Marlins acquire Bradley Blalock from Rockies

[Nate Karzmer]

The Miami Marlins swung a trade with the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday for right-handed starting pitcher Bradley Blalock, as first reported by Jeff Passan of ESPN. The Rockies received minor league arm Jake Brooks in exchange, according to Francys Romero. In a corresponding roster move, the Marlins designated Osvaldo Bido for assignment.

Blalock, 25, posted a 9.36 ERA in Denver a season ago throughout 14 appearances, 12 of which were starts. In a similar workload with Triple-A Albuquerque, his strikeout rate was nearly doubled, but his results were also dreadful (8.60 ERA). The 32nd-round pick in the 2019 MLB Draft made his debut in Milwaukee in 2024 before being shipped to the Mile High City in late July of that year.

In terms of a reclamation project, the Loganville, GA, native has appeal. Blalock boasts a five-pitch arsenal—four-seam, slider, splitter, curveball, cutter—and one of the highest arm angles in all of MLB at 62 degrees.

With Edward Cabrera and Ryan Weathers off to the North Side of Chicago and the Bronx, respectively, Blalock will be an interesting follow in spring training. Daniel Moskos and Co. are tasked with tapping into what they did a year ago with low-profile pitching acquisitions like Tyler Phillips, Janson Junk, etc. Blalock has one minor league option remaining.

Departing the organization is Brooks, who despite being around six months younger than Blalock, just arrived at the Double-A level in 2025. Selected in the 11th round of the 2023 draft, the former UCLA Bruin was stellar to begin his pro career in Low-A Jupiter, assuming the role as the team's ace while boasting for a 2.28 ERA on the season. A bump in competition to High-A Beloit and AA Pensacola was unfriendly to Brooks, as evidenced by a ERA spike and opponents batting .274 between both levels, though he continues to show great command of his sinker/slider/changeup mix.

Bido had just been claimed by Miami on Friday.

View full article

[Jose Herrera]

Brooks is a solid prospect, I would have added Bellozo to the 40 man roster or kept Bido.

[Miami Italiano]

Bido will come back up and Blalock will use his last option

[Hippyboi]

Blaylock in Bido out - Makes no sense to me

[Slacker Mills]

I have no explanation for Blalock acquisition. The guy allows a run an inning! He's in need of a lot more than a tweak. Plus I liked Brooks and he will no doubt start for Rockies.

[One Regend]

We go from one pitcher who could benefit from being away from Sutter Health Park to a pitcher who could benefit from being away from Coors Field.

In which case, why didn't they just stick with Bido? He has way more upside than Blalock and has an actual track record of success (however little of it there is)
Is the 1 extra minor league option even worth it? Neither of these players are long-term Marlins, so why even bother?