A.J. Puk, Randy Arozarena deals spark trade market

On Thursday, Roddery Muñoz matched his season-worst by allowing six earned runs to the Orioles. However, a pair of Jazz Chisholm Jr. diving catches prevented the deficit from getting even worse and the offense came to life late. The Marlins ultimately lost, 7-6, but rallied from down 6-1 in the eighth inning to force extras. It's the first time all season that this team has scored at least six runs in three consecutive games. Josh Bell went 6-for-13 with two home runs during the series.

Down on the farm, Double-A Pensacola won, 4-3. LHP Jonathan Bermudez carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning and threw 111 total pitches, which I believe is the highest single-game total for any pitcher in the Marlins organization in 2024. C Paul McIntosh set a Blue Wahoos franchise record with 126 career runs scored. High-A Beloit lost, 3-2. Good outing for LHP Thomas White (5.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, 75 pitches/54 strikes). Low-A Jupiter won, 7-1. OF Kemp Alderman extended his on-base streak to 15 games. FCL Marlins won, 5-2, concluding their 2024 regular season schedule. They posted the Florida Complex League's highest winning percentage and best run differential. DSL Marlins won, 6-5. DSL Miami won, 8-7.

Here's more Marlins news and content:

🔷 A.J. Puk is joining the reigning National League champions, as announced by the Marlins and Diamondbacks on Thursday night. Recently pitching as well as he ever has and under club control through 2026, I set high expectations for what Puk should be worth on the trade market and this deal met those expectations. The left-handed reliever brought back nearly as much prospect value as Luis Arraez!

🔷 Deyvison De Los Santos is the headliner. At just 21 years old, the righty hitter leads Minor League Baseball with 28 home runs this season, posting a 155 wRC+ across the Double-A and Triple-A levels. There are concerns about his swing decisions and long-term defensive home (likely first base). My closest comp for him is Dayán Viciedo, who played for the 2010-2014 White Sox (and is still playing professionally overseas into his mid-30s). Not yet on the Marlins 40-man roster, expect De Los Santos to break through to the majors during the first half of the 2025 campaign.

🔷 Andrew Pintar is a 2022 draft pick with above-average speed. The 23-year-old has been developed mainly in center field this season. He got promoted to Double-A shortly before the trade. Pintar has spent time on the injured list during each of the last two seasons.

🔷 The trade overshadows another Marlins transaction from earlier in the day. Outfielder Forrest Wall was claimed off waivers from the Braves and optioned to Triple-A. Wall has played 28 career MLB games and has a strong chance of getting called up to Miami in the event of a Jazz Chisholm Jr. blockbuster.

🔷 Speaking of Chisholm, The Athletic's Jim Bowden confirmed that the Pirates, Mariners, Phillies and Yankees have had "discussions" with the Marlins at various points. Bowden believes Pittsburgh is the best landing spot for him. Ken Rosenthal later reported that the Bucs have scouted Bryan de La Cruz as well.

🔷 Through 33 Marlins series, here's an updated look at the Prediction Time leaderboard. Make series predictions with us all season long when you become a Fish On First SuperSub.

🔷 Elsewhere around baseball, Randy Arozarena was dealt to the Mariners for a three-player package that included RHP Brody Hopkins, who I had mentioned in my Chisholm-to-Seattle proposal. Dylan Cease threw a no-hitter, only the second in Padres history. Josiah Gray underwent Tommy John surgery and an internal brace procedure, putting his entire 2025 season in jeopardy. Coming off shoulder surgery, Clayton Kershaw threw four innings in his 2024 debut. The Mets beat the Braves to pull within a half-game of the National League's top Wild Card spot and the Rangers won their fifth game in a row. Kevin Kiermaier confirmed that he will retire this offseason.

🔷 Today's MLB game: the Marlins (probable starter LHP Trevor Rogers) begin their road trip against the Brewers (RHP Freddy Peralta). Josh Bell is only two hits shy of 1,000 for his career. MLB.com's Christina De Nicola details how Bell's season has turned around after working with his father over the All-Star break. The Marlins have a 36.1% chance to win, per FanGraphs. First pitch at 8:10 p.m. ET.

🔷 Join us for a new episode of Fish On First LIVE tonight from 7:00-8:00 p.m. ET on YouTube/Twitter/Facebook. We'll have continued coverage of the Puk/De Los Santos/Pintar trade. 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.

🔷 Today's MiLB schedule:

• Triple-A Jacksonville at Norfolk, 6:35 p.m. ET
• Double-A Pensacola vs. Biloxi, 7:05 p.m. ET
• High-A Beloit vs. Wisconsin, 7:35 p.m. ET
• Low-A Jupiter vs. Daytona, 6:30 p.m. ET
• DSL Marlins at DSL Miami, 11:00 a.m. ET

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