Marlins likely to draw trade interest on their .817 OPS catcher

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The Miami Marlins are one of the most interesting teams in Major League Baseball this season. At 52-42, the Marlins are firmly in the NL East and the postseason hunt.

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic is reporting that the Marlins plan to be trade deadline buyers, plan to keep Sandy Alcantara, and are looking to add help at third base, reliever, and in the starting rotation.

But, Rosenthal is also reporting that the Marlins are likely to draw trade interest in .817 OPS catcher Liam Hicks, who could be used as a trade chip to help out the other areas of the roster.

Marlins likely to draw trade interest in Liam Hicks

"One Marlins player likely to draw trade interest is catcher Liam Hicks, who has 13 homers and an .817 OPS while also playing first base and DH," Rosenthal writes.

Hicks, the 27-year-old left-handed-hitting catcher, is likely to be of interest to teams at this year's MLB trade deadline. Despite hitting .286 with an .817 OPS and 13 home runs with 2.3 bWAR on the year, the Marlins could trade Hicks for help elsewhere.

As Rosenthal notes, "They could trade off their major-league roster to protect their farm system, sources say." This could be what happens with Hicks this summer.

One potential option for the 5-foot-9 catcher would be the New York Yankees. They desperately need an offensive upgrade at the position, and Hicks would be just that.

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Maybe the Marlins could find a way to land Carlos Lagrange, a flame-throwing pitching prospect, in exchange for Hicks. The Tampa Bay Rays could also be a great trade partner, as they have a huge need at the catcher position as well.

But, with Hicks under club control through the 2030 MLB season, the Marlins have no reason to trade him for a small return. Peter Bendix is going to demand a lofty package for Hicks if they trade him, and it's a warranted ask.

There are bound to be plenty of teams interested in adding a catcher with as good an offensive production as Hicks this summer.

With Rosenthal reporting he's likely to draw trade interest, and the Marlins' bountiful depth at the position with Joe Mack, Brian Navarreto, and Augustin Ramirez as catcher options, it's entirely possible the Marlins trade Hicks this summer.