In addition to the Marlins starting 4-15, their great manager Skip Schumaker looks like a short-timer following the revelation via Bob Nightengale of USA Today that ownership accommodated Schumaker’s request to have the 2025 club option removed following the decision to force out GM Kim Ng. Schumaker, who pulled off nothing short of a miracle in getting the Marlins to the playoffs in 2023, should be quite popular in winter.
So should Alex Cora, who’s expected by rivals to leave the Red Sox.
The new Kevin Cash contract with the Rays of about $22M over five years is a reasonable target. The record $40M, five-year deal for Craig Counsell is seen for now as a “one off.”
The Marlins, meantime, could have a decent sale at the deadline with Jesus Luzardo, Edward Cabrera, Luis Arraez and others expected potentially available.
The White Sox aren’t expected to have much of a sale. Since they traded ace Dylan Cease and no one believes they will deal Luis Robert, there aren’t many marketable vets. Even Andrew Benintendi has lost his value.
The Red Sox look too good to become a seller from here. But if they do, Kenley Jansen is a candidate to go, with his old Dodgers team a possibility.
Mike Trout, now healthy, is back to being one of the game’s best. But while his value is back up, no one around the team believes he’d OK a trade anywhere.
