Miami Marlins Reportedly Expected to Put Claims on Waived Los Angeles Angels Relievers
The Miami Marlins might be in the market for some bullpen reinforcements.
According to a report from USA Today's Bob Nightengale, the Marlins are expected to put claims on at least one or two of the relievers that the Los Angeles Angels waived on Tuesday. On top of waiving starting pitcher Lucas Giolito and outfielders Hunter Renfroe and Randal Grichuk, Los Angeles also placed relievers Matt Moore, Reynaldo López and Dominic Leone on waivers.
The Angels won't be able to get anything back for any of the six veterans they decided to cut ties with, but letting them go is likely to get the team under the luxury tax.
While there is technically no longer a "waiver Trade Deadline" in MLB, as there was under the previous CBA, players still must be on a team's roster by Aug. 31 in order to be eligible to appear in the postseason.
Whereas the Angels were ready to punt on the 2023 season after falling out of the AL Wild Card race, the Marlins are right in the thick of things on the NL side of the playoff picture.
Miami is 3.0 games back of the third and final NL Wild Card spot, although the Arizona Diamondbacks and Cincinnati Reds stand between them and the cutoff line. The Chicago Cubs and San Francisco Giants aren't safe either, though, as only the current NL Wild Card team that FanGraphs is giving a 70% chance to make the postseason is the Philadelphia Phillies.
The Marlins have stayed afloat to this point despite boasting a bullpen that ranks No. 17 in ERA and No. 19 in WHIP. Veteran Matt Barnes is out for the season after undergoing hip surgery, while 33-year-old right-hander Huascar Brazoban is on the 15-day injured list with a left hamstring strain.
The bullpen, as currently constructed, is very lefty-heavy, with A.J. Puk closing and Tanner Scott, Steven Okert and Andrew Nardi all filling high-leverage roles themselves.
López and Leone, meanwhile, are both right-handers. Moore may be a southpaw, but he is a former All-Star who boasts a 2.08 ERA in 103 appearances over the past two seasons.
The Marlins have until Thursday to snag any of the former Angels relievers, if they want the veterans to be options out of the bullpen come October.
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