The Derek Jeter owned Miami Marlins are intent on stripping down their team to reach their goal of a $90 million payroll.
While Giancarlo Stanton has been the hottest trade chip on the open market, Dee Gordon‘s name has also been widely discussed in rumors. Other names Miami could look to trade are Martin Prado, Brad Ziegler and Junichi Tazawa, who each have larger salaries compared to the rest of the team.
However, if the Marlins are planning a rebuild of sorts, a name that could be appealing to teams is first baseman Justin Bour.
The Mets are reportedly not sold on Dominic Smith being the everyday first baseman as of right now and could seek an external player to man the position.
The 29-year-old Bour had an outstanding year at the plate, hitting .289/.366/.536 with 25 long balls and 83 RBI to go along with a 133 wRC+ and .374 wOBA in 429 plate appearances (108 games).
He is also entering his arbitration years this Winter, so he would come with a few years of team control. The Mets also have a need at second base and with the Marlins ready to deal Dee Gordon, New York could try to swing a deal for both.
With Gordon due $10.8 million in 2018, followed by $13.3 million the following year and $13.8 million in 2020, taking on his contract could help mitigate what the Mets would give up.
A few names that could be appealing to the Marlins are the aforementioned Dominic Smith, left-handed pitcher Steven Matz, right-handed pitchers Zack Wheeler, Seth Lugo and Robert Gsellman, second baseman Gavin Cecchini and outfielder Brandon Nimmo.
Bour and Gordon would immediately help solidify the right side of the infield, while Bour could help replenish the power numbers the Mets traded away in July and August. Gordon could also give the Mets a lead-off man with some speed who hits for a lot of contact.
While Giancarlo Stanton is likely to be traded, the Marlins seem intent on building around Christian Yelich and Marcell Ozuna.
If Smith was packaged in a deal for both Bour and Gordon, it would solve a need for the Mets while giving Miami a promising 22-year-old first baseman who if he performs at a high level, is another player the Marlins could build around.
When Jose Fernandez died in a boating accident in September, 2016, the Marlins rotation took a huge hit. Bottom line is, they need pitching. The Mets have been reportedly open to shopping a starter or two to fill a need, and this would be a prime opportunity.
It looks as though Asdrubal Cabrera is going to be the everyday third baseman next season according to Assistant GM John Ricco, so acquiring a second baseman seems all the more likely now.
Divisional trades are always a bit taboo, but with the Mets in win-now mode and Miami seemingly gearing up for contention later rather than sooner, swinging a deal could be beneficial to both sides.
What players would you give up in a deal for Bour or Gordon? Or even both?
