Marlins acquire three prospects from Rays for catcher Liam Hicks

Miami traded catcher Liam Hicks to Tampa Bay for three prospects: infielder Adrian Santana, outfielder Brayden Taylor and right-handed pitcher Jacob Kisting. Hicks, a right-handed catcher known for his hitting ability, has posted 14 home runs this season, a career high, while posting a walk-to-strikeout ratio that exceeds his strikeout total. His defensive metrics remain below average, with a 12 percent caught-stealing rate in the majors. The Rays acquire him as a potential upgrade behind the plate, despite his ineligibility for arbitration.

Taylor, a left-handed hitter drafted in the first round in 2023, improved his batting line to .284/.384/.513 this year after a decline in previous seasons. Santana, a shortstop, is praised for elite defensive skills and improved strength that has raised his offensive output, though power remains limited. Kisting, a 23-year-old right-hander drafted in the 14th round in 2024, has a low walk rate (5.3 percent) and a repertoire that includes a two-seam fastball, changeup and slider; he is projected as a potential back-end starter if his secondary pitches develop.