as Dave pointed out yesterday, the club just took five of six out west, including two of three from the major league leading Dodgers. While they only gained a half a game on the Phillies, they are right back in the wild card race, sitting three and a half out, with just three teams in front of us.

This has now raised the dilemma that is the trading deadline for teams like us. We've seen before how even just a minor move or two can spark a run and put a team over the top. But there is the other side, when it just doesn't click and the trade can be looked at as a waste. For our sake, I hope there is at least some kind of mini-trade, enough that the Marlins Die-Hards Trade Pool can crown a winner. But, if you ask me to play GM for a minute, I would actually keep things as is. Our pitching can take us places. Josh Johnson is a beast, Nolasco seems to have worked things out, and Volstad has bounced back nicely. As for the offense, well if they could just take Emilio Bonifacio out of the damn lineup already, and replace him with someone more capable then that would be like adding a bat. Stat o' the day: Emilio sports a sub-.300% OBP which is the lowest of any position player on the active roster. Not only does he still play, he still hits first or second in the lineup. Why?

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