Five players from 2003 World Series team who Marlins acquired as 'sellers'

[Mike Ferguson]

The Miami Marlins were sellers again at this year's trade deadline. Could any of the prospects they received turn into contributors to the franchise's next World Series winner?

The current Miami Marlins roster may be unrecognizable from the one that took the field on Opening Day. This team struggled from the onset of the season and behaved as a seller at the MLB trade deadline as expected. Luis Arráez, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Josh Bell, Bryan De La Cruz and Tanner Scott—among others—have all been dealt elsewhere.

Looking toward the future, however, there is reason for optimism. With returns that included Connor Norby, Deyvison De Los Santos, Agustín Ramírez and Kyle Stowers, Miami unquestionably ungraded its farm system.

The Marlins are historically no strangers to being sellers at the deadline. In fact, much of the foundation of their most recent championship-winning roster was built by flipping veterans for young talent in previous years.

Here's a look at five players the then-Florida Marlins acquired as sellers that helped the team win the World Series in 2003:

 

Nate Bump, P

Acquired in the 1999 deadline deal that sent former World Series MVP Liván Hernández to the San Francisco Giants, Nate Bump quietly put together a solid 2003 season for the Marlins. Although his 4.71 ERA left something to be desired, he finished with a 4-0 record and was tied for second on the team in wins among relievers. Bump pitched in just two games in the postseason, but could go multiple innings in relief. His first win came in his debut at Fenway Park as the Marlins rallied from seven runs down to beat the Boston Red Sox, 10-9. Bump spent three seasons in the majors—all with Florida. 

 

Juan Encarnación, OF

Acquired from the Cincinnati Reds in a 2002 deadline trade in exchange for former All-Star pitcher Ryan Dempster, Encarnación spent the majority of the 2003 season as the everyday right fielder for the Marlins. Encarnación had two stints with Florida, appearing in games in four different seasons with the Marlins. In 2003, he hit .270 with 19 home runs and finished second on the team with 94 RBIs. Encarnación hit a pair of postseason homers for Florida that year. 

 

Mike Mordecai, INF

A reserve and a part of a seven-player deal that sent Cliff Floyd to the Montreal Expos in 2002, Mordecai provided a veteran presence off the bench for the Marlins during their run to a title in 2003. Mordecai spent his final four seasons with the Marlins and had his only career walk-off home run as a member of the club against the Atlanta Braves, his former team, in August 2003. His only postseason hit for the Marlins in 2003 was a bases-clearing double during Florida's eight-run eighth inning in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series. 

 

Carl Pavano, P

Also part of the Cliff Floyd trade in 2002, Pavano would enjoy the best years of his 14-year career in the majors with the Marlins. In 2003, Pavano went 12-13 with a 4.80 ERA, but shined in the postseason. In eight playoff appearances for the Marlins, Pavano went 2-0 with a 1.40 ERA. His two wins came in the National League Division Series as the Marlins disposed of the San Francisco Giants in four games. Pavano would make his lone All-Star appearance in 2004, going 18-8 with a 3.00 ERA for Florida. He was 33-23 with a 3.64 ERA in three seasons with the Marlins. 

 

Brad Penny, P

Acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks in a 1999 trade headlined by former Marlins closer Matt Mantei, Penny was a mainstay in the rotation in each of his four full seasons with Florida. Later an All-Star with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Penny's 14 wins in 2003 were the most during his Marlins tenure. During the postseason, the 6-foot-4 right-hander went 3-1. He saved his best work for the World Series when he went 2-0 with a 2.19 ERA. Penny was the winning pitcher in Games 1 and 5. In six total seasons with the Marlins, Penny went 50-43 with a 4.12 ERA. He still ranks fourth in team history in wins. 

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