Marlins trade Phelps to Mariners for 4 prospects
MIAMI » The Miami Marlins’ highly touted bullpen has been a bust, and so the dismantling began Thursday.
A seller once again as the non-waiver trade deadline approaches, Miami sent right-hander David Phelps to the Seattle Mariners for four prospects, including highly regarded outfielder Brayan Hernandez.
Also acquired by the Marlins to shore up their weak farm system were righthanded pitching prospects Pablo Lopez, Brandon Miller and Lukas Schiraldi.
Phelps is 2-4 with a 3.45 ERA in 44 games and 47 innings this season, all in relief. The bullpen was expected to be a strength, but it faltered and the Marlins appear destined to miss the playoffs for the 14th year in a row, the longest such drought in the NL.
As a result, Miami is shedding payroll for prospects.
“This is something we hoped we could have avoided,” president of baseball operations Michael Hill said. “As we look to the rest of the season, we wanted to see if we could get value for certain assets. Relief pitching brings a lot of value.”
Closer A.J. Ramos is also a target of trade talk.
The Mariners shored up their bullpen at the start of a 10-game homestand that begins against the New York Yankees and leads into the trade deadline. After a 5-1 trip following the All-Star break, the Mariners are 4848 and 1½ games behind the Yankees in the AL wild-card standings.
Phelps is a versatile sixyear veteran with 64 career starts.
“He becomes perhaps the most versatile reliever we have now in some ways,” Seattle general manager Jerry Dipoto said.
Hernandez, a 19-year-old Venezuelan, is batting .259 in 31 games in the minors this year. He’ll be assigned to the Marlins’ short-season Class A affiliate in Batavia, New York.
Panda back to Giants?
SAN FRANCISCO » Brandon Belt expects Panda-monium in San Francisco once more.
Pablo Sandoval plans to sign a minor league contract to return to the Giants, a person with knowledge of his intentions said Thursday. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been announced. That should happen Friday.
The Kung Fu Panda is coming home for a fresh start — and Belt is convinced the 2012 World Series MVP will be a fan favorite again.
Sandoval technically will not be free to agree to a deal with a team until 1 p.m. on Friday upon clearing waivers. Giants general manager Bobby Evans declined to confirm San Francisco’s interest in bringing back the once-popular Panda, as he became known and beloved in the Bay Area.