The Miami Marlins have claimed left-handed pitcher Matt Moore off waivers from the Cleveland Guardians, as announced by the team. Moore was previously claimed by the Guardians from the Los Angeles Angels at the end of last month. The Marlins made the move in an effort to bolster their bullpen for the remainder of the season. However, due to the postseason eligibility deadline passing, Moore will not be allowed to play in the postseason if Miami qualifies. Nonetheless, he can still contribute to helping the team secure a spot in the playoffs, as they are currently half a game behind the third wild-card spot in a competitive race.
Moore, who is 34 years old, has only appeared in five games for Cleveland, allowing two runs in 4 2/3 innings. Despite being a left-handed pitcher, Moore has been particularly effective against right-handed batters this season. This makes him a valuable addition to the Marlins’ bullpen, which has struggled recently. Another deadline acquisition, David Robertson, has given up 15 runs in 16 2/3 innings for Miami. Moore’s experience and skill will provide the team with much-needed pitching depth for the final stretch of the season.
For the Guardians, putting Moore on waivers was primarily a financial decision. He is owed approximately $525,000 for the rest of the season, which may not be significant for an MLB franchise, but is still a considerable amount. By removing Moore from their roster, Cleveland is able to shed some salary and create an opportunity for a younger player to gain playing time as the season winds down.
The Marlins are currently 78-73 and in a tight race for a wild-card spot with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, and San Francisco Giants. These five teams are separated by only 2.5 games in the standings, with only two wild-card spots available. This means that two teams will advance to the postseason, while the other three will be eliminated.
The waiver order is determined by the standings, so the Giants were the only team in the race that had a chance to claim Moore before the Marlins. Miami had higher priority due to their lower position in the standings.
