Higher trade value: Braxton Garrett or Max Meyer?

[Ely Sussman]

I had trouble deciding for myself, so I'm leaning on the wisdom of the crowd. If the Miami Marlins traded them right now, would they get more in return for Braxton Garrett or Max Meyer?

Garrett missed all of 2025 due to elbow surgery. Entering his age-28 season, he has three remaining years of club control and one remaining minor league option.

Meyer missed most of 2025 due to hip surgery. Entering his age-27 season, he has four remaining years of club control and two remaining minor league options.

[One Regend]

Braxton has the better track record and is a better overall pitcher than Meyer, who has serious reliever risk. But Garrett missed the entire year to elbow surgery and it's unknown if he'll be the same pitcher as he was pre-surgery.

Right now, both of them would bring negligible returns. It won't make sense to trade them in the offseason. Maybe if they prove themselves during the season, you could dangle them at the trade deadline. But that's a major if.

[Jose Herrera]

I agree with One Regend that right now would not be the best time to trade either one. I think right now we have leverage regarding starting pitching. I could see us trading Sandy Alcantara before trading Braxton Garrett or Max Meyer.

[Chad Turner]

I agree that it's not a good time to trade either one, but that's not the point.  I think Meyer has a higher value based on pure stuff, age, contract, options, and the fact that his inning limit will be higher this year than Brax.  

Are you sure about the options?  I thought once someone was in arbitration, they are out of options.  Can someone clarify?  I think they could qualify for options due to injuries, but I'm just not sure.  

[BMK3]

I see both part of this Marlins team.  Garrett possibly 4th or 5th starter.  Meyer sure looks like a closer to me.  Meyer comes in and throws his fastball and slider and nothing else for one inning and out.

[One Regend]

6 hours ago, BMK3 said:

I see both part of this Marlins team.  Garrett possibly 4th or 5th starter.  Meyer sure looks like a closer to me.  Meyer comes in and throws his fastball and slider and nothing else for one inning and out.

Unless he works on his secondaries, or he fixes his fastball shape, he's not going to be a closer. He is literally Slider: The Pitcher. His slider is a +2 on Run Value. His non-slider secondaries is -1 on Run Value, and his fastball is by far and away his worst offering at a staggering -6. Having the league's flattest fastball does that. Sure he throws 98+, but that 98+ is nothing but empty velocity. No movement, no extension.

Until that changes, he's essentially useless against lefties, and highly predictable against righties.