Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Marlins deal a pair
Ziegler, Maybin traded to Arizona, Seattle.
Just hours before the MLB trade deadline, the Miami Marlins shipped veteran reliever Brad Ziegler to Arizona.
The Marlins will get 24-year-old pitcher Tommy Eveld in return for Ziegler. A Coral Springs native, Eveld was recently promoted to Double-A Jackson after making 32 appearances this season for Single-A Visalia. During that time, the right-handed reliever notched a 1.24 ERA and was 10-12 in save opportunities. The 6-foot-5 pitcher previously played college baseball at the University of South Florida.
Ziegler spent six seasons with the Diamondbacks from 2011-16.
“There were multiple teams [interested in Ziegler] from start of this trading period,” Michael Hill, the Marlins’ president of baseball operations said.
“We felt like Brad Ziegler would be a popular candidate because of the role he could potentially fill. Once he moved into that righthanded setup role from closer, you saw from the numbers he was extremely effective. He’s a ground ball machine, an extremely difficult at bat for right-handed hitters.”
An impending free agent, the 38-year-old righthander made 52 appearances, recording a 1-5 record with 10 saves, a 3.98 ERA and 1.27 WHIP. Since June 5, though, Ziegler has been among the best relievers in baseball, posting a 0.64 ERA in in 28 appearances.
The Marlins later traded outfielder Cameron Maybin to Seattle.
An 11-year MLB veteran, Ziegler signed with Miami in 2016, inking a two-year, $16 million contract. The 6-foot-4 reliever began the season as the team’s closer, but was removed from that role on May 31 after a blown save against San Diego. Ziegler struggled to begin the year, going 0-5 with a 7.83 ERA in his first 25 appearances.