Only a few moments before the trade deadline Jeff Passan reported a deal that would send Rockies reliever Victor Vodnik to the Miami Marlins.
Vodnik had been with the Rockies since being traded from the Atlanta before the 2023 trade deadline. The hard-throwing right-hander has shown glimpses of closer-like stuff but has struggled with consistency
in parts of four seasons for Colorado.
Regularly hitting 99 mph with his fastball, Vodnik has never struck quite as many batters out as would be required of a reliever with his elevated walk rate. His poor K/BB ratio hit a low point this year and he carries a 6.50 K/9 that has not been enough to overcome a 4.75 BB/9. This has led to an ERA north of five in 36 innings of big league work this year.
Still, Vodnik’s raw tools have, at times, allowed him to look like a building block in the bullpen. Over 50.2 innings in 2025, Vodnik managed a 3.02 ERA and earned 10 saves which was second on the team. Last years performance, mixed with his high end velocity and extension, should give the Marlins pitching coaches plenty to dream on.
The return for Vodnik is an interesting one.
Connor Norby, a 26-year-old corner infielder, had been a well-regarded prospect prior to his rookie season in 2024. Generally regarded as a poor fielder with solid potential for both contact and power, Norby has struggled to see that translate to results in parts of three big league seasons.
In 198 career games in the majors, Norby has hit .234/.302/.383 good for a 90 WRC+. His largest limiting factor has been an elevated walk rate that sits at 30% in the majors this year. His 10.3% walk rate this season, however, marks a career high. His results in 23 games for the Marlins Triple-A affiliate have been much better giving hope that that the once projected pop in his bat could still be unlocked.
The other player in the deal, Aiden May, is a 23-year-old starting pitcher in High-A. May, ranked as the Marlins’ 27th best prospect per MLB Pipeline has battled injuries so far throughout his short career. He only managed to throw just over 50 innings last season but has taken the mound for 14 starts to begin 2026.
His 3.80 ERA in High-A this year is the result of a very good 55.9% ground ball rate and limiting the home run ball with only a 0.52% HR/9. May sits in the mid-90’s with his fastball and has shown the ability to get whiffs in the past, though his K/9 has been down this year as he’s been adjusting to a full starters workload.
This is a developing story and Purple Row will provide more information as it becomes available.
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