Deadline

Deadline is our Son Los Marlins word of the day and it has a double meaning. Sure the Trading Deadline in Baseball is about a month away, along with it however came another deadline that was openly placed on the Marlins. Prior to Friday night’s Game against the Nationals, Manager Don Mattingly candidly spoke to his Club. The Message was as clear as the Marlins Park Roof, “at this point it’s like every Game, no matter who we play, we got to Win” speaking on the mindset the Marlins need to have. That’s because the Fish dug themselves quite a hole, they were 31-43 on Friday, along with being 10 Games back of the New York Mets in the N.L East Division. We mentioned the Trading Deadline, a time that could be wise for a Club not in the Playoff Race to try and get a return on expiring Contracts. The likes of Star Outfielder Starling Marte or Closer Yimi Garcia? Veterans Adam Duvall & Ross Detwiler as well, are on one year Deals (get the picture)?! “Turning this thing around” were the words of Captain Miguel Rojas on the mentality of the Club, “we have 1 more month to do that”.

 

The Fish went on to defeat the Nationals on Friday & Saturday before running into “Mad” Max Scherzer in the finale of their 4 Game Series. They’ve made up some ground in the Division but still find themselves 8 ½ Games back. “We’re capable of rolling off 10 (Wins) in a row” Mattingly said. “I believe that and I want them (the Marlins) to heart it”. The Organization did make a Trade today. Injured Outfielder Corey Dickerson (speaking of expiring Contracts) along with Reliever Adam Cimber were shipped to the Toronto Blue Jays for Infielder Joe Panik, Minor League Prospect Andrew McInvale & probably and most importantly, Cash relief. Dickerson’s biggest contribution to the Marlins came in Game 1 of the Postseason a year ago (His Game Winning 3 Run Homer sealed a Comeback Victory in Chicago). Overall however it brings to an end a 2 Season stint for Dickerson with the Marlins that saw a Batting line of .259/.316/.389 with all of 9 Home Runs and only 31 RBI’s over 114 Games. He had signed a 2 year $17.5 Million Dollar Deal prior to 2020, of which $4.4 Million was still pending. Toronto agreed to pick up the majority of what’s left on the Dickerson contract with the inclusion of Cimber in the Deal. “I love the different look” said Blue Jays Manager Charlie Montoyo in regards to their new Bullpen addition. “He’s going to get a chance to pitch in high leverage (situations)”, something he didn’t do in Miami, but here’s a little news flash Toronto, that was for a reason or 2. Opposing Hitters Batted .467 against Adam Cimber in “late & close” situations, .359 with RISP, while Teams were reaching with a .364 OBP with the first batter of an Inning against the ‘Side Armer’ whom Righty Hitters held a slash line of .269/.329/.333 AGAINST (All important stats for a Reliever coming into the fire 🔥🔥🔥).

 

The Trade realized today is NOT a “Sellers” Trade for the Marlins. Not only are the Fish saving close to 2 Million Bucks, they’re also acquiring a former All-Star & Gold Glove Infielder in Panik, who with Brain Anderson’s Injury, should help fill in nicely as a Reserve and Lefty Pinch Hit Option off the bench. Not to mention a Relief Pitching Prospect with upside in McInvale. Something about making a Deal with those Blue Jays 😎, a year ago it was Trading Jonathan Villar (Who Batted .188/.278/.203 in a Jays Uniform) for now Marlins Prospect Griffin Conine, Thank You Toronto 😎. The Subtraction of Dickerson (WHO WAS INJURED BY THE WAY with no timetable for return) not only opens up Left Field for Prospect Jesus Sanchez, but also possibly Right Filed for Garrett Cooper if Sanchez were to struggle, with Duvall either sliding into Left Field or Traded. The Marlins have 1 month to avoid that. Cooper on that Marlins’ mindset- “Just know that we’re good enough to be here, good enough to be in this Division, Win this Division”.