One Regend

This is a bad idea even if Arquette ends up being an All-Star level SS. You can't guarantee that what you get back from trading Otto Lopez will end up being equal to or better than what Otto Lopez brings to the team. He's young, he's a fantastic hitter, he has enough power to flip a game's script, he can run, and he's a great defender. Any position that has those qualities is a rare commodity. I need to remind you that he's a shortstop, the premier defensive position.

if we do that then we have literally zero lefty starting rotation depth entering next year. Snelling is TJS and our only other lefty option would be Thomas White and that's even assuming he'll be ready for Spring Training, which isn't guaranteed. Me thinks we cash out on Brandon Compton before his strikeout issues become an unignorable problem later. Also, how much longer are we going to waste the prime of Kemp Alderman by letting him rot in AAA?

That is insane. Trading Otto Lopez? He's a cornerstone guy you're SUPPOSED to build your team around!

Bro, the glazing on Connor Norby is unreal. They're not getting anything out of a guy who provides -0.1 WAR and minimal offensive production. He's not going to suddenly win any of the 12 games the Marlins lost in a row.

I wrote over and over that the Marlins could benefit from a left-handed starter at the Trade Deadline, but honestly, after seeing the Marlins lose 10 games in a row, and seeing them trailing the Padres 2-1 heading into the 6th inning as I type this, the rotation isn't actually the problem. Well, it's a problem, but right now, it's problem number 3 on the team. In all of the 10 consecutive games the Marlins have lost, and including today's game-in-progress, I have noticed a pattern. The Marlins bats have been silenced. Heriberto Hernandez is trying to carry the team but it doesnt matter if he's 4 for 4 if the rest of the team is 0-for-32. A lot of those 10 games we lost in a row were winnable if we had an actually clicking offense. We need a 3rd baseman now more than ever.

I like the idea of getting Emerson Hancock, but I like the idea of getting Reid Detmers better. Normally, a team who has a guy like Detmers would ask for more than what Seattle would be asking for Hancock, but because the Angels are hilariously inept in anything revolving around Baseball, it shouldn't take too much to get him. The Marlins have no lefties except for a Braxton Garrett, who looks rough, and Dax Fulton, who hasn't been stretched out. And you can't count on an all-righty rotation for a full 162 game season, no matter how elite their changeup is. ...that is, what I would normally say. But honestly, after seeing the Marlins lose 10 games in a row, and seeing them trailing the Padres 2-1 heading into the 6th inning as I type this, the Marlins rotation isn't actually the problem. Well, it's a problem, but right now, it's problem number 3 on the team. In all of the 10 consecutive games the Marlins have lost, and including today's game-in-progress, I have noticed a pattern. The Marlins bats have been silenced. Heriberto Hernandez is trying to carry the team but it doesnt matter if he's 4 for 4 if the rest of the team is 0-for-32. A lot of those 10 games we lost in a row were winnable if we had an actually clicking offense. We need a 3rd baseman now more than ever.

This was a very winnable series. To see the Marlins squander it the way they did, it's no wonder they lost 9 straight.

There needs to be a team meeting. Teams that don't go on 8-game losing skids don't let a guy with an over-6.00 ERA pitch 6 innings of one-run ball against them. This is a clubhouse problem that needs addressing now.

People forget minor injuries like this can lead to a performance drop. Bailey Ober from the Twins had pitched with back pains for basically the entire season last year, and he had an ERA over 5 with predictors like FIP, xERA, etc not being much better, all the while his command was worse (more pitches left over the plate), and his strikeout rate went down. If your ace is feeling pain, you don't take chances, especially if you're in the middle of a playoff race.

Silver lining: At least it wasn't an elbow or shoulder injury. Still not good, though.

So what would it take for the Marlins to swallow the remainder of Pete Fairbanks contract? When I last spoke of him, he still had underlying numbers that -- while still not good, was way better than the hideous 6.65 ERA suggested. Back then, I suggested to pitch him in low-mid leverage situations, not to close games with him. This was by late June. Now, he's STILL closing games for the Marlins, and now he's been performing so atrociously, that not even the underlying numbers justify keeping him on the roster. The Marlins are winning games in spite of his performance. If they want to continue winning, they need to ditch this underwater contract. Give William Kempner high-leverage chances. There are even AAA guys clawing their way up that deserve looks in the bullpen.

The Astros are mortal right now. It won't be long before they're dragged kicking and screaming into a rebuild. The Marlins would have to pounce on the opportunity and kick them while they're down. The Marlins have a vastly better starting rotation, and while the Astro's have an ok offense, it's primarily carried by Yordan Alvarez. Getting a lead early in the game is paramount. They don't want to see Josh Hader warming up in the bullpen. They just need to stop turning to Pete Fairbanks in high-leverage situations. The Marlins win 2 of 3, with MVP going to Kyle Stowers.

Charles Johnson is the exact type of catcher I hope Joe Mack eventually becomes. A glove-first catcher with a halfway decent bat that sticks at the plate.

There's a Reid Detmers in the Los Angeles Angels organization that Miami could use the services of. There's also a Daniel Lynch from the Kansas City Royals that the Marlins could also make use of. Both are on teams whose relevancy aspirations are circling down the drain. I'd say the Marlins should pounce on the opportunity to acquire them, but I imagine there's others who are likely targeting them too.

Brewers sweep 3-0. Brice Turang MVP. If the Guardians pitching dissected our bats, the Brewers pitching is going to absolutely vaporize them. And unlike the Guardians, the Brewers have an actual offense.