The Miami Marlins are a bloody mess.
The team today announced they’re trading pitcher Mat Latos, outfielder Mike Morse and a compensation pick (no.34) to the Los Angeles Dodgers for three prospects and cap relief per the Miami Herald’s Clark Spencer.
#Marlins will trade Latos, Morse and Comp. Balance pick to Dodgers for 3 minor-league players. Dodgers will take on all of Morse's salary.
— clarkspencer (@clarkspencer) July 29, 2015
So why would the Marlins give away a pitcher who they traded a pretty damn good pitcher (Anthony Desclafani) for, just last offseason? Well, salary relief, of course. The Dodgers are taking what’s remaining of Latos’ $9.4 million and Morse’s $7 million this year and his entire $8 million salary in 2016. On top of that, the Marlins are giving the Dodgers a competitive balance draft pick, the 34th overall in next June’s Draft. Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports is reporting Miami may be taking on salary to boot.
https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/626421669649870848
Latos is in the midst of a weird year, where his 4.48 ERA isn’t reflective of how he’s been pitching, as the 6’6″ righty is sporting a spectacular 3.34 FIP. Yes, he’s only won four games in 16 starts, but that’s while playing with the lowly Marlins. Going to the Dodgers will surely give him a huge boost. Morse on the other hand has been awful, hitting just 4 home runs in 52 games along with .214 AVG and a .277 OBP. His value can’t possibly get lower, but he gets a decent chance to rebuild it with the Dodgers, should they choose to keep him. Giving up a compensatory pick is just icing on the cake. Can’t have too many assets!
The prospects heading back to Miami currently aren’t known, aside from “three minor league players”, though ESPN’s Keith Law doesn’t expect anyone significant involved.
https://twitter.com/keithlaw/status/626436769559543809
The Marlins…. clear payroll room? Holy smokes, it must be depressing to be a Marlins fans right now. The team isn’t likely to use it’s new found payroll to make a big splash, and will likely pocket the savings. Do you know what’s fun? When your team trades away assets for literally nothing. Unless these prospects turn out to be something of value (I doubt it), it’s just another Miami trade that gives the middle finger to all of the clubs fans.
Marlins going to Marlin.
