With the Miami Marlins in striking distance of a Wild Card spot, the team is reportedly interested in bolstering their lineup by adding a former National League MVP before the MLB trade deadline.
Teams like the Baltimore Orioles, Cincinnati Reds, and Arizona Diamondbacks have gotten a lot of attention this year for their surprising play and actually being first-place teams at some point this season. However, due to their impressive performance, they have overshadowed what has been an unexpected showing from the Miami Marlins.
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It has been nearly 15 years since the Marlins were a legitimate playoff contender in July. But here the team is just a game out of the final Wild Card spot as the league closes in on the Aug. 1 MLB trade deadline. Unsurprisingly, it has led to speculation on if the often conservative franchise could make a rare blockbuster trade in the next week.
Miami Marlins targeting Cody Bellinger ahead of MLB trade deadline
Well, while they may not be in play for Shohei Ohtani or Marcus Stroman, it seems Miami does have their crosshairs set on one of the most sought-after players in this summer’s trade market. On Wednesday, MLB Network league insider Jon Morosi reported that “The Marlins are among the teams looking at Cody Bellinger.”
The man who won an NL MVP award with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2019 is having a major bounce-back season for the Chicago Cubs in 2023. Over the last few weeks, he has been linked to several teams, including the New York Yankees, as contenders continue to lineup for the left-handed hitting outfielders’ services before the Aug. 1 trade deadline.
- Cody Bellinger stats (2023): .314 AVG, .363 OBP, .540 SLG, 14 HR, 45 RBI, 53 R
Bellinger would be a major addition to a Miami Marlins lineup that has lacked consistent on-base threats this season beyond All-Star Luis Arraez.