Marlins rumored to be buyers at trade deadline with three needs revealed

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The Miami Marlins have typically been a team associated with selling their Major League assets in recent years, and they were doing so at last year's trade deadline and over the offseason.

But now, after an incredible June and a hot start to July, the Marlins are firmly in the postseason hunt, and reportedly are planning to be trade deadline buyers. But what could they target?

According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, there are three areas of need the Marlins could look to upgrade this summer: third base, back-end starting pitcher, and a high-leverage reliever.

Marlins have three trade deadline needs in mind as potential buyers

"The Marlins' potential needs include a third baseman, a back-end starting pitcher, and a high-leverage reliever," Rosenthal writes. "They could trade off their major-league roster to protect their farm system, sources say."

With the Marlins likely to be trade deadline buyers this season, barring a complete collapse post All-Star break, these three needs are what Peter Bendix and company will be eyeing this summer.

Currently starting at third base for the Marlins is Javier Sanoja. He has a .278 batting average, which isn't bad at all, and a .737 OPS. He's not a terrible option, but the Marlins could use an upgrade there, especially in the power department.

Isaac Paredes of the Houston Astros and Eugenio Suarez of the Cincinnati Reds are two intriguing options for the Marlins to consider at third base.

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When it comes to a back-end starting pitcher, there are plenty of options likely to be available this summer. Foster Griffin and Robbie Ray could make sense, and there's bound to be plenty of others who emerge as potential trade targets.

High-leverage reliever is also an interesting position, with Aroldis Chapman, Antonio Senzatela, Garrett Whitlock, Luke Weaver, A.J. Minter, Brooks Raley, and likely many others fitting the Marlins need here.

It's going to be an exciting trade deadline for Marlins fans, as finally, the team won't be looking to sell, and instead, looking to buy with third base, starting pitcher, and reliever the team's top-three needs.