Is there any reason to keep our relievers and not shop all the viable ones for assets?
-- @men07300585 via Twitter
The asking price is extremely high for closer Kyle Barraclough, left-hander Adam Conley and rookie Drew Steckenrider. Of the three, I think Conley could be the most realistic to be traded. The Red Sox, Astros, Dodgers and others would have interest. MLB.com's Jon Morosi reported the Marlins informed Boston that third baseman Michael Chavis or lefty Jay Groome, the Red Sox's Nos. 1-2 prospects, according to MLB Pipeline, would not be enough to complete a deal.
Consider this, last July, the Marlins traded reliever David Phelps, who will be a free agent in 2019, to the Mariners for four prospects -- outfielder Brayan Hernandez, and right-handers Brandon Miller, Pablo Lopez and Lukas Schiraldi. Hernandez was Seattle's No. 6 prospect at the time, while Miller was No. 16 and Schiraldi was No. 22.
Even though Lopez wasn't ranked then, he is in Miami's rotation. Hernandez is at Class A Short-Season Batavia, while Miller is at Class A Greensboro and Schiraldi is at Double-A Jacksonville.
The Marlins will be looking for an even greater haul for Barraclough, Conley and Steckenrider. All three of them have more years of control than Phelps did.
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Which teams are interested in Marlins' players?
-- @marlinscoverage via Twitter
The general sense is that the Marlins will make a couple of moves before Tuesday's non-waiver Trade Deadline. While teams are coveting Barraclough and Conley the most, left fielder Derek Dietrich, right-hander Dan Straily and reliever Brad Ziegler (a free agent next year) are receiving various levels of interest.
Straily, not a free agent until 2021, could net a pretty good return for contenders looking for rotation depth.
In recent weeks, the Brewers have shown some interest in Dietrich. The fact the Marlins called up 22-year-old Magneuris Sierra, their No. 6 prospect, may be a sign that something could be brewing with Dietrich. Miami plans on playing Sierra every day, either in center or left. Cameron Maybin is another trade possibility.
Castro, owed $11 million next year, could be a potential fit with the Yankees or Nationals. Both clubs might need second-base depth because of injuries.
What do you think the chances are that the Marlins look to extend J.T. Realmuto in the offseason?
-- @CoolKidJoeXBL via Twitter
This is a very common question, and Realmuto promises to be a hot topic in the offseason. If Realmuto isn't dealt by the Marlins at the Deadline, and there seems to be little indication that that will happen, Miami is already discussing trying to extend his contract long term. The All-Star catcher isn't a free agent until 2021, so there is no urgency to trade him. But foremost, I believe, the Marlins must show Realmuto that there is a clear path to winning in Miami in the next couple of years. And not just make a one-year, quick-fix run.
My sense is that by 2020, the Marlins hope to be in position to contend for a postseason spot.
Players want to win. If this is conveyed to Realmuto, that would be a major step in getting a deal done.
Which under-the-radar prospects do you see having the best chance to make the 25-man roster in 2019?
-- @BRMeyer7 via Twittter
Right-hander Nick Neidert, acquired in the Dee Gordon trade with Seattle, has had an impressively strong season at Double-A Jacksonville, a club that hasn't had much offense. The 21-year-old has an 8-6 record and a 3.10 ERA in 19 starts, with 113 strikeouts in 110 1/3 innings. Ranked as Miami's No. 8 prospect, he could be a candidate to win a rotation spot in Spring Training.