Astros: 1 trade package to make with the Marlins

The Houston Astros have a slew of routes they can explore by the June 30th trade deadline, but with a high-end arm on the agenda, they could secure a package deal with the Miami Marlins. While center field could see a replacement, Startling Martes has been rumored as a trade option for the organization, but they could ask for a reliever as well.

The Marlins aren’t contenders, and with a new front office at work, they can rebuild while dealing away some key arms. Yimi Garcia, Richard Bleier and Dylan Floro can all be shipped out at some point this week, but in regards to the needs of the Astros, Marte and Garcia could bolster the Astros’ World Series chances.

With the Marlins shopping, what could they package together for the Astros?

Marte would most likely be a rental for any team he lands with. The right-hander was in talks with the Marlins regarding an extensions, but those discussions have fizzled away, leading to trade rumors.

The Astros have reached out to the Marlins about Marte, and while there was no report on a possible trade scenario, Myles Straw and Chas McCormick would be losing playing time. Straw has been the everyday starter in center field, and while McCormick has struggled out of the gate since the All-Star break, could either two fall into discussion of being traded?

I don’t think Straw has the value to make up much of the trade, but McCormick might. If neither are dealt, McCormick would most likely be the odd man out and be optioned, which is unorthodox based on his production this season. With both of these outfielders not showing many innings at other positions, it would be hard to dispute both of them staying on the roster while not backing up the infield.

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With a few Marlin arms at disposal, the Astros could look at Yimi Garcia, the team’s current closer. The four-pitch reliever has seen a mid-90s fastball and a low-90s slider as his go-to pitches in 2021, and although displaying a lower strikeout rate at 8.7 per nine innings, the right-hander has great spin on his pitches.

His major issue is that he gives into a lot of hard contact, which is not what defines a high-end reliever. Garcia has been adequate out of the bullpen with his 3.47 ERA, and although his expected ERA climbs to 4.62, the right-hander would most definitely be an improvement for the current state of the ‘pen.

Marte and Garcia would both be free agents come 2021, while the bulk of the return would be in response to Marte’s worth. It is hard to imagine McCormick going back down to the minor leagues in this situation, as Marte is boosting the position. Although both Marte and Garcia are rentals, they are members of the two highest sought out positions this trade deadline. This would hint to a top-10 prospect being in the deal, which is where Colin Barber comes in.

McCormick has a higher upside than that of Straw, but with the Astros looking to enhance their status now, he shows trade value for a team he can start on. The Marlins could honestly take even more, if they are wanting a pitcher like Jose Alberto Rivera thrown into the mix.