Caleb Smith fuels trade rumors with 9 K's

MIAMI -- As the Marlins were rolling to an 11-6 victory on Monday night, and a four-game series win over the D-backs, their front office executives were gathered in a meeting room at Marlins Park fielding Trade inquiries.

Conversations have been frequent and ongoing, involving several players in the series finale. Caleb Smith has long been one of the most rumored Miami pitchers who could command interest, and on Monday, the left-hander was impressive in seven innings, allowing four runs on four hits with nine strikeouts.

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Smith improved to 7-4 with a 3.43 ERA, and the four runs he allowed are his most since June 6, when he allowed four in a loss at Milwaukee. Still, Smith recovered from a three-run homer by Ketel Marte in the third inning to post his second consecutive seven-inning start. He also fanned nine in his last outing, Tuesday at the White Sox.

In his two seasons with the Marlins, Smith has shown plenty of promise. But his 2018 campaign was cut short due to left lat surgery. And he missed time this season with left hip inflammation. But when he’s been healthy, he’s been Miami’s most productive starter.

“There's a lot to like there,” Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. “I think he shows [that] when he's been healthy, he's pretty good.”

The Marlins have already made one trade in recent days, on Saturday sending closer Sergio Romo to the Twins as part of a deal for Double-A first baseman Lewin Diaz.

Although Smith, who has four more years of club control after this season, is a starter of interest for contenders, the Marlins have set a high asking price. It’s considered doubtful he will be dealt, at least by the 4 p.m. ET Trade Deadline.

It would have to take a serious overpay from another club -- basically multiple top prospects and/or big league-ready players -- to move Smith.

As for Smith, he’s focused on the task at hand: Pitching every five days.

“I try to keep it out of my mind,” Smith said of the speculation. “I don't want to worry about that. I can't control it, so no sense in worrying about it.”

That isn’t necessarily the case for infielders Neil Walker and Starlin Castro, who each had RBIs in Monday’s win.

Castro has played in every game, and with Miami up comfortably in the eighth inning, he was replaced by Yadiel Rivera. Because he was replaced, it created speculation that a possible trade was being made. Mattingly said that wasn’t the case. It was a matter of giving his regular second baseman a couple of innings rest.

“I did not get a call today,” Mattingly said. “No one sent a message to get Star out of the game. I can say that. Star has been going every day, and he's a little bit beaten up, felt we can get him an inning off.”

On Saturday, Mattingly did receive a call during the game saying not to use Romo, because he was on the verge of being traded.

The Marlins took three of four from the D-backs, and have won five of six, and back-to-back series.

Miguel Rojas homered for the third consecutive game, which hadn’t been done by a Marlins leadoff hitter since Hanley Ramirez (June 29-July 1, 2008). Brian Anderson belted a solo home run in the fifth inning.

Rojas has become a team leader, and he said the team has come together since being swept at the Dodgers in Los Angeles. After a loss on July 21, the Marlins’ plane was delayed out of Los Angeles, and the club didn’t arrive in Chicago to open a three-game set with the White Sox until about 5 a.m. CT.

“I think the flight after the series in L.A., we created a special bond after that flight,” Rojas said. “We had a delayed flight. Everybody on the flight, we got together. It was a special moment for me. As a team, we bonded together. We're letting the negativity [go], and we're looking forward to what we can do from now on.”

Smith had an eventful night, starting off on the mound and also at the plate. In Miami’s six-run second inning, Smith reached on a bunt single, and two runners scored on a pair of D-backs errors. He also scored on Rojas’ two-run homer.

“You learn a lot about yourself during the season,” Smith said. “I haven't pitched a full Major League season yet. I'm still working on a lot.”

Smith’s four-seam fastball velocity, which normally averages 92 mph, was down a bit on Monday. Per Statcast, he was 90.7 with a maximum of 92.5 mph.

“In August and September, whenever you're tired, and your velocity is dropping, you find out a lot about yourself,” Smith said. “You've got to dig down.”