Tap here to access our MLB Trade Tracker, which includes all trades and rumors leading up to the July 31 trade deadline.
The Miami Marlins will reportedly need some assistance from a third party to finalize a widely reported trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
On Wednesday morning, multiple reports indicated the Marlins traded right-hander Mat Latos, first baseman Michael Morse, and the No. 34 competitive balance pick to the Dodgers in exchange for three pitching prospects.
A subsequent report indicated, however, the deal was still "far from complete" as of Wednesday evening and may even be falling apart, according to Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald. One source told Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times, meanwhile, that the deal is on hold due to medicals.
Hours later, however, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported that the deal involves a third team, the Atlanta Braves, though their role in the trade remains unclear. Still, significant players are expected to be included in the deal, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
The Marlins, who shipped reliever Steve Cishek to St. Louis last week, had been extensively shopping Latos leading up to the deadline as he is set for free agency at the end of the season. The 27-year-old battled inconsistency through his first two months but has been exceptional since returning from the disabled list in mid-June with knee inflammation, posting a 2.96 ERA across his last 45 2/3 innings while holding opponents to a .198 average.
The Dodgers have been linked to starting pitching leading up to the deadline, and Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY Sports reported that the team still has its sights set on landing a top-tier arm.
| Pitcher | ERA | IP | SO | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clayton Kershaw | 2.51 | 140 | 185 | 0.94 |
| Zack Greinke | 1.37 | 138.1 | 120 | 0.83 |
| Mike Bolsinger | 2.79 | 84 | 75 | 1.18 |
| Brett Anderson | 3.29 | 117.2 | 81 | 1.30 |
| Mat Latos | 4.48 | 88.1 | 79 | 1.25 |
Morse has been a disappointment since agreeing to a two-year, $16-million deal with Miami in December. He is hitting .214/.277/.314 with four home runs and 54 strikeouts through 52 games and is owed $8.5 million in 2016.
Nevertheless, Morse may be the newest addition to a crowded bench in Chavez Ravine. Morse, who can play first base as well as left field, will compete for playing time with Carl Crawford, Scott Van Slyke, Alex Guerrero, and Enrique Hernandez.