Marlins need a catcher
Everything points to the Marlins intensifying their search to add a catcher for the stretch run, because Matt Treanor, who has been on the disabled list since July 8 with a left hip strain is still not ready to return. Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez said before Sunday’s game in Chicago that Treanor is scheduled to see a specialist Monday in Philadelphia.
That news combined with the fact the non-waiver trading deadline is rapidly approaching means the Marlins will try to pull off a trade this week. Sunday was the 105th game for the Marlins, who return home Monday to face the Mets in a big three-game series, and with 57 games left the Marlins want to make sure they have more behind the plate than John Baker and Paul Hoover. Both were called up from Triple A Albuquerque after it was apparent Mike Rabelo was not ready to platoon with Treanor, which was the plan when the Marlins sent Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis to Detroit for a five-player package that included Rabelo.
The Marlins have talked to teams about catchers, and some of the names that have been mentioned in rumors are Cincinnati’s David Ross and Colorado’s Yorvit Torrealba, whom the Marlins negotiated with during the off season when Torrealba was a free agent. Another catcher to consider is former Marlin Mike Redmond, who is Minnesota’s backup catcher.
The Marlins are also looking for left-handed relief help in the bullpen, and it’s more and more apparent they believe this team can reach the postseason, especially now that the rotation has been revamped with the additions of Josh Johnson and Chris Volstad. The Marlins are 5-1 when those two have started.