On a feisty Zoom press conference after the trade, Marlins president of baseball operations Peter Bendix said: “Dillon is furthest way from the big leagues with minimal professional experience. But he has the highest upside of the group – the athleticism, the speed and overall impact on both sides of the baseball is pretty exciting for us.”
The two other important prospects acquired from San Diego in the deal, first baseman Nathan Martorellaand centerfielder Jakob Marsee, were sent to Double A and are now playing for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos. The fourth minor-leaguer was a throw-in, Korean pitcher Woo-Suk Go, for salary purposes.
Through their first 13 games in Pensacola, Marsee was batting .222 with a homer and 4 RBI but his 10 walks gave him a team-leading .391 OBP. Martorella was batting .158 with an RBI. Maybe they get a callup in September when rosters expand. Maybe they don’t.
The Zoom conference with Bendix devolved into a therapy session for Marlins journalists who’ve seen this act unfold before.
Question from one reporter from a Marlins blogsite: “How did you arrive at the decision this was a good idea trading a great big leaguer in the prime of his career for four players with no big-league experience? The Marlins have done that a bunch of times through the years and it seems almost all of them come out on the wrong end.”
Question from Andy Slater, the popular, poker-playing radio host: “So you would go with the thinking of what would possibly happen rather than with a player you know what he can do?’’
Question from another radio man: “How did (owner) Bruce Sherman take this, using millions of Bruce’s money, to pay some of Arraez’s salary, with 80 percent of the season still left that will negatively impact winning by trading the most marketable and productive player that will affect attendance and merchandise sales.”
Yeah, it was brutal. There were other question about if he regretted not trading him in the winter when a more lucrative package could’ve been netted. And whether the Marlins ever entered extension talks to see were Arraez stood. Bendix said he’s not looking back and never formally discussed a new contract with Arraez.
In truth, Bendix never unraveled amid the onslaught. Said it was “a difficult move, a difficult decision.’’
“I was a fan in Cleveland and observed what happened,’’ Bendix said. “I saw the 1997 Marlins win the World Series (over Cleveland) and then tore things down afterward. The mandate is to never let that happen again.
“We got an offer we thought we couldn’t walk past for the long-term benefit of the organization. The team’s record is what it is. We’re very disappointed. The players are very disappointed.’’
When asked if this was a rebuild, Bendix said, “I’m not putting a terminology on it. The goal is to build toward a long-term sustainability and long-term success.’’
“We’re getting four players we are excited about – three position player prospects who are all under 23 with a tremendous amount of upside and a different combination type of players. It was the type of deal we were worried wasn’t’ going to be there if we waited.’’
That is why the goings-on in Jupiter and Pensacola become as important as in Miami, which actually experienced a positive bump from May 12-22, going 7-3. A wildcard playoff entrant last season, Miami was 17-34 through Friday.
Hammerheads have Marlins’ No. 1, 3 and 5 prospects on roster
The Hammerheads now have the Marlins’ No. 1, 3 and 5 prospects in pitchers Noble Meyer (2023 first-round pick), Thomas White (2023 compensatory pick after Round 1) and Head. They’re all 19.
“Having the top two pitchers in the system, Meyer and White, and now another top 5 (Head), to have him join the team, it helps draw excitement and create Marlins baseball fans and get people out to Jupiter Hammerheads games,’’ Jupiter GM Nick Bernabe told The Palm Beach Post. “All the reports on (Head) is he’s got wheels and he can play.’’
Head was not at the ballpark Thursday and unavailable for comment.
“We are excited to have what we hope is the future of the Marlins organization playing here in Palm Beach County,’’ Bernabe said.
Some scouts see Martorella potentially as a fourth big-league outfielder and Marsee as an occasional big-league starter at first base. Marsee is the better hitter but some view him still as a bench player and keystone pinch-hitter.
The projection on Head is higher, a potential star with exceptional bat speed and contact ability as well as being a plus outfielder. Head was drafted in the first round at 25 by the Padres last summer. But as Bendix says there are “no guarantees.’’
And that is why another reporter asked Bendix on Zoom:
“Say one of the prospects hits, becomes a batting champion. What confidence can Marlins fans have to fall in love with a player, commit to it, buy the jersey and when it comes time to get paid, the player will get shipped out.”
