Back from the break, let the Marlins trade rumors intensify

On Thursday down on the farm, the Marlins finalized their agreement with first-round draft pick OF PJ Morlando, as first reported by Craig Mish of SportsGrid. Morlando receives a $3.4M signing bonus, far below the 16th overall pick's slot value of $4.7M. I confirmed that RHP Yohanfer Santana underwent Tommy John surgery. You likely haven't heard of Santana, but the 18-year-old was poised for a breakout season in the Dominican Summer League before his elbow blew out. The FCL Marlins game was suspended in the second inning due to rain. DSL Marlins won, 4-3, and lost, 10-9. INF Joseph Tailor combined to go 2-for-2 with a home run, a walk and two hit by pitches in the second game. He's been selected to the DSL All-Star Game. DSL Miami won, 7-5.

Here's more Marlins news and content:

🔷 Including the rest of their bonus pool and a 5% overage, the Morlando deal leaves Miami with $7,560,425 left to spend on other draft pick signings. I will be updating these capsules on each player as we find out their bonuses. I'll also be using that section to feature undrafted free agent pickups like UC Santa Barbara OF Jessada Brown.

🔷 Check out the latest Fish On First Top 30 prospect rankings. LHP Thomas White, RHP Noble Meyer, RHP Max Meyer and OF Victor Mesa Jr. remain in the first four spots, but there has been lots of movement outside of that, including the additions of Morlando (No. 8) and four other new draftees.

🔷 Dane Myers (left ankle fracture) was placed on the 10-day injured list retroactive to July 15. Don't be surprised if he eventually gets transferred to the 60-day IL to free up a temporary 40-man roster spot. In that case, he'd be eligible for reinstatement on September 13. For the time being, some combination of Nick Gordon, Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Vidal Bruján will split up center field duties.

🔷 In 2025, the Pirates will once again visit the Marlins to kick off the regular season schedule.

🔷 Available on Homage, MLB and Guy Fieri's Flavortown have collaborated on a collection of t-shirts featuring fan-favorite ballpark concessions. For the Marlins, they selected the Cubano Gigante. The t-shirts are 20% off for a limited time.

🔷 Kevin Barral previews what to expect from the rest of this Marlins season (aside from a lot of losing).

🔷 Skip Schumaker discussed his coaching philosophy with Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald and what he admires about longtime Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra. 

🔷 MLB.com's Christina De Nicola picks Jesús Luzardo as her "key player" and Max Meyer as the "prospect to watch" for the second half. She also spoke with Tanner Scott about his All-Star appearance and the support he received from his family.

🔷 Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors explains what makes A.J. Puk an "appealing target" at the trade deadline. In case you missed it earlier in the week, I compared him to Hunter Harvey.

🔷 Elsewhere around baseball, St. Petersburg City Council voted to approve the Rays' $1.3B ballpark and mixed-use development project. The new stadium is expected to open in 2028 and the Rays are signing a 30-year lease. Barely a year after drafting him, the Athletics are calling up infield prospect Jacob Wilson. Wilson has posted an incredible 180 wRC+ in 72 career minor league games.

🔷 Today's MLB game: the Marlins (probable starter RHP Edward Cabrera) open up a four-game series against the Mets (LHP Sean Manaea). Prior to the game, expect Otto Lopez (lower back inflammation) to be reinstated from the 10-day IL to fill Dane Myers' roster spot. PJ Morlando will be at loanDepot park to address the media as his professional career officially begins. The Marlins have a 48.5% chance to win, per FanGraphs. First pitch at 7:10 p.m. ET.

🔷 Join us for a new episode of Fish On First LIVE tonight from 6:00-7:00 p.m. ET on YouTube/Twitter/Facebook. Special guest: Jeremiah Geiger. FOF LIVE is presented by Berger & Hicks. If you’ve been injured as a result of somebody else’s negligence, give them a call at (305) 670-7050.

🔷 Marlins MiLB schedule:

• Triple-A Jacksonville vs. Durham, 7:05 p.m. ET
• Double-A Pensacola vs. Mississippi, 7:05 p.m. ET
• High-A Beloit at Peoria, 8:05 p.m. ET
• Low-A Jupiter vs. St. Lucie, 6:30 p.m. ET
• DSL Marlins vs. DSL Phillies Red, 11:00 a.m. ET
• DSL Miami at DSL Nationals, 11:00 a.m. ET

Marlins podcast episodes