Maybin to Padres

The Florida Marlins have traded CF Florida Maybin to the Padres in exchange for relievers Ryan Webb and Edward Mujica. This comes right on the heels of their trade with the Red Sox in which they traded LHP Andrew Miller, who, like Maybin, was also acquired in the Miguel Cabrera trade, and received another reliever, lefty Dustin Richardson. Full post on that trade here: Marlins-Red Sox trade (see sidebar).

Maybin, the 10th overall pick by the Tigers in '05, has yet to show his enormous potential at the major league level. Maybin is a five-tool prospect, but none of those tools have shown up consistently in the majors. In '10 at age 23, he hit just .234 with 7 doubles, 8 homers, 28 RBI, 9 SB, and a .302 OBP in 82 games. He posted a below-average .982 Fld% in centerfield, although he did show great range and post 4 outfield assists. He hit .250 with 12 doubles, 4 homers, 13 RBI, just 1 SB, and a .318 OBP in 54 games in '09. That season, he posted a .992 Fld% in CF, but just 1 outfield assist. The thing about Maybin is that if you look at his minor league stats, you would think that he would be a star. In 114 Double-A games over 2 seasons, Maybin hit .283 with 16 doubles, 17 homers, 57 RBI, 8 triples, 21 SB, 82 runs, and a .384 OBP. Any team would like a player like that in the majors. At Triple-A in 115 games over 2 seasons, Maybin hit .325 with 24 doubles, 7 homers, 62 RBI, 10 triples, 13 SB, 65 runs, and a .401 OBP. That also would be a great season! The Padres hope that Maybin will finally harness his potential and put up seasons like the minor league stats above in the majors.

Webb had a very good season in '10, going 3-1 with a 2.90 ERA and 44 K's in 54 relief appearances and 59 IP. He didn't strike out too many batters (just 6.7 per 9), but walked just 19. His one problem was hits allowed- he allowed 64 hits, well over a hit per inning. The Padres must think that he won't be able to post an ERA under 3.00 again while allowing so many hits.

Mujica posted a ridiculous 12.0 K/BB ratio in '10 (72 K's versus 6 walks in 69.2 IP), but he went just 2-1 with a 3.62 ERA in 49 relief appearances. He allowed less than a hit per inning, but he allowed 14 home runs. Mujica is the kind of reliever that has such great control that you think he could be something special. But, he has to work on his command within the strike zone. If the Marlins could straighten him out, he could be a closer candidate considering Leo Nunez's struggles in '10 (3.46 ERA, 8 blown saves).

This trade makes sense on both sides. The Padres got the CF that they desperately needed while the Marlins got some needed bullpen help. The Marlins traded a player who has had his struggles while the Padres traded players that have done well in the majors, but have particular problems. I think that this will be an OK trade for the Marlins- Webb and Mujica are good relievers, but this trade could be a steal for the Padres if Maybin lives up to his potential.