Rockies OF McCarthy a Logical Trade Option for Marlins

Whether they were 10 games over .500 or back even after a 10-game losing streak, the Miami Marlins were likely not going to be major players in the MLB Trade Deadline.

With every game, the holes that need to be filled for the Marlins to remain competitive in the National League wild card race reveal themselves. One of those holes is a need for a veteran center fielder. 

For outfield reinforcements, the Marlins can look to the mountains and swing a trade with the Colorado Rockies for Jake McCarthy.

McCarthy leads the Rockies in batting average with a career-high .305 clip and 17 stolen bases. The high elevation has also done well for his power numbers, as he also smashed a career-high 10 home runs so far this year. 

McCarthy joined the Rockies on a $1.53 million deal after previously spending his whole career with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He went from a young outfielder to a veteran leader on a team that was trying to rebuild from a 43-win season last year.

“It reminds me a lot of when I got called up in 2021 and the young team I played on in 2022,” McCarthy said in an interview with Five Reasons Sports on Opening Day. “I think it’s fun to be a part of something ascending.”

The Rockies enter Friday two wins away from matching last year’s total but at 41-63, remain the worst team in the National League. Still, all progress is good progress for a rebuilding squad with a young core. Hunter Goodman has developed into the next Rockies star with 31 home runs before August. TJ Rumfield is making a case for Rookie of the Year with 13 homers, 52 RBI and a .297 batting average. 

“I think there are a lot of young, really talented players here who are eager to prove themselves,” McCarthy said. “I think the more experience they get, the better overall club we’ll get.”

He can still be part of something ascending if he gets traded to the Marlins. The Fightin’ Fish ascended to 10 games above .500, firmly in playoff position and within a few games of their first division title in franchise history not too long ago. Despite a nine-game losing streak, the Marlins 52-51 remain in postseason contention, 1.5 games behind the Arizona Diamondbacks. 

Trading for McCarthy would fill a need at center field. Jakob Marsee has been given every opportunity to solidify the spot, but his bat never caught up to his speed and defense. 

Wednesday was the first game this season that he was left out of the starting lineup against a right-handed starting pitcher. Marsee has been slashing .192/.313/.287 with five home runs, 25 RBI, 19 stolen bases and a 73 wRC+ so far this season. 

“I think we are at a point where it's no secret that Jakob has struggled this year from a performance standpoint,” Clayton McCullough said before Wednesday’s game against the Houston Astros. 

Until a trade is made to upgrade the outfield, Estuery Ruiz, who leads the Marlins with 22 stolen bases and has a .836 OPS, will likely see more time in center field.

Join our ROUNDTABLE community! It's free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members. Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!