The Miami Marlins sends the productive backstop to Tampa Bay for a package featuring first-round prospect Brayden Taylor, bolstering the Rays' World Series pursuit while President Peter Bendix reshuffles the infield future.
MIAMI, Fla. – The Miami Marlins are trading catcher Liam Hicks to the Tampa Bay Rays ahead of the 6:00 p.m. deadline.
According to ESPN insider Jeff Passan, the 27-year-old will move from the National League to the American League. He’s batting .282 with a .795 OPS on the season, including 100 hits in 354 at-bats, nine doubles, a triple, 62 runs batted in (top three among catchers), and 14 home runs in 101 games.
In two consecutive seasons, the Marlins traded a catcher to the opposing in-state franchise. In 2025, it was Nick Fortes in exchange for minor league outfielder Matthew Etzel, but it’s Hicks this time around.
Hicks has one year of pre-arbitration remaining and is under team control through 2030. He joins a team looking to compete for a World Series. The Rays currently lead the American League standings (65-46) ahead of Monday’s series opener against the Colorado Rockies.
The Marlins reportedly get three prospects in return, including infielder Brayden Taylor. He was a first-round selection in 2023 (No. 19) and is batting .284 with a .897 OPS, including 91 hits in 320 at-bats, 16 doubles, three triples, 56 runs batted in, and 17 home runs in 88 games with the Montgomery Biscuits (AA).
Joining Taylor in the package are infielder Adrian Santana and right-handed pitcher Jacob Kisting.
The Rays have expressed interest in Hicks in the recent past, but got over the hump in this deadline.
Hicks provides stability behind the plate, but nothing explosive. He has a 37th percentile in blocking above average, 61st percentile in caught stealing above average, 33rd percentile in framing, and 23rd percentile (1.98) in pop time. This season, Hicks has caught five stolen bases on 32 attempts. He has a 0.68-second exchange from glove to hand and arm strength of 82.1 miles per hour.
The Marlins could afford to part ways with Hicks, given Joe Mack’s quick emergence as a core franchise piece and Brian Navarreto’s call-up to the active roster in late June. Both provide stability and greater arm talent.
President Peter Bendix adds another completed trade to the several others made since joining the organization in 2023. Unlike previous years, the Marlins are well within reach of returning to postseason contention. After winning three of four against the New York Mets at Citi Field, the team is 1.5 games behind the Philadelphia Phillies for the final National League Wild Card spot.
