Miami Marlins New Acquisitions Tracker

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Miami, Florida – Behold the Miami Marlins new acquisitions tracker! After several days of crucial testing, the team might finally be able to put the COVID saga behind them. The organization has not reported any new cases, drawing negative test results. If everything holds up and the trend continues, the ballclub is set to resume its season on Tuesday. In the aftermath of the outbreak, the Fish have acquired several players to plug holes in a roster riddled with COVID-19. Because of so many names going around, it can be a bit hard to keep track of them all.

Miami has been searching for plenty of arms, particularly relievers in order to reinforce the bullpen. Based on what’s currently known, the relief corps appears to have been the most affected. Here are some of the players acquired by the Marlins so far.

Justin Shafer

Position: RP

Attainment: Acquired off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds. 

Shafer was grabbed from waiver wire with the likely intent of inserting him into the 30-man roster. The righty was designated for assignment without ever appearing in a game for the Reds. He did, however, see major league action in his two seasons in Toronto. Justin Shafer tossed 48 innings in 40 relief appearances, going 2-1 with a 3.75 ERA. He also struck out 41 hitters and owns a lowly 4.1K-BB%. Expect him to play a significant role with the Marlins. 

Marlins Claim Justin Shafer From Reds https://t.co/hk9owC2Mky pic.twitter.com/Hafog3m4YG

— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) July 27, 2020

Josh Smith

Position: RP

Attainment: Acquired off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds. 

Another add from Cincy’s waiver wire. Smith has also been sent to the Marlins’ alternate site in Jupiter for a few days before joining the boys when they return to big league action on August 4. Smith’s initial demotion was to clear up a spot on the 30-man roster for another wire pickup in Mike Morin. Morin doesn’t have any minor-league options remaining, forcing the move. After getting DFA’ed by the Reds, Josh Smith should find a role within a depleted pitching staff. His only experience in the majors was last season, posting a 6.39 ERA over 12.2 innings of work. He struck out 14 but also walked 11. 

Smith played for the Cleveland Indians last year and also made six appearances for the Fish according to Baseball-Reference.

Josh Smith claimed by the Marlins from the Indians in September 2019, claimed off waivers by Cincinnati October 16 2019 and now claimed by Miami and going back there. https://t.co/JcFAlouqer

— Brandon Strawford (@Slam_Hilliard22) July 27, 2020

Mike Morin

Position: RP

Attainment: Acquired off waivers from the Milwaukee Brewers. 

Like the others, Morin is expected to join the big league roster once the team can resume. The right-hander owns a career 4.65 ERA, tossing 224.2 innings, all of them in relief. Morin also has 192 career strikeouts and 59 walks. Last year his ERA was 4.62 in 52 relief appearances, playing for the Minnesota Twins and Philadelphia Phillies. Tossing for over 50 innings, he struck out 26. Morin will likely make his 2020 debut with the Marlins. 

Logan Forsythe

Position: 2B

Attainment: Signed to a Minor league contract.

Breaking the chain of pitchers, Forsythe’s last team was Philadelphia. He was released by the Phillies on July 18. At the time it wasn’t immediately known whether the 33-year-old would appear on another roster but fate had other plans. With the Marlins trying to replace the players they’ve lost to the outbreak, Logan Forsythe was immediately targetted. He has versatility in his ability to play all over the infield and corner outfield, ensuring him at least a bench position if he doesn’t become a regular in the lineup. 

Forsythe is a career .246 hitter with 70 home runs and 305 RBIs.

Marlins are likely going to claim/sign more players after agreeing to terms with Wilkin Castillo and Logan Forsythe and claiming Josh Smith, Justin Shafer and Mike Morin. Just getting started.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 31, 2020

Pat Venditte

Position: RP

Attainment: Signed to a Minor league contract.

Heading back towards the pitching, the Marlins enlisted a switch-pitcher who was previously with the ballclub. Venditte joined Miami earlier in the year as a non-roster invitee but chose free agency in July after being left out of the 60-man player pool. Now due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Venditte has been resummoned to join the organization. The ambidextrous pitcher made two appearances in 2019, allowing six runs over 3.1 innings. In 2018 his numbers are better, posting a 2.57 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in 14 innings. Career-wise Pat Venditte is 2-2 with a 5.03 ERA in 58 games. He’s logged 53 strikeouts in 68 innings pitched. 

The Nebraskan native spent 12 years in the minors after getting drafted twice by the New York Yankees in 2007 and 2008. His unique trait makes him useful, especially with the new three-batter rule. Get ready to see some innings with this guy. 

https://t.co/kL4xnzyvol

Can he start as a righty on Monday and a lefty on Tuesday? That would sure help the shorthanded Marlins.

— Roy Bellamy (@roybelly) July 30, 2020

Wilkin Castillo

Position: C

Attainment: Free agent signing.

Many of the players testing positive have not been publically announced but given the team added a catcher it looks like either Francisco Cervelli or Chad Wallach might have joined Jorge Alfaro on the COVID list. Speculation aside, Castillo brings prior big-league experience. He played for the Reds in 2008-2009 and is a familiar face to the organization appearing on the team last year. The 36-year-old appeared in 24 games during his career making 42 at-bats. His slash line is .286/.302/.333 logging two doubles, four RBIs, and eight whiffs.

Wilkin Castillo has two minor league options remaining. He spent 14 seasons in the minors, most of it in Triple-A with .262 batting average in that span. He’ll get some playing time depending on who is else is active on the depth chart.

Richard Bleier

Position: RP

Attainment: Trade via the Baltimore Orioles.

In their quest to load up on more arms, the Marlins acquired southpaw Richard Belier in exchange for a player to be named later. The lefty from North Miami Beach, Florida made two appearances for Baltimore this season tossing three scoreless innings. In that span, he allowed one hit and struck out four. The lefty owns an 8-1 record and 2.99 ERA in 166 career appearances which include one start, four saves, and 88 K’s. He was part of both the Yankees and Orioles organizations.

His numbers suggest a prominent role within the bullpen once the Marlins restart. When he was in Baltimore, the plan was to use him on a more situational basis particularly against left-handed heavy lineups. His 4.3 K/9 career rate likely means he’ll be pitching for contact. 

We have traded LHP Richard Bleier to the Miami Marlins in exchange for a Player To Be Named Later.

The Orioles 40-man roster currently has 38 players. The 60-man player pool has 54 players.

— Baltimore Orioles 😷 (@Orioles) August 1, 2020

James Hoyt

Position: RP

Attainment: Acquired from Cleveland Indians for cash.

Flashing some green, Miami obtained the right-handed pitcher from the American League. Hoyt owns a 4.16 ERA in 74 relief appearances with the Astros and Indians, notching 104 K’s and issuing only 26 walks. The veteran righty was DFA’d by Cleveland on July 28 and is expected to be with the ballclub when the team takes the field on Tuesday. Last year, he appeared in eight games for the Indians posting a 2.16 ERA and 0.96 WHIP in over eight innings of work. He struck out 10 in that span. 

This move is definitely a plus by the Marlins hoping to shore up it’s pitching. Expect to see James Hoyt sooner rather than later, possibly in a setup role or during the seventh inning. He’ll be one of the guys to keep an eye on when the Fish go up against the Orioles. 

If the Marlins can get James Hoyt into lots of matchups vs. right-handed batters, he could have a couple great months out of their bullpen. His slider is legit. pic.twitter.com/5zM6c48Kxf

— Fish Stripes (@fishstripes) August 2, 2020

Brian Moran

Position: RP

Attainment: Acquired off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays.

Another familiar name returns to the Marlins. Among the latest in a long line of acquisitions via waivers and trades, Moran was with the team in 2019. The 31-year-old made 10 appearances out of the bullpen last year, working just over six innings. He gave up three earned runs and six hits although he fanned 10. Hailing from the University of North Carolina, the southpaw was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in 2009 as part of the MLB June Amateur Draft. Brian Moran made his debut with Miami last season.

The Marlins claimed LHP Brian Moran off waivers from the Blue Jays. Moran was with the club in 2019. Had a 4.26 ERA in 10 games out of the pen.

— Craig Mish (@CraigMish) August 2, 2020

With his prior employment, the Marlins know what they’re getting out of him. His inclusion into the roster will serve its purpose in shoring up the relievers, adding more depth to a team that nowadays is sorely lacking. He made two appearances for the Blue Jays before getting dropped from the roster, tossing a full innings’ worth giving up a hit while recording one strikeout. 

Brett Eibner

Position: RP (Probably)

Attainment: Purchased contract from the Sugar Land Skeeters.

Brought in from the independent Constellation Energy League, Brett Eibner returns to affiliate baseball for the first time since 2018. The one time Royals, Athletics, and Dodgers outfielder became something like a two-way player towards the end of his tenure with Los Angeles. That is until he had Tommy John surgery. According to MLB Trade Rumors, in his 5.1 relief innings of independent ball this season he struck out eight and walked one. Eibner also appeared in seven games as an outfielder and designated hitter. The Marlins will likely be looking towards using him as a pitcher.

One transaction that went under-the-radar yesterday: The Marlins purchased the contract of RHP/OF Brett Eibner from the independent Sugar Land Skeeters.

Eibner played parts of two seasons in the majors as an outfielder, has re-invented himself as a two-way player.

— Kyle Glaser (@KyleAGlaser) August 3, 2020

He played for the Eastern Reyes del Tigre in the Constellation Energy League, appearing last year for the Sugarland Skeeters carrying a 2.25 ERA through eight relief appearances, striking out eight hitters. The Kansas City Royals selected him in the second round of the 2010 MLB Draft from the University of Arkansas. He appeared in 87 games at the major league level, all as a position player. During that time he hit .191 with eight dingers and 28 RBIs. He struck out at the plate 67 times. Eibner is the second player to have his contract purchased from the Constellation Energy League. Who was the first? Fernando Rodney by the Houston Astros.

Justin Sterner

Position: SP

Attainment: Free agent signing.

The Fish expanded their search into the NCAA, signing BYU right-hander Justin Sterner to a free-agent deal. The righty from Laguna Niguel, California was a crucial piece of the 2019 West Coast Conference title-winning team. His career 2.86 ERA ranks fourth all-time in the program. He also ranks ninth all-time with a 9.21 K/9 average, finishing his college career with a 1.31 WHIP. He played three seasons with BYU including the shortened 2020 season. Sterner made four starts this year, tossing over 21 innings and achieving a 2.53 ERA. He allowed seven runs (six earned) on 21 hits and struck out 24. Opposing hitters were batting .244 drawing nine walks. Welcome to the team, Justin. 

I’ve officially signed a free agent deal with the Miami Marlins. I have so many people to thank especially my family and coaches at BYU for giving me a chance to prove what I can do. I’m so grateful for my time at BYU. I’m so excited I get to keep playing the game that I love. pic.twitter.com/mAO8OePKk5

— Justin Sterner (@JjSterner) July 31, 2020

Renewed Opportunity

These unprecedented times serve as another shot for many of these players, an audition in order to stay on the team once the ballclub returns to full strength. The Marlins will be heavily relying on their call ups from Jupiter and the journeymen players they’ve assembled. The starting rotation should be all right, or at the very least respectable. The hitting I feel similarly. The bullpen however is where I think Miami will probably struggle. 

Random factoid: Last year,after preseason finale but before first game, Dolphins added 14 new players&lost 59-10 to Baltimore. Marlins,due to COVID,today added 13 players who have never played big-league game for them, as they prepare to play Baltimore. Hopefully, better results

— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) August 3, 2020

Brandon Kintzler, barring COVID or injury, should continue closing duties but the rest of the relievers are a big question mark. The Marlins are not in a hurry to bring in some of their more premiere prospects.  It’s already a season filled with asterisks and there’s no use rushing them out, risking their development. As the saying goes, they’re ready when they’re ready. So what should the expectation be? The way things are going with another outbreak in the St. Louis Cardinals, just enjoy baseball folks.

Enjoy it while it lasts whether we finish the season or not. When it happened to the Marlins there was considerable concern on pulling the plug and it’s only grown since then. So sit back, relax and take in the games since we don’t know what tomorrow will bring. We’ll update the list throughout the entire week as needed. Stay safe and stay frosty.

Photo Credit | Chris Perez