The Miami Marlins 2024 season has undoubtedly started on the wrong foot, and now they are in full rebuild mode. Whether the problems are mounting injuries to the rotation, their manager rumored to be leaving, or they just traded their best player. The Marlins season is practically doomed. Even their own GM publicly expressed he feels they will not make the playoffs this year. This is disappointing to players and fans as they hoped this year would be a continuation of last season’s playoff berth. Fans expected to see the Marlins come back stronger this year and make it deeper into the playoffs. Instead, they got a mediocre team whose front office could care less to try to improve.
Instead, their new GM, Peter Bendix, has chosen to rebuild. Their first step would be the recent trade of 2B Luis Arraez to the San Diego Padres. Arraez was the Marlin’s most consistent player, leading them to their 2023 playoff berth. The Marlins shocked the league, but they’re not done there. According to Jon Heyman, a rival executive sums up the state of the rebuild and season by saying, “The entire team is up for grabs.” The Marlins have various assets that could be valuable to other teams. Once they’re gone, the Marlins can properly begin this rebuild.
https://t.co/d1X7UX4OI6. Rival on Marlins: “ The entire team is up for grabs” (2 most coveted fish 🐠 in here)
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) May 10, 2024
Marlins Players Most Likely Being Traded This Season
1. LHP Jesus Luzardo
The Marlins acquired Jesus Luzardo from the Oakland Athletics in 2021. Ever since then, he has been one of their best-starting pitchers and most consistent. In 2023, he had a 10-10 record and had a 3.58 ERA with 208 SO. He was named head of the rotation this season but has failed to live up to this name. So far this season, he has a 0-2 record with a 6.58 ERA and 27 SO. Although there is room to improve, he is not performing like last season. Despite these early issues, he remained dominant the previous season and could return to his former glory.
Luzardo is an appealing pitcher for teams needing a strong pitcher with some years under their belt. He could also be very appealing to other teams because he has two years of control left in his contract if traded. If he’s traded and the rebuild begins, we could start seeing guys like Max Meyer or Noble Meyer come up from the minors.
2. DH/1B Josh Bell
Miami acquired Josh Bell in the middle of the 2023 season. Bell and fellow trade deadline acquisition Jake Burger would help lead the Marlins to a playoff appearance. 2023 Bell played 150 games split between the Cleveland Guardians and Marlins. He had a .247 AVG with 22 home runs and 74 RBIs. This year, he has started slowly with merely a .200 AVG with 4 HR and 13 RBI in 140 AB. While his slow start could be discouraging, he is still proven to be a quality bat in the lineup that many teams could be seeking. Bell needs to stay consistent with the bat because his defense is not the best, so if traded, it would most likely be for DH purposes.
3. SP Tanner Scott
Another Marlins player on track to be traded is relief pitcher Tanner Scott. Scott had his best year last season, putting up a 2.31 ERA, 104 strikeouts, and a 0.99 WHIP with 12 saves. So far in 2024, he has a 1.57 WHIP and a 2.57 ERA with four saves. His stuff has not been as good as 2023, but it’s still too early to write him off. Scott will become a free agent by 2025, so the Marlins will likely want to trade him. Many playoff-hopeful teams will capitalize on Scott to add depth to their bullpen.
4. 2B/CF Jazz Chisholm Jr.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Marlins could be looking to trade Chisholm to start the rebuild. Chisholm Jr. is one of the Marlin’s best players, but he has room to improve. Last season, he battled some injuries and could not reach his full potential. As of late, he has been healthy, has played in 39 games, and batted a .238 AVG with 5 HR and 20 RBI. He is set to be a free agent in 2027. Teams will see him as a cheap option to add a pop or fill a spot in the lineup.
Peter Bendix says he doesn’t know what to expect when I asked if Jazz Chisholm Jr. would be on the Marlins roster at the end of the season.
— Andy Slater (@AndySlater) May 4, 2024
5.3B Jake Burger
Like Bell, Jake Burger joined the Marlins in 2023 amidst a playoff push. Burger was essential to their playoff run. In 2023, with the White Sox and the Marlins, Burger played 141 games and had a .250 AVG with 34 HR and 80 RBI. So far in 2024, he encountered an injury early in the season but is already back playing. In 20 games, he has a .192 AVG, 3 HR, and 15 RBI. Burger is set to be a free agent in 2028, meaning he has a lot of control left in his contract, which could be appealing to many teams.
Main Photo Credits: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
