Calvin Faucher, Declan Cronin have quickly become Marlins trade assets

Sitting at 27-51, it's fair to assume that the Miami Marlins will be selling off pieces of their major league roster to contenders. Pending free agent closer Tanner Scott is the hottest name on the market, and maybe some aggressive teams will attempt to bid on Jazz Chisholm Jr., who would bring back a huge haul if dealt. Beyond that, Peter Bendix has made a couple wise pick-ups since taking over Miami's baseball operations department, turning unknown right-handed relievers Declan Cronin and Calvin Faucher into real assets.

In February, the Marlins claimed Cronin off waivers from the Houston Astros. Cronin had made his MLB debut with the White Sox last season where he pitched in nine games, but posted a 9.00 ERA, 7.80 FIP and just walked too many guys through 11 innings pitched. He was thought to have barely any value.

In a pleasant surprise, Cronin leads all Marlins relievers with 36 ⅔ innings pitched this season. He's posting a 2.95 ERA, 2.57 FIP, 8.8 K/9, 3.4 BB/9 and a 148 ERA+. In high-leverage situations, opposing hitters are slashing .167/.286/.167/.452. Cronin is a versatile reliever who reliably gets ground balls (57.7 GB%) and still hasn't allowed a homer for Miami. He has accumulated 1.1 bWAR and 0.6 fWAR in 2024.

Cronin relies on his slider and sinker, which have both produced a plus-two run value this season, per Baseball Savant. He has also used his four-seam fastball more regularly in recent appearances. Cronin's velocity maxes out at 96 mph. Of his 36 strikeouts, 25 have come on the slider.

Bendix's first trade with the Marlins was to acquire Vidal Bruján from the Tampa Bay Rays in November. Faucher was included in that package, but was seen as the secondary piece. Then in spring training, the righty made a name for himself. After beginning the regular season on the injured list, Faucher was called up on April 13 and has been in the Marlins bullpen ever since.

Through 27 innings pitched, Faucher has posted a 3.33 ERA, 2.48 FIP, 10.0 K/9, 4.3 BB/9 and a 132 ERA+. Like Cronin, he has not allowed a home run all season. He has inherited eight baserunners and only one has come around to score.

Important to note, neither of these pitchers have track records of major league success prior to 2024. In his time with the Rays, Faucher posted a 6.32 ERA and 4.98 FIP through 47 innings pitched. On the other hand, their lack of experience could also be seen as a positive—both entered this season with less than a full year of MLB service time, so they can be controlled through the 2029 season.

On the most recent episode of Fish Unfiltered, Aram Leighton of Just Baseball mentioned the case of Scott Effross. In 2022, the Chicago Cubs sold high on the right-hander during his first full MLB season, sending him to the New York Yankees at the trade deadline in exchange for the eighth-ranked prospect in the Yankees system, Hayden Wesneski. Prior to his departure from Chicago, Effross posted a 2.66 ERA, 2.18 FIP, 10.2 K/9 and 2.8 BB/9 through 44 innings pitched. He is currently out due to Tommy John surgery. Wesneski debuted with the Cubs later that season and has posted a 3.80 ERA in his three years with the club.

The following contending teams currently are in need of help in the bullpen: Chicago Cubs, Kansas City Royals, Pittsburgh Pirates and Houston Astros.

Mock Trade #1

MIA receives: INF Cristian Hernández

CHC receives: Declan Cronin

The Cubs bullpen currently ranks 27th in fWAR and the addition of Cronin would certainly be big. Shortstop/second baseman Cristian Hernández would become one of the top position player prospects in the Marlins system. In 2024, the 20-year-old Hernández is slashing .287/.407/.430/837 with four home runs, 27 RBIs and a 148 wRC+. He's playing at Low-A now, but would likely move up to High-A in the Marlins system if acquired.

Mock Trade #2 

MIA receives: C Carter Jensen

KC receives: Calvin Faucher

The Royals bullpen currently ranks 24th in bullpen fWAR. Faucher could potentially become a setup man for them. Carter Jensen, a lefty-hitting catcher, is slashing .278/.396/.444/.840 with seven home runs, 28 RBIs and a 139 wRC+. His power tool shows more promise than his hit tool, but he's doing well on both fronts this season. Jensen turns 21 years old next week.