Marlins deal Ziegler to D-backs, Maybin to M's

ATLANTA -- With an eye on their future, the Marlins on Tuesday moved a pair of veterans who made their impressions on a young roster but don't fit into the organization's long-term picture.
In separate transactions, the Marlins dealt reliever Brad Ziegler to the D-backs and outfielder Cameron Maybin to the Mariners before the 4 p.m. ET non-waiver Trade Deadline.
For weeks, the Marlins fielded calls and measured interest in a number of their players, but they ended up parting with two players who will be free agents after the season.
"The calls were steady," Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill said. "In the end, we were very happy with both deals we were able to make and to maximize the value of two expiring contracts. We're excited with the two pieces we were able to get back, in addition to the money we were able to get back in the Maybin deal."

Miami acquired Minor League right-hander Tommy Eveld for Ziegler. In return for Maybin, the Marlins received Minor League infielder Bryson Brigman and an undisclosed amount of international bonus pool money.
Hill said Eveld will report to Double-A Jacksonville, and Brigman will join Class A Advanced Jupiter.
"I appreciate both of those guys and what they've been able to do for us," Marlins manager Don Mattingly said of the veterans. "Cam has been a great guy in our clubhouse. Just a good leader for our young guys. Zieg, obviously, has been really good here in this latest stretch."
The two trades scrambled Miami's active roster.
The club reinstated right-hander Tayron Guerrero from the disabled list, recalled left-hander Jarlín García from Triple-A New Orleans and selected the contract of outfielder Isaac Galloway from New Orleans. Miami optioned right-hander Ben Meyer to Triple-A.

The D-backs will pick up the remainder of Ziegler's 2018 salary, which is about $3 million, and the Mariners are on the hook for the remainder of Maybin's $3.25 million contract, which is about $1 million.
Until 4 p.m., the Marlins were open to making more moves. They engaged in talks for Derek Dietrich and Justin Bour as well as relievers Kyle Barraclough, Adam Conley and Drew Steckenrider.
The Nationals discussed All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto over the weekend, but with an extremely high asking price, talks didn't advance far.
Realmuto, who is arbitration eligible the next two years, is a candidate to be offered an extension in the offseason. Hill said that is a topic for another day.
"Right now, J.T. is focused on having an All-Star, MVP-type season, and helping this organization," Hill said. "At the appropriate time, I think [an extension] is something that will be discussed."

Eveld, who has posted a 1.96 ERA and struck out 137 batters in 100 career Minor League outings, is from Coral Springs, Fla., and attended the University of South Florida. The 2016 ninth-round pick of the D-backs threw 36 1/3 innings at Class A Advanced this season, with 42 strikeouts in 36 1/3 innings and a 1.24 ERA. In 4 1/3 innings at Double-A Jackson, the 24-year-old righty tossed 4 1/3 scoreless innings with five strikeouts.
"From an analytical standpoint, aside from the good upper-90s fastball that Eveld possesses, from our metrics that we use to evaluate professional pitchers, his fastball ranks in the 96 percentile in effectiveness -- in velocity and movement," Hill said. "We are very excited we were able to add that type of power arm into our system as we continue to build our organization."

Brigman, 23, was a third-round pick of Seattle in 2016. At Class A Advanced Modesto, he compiled a slash line of .304/.373/.391 with 13 doubles, seven triples, two home runs and 38 RBIs. Brigman enters Miami's top prospects list at No. 28, according to MLB Pipeline.
"We're talking about a middle-of-the-field talent," Hill said. "A consistent theme that we have shown through free agency, through our trades, through the Draft, is we like athletic, middle-of-the-field talent. Brigman himself was a 2018 Midseason All-Star. We're happy to add him into the mix and get him into Jupiter and help our organization."

A free agent after the season, Ziegler returns to an organization that he's familiar with. The 38-year-old previously pitched for the D-backs from 2011 until he was dealt midseason to the Red Sox in '16.
Ziegler improved his trade value since moving out of the closer role and into a setup spot the past couple of months. In 53 games, Ziegler posted a 3.98 ERA and an xFIP of 3.53. His ground-ball rate of 74 percent is the highest among all Major League relievers.

On a youthful Marlins team, Ziegler was a steady bullpen presence, stepping up in high-leverage situations. In 13 1/3 innings in July, he had an 0.68 ERA. In his past 30 appearances, his ERA is 1.23 over 29 1/3 innings, with a WHIP of 1.02.
Mattingly said Guerrero will pitch more high-leverage innings, with Garcia as a bridge lefty who can toss multiple innings.
Galloway is a good story. An eight-round pick of the Marlins in 2008, the right-handed-hitting outfielder earns his first MLB callup at 28. He has played 947 Minor League games.
"I'm excited for Ike," Mattingly said. "This guy is just a tremendous kid, tremendous kid, tremendous worker. Every time I've got to see him, he's had great springs."