Latest news with #Marlins'
Miami Herald
21 hours ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Amid trade rumors, Edward Cabrera delivers strong start in potential Marlins swan song
If Tuesday was Edward Cabrera's final time pitching for the Miami Marlins, he made an unforgettable last impression. It wasn't just his performance against the Padres in the 4-3 win at loanDepot park, which undoubtedly boosted his trade value before the July 31 deadline and eased teams' possible concerns about his elbow. It was also Cabrera's final play before exiting — a headsy, athletic move that preserved the Marlins' fragile one-run lead in the sixth inning. With one out, the 6-foot-5 right-hander charged Xander Bogaerts' soft grounder, lunged, barehanded the ball, and in one fluid motion flipped it to catcher Agustín Ramírez, who tagged out former Marlin Luis Arráez sliding into home. 'I'm always aggressive for any situation that presents,' Cabrera said via team interpreter Luis Dorante Jr. 'Once you see the ball, you just start running to make the play. It's just something that comes out naturally.' Cade Gibson took over for Cabrera at that point, quickly retiring Jackson Merrill. The Marlins then added to their lead in the bottom of the sixth when Heriberto Hernández singled off starter Stephen Kolek after the Padres intentionally walked Kyle Stowers. Javier Sanoja's RBI triple with two outs in the eighth gave the Marlins a 4-1 lead. 'It was huge,' Marlins' manager Clayton McCullough said. '[Sanoja] has a real knack for the dramatic and he's come up with some really big hits for us, really, all season long. He's got no fear of any scenario or situation.' In the ninth, Merrill smacked a two-run double off reliever Ronny Henriquez after Henriquez gave up a walk and a double to the first two batters he faced. But Henriquez bore down and retired the next three Padres to secure the victory. 'Great way to finish it,' McCullough said. 'Ronny has top-of-the-line stuff…it's nice to have that type of stuff and be able to bail yourself out of a jam.' Like Henriquez, Cabrera was able to escape trouble — a few times. Before the game, McCullough said, 'We feel great about where Cabby is' with his elbow, which forced him to leave his previous start on July 11 in Baltimore after four innings. Cabrera played catch during the All-Star break, completed his usual side session, and benefited from the rotation reshuffle and a few extra days of rest, McCullough added. 'I was not worried at all,' Cabrera said of his elbow after the game. 'Because I trusted in myself and knew I was coming back.' Cabrera pitched 5⅔ innings Tuesday, giving up five hits while striking out six and issuing no walks. He threw 86 pitches, reaching a top speed of 98.8 mph. 'Now we're just coming to expect him to pitch in that manner and go deep into a game and give us a real shot to win,' McCullough said. 'Attacking them — that was the best part today,' Cabrera said. 'Mostly for strikes.' If Cabrera has been distracted at all by the trade rumors surrounding him, he didn't show it on the field Tuesday, or at his locker postgame. Both Cabrera and the Marlins' starting pitcher Wednesday, Sandy Alcantara, were among MLB's top 30 most likely to be dealt — Alcantara was No. 4 and Cabrera was No. 18 — in ESPN's most recent trade deadline predictions. Asked about the trade rumors, Cabrera laughed. 'I try not to think about it,' Cabrera said. 'At the end of the day, it's something that's completely out of my control, so there's no point of thinking too much about it.' The 27-year-old's latest outing should increase the asking price for him. He has now allowed two earned runs or fewer in nine of his past 10 starts. The only exception was four runs against the Orioles, when Cabrera experienced elbow discomfort. 'I want to keep pitching the way I'm pitching right now, go out there and do my best,' Cabrera said. 'Get good results and let those results speak for themselves.' The Marlins jumped out to a quick lead in the first inning Tuesday when Otto Lopez stroked a two-out single and scored on a throwing error after Ramírez's infield single. Stowers followed with a double to right, bringing home Ramírez all the way from first to make it 2–0. Stowers started the game tied with teammate Xavier Edwards for second in the NL with a .295 average. The Padres got on the board in the third when Arráez singled home Martin Maldonado, who had doubled and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Cabrera escaped a second-inning jam by striking out Jose Iglesias on an 85-mph curve with runners at the corners and two outs. 'He's done a great job limiting damage and keeping innings from spiraling out of control,' McCullough said. 'That's a lot of maturity on Edward's part with how he navigates through an outing.' ▪ Outfielder Derek Hill was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left middle finger sprain. Hill injured the finger in the batting cage on Saturday. ▪ Infielder Jack Winkler was recalled from Triple-A Jacksonville.
Miami Herald
4 days ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Cal Quantrill delivers six shutout innings as Marlins down Royals 3-1
Cal Quantrill spent the All-Star break in Ontario, Canada, relaxing by the lake and retreating from the Florida summer humidity. But when the right-hander returned to the mound Saturday afternoon for the Marlins' second game of their home series versus the Kansas City Royals, it was all business. Coming into the 3-1 win, Quantrill carried uneven numbers: a 5.36 ERA over 19 starts, with 68 strikeouts and 24 walks. But beneath the surface, he believed his performance told a better story. 'I think my pitching's been better than the line shows,' he said Friday. 'Now it's time for a fresh start.' And he delivered exactly that. Quantrill turned in six shutout innings, leaning heavily on the sharp execution of his cutter and slider — a refined one-two punch that Manager Clayton McCullough later called 'his weapons.' His efficiency was striking. He exited after just 69 pitches, having scattered two hits, walked none and struck out three. But more than that, he controlled the game's rhythm with poise and precision, mixing his pitches to keep the Royals' hitters off-balance. Quantrill's first big defensive moment didn't even come from the mound, but from his awareness: a third-inning pickoff that erased Tyler Tolbert just after the Royals outfielder had reached on a line-drive single. 'A bonus pick is always a win as a right-handed pitcher,' he noted. And the Marlins' defense had his back the rest of the way — including a back-to-the-wall, 367-foot grab in center by Dane Myers to preserve the shutout in the top of the third. 'There were some nice defensive plays behind Cal,' McCullough said postgame. 'And Cal kept filling it up — [it] was a really great outing [with] great efficiency.' But with six MLB seasons under his belt, Quantrill isn't just chasing strikeouts. 'There's times to go and try and get [a strikeout], and there's times to take the outs that are given to you,' he said. 'Early in my career, I think I chased the swing-and-miss too much. I think I do a better job of that now.' For most of the game, it was a duel on the mound, but the Marlins' bats sparked late. In the eighth, with the score tied 1-1, Graham Pauley reached via walk. After giving up a strike due to a pitch clock violation, Xavier Edwards delivered a crisp, line-drive double to left — 'crisp' being McCullough's word for it — and ignited the go-ahead rally. With Jesús Sánchez intentionally walked to load the bases, Otto Lopez stepped in and cleared the tension with a 370-foot double to left-center, bringing home both Pauley and Edwards. The hit brought Lopez's RBI count for the game to three. 'Otto has been in a really good place for a while now,' McCullough added. 'It goes back to his high-contact ability [and] his improved plate discipline.' With the win, Miami improves to five games under .500 and will look to sweep the Royals on Sunday as they continue to chip away at the standings. THIS AND THAT: No. 7 MLB Draft Pick Aiva Arquette visited loanDepot park on Saturday afternoon. Quantrill's father, Paul, also played for the Marlins in 2005. They are the third father-son duo to ever appear on the Marlins' Janson Junk will take the mound Sunday in the series finale in what will be his second career start versus the Kansas City Royals. He earned his first career victory his start against the Royals on July 27, 2022.
Miami Herald
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Where things stand: Miami Marlins trade rumors
July is a busy month for baseball — the midway point of the regular season, the All Star Game, the MLB Draft, and to wrap it all up, the trade deadline. While the Miami Marlins front office has until the end of the month to solidify their roster movement, speculations about who could join or leave the team are already flying. Ath the All-Star Break, the Marlins are third in the National League East and 44-51. They have been on an upward trajectory during the last month, including an eight-game winning streak at the beginning of July. For manager Clayton McCullough, that progress was still the focus. heading into the mid-season break. 'We have a lot of work to do,' McCullough said on July 6 after the team's 2-1 series loss to the Milwaukee Brewers. 'It's been exciting, the run we've been on, and hopefully we can continue to play that brand of baseball that yields more wins than not, and that is where our focus will continue to be with the 26 we have, and trying to do our best to prepare them and go win that day's game.' Yet, if the playoffs were to begin today, the Fish would be nowhere close to contention, even for a wild card spot. They're still seven games below .500 and 7.5 games off a playoff berth. So now the Marlins must decide whehter to buy or sell at the deadline. One name that has continuously circulated in discussions about who the Marlins might deal is right-handed pitcher Sandy Alcántara. The former Cy Young Award winner has posted a 7.22 ERA this season — one of the worst in the league — as he works his way back from the Tommy John surgery from October 2023. While he's still searching for consistency on the mound, Alcántara continues to climb the Marlins' franchise leaderboards. He currently ranks second in strikeouts in club history and has shown glimpses of the dominance that once made him Miami's ace. 'Look, the guy's not dead,' McCullough said of Alcántara's tumultuous season thus far. 'He has an outing where he gives up some runs and the world is caving in. Is Sandy frustrated? Yes, but he's gonna be fine.' There are a few key factors at play in determining whether Alcántara will finish the season with the Marlins. First, his contract: he's owed $38.3 million over the next two seasons, a manageable number for many teams — but one that, paired with his rocky 2025 performance, could still raise concerns. On the other hand, his track record and flashes of promise this year have intrigued clubs in the playoff hunt seeking a frontline starter. One thing the Marlins front office needs to consider, however, is that moving Alcántara could have ripple effects beyond the rotation. Alcántara shares a close personal and professional bond with 22-year-old Marlins breakout pitcherEury Pérez. Both are natives to the Dominican Republic. Both are represented by the same agent and their lockers are side-by-side in the Marlins' clubhouse. Given that Alcántara has taken on the role of mentor and older brother for Pérez, trading him would remove a crucial support system. Disrupting that relationship could set back Pérez's development at a time when the Marlins are banking on him to be a foundational player in thefuture. Still, Alcántara's name remains on the radar of multiple contending teams. ESPN's Jeff Passan predicts a potential landing spot in Chicago, where the Cubs — armed with a strong offense — could use Alcántara to stabilize their rotation and deepen a playoff push. Other postseason hopefuls like the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers, the New York Yankees, and the Boston Red Sox (now firmly in wild card contention) may also join the conversation. The Dodgers, Yankees and Red Sox rank second, third, and twelfth in payroll, respectively — meaning Alcántara's contract likely wouldn't scare them off. Despite the growing interest, the Marlins still hold all the cards. With Alcántara under team control through 2027 on a team-friendly deal, Miami has no urgency to sell low. They can afford to wait — and should they choose to hold onto their longtime ace, it wouldn't just preserve their leverage. It might also protect the future of their next one. Other Marlins players in conversation include right-handed starting pitcher Edward Cabrera, who is in the midst of a breakout season. He's pitching with more confidence on the mound, boasting a solid 3.61 ERA, with a 1.26 WHIP and 86 strikeouts in 82 innings, through July. 'We just continue to see a more refined version of him as a pitcher,' McCullough said earlier this month of Cabrera's performance. While Cabrera has stabilized Miami's rotation, he has also emerged as one of the most intriguing trade candidates. Teams like the Cubs and the New York Mets have reportedly shown interest in the emerging ace; however, Cabrera's exit from last Friday's game versus the Orioles due to right-elbow discomfort could complicate things. While his MRI revealed no structural damage, meaning he will probably avoid an IL stint, this doesn't help his trade value. Another pitcher with a circle of trade rumors is Janson Junk, who most recently held the Baltimore Orioles scoreless on five hits through seven innings in the Fish's July 12 shutout. Junk's versatility as a starter or reliever ups his trade value, making him a valuable asset. This season Junk is 4-1 with a save. He has 2.68 ERA and a 0.99 WHIP. He has appeared in 10 games this season, with five of them starts and has 38 strikeouts in 50 1/3 innings. At 29 years old, Junk might not fit into Miami's long-term rebuild with up-and-coming talent such as Pérez, making him a real possibility as a pre-August trade. Finally, two offensive sluggers could also be on the trade negotiations table given their production so far this season. Right fielder Jesus Sanchez entered the midseason break with a .259 batting average, the best in his major-league career, and All-Star left fielder Kyle Stowers leads the team with a .293 average. The Cincinnati Reds, San Diego Padres, and Minnesota Twins all have been rumored to have expressed interest in Sanchez, while Stowers' status as an All Star puts him into trade contention, as well. Stowers would likely have a high asking price, even at 27. He has received everyday playing time this season and excelled. He's the reigning National League Player of the Week. With 19 home runs and 54 RBI over 346 plate appearances this season, Stowers is a real asset to the Marlins right now. While his price tag could be quite high, it's unlikely the Marlins will trade away their leading offensive man. With that said, with this team and this front office, anything goes — for Stowers, for Alcántara, and the whole Marlins roster.
Miami Herald
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Marlins go big in MLB Draft, select 6-5 shortstop from Oregon State with No. 7 overall pick
The Miami Marlins have been focused on Aiva Arquette for quite some time. So much so, that the day after last Christmas, one of their scouts cut his vacation short to go see the Oregon State University shortstop at his home in Kailua, Hawai'i. Arquette was a priority, and Sunday night, the Marlins made the 21-year-old their first selection — the No. 7 overall pick in the 2025 MLB First-Year Player Draft. 'Very excited right now because we just drafted the best college position player in the draft,' Marlins' president of baseball operations Peter Bendix said on a Zoom video call with reporters after the pick. Arquette (6-5, 220 pounds() is ranked the No. 5 overall prospect by Baseball America and the No. 6 overall prospect by MLB Pipeline. He was selected by Arizona in the 18th round of the 2022 MLB Draft out of high school. After two seasons at the University of Washington, he transferred to Oregon State and delivered a breakout junior year — batting .354 (90 for 254) with career highs in runs (73), doubles (17), home runs (19), and RBI (66) — to help the Beavers reach the College World Series. The right-handed hitter also posted a career-best 16.5 strikeout rate (15 in 310 plate appearances) while recording a 12.6 walk rate (39 in 310 plate appearances). 'He's a guy who can do a lot of different things — somebody that really is exactly what we were looking for and hoping for in this draft,' Bendix noted. The Marlins had three remaining picks in the first three rounds Sunday — numbers 43, 46 and 78 — before Rounds 4 through 20 on Monday. As for Arquette, 'This is a player we're extremely excited about that has both performance presently in college and upside,' said Marlins' director of amateur scouting Frankie Piliere, who spoke after Bendix. 'This is going to present a lot of fun opportunities for the Marlins. All of us here just couldn't be more thrilled. I'll echo what Peter said. Our scouting staff did an unbelievable job on this player.' Wearing a vibrant lei around his neck, a smiling Arquette said he celebrated the draft with close friends and family at his home in Hawai'i. 'We're all grateful to be drafted by the Marlins,' he said during a Zoom video call with team media. 'I'm just so excited to get my career started.' Arquette grew up playing football and basketball as well as baseball, and that shows in his athleticism. He said his favorite player growing up was Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith. Arquette is seven inches taller than Smith, but he moves with much more fluidity than expected from a player of his height. And the Marlins aren't looking to move him to another position. 'Where he ends up ultimately, we'll see, but we're drafting him as a shortstop,' said Piliere, adding that Arquette's combination of 'physicality' and 'athleticism' is especially impressive. 'That's a rare combo, and I'll probably end up saying that a lot over the next few days, a few weeks here, but it's rare, and that's why we're so excited.' Said Arquette: 'I'm just excited to get to work, to continue playing the game I love, and just continue my development.'
Miami Herald
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Stowers named to the National League All-Star team as a reserve
Kyle Stowers is heading to the Midsummer Classic. The Miami Marlins' left fielder was named to his first MLB All-Star Game on Sunday and, barring any roster changes, will be the club's lone representative when the showcase is played July 15 in Atlanta. Stowers, 27, found out in a pregame meeting in the clubhouse. 'It's pretty surreal, to be honest,' Stowers said. 'It's something that certainly is on the career bucket list to experience. It's not my mountaintop, per se, but it's something that I definitely wanted to accomplish.' 'The reaction from his teammates said a lot,' said Marlins' manager Clayton McCullough. 'Everyone was ecstatic for Kyle, and he's earned that with his performance. But I think also he's earned a lot of respect from his teammates for the way in which he carries himself and how he handles the good and the bad.' Stowers' production made him the Marlins' likely All-Star choice. He entered Sunday's series finale against the Brewers batting .283 and leading the team's qualifiers in slugging (.519), OPS (.879), home runs (16), extra-base hits (32), RBI (46) and total bases (147). He had five homers in nine games since June 26, tied for second most in the majors during that span, while slashing 355/.429/.903 with a 1.332 OPS. And, of course, there were the two unforgettable walk-offs in the first half of this season — an RBI single to beat the Pirates on Opening Day and a walk-off grand slam against A's flamethrower Mason Miller on May 3, one of only six in franchise history, that snapped a six-game skid. But it hasn't all been smooth. Stowers weathered a 31-game homerless drought and endured a brutal 2-for-30 stretch at the plate from May 24 to June 1. 'He deserves the credit,' McCullough said. 'It's easy to say, 'Well, guys, go make adjustments, and the league will show you.' But it's another thing to be willing to be open to be like, 'OK, I've got to make some real wholesale changes and swing adjustments,' and take what slapped you in the face and push back on it. That shows a lot about Kyle's character. '[Dodgers manager] Dave Roberts has said this a lot: 'The game has a way of rewarding you.' Kyle is one of those, the way he's been rewarded for his stick-to-it-iveness and his openness to getting better. There was a little bit of a dip, and his resiliency shows that this [success] was not a fluky stretch of games.' Said Stowers: 'I'm so grateful to do what I do, but there's a lot of challenges, too, and I care a lot, and so when things weren't going well, it's really hard, and it just makes moments like this that much more special.' Stowers, acquired from the Orioles alongside third baseman Connor Norby in a trade last July 30, reflected Sunday on his early days in Miami. 'I obviously didn't play the baseball that I would have liked to last year,' he said. 'But that being said, within the struggles there's just so many learning opportunities. And honestly, playing so poorly for a stretch of time forced me to kind of lower my expectations, to lower the bar and take one step at a time.' Stowers shared a story from near the end of spring training, when he was 'playing pretty poorly, and I was actually kind of nervous about not making the team'— a notion that seems silly now considering Sunday's news. 'We hadn't booked our living [arrangements] for the season yet,' Stowers said of himself and his wife, Emma. [Assistant hitting coach Derek Shomon] called me before the off day and he goes, 'Are you panicking?' And I go, 'No, I'm not panicking.' Calls me on the off day, asks me the same question. I go, 'I wouldn't use that word.' But maybe what you think I'm feeling is what I'm feeling. He goes, 'Do you want to come in early tomorrow, hit on your own, so you don't have to rush and get your own time?' 'I walk in that morning into the cage, and I go, 'I'm panicking because I've been doing so much good in the cage, and it hasn't shown any results on the field yet.' And he goes, 'Great, we can work with that. You think you're the first guy that's ever struggled in spring and then had a good season?' So he, [hitting coach Pedro Guerrero], and I had a 30-minute conversation, just talking. 'And I think it was the time where they really got to see who I was as a person, what I cared about,' Stowers continued. 'And to be honest with you, if I had to, like, pinpoint one moment that has really shifted things for me here, it was that moment. 'And things didn't get better right after, but just the understanding that we had in that moment, to be able to communicate, for me to be vulnerable to those guys and them to still believe in me and tell me that they have high hopes for me, I genuinely think that's something that's worth noting as a pinpoint for me this year.'
