TRADE ALERT: Miami Marlins Trade Nick Fortes To Tampa Bay Rays, Troy Johnston Gets The Call!

TRADE ALERT: Miami Marlins Trade Nick Fortes To Tampa Bay Rays, Troy Johnston Gets The Call!

The Marlins have made their first move just a few days before the trade deadline. They sent Nick Forez to the Tampa Bay Rays. You are Locked On Marlins, your daily podcast on the Miami Marlins, part of the Locked On podcast network, your team every day. Welcome into Locked On Marlins. I’m your host, Jeremiah Guyger. I’ve been a diehard Marlins fan since I was 12 years old and I’ve podcasted about the team for the last four seasons. You can hit me up on xjeremiah 2 and thank you for making locked on Marlins your first listen of the day. It’s part of the locked on podcast network which is your team every day. Don’t forget to hit subscribe on the YouTube channel and let me know your thoughts in the comments section. And on today’s show, I’m going to talk about the Nick Forez trade, what the Marlins got back for him. Troy Johnston is meeting the team in St. Louis. He’s heading to the show. Finally, a muchdeserved callup for the for the longtime minor leaguer and I could not be happier for Troy Johnson. It’s it’s he’s earned it. He deserves it. It’s awesome. Also, talk about Edward Cabrera. He made his final start before the deadline yesterday on Monday. Will he be moved? And now we we just have to sit back and we’re going to see a lot of trade rumors. Will the Marlins move him? That’s the big question. Let’s talk about this Nick Forez deal. So, the the Marlins have been carrying three catchers on the active roster now for a while. It was a a three three players each getting turns behind the plate, sometimes playing first base. if you were Liam Hicks sometimes dhing when you’re when you’re Augustine Ramirez. But it was very clear that Nick Fores was not going to be part of the Marlins future. Joe Joe Mack, the one of the Marlins best prospects, is waiting in the wings in Triple A. He’s close to major league ready. So, the odds that Nick Forez was were going to be on was going to be on this team in 2026 were very low. The question was, could you get any value, any positive value for him back in a potential trade? And they did just that. They trade him to the Rays, who ironically, just an hour or two before this move was reported, maybe sooner, they traded their own catcher, Danny Jansen, to the Milwaukee Brewers. So they they the Rays trade a catcher, they get back a catcher, and in doing so they give to the Marlins Matthew Zel, who’s a double A outfielder. He’s been assigned to DA Pensacola this season in the Rays organization. He’s played 56 games for their DA affiliate. What I like about Zel, he’s got good speed and good plate discipline. On the season, Edel’s hitting 230 with a W wrc plus of 115, but he’s drawing uh drawing walks at a 17.2% clip. And he’s got good speed. Stole 17 bases so far this season. A season ago, he stole 45. I would like to see the strikeouts get cut down. He’s striking out at 26% this season at a 26% rate. But when I look at this in terms of what the Marlins gave up and they gave up a catcher who wasn’t part of the long-term plans for this team is very limited offensively. Although he has good bat-to ball skills, he’s not a real good hitter. Let let’s let’s be honest here. So, you get a piece that at the minimum is an intriguing development piece that you could try to tap into a little bit more power, maybe a little bit more bat to ball, and you have two real good skills to work with. Plate discipline and speed. So, I’m happy with the return for the Marlins. What this means for the current roster for the for Miami, you’re down to two catchers, Liam Hicks and Augustine Ramirez. Augustine Ramirez, I’m of the opinion, should be moved off the catching position completely. Just end the experiment. And I know some people are going to say, well, just give him more time, let him develop there. In my opinion, you when you have Joe Mack coming up to the majors sooner rather than later and he’s he’s very solid defensively, it makes more sense to just let Augustine learn first base, you know, give him a first baseman, try to learn that position so he can be your first baseman of the future and just go out and slug. Because when you have Mack up there, I view Joe Mack as the everyday catcher for the Marlins future. Not to mention Liam Hicks is there too. Hicks will probably when Joe Mack eventually comes up and this is more geared toward 2026. I would imagine Liam Hicks is more of the backup to Joe Mack, assuming Joe Mack’s on the opening day roster, which he very well should could be and should be arguably. I think Mac’s done enough to warrant a call up this season to the major leagues, but Fortz and his defensive presence is gone. So, you’re down to two rookies. Liam Hicks, who before this season had never played above double A, and Augustine Ramirez, who statistically is just he struggles defensively. He’s up in the major leagues because of his bat. The defense is a work in progress. And so Forez was that glue that kind of held the position together with the pitching staff, pitch framing, blocking. Forez was that guy. That’s where his value resided in. And that’s where that’s why the Rays went out and got him. They they they know the value that Fortez brings to a pitching staff. So, right now it’s pretty clear the Marlins might have a a a step back in terms of defensive production. It’s only Hicks and Ramirez. Now, Ramirez is going to have those growing pains. They’re going to give him every opportunity to catch. I don’t see how this is going to work long term. I think it’s inevitable that he moves off the catching position, but for 2026, it’s very clear now Joe Mack should be up. Joe Joe Mack’s going to be going to be the catcher of the Marlins future. And I’m excited for that. And I’m I I wish Nick Forez nothing but the best in in Tampa Bay. I think they got a a leader, a a real good defensive minded catcher who’s going to provide stability to a pitching staff and who’s going to be there not just for this season. He’s not a rental. He still has control left. And the Marlins, they get an outfielder with with good plate discipline, a good approach at the plate, and he’s somebody that can come into your system and just work on getting better every single day. Now, when Nick Forez was moved, that opened up a spot on the 40man roster and ultimately the 26-man roster. And reports came out this morning that Troy Johnston was heading up to meet the team in St. Louis. This is incredible. Troy Johnston of any any of the Marlins minor leaguers deserves to be called up to the big leagues deserves to get a shot in the majors. Going to talk about Troy right after this. This episode is brought to you by Game Day Hugh and this is the hat that I’m wearing. For Marlins fans like me, this one hits the mark. Game Day Hue makes clean, no logo gear with team inspired colorways for every professional and college fan base. It’s all about letting your colors speak for you. No giant logos, just smart, versatile styles that work on game day, on the golf course, or anywhere in between. The gear is subtle, stylish, and you could still rep the Marlins. The hat pairs perfectly with your other Marlin stuff. It’s got the blue right here. It’s got the black right here. It’s a subtle way of expressing your fandom and it just adds to the lineup and it’s perfect for golfing. I if you go out to the golf course, I don’t, but a lot of you guys do golf even rep the hat and also you can rep the gloves. They got split shade golf gloves here. And it right now you can get 15% off with code MLB15 at gamedayhw.com. That’s gamedayhue.com. The code even stacks on bundle deals. So now is the time to load up. Let your colors talk because colors speak louder than words. That’s gamedayhw.com code MLB15. I appreciate all the everyday listeners making lockdown Marlins a part of your daily routine. Monday through Friday, Troy Johnston is heading to the show. I could not be more happy for for Troy as the baseball player and as the as the person that he is. He’s been in the Marlins organization now since 2019. That’s a long time. It’s a long time waiting and waiting to get your shot even when you feel that you’ve deserved your your opportunity. More often than not, I think back to the 2023 season in which Troy hit .307 with 26 bombs and 116 RBI’s and didn’t get a call up in 23 or after a good spring training in 2024. There was no reason over the last se seven years where Troy Johnson couldn’t make the major leagues. Like even this season in particular first base, it started with Matt MVvis. First they brought in Matt MVvis. That experiment didn’t work out. And now they’re rolling with Liam Hicks and Eric Wagman. Wagman has been a disaster. Troy Johnson has just done his thing. He’s the ultimate professional this this season. He’s got a he’s hitting 252 and OPS of 772 with 12 bombs and get this 31 stolen bases a careerhigh in the steels department. Here’s a story about Troy. So before Locked On, I had a podcast called Marlins 9 and it it didn’t have a ton of followers. It didn’t have a ton of traction, but I did it and I I liked doing it. And I reached out to Troy about potentially coming on to the podcast, you know, a professional athlete in the Marlins organization. And he was so generous and kind and we set up a time and we had a really nice conversation about his journey in throughout baseball throughout the years, you know, from high school onward. and he’s just a downto-earth guy that loves playing ball and and he’s the ultimate professional. He’s humble about it. He knows that he should have been called up. Everybody knows that he should have been given a shot by now. The production speaks for itself, but it looks like this is finally the moment. And what I what I hope for is that it’s not just a two or three game stint or a week stint. I want him to finish the season on the Marlins roster and and battle for a spot on this team. This is Did you ever see the rookie? The rookie was a a movie Dennis Quaid. And Dennis Quaid, you know, he he he’s older. He was a teacher. He he had a hurt shoulder, but he goes back years later and gets goes to a try out and makes the major leagues and he just walks in and walks in to the big league stadium and it’s just like, wow, he’s finally here. The when I was a kid, I used to dream about being a major leager and it didn’t happen for me. for Troy Johnston. It’s happening. And I’m I can’t imagine what he’s feeling right now. Just the sheer joy of getting the call to the show. It’s awesome. It’s It’s awesome. He hopefully plays plays a lot of first base for the Marlins and just goes out and hits because that’s that’s his calling card is the hitting. He’s not the the the the best defender. You know, he’s limited defensively. He’s a left-hander, so, you know, he’s not going to go out and and play the middle infield or play third base. He’ll play a corner outfield spot, play first base, but he hits. And when you hit and you provide good results, then that’s what matters. And inevitably, somebody is going to take notice. And finally, finally, the Marlins did the right thing by giving him this opportunity. Now, it’s about proving everybody wrong that doubted you, proving everybody right that believed in you, and going out there and performing. I mean, we’re looking at a player, he was a former 17th round draft pick back in 2019 out of Gonzaga. So he spent he spent the better part of what is this six years or se seven years really in the Marlins organization. You you throw out 2020 because they didn’t have minor league baseball, but he’s waited seven years for this moment. And as much as you know, you you can dive into prospect rankings and you’re you’re not going to see Troy Johnston’s name at the front of a prospect ranking, it doesn’t matter. Who cares? This is the most excited I’ve been for a prospect callup in a long, long time because of how much work he’s put in. The the kind of player and person that he is, the the production that he’s he’s done consistently year after year without getting the call up and goes out there and does his job day in and day out. from a 17th round draft pick who made his professional debut for a minor league team that doesn’t even that’s not even affiliated with the with the Marlins anymore. He made his his professional baseball debut with the Batavia Muckd Dogs. They’re now a collegiate summer team that formerly a lowe short season team in the Marlins organization. I’m I mean that that should tell you how long he’s been in the Marlin system and how long he’s waited for this moment. So he swings from the left side, Wagaman swings from the right side. I would expect I would expect the majority of his time in the majors to come at first base. Does that mean now that Hicks is going to move back off of first, just only catch with Augustine and and be the catching tandem there and Wagaman who swings right-handed and Johnston platoon at first? That would make sense to me. you know, Wagaman, I mean, his time’s got to be running out sooner rather than later because he’s just not cutting it as as a major leager. It’s frustrating because you you wish the best for Eric Wagman, but Troy Johnston should get the majority of the reps at first base. He should get every opportunity at first base and consistent playing time. That’s another thing. So, in the minor leagues, when you’re playing every single day, you’re in a routine, you’re in a groove, you’re you’re seeing live pitching in a live environment, and you go to the majors. What I don’t want to happen is Troy just be an extra body there and ride and ride the bench. But we’re going to see what happens. But for all the listeners and watchers out there, this is a story of perseverance. It’s about believing in yourself and being the ultimate professional day in and day out and never giving up until you get the call. There’s been times, I’m sure, where Troy thought it would never happen with the Marlins, but he kept battling. He kept hitting. He kept on doing his thing. And now on July 29th, he’s going to St. Louis and he’s going to wear that Marlins uniform. Edward Cabrera had his final start before the trade deadline. I’m going to talk about his his results from that one. It wasn’t the best, but it was still efficient and he’s still going to be a hot commodity at this year’s deadline. That’s coming up right after this. Lockdown Marlins is on all the major podcast platforms out there, so you can listen to it on the go. But of course, if you’re watching on the YouTube channel, do me a favor, hit that subscribe button. Edward Cabrera wrapped up the first half of his season against the St. Louis Cardinals. He completed six innings of work, gave up four hits, two runs, both earned, walked three, struck out four. He got the loss. The Cardinals won this game seven to one. And although Cabrera wasn’t at his best, it wasn’t like the last couple of starts in which he or the last three starts which he hadn’t walked anybody. The control faltered a little bit. Cabaro was still efficient and that’s what I like seeing just you know three four days away from the deadline. It’s July 20 29th as I’m recording this. The trade deadline is in 2 days. So the Marlins have a huge decision to make. Edward Cabrera on the season 18 starts 3.35 ERA 94 innings 96 strikeouts. It’s not a small sample size. This is the pitcher that he’s developed into. And even on the days in which he he didn’t have his best stuff against the Cardinals on the road, he still gritted through six innings and only gave up two runs. That’s what that that’s what makes me believe in Cabera even more than those seven shutout innings. like, yeah, you see how good he is, but to become a complete pitcher, you’re going to have days in which some sometimes it doesn’t go your way. You you have a tough tough umpire. Your control is not spot-on as it usually is and you battle through and you find a way to complete six. That’s that’s that’s what you like to see and that’s what other teams like to see as well. Cabera’s name is going to be floated around trade rumors for the next two days. Unless a move happens as I’m recording this or or today, it’s going to be very very interesting. And I I wonder what the Marlins are going to do. So, the Cubs are the most obvious fit. The Cubs have Owen Casey and Jackson Wiggins. Wiggins is a stud prospect. He’s legit. Owen Casey is major league ready. He’s blocked in triple in the majors right now. He he there’s no room for him in Chicago, but there were there would be room for him in Miami and he would be an immediate plug and play for the Marlins. The the question is Cabera has three more years of control. The the asking price for Edward Cabrera should be this high. you should hold out for a for a prospect package surrounding Owen Casey and Jackson Wiggins. The other factor in a potential Cabrera trade is a Sandy Alcantara trade. Yesterday on the show, I did a bold prediction segment in which I said both Cabera and Sandy are going to get traded. Now, I don’t know if that’s going to be the case. I I still believe it’s a possibility, but I would rather keep Cabrera. If I had to trade one of them, just one, I would keep Cabrera and trade Sandy. In the postgame interview after last night’s game, it was emotional. Edward Cabera loves being here. He loves being in this organization on this team. And you know, from a personal standpoint, as a fan, I’ve watched him throughout throughout the the the growing years from a pitcher that was doubted and and inconsistent. And there was questions of him sticking in the rotation to now being potentially the biggest trade ship in baseball. this year’s deadline. It’s incredible. We saw glimpses of it. In fact, a few years ago, I was at the Coliseum, the Oakland A’s Coliseum. They’re now, they don’t even have a city name. They play in Sacramento. They’re just the Athletics. But I watched Edward Cobber pitch against the A’s, and he pitched eight innings that day, and it was an ace-like performance. and you saw those glimpses of it and you saw what he could become. And now fast forward 3 years later, that type of picture is here and he’s found himself. And now just as soon as he’s as he’s found himself and what he can do and I truly believe it’s for real and you’re looking at a frontline starter for for years to come. Edward Cabrera is just 27 years old. It’s almost ironic that the Marlins would trade him as soon as he as he figures it out with the three years of control. They don’t have to. There’s a there’s a world in which they choose to build around him and to frontline the rotation next season with Yuri Perez and Edward Cabrera. That’s a two-headed monster, folks. That’s pure gas. That’s pure stuff, and that’s going to be pure results. But this team isn’t where they want to be at yet. They’re still finding their identity long term. They’re 50 and 55. They’re not going to make the playoffs this season. and they’re not going to make a push for the playoffs is what I should say because I’m never going to count out the Miami Marlins until they’re officially eliminated. But they need talent. They need more talent in this farm system. We saw what they did last year at the trade deadline. A third of their roster was gone. Peter Bendix has a plan in place. We’re seeing early results of this plan. I mean, look at the team right now. Five games under 500 right at the trade deadline. You’ll take that if you’re a Marlins fan. I thought this team was going to w lose a 100 games. They’re not going to lose 100. There’s an out there there’s there’s a shot that they get to 75 high 70s in the win department, miles ahead of what they were a year ago. But the question is, do you trade Cabera now at his highest value and get back some some crazy amount of prospects that I’m coming on to the show being like, what a return. Peter Bendix aced it. Or do you view Cabrera as a building block? because that’s kind of what I boil down this season to is who’s a building block, who’s not. And I go around the outfield and the infield and I can list you just a few building blocks. Nothing crazy. Jesus Sanchez isn’t. Kyle Sters is I would argue Kyle Sters is the only true building block that I wouldn’t consider moving in the infield. Otto Lopez, Xavier Edwards. Otto Lopez, it’s safe to say, is a building block. You’re not moving him this trade deadline. You’re not moving Xavier Edwards this deadline. First base and third base, we’ve talked about that. Massive holes. And hopefully Troy Johnson can go up to first base and solve the issue offensively. Catcher, there’s no more Nick Forez. He wasn’t part of this the the long-term plans of this team. Augustine Ramirez is the question for Augustine. He’s got to step it up defensively, otherwise they’re going to be forced whether this season or next season to move him off of the position. Pitching staff, Yuri Paris, Yuri Paris is the only guy, you know, on the major league roster right now that’s untouchable. Edward Cabrera is in that category of it looks like he should be a building block, but is he in reality? What do you guys think? Do you think Cabrera should be here in 2026? He has three more years of control. He’s cheap. It’s not like It’s not like we’re looking at Edward Cabera saying, “Oh, he has this $17 million contract. There’s no reason. There’s no way Bruce Sherman can afford him. I mean, he doesn’t hit free agency till 2029 and he’ll be an arbitration. So, there there’s a world in which you in in which you keep him in which you extend Cabrera. I know that that’s I’m just throwing that out there, but based off the production, the production speaks for itself. And Cabrera is somebody who realistically will frontline this rotation with Yuri Perez if he’s not traded. Here’s my final prediction on the Cabrera saga. I think they move him. I do. I have a feeling that Peter Bendix is still going to be making moves this trade deadline. The Forz trade was just the first domino to fall and there’s going to be more moves to follow and the biggest one of them all will be Cabrera. I think I think he shocks the world and and gets moved for a prospect hall and the Marlins will get a a grade a letter grade of A. Now, as we wrap up the show, Sandy Alcantthra is pitching today. This might be his last start in a Marlins uniform in St. Louis. Ironically, that’s the team who he started out with, who traded Sandy to the Marlins, and now he starts in St. Louis. It all comes full circle. Life is a cycle. It might be an emotional next couple of days. I expect it to. I don’t expect this team to stand pat. I expect their moves to be made and I got you covered here on Locked on Marlins. That’s going to do it for this edition of Locked on Marlins. I appreciate you guys for listening or watching and until next time guys, stay safe, stay locked on, and let’s go fish.

The first trade for the Marlins is in the books…Nick Fortes is going to the Rays in exchange for minor leaguer OF Matthew Etzel. Troy Johnston is finally getting the call up!!! Edward Cabrera made his final start before the trade deadline.

Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…
🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-marlins/

Locked On MLB League-Wide: Every Team, Prospects & More
🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/leagues/mlb/

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
5-Hour ENERGY
Time to fuel up and turn it up with 5-hour ENERGY®️ Transfusion! Go to https://5hourenergy.com today and use my promo code LOCKEDONGOLF to receive 20% off your order. This offer is only valid until September 30th on one order and cannot be used with other promotions. The code is not good on subscription orders.

Supply House
Join the TradeMaster program today at SupplyHouse.com/TM and start ordering plumbing, HVAC, and electrical supplies with just a few clicks. Plus, use promo code S-H-5 for 5% off your first order. That’s SupplyHouse.com!

OpenPhone
Streamline and scale your customer communications with OpenPhone. Get 20% off your first 6 months at www.openphone.com/lockedonmlb

Gameday Hue
Let your colors talk—because colors speak louder than words. Right now, you can get 15% off with code MLB15 at GamedayHue.com.

Monarch Money
Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONMLB at monarchmoney.com/lockedonmlb for 50% off your first year.

Gametime
Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONMLB for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.

FanDuel
Right now, new customers can get ONE HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS when your first FIVE DOLLAR BET WINS! Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Bet with FanDuel—Official Partner of the NBA.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

#Marlins #MiamiMarlins #MLB