Marlins acquire Vidal Brogan and Calvin Foucher from Rays

The Marlins announced the acquisition of Utility Player Vidal Brogan And the right Calvin Faucher From the rays. Miami is sending a minor league player Eric LaraRight-handed man Andrew Lindsay And a player who would later be named to Tampa Bay. The Fish already had three openings on the 40-man roster, so no more moves were needed.

Bruján is the biggest name in the deal. While the switch-hitting utility man has yet to have much major league success, he was once one of the top prospects. The Dominican Republic native was a top-10 prospect in Baseball America’s powerful Rays system every year from 2019 to 2022. He ranked in the back half of BA’s top 100 minor league talent throughout that run.

Praised for his speed, ball-handling skills and defensive flexibility, Bruján fits into the overall profile that Tampa Bay prioritizes. Despite excellent minor league production, he never had consistent performances at the MLB level with the Rays. Brogan has struggled as he has seen relatively short spells at the highest level in the past three seasons.

In 272 MLB plate appearances, the 25-year-old is a .157/.218/.221 hitter with three home runs. He was much better at Triple-A Durham, where he hit .273/.357/.450 over parts of three seasons. That includes a .272/.362/.477 slash with 10 home runs and 19 stolen bases (albeit with 14 times caught stealing) in 59 games for the Bulls this year.

Brogan has exhausted his minor league option years, so he will have to remain on an MLB roster next season. A Tampa Bay team deep in talent on the field probably wouldn’t have been able to provide that opportunity, so they’ll be able to clear a 40-man roster spot early in the offseason. Miami has a little less bench depth and doesn’t have a clear answer at shortstop where John Bertie Projects for starters. Although Brogan is unlikely to get a day job, he can play any center field position, or any outfield spot, and has experience at third base.

Faucher, 28, was designated for assignment Tuesday. He is now traded for the second time in his career. The former Twins draftee went to the Rays at the 2021 deadline in Nelson Cruz/Joe Ryan Switch. He debuted with Tampa Bay in 2022 and has made 39 big-league appearances (four starts) over the past two seasons.

The results were not great. Faucher has a 6.32 ERA in 47 MLB innings. His strikeout rate of 20.8% and walk percentage of 10% are both slightly worse than average. The UC Irvine product released in the mid-1990s and has a cutter, sweeper and curveball in his speed repertoire. He owns a stellar 2.75 ERA in 72 Triple-A innings over three years, striking out 29.4% of hitters he faces at that level.

Faucher still has one option year remaining, so the Marlins can move him between Miami and Triple-A Jacksonville for another season. It’s the second straight year the Fish have acquired a former reliever and prospect from Tampa Bay. Last November, the two sides lined up Xavier Edwards/GT Charjoa an agreement. This was coordinated by former Miami general manager Kim Ng. First-year Miami president of baseball operations Peter Bendix was working in the Rays’ front office for that trade. One of his first deals leading the Marlins is to bring in a pair of players he knows from their in-state rivals.

In return, Tampa Bay picks up a pair of prospects (and maybe a third) who are nowhere close to occupying 40-man roster spots — a common practice as they rotate the roster for future talent. Lara is a 17-year-old girl who recently moved out of the Dominican Republic. American baseball player Ben Badler He wrote in May that he could stay at shortstop depending on filling out his 6’2″ frame. He is a left-handed batsman.

Lindsay was a fifth-round pick last summer out of Tennessee. The 6’3″ pitcher pitched to a 2.90 ERA in 71 1/3 innings during his junior season for the Volunteers. He struck out nearly a quarter of opponents for a modest 6.4% walk rate. He turned 24 this week. BA wrote in his draft report that he sits in the mid-90s with his sinker and has a high-80s slider as his highest secondary tone.

Daniel Alvarez Montes from El Extrabase It was first reported that the Marlins were acquiring Bruján and Faucher.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports.