Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
While the Miami Marlins‘ franchise player Giancarlo Stanton is off limits to teams trying to make a trade for him, it does not seem like first baseman Logan Morrison is being treated the same way. Morrison is garnering a lot of interest in the trade market and could fill a team’s need at first base during the season. However, shopping him does not make sense.
The only way a trade would have made sense for the Marlins is if the front office had signed Jose Abreu when he was made available, or if they have plans to sign corner infielder in the offseason. Greg Dobbs is currently projected to be the team’s starting third baseman on Opening Day next year, but will probably platoon with Ed Lucas if no one is signed on the open market.
Miami has a lot of holes to fill, and trading away a heart-of-the-lineup hitter like Morrison does not help its cause. Morrison is the only solid bat that could possibly be used to protect Stanton in the lineup as well. Morrison returned to the Marlins in the beginning of June, but was way off from his 2011 form. He batted .242/.333/.375 with six home runs and 36 RBIs in 85 games.
A healthy Morrison can potentially have a bigger impact now that more teams are pitching around Stanton. It would be interesting to see who bites on a potential Morrison trade, but Miami should really consider holding off on trading the first baseman.
Ryan Gaydos is an MLB columnist for www.RantSports.com. He comments on Miami Marlins rumors. Follow him on Twitter, “like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
