When it came to the Miami Marlins calling up Joe Mack, it was only a question of when. 

But sending down Agustin Ramirez? For many, the only question being asked right now is what in the world the Marlins are thinking. 

Ramirez displayed 20/20 potential last season from the catcher position and was in the NL Rookie of the Year conversation right to the very end. Offensively, he was as exciting advertised with an oWAR of 1.2 and an excellent eye at the plate. An already good player, with plenty of skills that could be tapped into. 

Unfortunately, none of those skills were behind the plate. Ramirez batted .231 with 21 HRS and 16 SBs in 2025...and was a negative WAR player. You have to be shockingly bad defensively for that to be the case and Ramirez was indeed shockingly bad. That trend continued in 2026 as the Marlins continued to throw him out there hoping he would grow into a league average defensive catcher. Thus far, the only aspect of big league catching he hasn't been terrible at is the newest aspect of big league catching. Ramirez has been elite at getting his ABS calls right. Beyond that, though? He's been a defensive disaster. 

Mind you, all of this has been happening while the Marlins other bad at catching catcher has been hitting like an All-Star. The combination of Liam Hicks torrid start at the plate and Ramirez's horrid defense behind it has paved the way for Joe Mack's big league debut. In the offseason, the thinking was Ramirez would slide over to either designated hitter or first base when Mack arrived, while Hicks would alternate between multiple positions. Sending Ramirez down entirely though never entered the equation. On the surface, it seems fairly crazy. 

Unless...the Marlins are considering a trade. 

Well that, or some behind the scenes disciplinary measure that has played a role. Absent being put in professional timeout though, the trade scenario is a fascinating one. If the Marlins really don't think a Ramirez that only plays designated hitter has long-term value to the organization, then it could be that the front office reached the point where they decided to keep alive the illusion that he could be a catcher by having him have be slightly more successful at it back in the minors.

And while he's working on that...the Marlins can start working the phones. 

If they can get a first baseman or third baseman? An outfielder that can actually hit lefty pitching? Really, anything else that comes with a little bit of control that better positions the Marlins to win right now? That's arguably worth more to Miami now if Hicks really has leveled up and Mack's elite defense does translate to the majors. 

Admittedly, this is probably reach. Gus is probably coming back in a month. Either after thirty straight games as a catcher working on his craft or as a first baseman learning a new position. 

But don't sleep on the trade chance if the Marlins stay in the race with the big league roster as currently built.