Former White Sox starter signs with the Marlins, prompting trade rumors

The Miami Marlins were just one signing away from a fire sale. After adding Johnny Cueto to their rotation, Miami has all they need to trade Pablo Lopez, should they wish.

Johnny Cueto had a successful redemption arc last season with the Chicago White Sox. He posted a 3.35 ERA (118 ERA+) and 3.79 FIP across 24 starts on the South Side of Chicago, and is a solid addition on what was a crowded pitching market to start the offseason.

With Cueto in tow, the Marlins can start to take trade rumors for their young right-hander, Pablo Lopez, a little more seriously. Miami would never trade the likes of Sandy Alcantara, but Lopez has the makings of a No. 2 or No. 3 starting pitcher on a contending team.

For now, the Marlins are not that, but they can be of service to several teams which consider themselves close to a postseason push. Lopez was available at the deadline, and he’s even more affordable now that Miami has the collateral to lose him.

Marlins rumors: Who are the favorites for Pablo Lopez?

The St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres and Boston Red Sox, three teams in need of pitching, are obvious suitors for Pablo Lopez should they wish to pull the trigger on a trade. The Cardinals are closer to contention than Boston, which just lost Xander Bogaerts to the San Diego Padres this offseason. San Diego was in on Cueto from the beginning, but failed to open their purse strings enough to make a deal.

What Johnny Cueto signing means for Marlins

Cueto eventually signed with the Marlins for a one-year, $8.5 million deal.

Lopez isn’t the only member of the Miami rotation up for grabs, as the likes of Trevor Rogers, Edward Cabrera and Jesus Luzardo have all at one time been mentioned in trade rumors.

Lopez is the best of the bunch who has been made available, however, and it appears now that Miami wants to cash in.