Who is Otto Lopez, and why is the Miami Marlins shortstop suddenly in demand as Monday’s MLB trade deadline approaches?
All indications are that the Marlins will be sellers by or on MLB’s Aug. 3, 6 p.m. EDT trade deadline. Prior to Friday’s game with the Mets in New York’s Citi Field, Miami had a lackluster 55–55 record and was 9.5 games behind the division-leading Atlanta Braves in the National League East. As for hopes for a Wild Card berth, a feat they last achieved in 2023, the Marlins are 2.5 games out of the running.
With manager Clayton McCullough’s club coming off a 12 out of 15 game losing streak earlier this month, Marlins baseball leadership are listening to offers for their star shortstop.
Why?
Though in his third full season with the Marlins, Lopez seems to have burst onto the MLB scene out of nowhere. If there was anyone who predicted in spring training that Lopez would be an offensive force hitting .325 this deep into the 2026 season, well, they should be coaxed into taking a polygraph test. Second in batting average only to Luis Arraez’ .328, leading all MLB with 138 hits, putting up an impressive .845 OPS, while cranking out 27 doubles, it’s no wonder that earlier this month Lopez was one of Miami’s two representatives at MLB’s All-Star Game in Philadelphia.
Now, as the deadline rapidly approaches, Lopez is being tracked by scouts much like “Where’s Waldo?” the elusive traveler of children books. His popularity among MLB front office executives is nothing less than astounding.
Just two seasons ago, Lopez was in baseball limbo. The Toronto Blue Jays designated him for assignment; a nice way of saying you’re being released—good luck. The San Francisco Giants traded for the Dominican Republic native, but released him on April 1, 2024. Three days later, Lopez was claimed by the Marlins.
Lopez, 27, is playing on a one-year contract for $810,500—according to Spotrac. With two years of service time, Lopez would be an attractive acquisition. The speedy shortstop would be contractually under team control through the 2030 MLB season.
One club being talked up as Lopez’ next employer is the Boston Red Sox. The American League East club needs shortstop rescue. Trevor Story, Boston’s everyday middle infielder continues to deal with recovering from hernia surgery dating back to May. He is expected to begin a minor league rehab assignment sometime in August. Marcelo Mayer, one backup option at shortstop for Boston this season, has been missing playing time, on and off, since late June. Mayer has been playing through a bone stress reaction in his left forearm. Currently, Mayer’s return to the Red Sox lineup isn’t known.
With Boston two games out of a Wild Card berth in the American League, and seven games behind East division-leader Tampa Bay, it is all but certain that by Monday, Fenway Park will welcome a new shortstop.
“The Boston Red Sox are searching for a shortstop, and one name that has come up in conversations is the Miami Marlins’ Otto Lopez, who was part of the National League All-Star team earlier this month,” ESPN’s Buster Olney reported on Monday.
“‘He’d be a great play for them,” said one rival executive with knowledge of Boston’s interest.
“Lopez is a contact hitter, which would make him a fit for the sort of player that Craig Breslow has targeted in the past. The 27-year-old leads the majors with a .331 batting average, has 22 steals and is regarded as a positive personality.”
If Lopez trades his Marlins uniform for Boston’s, he very likely would be a good fit for either batting second in manager Chad Tracy’s lineup, or even being promoted to the leadoff spot. A contact hitter with speed is the envy of all clubs. But, the Red Sox, and other MLB clubs for that matter, have options beyond Lopez if they choose. Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto is rumored to be available. Being under team control through 2029, Neto, like Lopez from a business standpoint, makes an attractive trade candidate.
Other premium shortstops who might be for the taking if the right deal could be swung are Washington Nationals’ CJ Abrams, and Francisco Lindor of the Mets. Lindor is a veteran, All-Star-caliber, leader on the field and in the clubhouse. But, with five more seasons under his current deal that will pay him more than $150 million, few clubs have the resources to absorb the financial responsibilities that come with acquiring Lindor. As for Abrams, any deal requesting him would have to be at a level so overwhelming that the Nationals couldn’t say no.
On Tuesday, before the Marlins continue their road trip to Atlanta for three games, the odds are increasing that Lopez will be house hunting in an MLB city other than Miami. The well-earned interest from ball clubs is a compliment on the work Lopez continues to put in to remain as one of MLB’s premier players.
