MLB Trade Rumors: Padres & Marlins Nearly Pulled Off Blockbuster Trade

The trade deadline is still 3½ months away, but mark down the Miami Marlins as likely sellers already. They've started the season 0-7, and according to insider Ken Rosenthal in The Athletic, "If their play does not improve, first-year general manager Peter Bendix almost certainly will be more inclined to dismantle his roster."

“Arraez and Luzardo would carry the most value, but the Marlins also could look to move anyone earning significant dollars — first baseman Josh Bell ($16.5 million this season), outfielder Avisaíl García($24 million in 2024 and ‘25), perhaps even Alcantara ($43.9 million from ‘24… https://t.co/P2ay4exVQC

— Boston Sports Gordo (@BOSSportsGordo) April 4, 2024

The fire sale nearly began with the San Diego Padres this spring, reports Rosenthal along with Dennis Lin, in The Athletic. The Friars almost pulled off a huge blockbuster trade with the Marlins this spring, as they were close to acquiring both Luis Arraez, a two-time batting champion, and high-end starting pitcher Jesus Luzardo. But the Marlins, for the time being at least, resisted. 

Rosenthal noted that Arraez's "contact skills certainly would have been welcome in a San Diego lineup that lacks established left-handed hitters," and Luzardo is an emerging force in the rotation. 

As it turned out, says the report, despite the "strong offer" by the Padres, the Marlins were afraid they wouldn't be able to replace Arraez's bat skills, and the Padres found an alternative for their rotation, in trading for Dylan Cease from the Chicago White Sox. 

But the Fish sell-off could go beyond just Arraez and Luzardo, reports Rosenthal, as he also points to possible trade targets "first baseman Josh Bell ($16.5 million this season), outfielder Avisaíl García($24 million in 2024 and ‘25), perhaps even (injured ace Sandy) Alcantara ($43.9 million from ‘24 to ‘26) and center fielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. who is earning $2.625 million this season but has two years of salary arbitration remaining.”

It does appear that the Marlins, still winless this season, will be sellers, sooner than later. They already traded Jon Berti to the Yankees last week in a minor deal, and according to Rosenthal, "it is not too early to envision the Miami Marlins as a trade-deadline seller."

Photo: Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports