Marlins Trade Targets: Christian Encarnacion-Strand

With the Marlins having their best season since 2003, it's reasonable to hold the team to a high standard moving forward and focus on doing everything possible to maximize this opportunity. Most of the trade targets you'll see in this article series will be win-now options, but here's one talented player who could not only help the Marlins this year, but for the next half-decade or more: Christian Encarnacion-Strand.

Encarnacion-Strand was traded to the Reds at last year's deadline from the Twins—along with Spencer Steer and Steve Hajjar—for Tyler Mahle. The deal has proven to be the definition of a steal for the Reds, with Mahle needing Tommy John surgery earlier this season, while Steer is an NL Rookie of the Year candidate.

Encarnacion-Strand has been tearing up the AAA International League, slashing .321/.393/.625 in 58 games this season. That 1.018 OPS is simply more of the same for the 23-year-old who has been an elite run producer at every step of his professional career. The righty has hit 18 home runs with Louisville, including 10 against right-handed pitching, while also drawing walks at a 10% rate. He's the 92nd-ranked prospect on MLB Pipeline's Top 100 list.

However, Encarnacion-Strand still hasn't played in an MLB game. The Reds infield is crowded, to say the least. Encarnacion-Strand's primary position is 1st base, along with 3rd base on occasion. Joey Votto and Spencer Steer rotate at 1st base, Jonathan India and Matt McLain rotate at 2nd base, Elly De La Cruz and McLain split time at shortstop, and De La Cruz and Nick Senzel also share playing time at 3rd. This is without mentioning super-utility man Kevin Newman as well, just showing how many mouths there are to feed with this Reds team. Encarnacion-Strand started two games as a corner outfielder last month, but has returned to the dirt since then.

There'd be a veteran crowd for Encarnacion-Strand to contend with in Miami as well, but his bat would be valued more highly. Aside from All-Star Luis Arraez, every other Marlins infielder has an OPS+ below the league average in 2023, and 3 of those players (Joey Wendle, Garrett Cooper and Yuli Gurriel) are pending free agents. Considering Cooper's injury history and Gurriel being 39 years old, Encarnacion-Strand could certainly find some playing time at 1st base before season's end. If Jean Segura continues to struggle to such an extreme extent, CES could even force his way into the 3rd base mix. Regardless, he would be able to enter 2024 as a potential everyday option, freeing up the Marlins to spend their money to address other roster needs.

For the Reds to stay atop the NL Central, they desperately need starting pitching. The Reds have the 4th worst ERA as a team this year and injuries to Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo have thinned out their rotation.

The Marlins have a pair of intriguing trade chips in that department as Edward Cabrera and Trevor Rogers work their way back from the injured list. Cabrera (right shoulder impingement) is expected back prior to the trade deadline, while Rogers (right lat strain) should be ready sometime in August. A deal centered around one of those talented arms, perhaps including a catching prospect like Joe Mack to help Cincinnati's long-term depth at the position behind Tyler Stephenson, should be enough to satisfy both sides.

Photo courtesy of christian.encarnacion24/Instagram