Offishial News: Marlins select Luarbert Arias, lose 3 bullpen arms to waiver claims

[Ely Sussman]

Today's news roundup also includes the end of the Sixto Sánchez era.

On Monday out in the desert, OF Andrew Pintar went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts and UTIL Dalvy Rosario went 0-for-2 with a walk. The Peoria Javelinas won for change, 3-2. However, it's mathematically impossible for them to get back to the .500 mark by season's end. The Arizona Fall League announced its eight home run derby participants. OF Kemp Alderman is tied for second in the league in homers, but he was not included after having missed two full weeks and counting for his wedding and honeymoon.

In the Dominican Winter League, OF Jesús Sánchez went 2-for-3 with 1 RBI and UTIL Vidal Bruján went 1-for-4 with 2 RBI. Troy Johnston's 13-game hit streak was snapped. I put together a brief highlight package of the streak.

Here's more Marlins news and content:

🔷 Sixto Sánchez's Marlins tenure is over. Rated as the organization's top pitching prospect as recently as 2021, his career has collapsed due to chronic shoulder issues. Rather than reinstate him from the 60-day injured list, the Marlins passed him through waivers and he elected free agency on Monday.

🔷 Marlins relievers John McMillon, Anthony Maldonado and Michael Petersen were claimed off waivers by the Phillies, Athletics and Blue Jays, respectively. McMillon and Maldonado were on the short list of most dominant relievers in the minor leagues in 2023, but the former finished this season with an elbow injury, and the latter is very reliant on his slider and had shaky results in his first taste of the majors. I still would've held onto Maldonado in order to evaluate him further in spring training rather than to essentially lose him for nothing.

🔷 Lefty Josh Simpson passed through waivers without being claimed. As a 2019 draft pick, he has to remain with the Fish for another year before qualifying for minor league free agency. Simpson missed the first half of 2024 while recovering from left elbow ulnar neuritis and upon returning to action, the life and command of his fastball just wasn't there, contributing to a 6.19 ERA in 16 innings against MiLB competition. He owns a terrific 34.9% strikeout rate over the course of his minor league career and figures to be at spring training as a non-roster invitee.

🔷 With Luarbert Arias eligible for minor league free agency himself, the Marlins held onto the right-hander by selecting him to the 40-man roster. Acquired three years ago via the Rule 5 Draft, Arias has a 2.78 ERA, 3.75 FIP and .198 BAA in 184.2 IP since then while climbing from Low-A to Triple-A. He's got a prototypical four-seamer/slider pitch mix with occasional changeups. He turns 24 next month. I don't mind the decision, but would've personally prioritized fellow pending free agent Elvis Alvarado instead.

🔷 MLB Trade Rumors published their annual Top 50 free agents list, including contract and team predictions. Only No. 36 Kyle Higashioka and No. 49 Harrison Bader were mocked to the Marlins, and those were guesses by individual writers, not staff consensus predictions.

🔷 Elsewhere around baseball, the Silver Slugger award finalists were announced, including Marlins 1B/3B Jake Burger. He qualified in the "utility" category along with Luis Arraez, Mookie Betts and Bryan Reynolds. Award winners will be announced on November 12.

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[THOMAS JOSEPH]

The Dominican League is fun to watch. Last night, Johnston struck out on an inside fastball and was furious with himself for missing it. He was right on, just a tiny bit late. He roared to himself as he walked back to the dugout. That kind of fire is pushing his performance. I suppose he isn't getting much of a chance in ST, but I sure would like to see it. 

It's also cool to see Jesús Sánchez. I've been watching the Marlins guys (and former Marlins), along with some recognizable names. 

It's a shame that Alderman is out in the AFL HR Derby. 

Lastly, I'm surprised at some waiver wire pitching choices, just as every year. Sixto, though, had to go to free up space. Everything is Team Bendix now, so...

[One Regend]

Losing Maldonado was a mistake the Marlins made that the Athletics should benefit from. You don't lose a career MiLB 10.5+ K/9 guy for nothing just because he's reliant on a slider. I need to remind you that this team relied on Steven Okert for three years. If that's the team's excuse for a poor decision, it was a bad excuse.