Marlins trading 3.84 ERA reliever to Pirates called 'weirdest trade' of deadline

The Miami Marlins made a few trades at this year's MLB trade deadline, one of the biggest of which was their deal to send Liam Hicks to the Tampa Bay Rays.

While that move and their deal moving Braxton Garrett to the Chicago Cubs were not major surprises, they did make a different trade with a more under-the-radar name that is a bit strange.

Jim Bowden of The Athletic called the Marlins' deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates for 3.84 ERA reliever Lake Bachar the "weirdest trade" of the MLB trade deadline. Unfortunately for the Marlins, it's because Bowden doesn't understand why Miami made this deal.

Marlins trading Lake Bachar to Pirates called 'weirdest trade' of deadline

"Bachar was having a solid season for the Marlins, but they traded him for three players who all have less value than Bachar," Bowden writes. "For a team that's still contending, it was a puzzling decision."

The trade that Bowden doesn't understand why the Marlins made it was the deal where they sent Bachar to the Pirates in exchange for right-handed pitcher Brandon Bidois, infielder Hyun Seung Lee, and outfielder Brian Sanchez.

The Marlins' decision to sell is not a surprise, as their deal for Hicks is a significant decision to shake things up. But, Bowden still doesn't understand this trade for the Marlins.

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Bachar is 31 years old and is under club control through the 2030 season. The right-handed reliever has a 3.84 ERA in 2026 across 58.2 innings of work in 38 games as a long reliever and spot-starter.

During his big league career, Bachar's ERA+ has never fallen below 106, which it has this season so far. It's odd for the Marlins to trade a reliever who's been fairly solid and is under club control for a while for such a lackluster return.

This Bachar trade was a bit odd for the Marlins, and received the label from Bowden as being the "weirdest" trade of the MLB trade deadline this season.

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