MLB mock trade: What could Marlins get from White Sox for Liam Hicks?

Earlier this month, it seemed so clear that the Miami Marlins would be pushing for a postseason berth. They had a three-game cushion for the final National League wild-card spot and could even begin dreaming about the franchise's first-ever NL East division title.

An epic and unprecedented 12-game losing streak has flipped everything. With only a week left until the MLB trade deadline, their winning percentage ranks 11th in the NL and every aspect of the team is struggling. It's now looking likely that they will be sellers at the deadline, delaying their arrival as a serious contender until at least 2027.

The Chicago White Sox, on the other hand, currently sit atop the American League Central. They will be buyers at the deadline and have one very clear need. Starting catcher Kyle Teel went down with a left ankle sprain and will be out until at least September. The club's current catching duo of Edgar Quero and Drew Romo is nowhere near good enough offensively to fill Teel's shoes, so Chicago is searching for outside help.

The Marlins and White Sox have not made any trades with each other during the Peter Bendix era, but under these circumstances, that may finally change.

Mock trade proposal

Additionally, the White Sox are focused on starting rotation depth. Down in Triple-A Jacksonville, Braxton Garrett has posted a 2.32 ERA, 3.88 FIP, 9.77 K/9 and 3.42 BB/9 in 73 ⅔ innings pitched at that level. Garrett was called up by the Marlins earlier in the season, allowing seven runs on seven hits and walking eight in two poor starts. He has not been given an opportunity since.

Without having had any MLB success since 2023, Garrett has little to no value on his own. Still, the Sox wouldn't mind getting him as a throw-in piece of the trade.

Coming back the other way is Hagen Smith, a left-handed pitcher in the White Sox organization. Smith was the fifth overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft and currently ranks as Chicago's No. 5 prospect, per Baseball America.

Smith finds himself at the Triple-A level, but he's not quite ready for the majors. In 16 games (14 starts), he has posted a 4.58 ERA, 4.80 FIP, 13.42 K/9 and 6.38 BB/9. The Marlins have previously been attracted to pitchers like Smith who struggle with command/control, but have nasty offerings that can strike opposing hitters out.

Smith throws a four-seam fastball (56.1% usage), slider, cutter and changeup. His best pitch in terms of Stuff+ is his fastball (113), averaging 94.1 mph and generating a 32.5% whiff rate. His slider and cutter, also considered above-average pitches.

Turning 23 years old next month, Smith can spend the remainder of the season in Jacksonville and fight for a rotation spot in 2027.

There isn't any urgency for these teams to move Hicks and Smith right now. The Marlins would have a tough time replacing Hicks in their lineup, while the White Sox could try Smith in a bullpen role at the end of this season even as he works through some inconsistencies as a starter. On the other hand, this is a trade that benefits both sides moving forward.