Florida Marlins: Top 5 MLB Trade Deadline Moves in Franchise History

Jeff "Mr. Marlin" Conine

Historically, the Marlins have been known to be perennial "sellers" at the trade deadline.

However, there have been some instances where the Marlins decided to be "buyers" at the deadline.

These trades were ranked based on the impact the players made after the trades.

Here are the top-five trade deadline moves in franchise history:

5. Florida Trades Gaby Hernandez to Seattle for Arthur Rhodes

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In the middle of a potential playoff run in 2008, the Marlins needed help in their bullpen.

Therefore, on  July 31, 2008, they decided to nab Arthur Rhodes, the left-handed specialist from the Seattle Mariners. 

Fortunately, Rhodes would perform just as advertised. 

In 25 appearances with the Marlins, he gave up one earned run (Sept. 24, 2008 against Cincinnati) and 11 hits.

Unfortunately, the Marlins were unable to make the postseason, but he was an integral part of them finishing with a winning record for the season.  

4. Florida's 8-Player Trade with Montreal

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On July 11, 2002, Florida traded Cliff Floyd, Wilton Guerrero and Claudio Vargas to Montreal for Graeme Lloyd, Carl Pavano, Mike Mordecai, Justin Wayne, and Donald Levinski. 

The impact of this trade wasn't felt until the following season in 2003. Pavano had a decent regular season in 2003, posting a 12-13 record with a 4.30 ERA.

However, he pitched great during the 2003 postseason, both as a reliever and a spot starter.

Utility infielder Mike Mordecai only got one hit during the 2003 postseason and it couldn't have come at a better moment. 

He hit a three-run double in the eighth inning of Game 6 of the NLCS  to give the Marlins the lead moments after the infamous incident with Steve Bartman.  

3. 1997 MLB Trade Deadline

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In 1997, the Marlins were uncharacteristically aggressive by making two deals at the trade deadline six days apart from each other.

On July 21, 1997, the Florida Marlins traded Billy McMillion to the Philadelphia Phillies for their longtime clubhouse-veteran Darren Daulton.

His role was crucial, especially during the World Series run when he had a .389 batting average in the World Series. 

On July 27, 1997, the Florida Marliins traded Mark Hutton to the Colorado Rockies for Craig Counsell. 

Counsell played a key role during the Marlins' playoff run in 1997 and, despite struggling in the World Series, he scored the winning run to clinch the World Series championship for the Marlins. 

2. Marlins Trade for Ugueth Urbina

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Looking back on this deal, the Marlins would have loved to have had the opportunity to keep Adrian Gonzalez, especially with how he has performed in recent years.

However, in 2003 they needed desperate help for their bullpen.

Thus, on July 11th, 2003, they seized a great opportunity in obtaining one of the premier closers in the MLB at the time in Ugueth Urbina. In exchange, they traded Adrian Gonzalez, Will Smith and Ryan Snare to the Texas Rangers.

Despite sharing closer duties with Braden Looper, he proved to be very valuable during the regular season for the Marlins, posting a 3-0 record with a 1.41 ERA.

In addition, he came up big throughout the postseason and, despite blowing a crucial save in Game 4 of the 2003 World Series against the New York Yankees, he did obtain two saves during the World Series in Games 1 and 5. 

1. Marlins Trade for Mr. Marlin

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There have been bigger names to pass through the Marlins organization, but none have resonated with it as well as Jeff Conine. Known as "Mr. Marlin," he was playing for the Baltimore Orioles during the 2003 season. 

However, on August 31, 2003, he was traded from the Baltimore Orioles to the Florida Marlins in exchange for Don Levinski and Denny Bautista. 

The return home would have been satisfactory enough, but he had a huge impact on the Marlins' success in the postseason run.

During the NLDS against San Francisco, he got the outfield assist at home plate where J.T. Snow tried to plow through Pudge Rodriguez and he famously held on to the ball and proudly showed it afterwards.

Moreover, he started every game throughout the postseason and had a scorching .458 batting average during the NLCS with Chicago and a .333 batting average during the World Series run against the Yankees.