The Miami Marlins have been active early on this offseason, despite having to operate under a tight budget. Having already made moves to extend the contract of young star Sandy Alcantara and adding veteran outfielder Avisail Garcia, Derek Jeter and Co. made another splash on Tuesday.
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Marlins reached an agreement with the Tampa Bay Rays that would send All-Star infielder Joey Wendle to Miami.
Outfielder Kameron Misner, headed from the Marlins to the Rays for Joey Wendle, was the 35th overall pick in the 2019 draft out of Missouri. Reached Double A last season.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 30, 2021
In exchange for Wendle, the Marlins are sending outfield prospect Kameron Misner the other direction. Misner ranks as the No. 21 prospect in Miami's farm system, having been drafted in 2019 with the 35th overall pick. The 23-year-old advanced as far as Double-A ball in 2021, slashing a combined .253/.355/.433 with three home runs and 12 RBI in 102 games across two minor-league levels.
Wendle had his best season in the big leagues in 2021, earning his first-ever All-Star appearance. He logged a .741 OPS last year with 11 home runs, 54 RBI, and an impressive 3.8 WAR, taking up a utility role in Tampa's infield. After the strong season, he'll join the Marlins who are looking to continue their rebuild.
Wendle, 31, was a sixth-round draft pick in 2012 by the Cleveland Indians. He made his MLB debut in 2016 with the Oakland A's, but didn't exceed his rookie limits until 2018 with the Rays, when he finished fourth in AL Rookie of the Year voting, behind the likes of Angels' star Shohei Ohtani and Yankees' infield tandem Miguel Andujar and Gleyber Torres.
Wendle earned $2.25 million through arbitration with the Rays in 2021, and should once again be on an affordable contract in 2022, making him an ideal fit for the Marlins.
Follow Us
Subscribe