From a three-minute warning to an immediate cross-country flight, Victor Vodnik reveals the chaotic reality of joining the Miami Marlins bullpen after a stunning deadline deal.
MIAMI, Fla. – The Miami Marlins made four trades ahead of Monday’s 6:00 p.m. deadline, including a last-minute acquisition of right-handed reliever Victor Vodnik from the Colorado Rockies in exchange for infielder Connor Norby and right-handed prospect Aiden May.
Usually for fans, transactions cause excitement, but for players it’s a quick shift in lifestyle. They have to sort out housing and transportation, and often spend time away from family. In an interview with Tyler Boronski on Saturday, Vodnik admitted a trade to the Marlins was unexpected.
“I didn’t think I was going to be moved at all,” he said. “There were three minutes left of the trade deadline and [Warren] Schaeffer (Rockies Manager) comes in and goes, ‘Vik, my office.’ [At that moment] everyone knew.”
Vodnik was traded ahead of the Rockies’ series opener against the Tampa Bay Rays. He alerted family about the news as they traveled back to California, where the 26-year-old resides. Vodnik quickly packed all of his belongings, Ubered to the airport on Tuesday morning, and met with the Marlins in Atlanta for the series opener against the Braves. Vodnik pitched two innings in the same game, allowing two hits and two earned runs.
The Marlins had familiarity with the fourth-year major leaguer before the deadline. In late March, Vodnik was the closer for the Rockies, looking to avoid a series sweep. After putting two outs on the board, Javier Sanoja doubled, and Owen Caissie stepped into the batter’s box. He slugged a two-run walk-off homer off Vodnik’s 93.8-mile-per-hour changeup down the middle.
Three months later, a similar situation occurred.
In the fifth inning, facing two outs, Griffin Conine slugged a three-run go-ahead homer off Vodnik’s 89-mile-per-hour changeup near the top of the strike zone.
“As soon as I came here, I went up to them like, ‘Hey man, what the heck was that?’” he said. “‘Why you got to do that to me?’”
Vodnik has allowed just three home runs this season, two of which came from Marlins outfielders. They can no longer take him deep while being in the same clubhouse. Vodnik gives an injury-riddled Marlins pitching staff depth. He has four saves on the season.
Playing at sea level will be a significant benefit for the team’s newest member. Denver is popular for its 5,280-foot altitude, which can affect a pitch’s movement. Vodnik should have a smoother game routine for the rest of the season.
The Marlins (59-59) are three games behind the Philadelphia Phillies for the last National League Wild Card spot. After snapping a three-game losing streak, it will take efficient execution on both ends of the diamond to bring October baseball back to South Florida. There are 44 games left on the Marlins’ schedule, including a three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates this week, who are two games ahead of them in the standings.
Plenty of opportunities to make the postseason, which Vodnik has yet to participate in.
