Mariners Trade Proposal: Marlins and Brian Anderson

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MIAMI, FLORIDA – AUGUST 26: Brian Anderson #15 of the Miami Marlins bats against the Washington Nationals at loanDepot park on August 26, 2021 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

The Mariners are going to need a replacement for Kyle Seager at third. Many were hoping that it was going to be the homegrown Austin Shenton, but he was traded to Tampa for Diego Castillo. So now, we either wait to see how long until Noelvi Marte is called up and if he makes the move, or see if they find an actual replacement. This is where Brian Anderson comes into play.

Anderson is going to be 29 and is due $5 million from the Marlins this year. He will hit his final year of arbitration in 2023 before becoming a free agent. These are the types of players that the Marlins normally make available. He’s got good pop, posting a .263/.347/.423 so far in his career. The slugging expectation should be higher than that, as it dropped to .378 in 2021 due to a shoulder injury. He actually slugged .467 in 2019/2020, which is a better indicator.

He’s not a bad defender either. Baseball Reference gives him a consistently above-average number there, 0.8, 0.5, 0.4 over the last three seasons.

Before getting into writing this, I actually reached out to Ely Sussman, the managing editor over at Fish Stripes. I wanted to get a better idea of how the Marlins might value Brian Anderson, as well as his potential availability in a trade.

“Ultimately, I’d be surprised if they moved him this winter. The shoulder surgery complicates his market value and he does a lot of things that complement the current Marlins roster. Feels much more likely that he’s on the trade block in July if the team is once again out of contention…That being said, the biggest farm system need for them is infielders (2B/SS/3B) at High-A and above. Somebody like Kaden Polcovich should interest them.”

Kaden Polcovich huh? We might have to wait until July to see it happen, but he’s a good piece for sure.

That’s not too much of an ask, and I think actually makes for a good starting point for building some trades for Anderson. I’m gonna throw a couple of options out there that I think the Marlins might be interested in. I’ll approach it from three different angles, but we start by getting them some youth for down the line.

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JULY 16: Kaden Polcovich #71 of the Seattle Mariners hits a triple in the third inning during a summer workouts intrasquad game at T-Mobile Park on July 16, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

Mariners Trade Proposal #1 for Brian Anderson

For a long time, the Marlins have been intent on trying to limit payroll and use their farm system for a shot at a title during a short window, hoping to have everyone hit when it matters. Plenty of fans may be upset with how they do it, but they’ve been incredibly successful when you think about the % of how many times they’ve won a World Series while actually trying to win one.

This becomes the basis of the first trade. The Mariners would send them three separate pieces that could all fill different roles for the team. I’ll jump in with Polcovich since he is who Ely mentioned.

2022 will be his age-23 season, and he only has one full minor league season under his belt. He was playing great at High A in Everett but struggled in limited time at AA Arkansas. The numbers he put up in Everett indicated a good eye (.415 OBP with 47 walks), and a good power/ speed combo (10HR/16SB). With his ability to move around, they could set a plan for him for a needed position, and go from them, increasing his value to the Marlins.

Keenan could be the hot corner replacement for Anderson and be given a bit of time to adjust to major league pitching. He turns 23 right around the same time as Polcovich, and completely raked his final year of college at Mississippi. The power is there, but he struggled with strikeouts in Everett this year in his first year in the minors. The eye was still good, as his slash line was .196/.304./.357.

Then, Phillips would give them a young and controllable pitcher who is still incredibly young. He will turn 21 in May, and has incredible strikeout stuff already, sitting down 104 in 72 innings in A ball at Modesto this year. This may not sound like a ton to get, but the future value is high, and gives the Marlins a ton of control in exchange for a guy who would likely cost them $13m+ over the next two years total.

BALTIMORE, MD – APRIL 15: Justin Dunn #35 of the Seattle Mariners pitches. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

Mariners Trade Proposal #2 for Brian Anderson

This one all depends on how you feel about Justin Dunn, both his talent and his shoulder. A shoulder injury is never something that can be taken lightly. It can be persistent throughout a career and greatly affect the rest of his seasons.

Or, a guy can come back from it and be dominant. People love Carlos Rodon, and he had major shoulder issues and worries. That hasn’t stopped fans and experts alike from expecting or thinking he is going to get a deal north of $100 million this offseason.

Am I saying that Dunn could be the next Rodon? No, I’m not. He did just turn 26 and is under control through the 2025 season. Yes, his season was shut down in 2021, but the numbers he put up were quite impressive. 8.8 K/9, 3.75 ERA, and much better control than his BB/9 would indicate.

If the Marlins can get a return somewhere around a 4.00 ERA, a K per inning, and control for four more seasons, then that becomes a big win for them. Plus, you would still get Polcovich. Anderson is better, but age and cost do play a factor when you are putting a trade together.

ANAHEIM, CA – SEPTEMBER 25: Justus Sheffield #33 of the Seattle Mariners pitches against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on September 25, 2021 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /

Mariners Trade Proposal #3 for Brian Anderson

This one is tough for me. I love Stoudt, Campbell is young with great potential, and Sheffield is a former top prospect.

Sheffield may end up being in the bullpen at some point, as there has been a worry as to whether or not his stuff is dominant enough to translate as a starter. That also depends on if you believe his 2020 numbers or not.

With Stoudt, the guy had Tommy John right after being drafted, but has come back and looked incredible. He’s got a bit of an issue with walks and consistency but gets up into the high 90s with a nice slider and great changeup. With a bit more control, he could find his way as a mid-rotation guy.

Many fans have worried about Campbell’s elbow surgery, which in fact had nothing to do with Tommy John. It was cleaning out bone chips, and he should be good going forward. He’s a consistent strike-thrower with good control and would be another nice option for their system.

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What do you think, would any of these interest either the Mariners or the Marlins? The Marlins have been slowly turning a corner, looking a bit more like an actual major league team that is interested in keeping prospects, but Brian Anderson is closer to 30 and may be outside their interest level. If he’s available, the Mariners would be smart to at least make a call and figure out his value.

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Mariners Trade Proposal #1 for Brian Anderson

Mariners Trade Proposal #2 for Brian Anderson

Mariners Trade Proposal #3 for Brian Anderson

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