The Marlins resumed their sales plans just before the trade deadline.
Miami traded pitcher AJ Puk to the Diamondbacks in exchange for prospects Davison de los Santos and Andrew Pinter. ESPN’s Jeff Passan first reported the news..
Corner infielder De Los Santos was Arizona’s No. 14 prospect, and outfielder Pinter was No. 30. According to MLB Pipeline’s Diamondbacks list:.
Once the Athletics’ top prospect, Pack has transformed into a capable relief pitcher over the past three seasons, two of which were spent with Miami.
The left-hander was expected to begin the 2024 season as a starter, but the Marlins ended that effort after Puk’s ERA rose to 9.22 after four appearances.
Still, since switching to a role as an off-the-ball reliever, Pack has posted a 2.08 ERA, 0.76 WHIP and 33 strikeouts in 30 1/3 innings.
It’s been a disappointing year for the Marlins, who made the playoffs last year as the National League wild card team but are now 37-66 and in last place in the NL East.
The trade comes about three months after the team sent two-time batting champion Luis Arraez to the Padres.
Last year’s National League champions, Arizona, are once again in the running for the championship.
Just like in 2023, they are hovering around a .500 win rate with a record of 53-50.
They are just 1.0 game out of the final wild card spot.
But their pitching staff ranks in the bottom half of the league, with their relief pitchers owning a 4.24 ERA (22nd in MLB) as of Thursday.
It likely won’t be Miami’s last move before the July 30 deadline, as The Washington Post’s Jon Heyman reported earlier this month that infielder/outfielder Jazz Chisholm and closer Tanner Scott were both potential moves.
