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3 Marlins targets Yankees should chase in Miami deadline fire sale

By Adam Weinrib |
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 08: Anthony Bass #52 of the Miami Marlins in action against the New York Mets at Citi Field on July 08, 2022 in New York City. The Marlins defeated the New York Mets 5-2. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 08: Anthony Bass #52 of the Miami Marlins in action against the New York Mets at Citi Field on July 08, 2022 in New York City. The Marlins defeated the New York Mets 5-2. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
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New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman has a tendency to make a “sneaky” deal or two at every trade deadline, Winter Meetings bargaining session, or casual get-together where Mariners exec Jerry Dipoto is present.

If he deals with the Miami Marlins at this year’s deadline, though, he won’t be wading in secretive waters. All of a sudden, the Marlins are basically blaring a gigantic horn, standing on the roof of Cafe Versailles, and yelling, “Everyone but Sandy Alcantara must go!”

So which of those people comprising “everyone” make appealing Yankees targets? The Marlins, even after a recent spat of injuries, are still pitching-rich, both in the starting staff and bullpen. Their offense is strangely constructed, and struggled to light aflame even when Jazz Chisholm was handing them the spark. That said, there are still some versatile pieces in Miami’s collection that would look better on a contending team.

Apologies to near-miss Jon Berti, who’s currently on the IL with a left groin strain after putting up 2.1 WAR and a 111 OPS+ while playing multiple positions. If the Yanks expect a quick recovery, he could still be a target.

No apologies to catcher Jacob Stallings, one of the statistical worst players in baseball, and someone that some thought (ahem) the Yankees should’ve paid the premium for last winter. Whoops.

3 Miami Marlins players Yankees should target in deadline sell-off

Anthony Bass #52 of the Miami Marlins (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Anthony Bass #52 of the Miami Marlins (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /

3. Anthony Bass

The relief market is, according to Jeff Passan and anyone with eyes and ears, “bleak.” If you’re not one of the hundred teams attempting to outbid one another for David Robertson, there are very few reliable and postseason-tested options on the table.

One of the closers who could inspire confidence and just came up for grabs is Anthony Bass of the Miami Marlins, who might work better in a set-up role.

Bass opened 2021 as a closer in Miami, but quickly faltered and didn’t record a single save; while he escaped with a sub-4.00 ERA, his 4.93 FIP indicated a season teetering on the edge of brutality.

This season has been a completely different story for the 34-year-old; he’s got a near-matching 1.48 ERA and 1.97 FIP, allowing just 32 hits and a remarkable 8 walks in 42.2 innings, striking out 43.

Bass is signed only through 2022 with a team option in place for 2023. If the Yankees choose to pick it up, more power to them. If not, they can opt to deal for two months of a potentially rock-solid eighth-inning addition for a far cheaper price than a Robertson deal.

Don’t advertise this too heavily, though. Need to keep this just between you and I.

Tanner Scott #66 of the Miami Marlins (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Tanner Scott #66 of the Miami Marlins (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

2. Tanner Scott

Apologies to AL East stalwart — and former Yankee! — Richard Bleier, who was going to occupy this slot until his recent struggles may have knocked him further down the board.

Tanner Scott is a wild card, and fits the bill as a cheap potential addition who the Yankees could spin into gold, as long as they believe in him.

He’ll cost next to nothing, and was already jettisoned by the Baltimore Orioles just before Opening Day this season. He’s subtracted 0.2 WAR during a volatile tenure in Miami, posting a 1.41 WHIP … but that obscures the fact that he’s buzzsawed 59 batters in just 41.2 innings, holding onto a 4.32 ERA. He’s also controllable through 2024, if the Yankees feel like celebrating the anniversary of the Clay Holmes trade by trying it again.

Scott’s Statcast numbers are outright hilarious. He’s upper-echelon in nearly everything, elite in all strikeout-related metrics (96th percentile whiff percentage, 91st K percentage, 98th [!] fastball spin) and hard-hit data (93rd percentile average exit velocity).

His walk percentage? Second percentile. Second! All Scott does is whiff and walk people. Think we’ve, uh, identified the challenge here, Coach Blake. Have at it.

Scott will be available at the 2022 deadline for a lower-end trade chip (unless the Marlins’ expectations are way too high), and he’s got plenty of AL East experience. At best, he’s easily fixable and becomes a weapon down the stretch. At worst, he’s buried alongside Aroldis Chapman for use in blowouts.

Joey Wendle #18 of the Miami Marlins (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Joey Wendle #18 of the Miami Marlins (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

1. Joey Wendle

If you tore your hair out in agony every time Joey Wendle and his bare hands smacked killer singles and gappers against the Yankees as a member of the Rays, then you don’t even need to read the rest of this blurb.

If you still need convincing to get on board, though, know that Wendle has maintained his status as an agitator with surprising pop since being dealt to Miami this offseason. He’s been out of our lives long enough. It’s time for an AL East return — but only for the heroes.

In 160 at-bats this season, Wendle’s hit an even .300 with a 113 OPS+ and 1.6 WAR, per Baseball Reference. Though he’s smacked just a pair of homers, his offensive profile appears to be what people think Isiah Kiner-Falefa is. He puts bat on ball and doesn’t leave the yard very often, sure, but he’s still well above league-average offensively. It’s the dream.

And oh, that versatility! 16 games at second, 19 games at third, 14 games at short — he’s Marwin Gonzalez, but with a stronger portfolio of recent success.

Wendle becomes a free agent after the 2023 season, and two postseason runs with him occupying the role intended for DJ LeMahieu (bench player who rotates around the infield/starts enough to nab 400 ABs) would certainly be worth two top-25 trade chips. Perhaps the ex-Ray would be a great use of two solid prospects on the edge of 40-man contention this offseason who Cash won’t want to lose for nothing? TJ Sikkema and Josh Breaux should get fitted for South Beach attire in the coming days. It’s a match made in Versatility Heaven.

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