/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/5390277/20120228_ajw_ss1_054.0.jpg)
The Miami Marlins 'unsuccessfully explored' a trade for Detroit Tigers' prospect Nick Castellanos before eventually settling on a one-year, $2.75 million deal for veteran third baseman Placido Polanco, according to a report from Jayson Stark of ESPN. Castellanos, a first-round pick of the Tigers in the 2010 MLB June Amateur Draft, entered 2012 as the No. 45 prospect on Baseball America's top-100 list and is considered one of the best players in Detroit's farm system.
Castellanos split 2012 between High-A and Double-A, hitting .405/.461/.553 at Lakeland (A+) before he jumped to Erie (AA) and posted a .264/.296/.382 batting line. He played third base and in the outfield last season, and was named MVP of the All-Star Futures Game in Kansas City.
Lawr Michaels of USA Today Sports suggests that 2014 is the year when the path will be clear for Castellanos to take an Opening Day roster spot on the big league club, so it appears the Tigers are willing to wait it out with one of their most promising young hitters.