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Starling Marte Traded to Marlins from D-Backs for Caleb Smith, More
August 31, 2020
The Miami Marlins acquired outfielder Starling Marte from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for Caleb Smith, Humberto Mejia and a player to be named ahead of Monday's trade deadline.
The Marlins have been busy on Monday, also reportedly trading infielder Jonathan Villar to the Toronto Blue Jays, per Craig Mish of SportsGrid:
Marte, 31, was acquired by the Diamondbacks in an offseason trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates and has played well in 2020, hitting .311 with two homers, 14 RBI, 23 runs and five stolen bases. He also has an affordable $12.5 million club option for 2021, making him more than a rental for the Marlins.
Miami has been one of the pleasant surprises of the MLB's 60-game shortened season in 2020, currently at 14-15 and tied for second in the NL East with the Philadelphia Phillies. A playoff berth is a legitimate possibility.
As for the Diamondbacks return, the 29-year-old Smith has gone 15-17 in the past two seasons with a 4.41 ERA in 44 starts. Mejia, 23, has made three starts for the Marlins this year, going 0-2 with a 5.40 ERA and 1.90 WHIP. Frias, 22, went 5-4 in 14 starts for the Batavia Muckdogs (class A-) last year, posting a 2.83 ERA and 1.21 WHIP.
The Diamondbacks have entered sell mode, also dealing pitchers Robbie Ray and Archie Bradley Monday in separate deals. Andrew Chafin was also reportedly dealt to the Chicago Cubs.
