The Marlins have been really hitting the last couple of seasons on veteran pitchers that were down on their luck. 34-year old righty reliever Kiko Calero had been injured for a couple of years but he has been outstanding (when healthy) for the Florida Marlins. Where does Larry Beinfest keep finding relievers like Calero? Either he’s really lucky or he has a good nose for pitchers needing a chance to prove themselves again. Calero has pitched in 43 games (0 starts) for the Marlins so far this season and he is 2-0 with a 1.72 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP. His stuff has been downright nasty as he has only allowed 21 hits in 36 2/3 innings this season while whiffing 45 batters. The Marlins need Calero to keep up the good work the rest of the season.

The Marlins would be smart to keep both Dan Uggla and Jorge Cantu despite rumors that they could be traded this month. Outfielder Jeremy Hermida likely has the most value of any player the Marlins would likely move. Teams like the Giants, Mariners, Mets, Reds, Royals and Tigers could have some interest in him. Thinking outside of the box it seems to me that the Tigers might be a good team to deal with regarding Hermida. The Tigers would acquire Hermida, Reynel Pinto and Brett Hayes in return the Marlins would get Joel Zumaya and Ryan Raburn. It’s a trade that would likely help both teams. Ross Gload could be of interest to the Red Sox but he would likely be more valuable for the Marlins to hold onto. Wes Helms however could be moved to a team like the Reds or Astros who are hard up for 3B. The Marlins would only likely get a fringe prospect for Helms. The Marlins could also try to move catcher Brett Hayes to the Cubs who are hurting right now behind the plate. I don’t see the Marlins adding any payroll before the trade deadline but they have surprised me before.

The Marlins have signed 33-year old righty reliever Scott Williamson to a minor league deal. Williamson reminds me a lot of Chad Fox in 2003 as he has been good when healthy. He pitched in 5 games (0 starts) in AAA-ball for the Tigers earlier this season and he was 0-0 with 2 saves, a 11.81 ERA and a 2.44 WHIP. Williamson last pitched in the majors in 2007 with the Orioles. He has pitched in 344 games (10 starts) in his major league career and he is 28-28 with 55 saves, a 3.36 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. Willamson always had nasty stuff allowing only 326 hits while whiffing 510 batters in 439 1/3 major league innings. This was a nice low risk/high reward signing for the Marlins.

25-year old lefty swinging 1B Gaby Sanchez was the Marlins’ #8 prospect heading into this season according to Baseball America. Sanchez has played in 48 games this season in AAA-ball and he is 54 for 186 (.290 avg, .824 OPS) with 33 runs scored, 8 homers, 29 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. If Jorge Cantu is traded (a big mistake) then Sanchez would likely get the call to replace him.

The Marlins have signed 38-year old righty reliever Brendan Donnelly to a minor league deal. Donnelly has pitched in 24 games (0 starts) in AAA-ball this season and he was 2-0 with 6 saves, a 1.75 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP. He appears to be over his Tommy John Surgery of 2007 and the Marlins might have a diamond in the rough here as Donnelly has always been a good pitcher in the majors. Donnelly has pitched in 318 games (0 starts) in his major league career and he is 26-9 with 4 saves, a 3.12 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP.