MIAMI -- In a move that indicates the organization is focused on trying to win now, the Miami Marlins traded away their No. 39 competitive balance pick in this week's draft for Pittsburgh Pirates right-handed reliever Bryan Morris.
The Marlins (28-27) decided on the move late Saturday hours after five relievers combined to issue five walks and allow four runs in four innings in a 9-5 loss to the Atlanta Braves. Miami's bullpen ranks 20th in the big leagues with a 3.96 ERA.
Last month, the Marlins released righty Carlos Marmol, who the club signed over the offseason to provide a veteran presence to a young corps. Instead, he posted a 0-3 record and 8.10 ERA in 15 outings.
Over the winter, Miami lost both Chad Qualls (Houston Astros) and Ryan Webb (Baltimore Orioles). The pair anchored the back end of the bullpen in 2013.
"Our scouts have been in the marketplace since the season started and a third of the way through the season and just assessing what our needs may be with this club and fortify the bullpen (was one of them)," president of baseball operations Michael Hill said. "We've had some issues in the bullpen and trying to make it as deep and get (manager Mike Redmond) and (pitching coach Chuck Hernandez) as many options as possible in the 'pen."
Morris is 4-0 with a 3.80 ERA in 21 appearances with the Pirates this season. In 23 2/3 innings, he has struck out 14 and walked 12. He has given up 11 runs (10 earned) on 25 hits, four of which have been homers.
The 27-year-old doesn't become arbitration-eligible until 2016. As a September call-up in 2012, he had a 1.80 ERA. In his first full season in 2013, he went 5-7 with a 3.46 ERA in 55 games.
A first-round selection of the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2006, Hill describes Morris as a "big, strong, physical" player with a fastball that reaches 97 mph and a power curveball.
"Timing-wise it made sense," Hill said. "We have seven picks, seven of the first 107. Everyone's in their draft rooms right now, so it's something that's fresh on a lot of people's minds. That comp pick is the only one you can assign in terms as using it as collateral trying to make a deal."
Only 12 clubs get a competitive balance pick, and it is based on the previous season's record. The Marlins lost 100 games for just the second time in franchise history in 2013.
With righty Carter Capps receiving a second opinion on his right elbow sprain Wednesday from Dr. James Andrews, and the inconsistent performances of righties A.J. Ramos, Arquimedes Caminero and lefty Dan Jennings, Hill felt it was time for a move.
Miami entered Sunday's series finale against the Braves two games back in the National League East standings.
Ace Jose Fernandez was transferred to the 60-day disabled list to make room on the 40-man roster for Morris. The club optioned Caminero to Triple-A New Orleans after Sunday's game so it can activate Morris for Monday's series opener against the Tampa Bay Rays.
"Our club is built on scouting and development, so we didn't take it lightly to take away something that we rely so heavily on, but as we looked at the landscape of things and where this club was -- we're two games out of first place," Hill said. "We believe in this team, we know we have a talented team, we felt like we needed to fortify our bullpen, so this was one step in trying to make a stronger, deeper bullpen.
"He'll be added to the mix. Obviously his performance will dictate how he is used. I don't think we're finished in trying to improve our club. We're still trying to make as many improvements as we think we can to improve this team, and this was the first piece in bringing Morris aboard."
You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.
