The season isn’t over yet and, at the time of writing this, the Fish are still alive in the wild card hunt- hanging by a thread, but not yet mathematically eliminated. With four games left, that in itself is an accomplishment when you think back to the expectations (or lack thereof) for this team in March. Just to still have a shot in late September is monumental in the context of where the Marlins were supposed to be.

That said, hope for postseason baseball can be intoxicating, but it’s also important to stay realistic. The truth is our odds are respectable if you view 2025 as a developmental season, but dreadful if you strip away that organizational framing. Still, this campaign has been invaluable for re-establishing trust in the front office and providing fans with a sense that the future isn’t in some far-off, perpetual rebuild horizon but possibly right around the corner- in 2026.

That collective vision has sparked a lot of conversation about what foot the team will get off on next April. There’s constant chatter about the 2026 opening lineup, which minor leaguers could debut, and even some wish-casting about free-agent signings (Pete Alonso homecoming to Florida, anyone?). Most of those discussions, though, have focused on position players and the rotation. The bullpen has largely been left out, aside from some jokes about signing Tyler Phillips to a 40-year extension… or maybe that’s just me... and maybe I'm not joking.

But the bullpen is critical, and this season has proved it over and over again. Questionable management decisions, overly cautious usage, and flat-out blown games have cost Miami more wins than a playoff-hopeful team can afford. If you watched last night's game (and many others this season), it was clear that there are quite simply guys in our bullpen that are drastically outmatched by major league hitters and that has cost the Fish their chance to stay in control of the race at too many points this season.

So let’s have that conversation. A standard roster carries eight relievers, sometimes nine. With that in mind, here’s who I think should stick for 2026 and why- plus who should be left off, and a few honorable mentions worth watching.

MY SEASON OPENERS IN THE BULLPEN

1. RONNY HENRIQUEZ – RHP

2025: 67 G, 2.31 ERA, 70 IP, 94 K, 1.10 WHIP, 3.34 BB/9, 12.09 K/9

This is the easiest call. Henriquez has been electric. At just 5’10” he’s an undersized fireballer, but the stuff plays big. He’s thrived in high-leverage all year, missing bats at an elite clip while keeping traffic on the bases low. There have been rough spots- as there always are with relievers- but when the Fish need three outs with the game on the line, Ronny’s the one you want jogging in.

2. TYLER PHILLIPS – RHP

2025: 52 G, 2.88 ERA, 75.1 IP, 52 K, 1.17 WHIP, 2.76 BB/9, 6.23 K/9

Phillips went from afterthought to workhorse to cult hero. He’s durable, he’s consistent, and he has the kind of energy that fires up a clubhouse. Watching him slap himself silly, light up the side punching out three straight, then stalk off the mound muttering and cursing is almost as good as the outs themselves. He’s not flashy, but he’s dependable, and every good bullpen needs one of those glue guys who can cover multiple innings or slot into setup when needed.

3. CADE GIBSON – LHP

2025: 41 G, 2.72 ERA, 53 IP, 41 K, 1.17 WHIP, 3.23 BB/9, 6.96 K/9

The rookie lefty has been a revelation. As the only left-hander in the bullpen to consistently hold his ground, Gibson’s value multiplies. He’s been steady, he’s been versatile, and he hasn’t had a blow-up outing yet. That reliability matters, and the fact he can do it from the left side makes him indispensable.

4. LAKE BACHAR – RHP

2025: 52 G, 3.98 ERA, 70.1 IP, 75 K, 1.20 WHIP, 3.85 BB/9, 9.63 K/9

Lake has been a steady middle-relief option, eating innings and getting enough outs to stick. He’s not without his rough patches, but he’s dependable volume- something every bullpen needs over the course of a long season. His future could also lie as a trade piece, but for now, he belongs. And yes, I will keep saying “your team just drowned in Lake Bachar” as long as he’s on the roster.

5. CALVIN FAUCHER – RHP

2025: 63 G, 3.40 ERA, 58.2 IP, 56 K, 1.29 WHIP, 3.56 BB/9, 8.66 K/9

Faucher is not without stress, but he’s delivered far more than he’s blown. Sharing late-inning duties with Henriquez, he’s earned trust despite some shaky moments. He’s not the guy you relax with, but he’s one you can win with and that matters.

6. ANTHONY BENDER – RHP

2025: 51 G, 2.16 ERA, 50 IP, 42 K, 1.06 WHIP, 3.78 BB/9, 7.56 K/9

Assuming he’s back from his tibial stress reaction by Opening Day, Bender is as close to a sure thing as this bullpen gets. He was nails before the injury, controlling games with command and poise. His return is one of the biggest swing factors for 2026.

7. MAX MEYER – RHP

2025: 12 G, 4.77 ERA, 64.2 IP, 68 K, 1.43 WHIP, 2.80 BB/9, 9.53 K/9

This one’s controversial, but it’s time. The starter experiment has run its course. Meyer’s stamina and inconsistency limit him in that role, but his raw stuff could thrive in bursts. A bullpen conversion gives him a chance to leverage the best parts of his arsenal without the weight of working deep into games.

8. ANDREW NARDI – LHP

2024: 59 G, 5.12 ERA, 49.2 IP, 70 K, 1.26 WHIP, 3.29 BB/9, 12.80 K/9

The Nard Dog missed 2025, but assuming he’s healthy, he’s too valuable to ignore. The major league left-handed depth is currently nonexistent and his 2024 peripherals (FIP/xFIP/xERA in the 2.7–3.5 range) suggest he was far better than his ERA indicated. With his fastball-slider mix, he can still be a high-leverage weapon if used correctly.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

MICHAEL PETERSEN – RHP

He hasn’t had much time in the bigs, but what we’ve seen is intriguing. A mid-to-upper-90s heater paired with a cutter gives him legit swing-and-miss upside. He’s not fully baked, but he’s shown enough to earn another look.

JOSH WHITE – RHP

White’s minor league numbers scream for attention: 1.85 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 70 K. He’s been used mostly in relief and has the swing-and-miss stuff to play in the bigs. High variance, yes, but the upside is real.

CHRISTIAN ROA – RHP

Roa’s brief taste of the majors went well, and his AAA line (2.83 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 64 K over 60.1 IP) backs it up. He’s done all he needs to in Jacksonville—now it’s time to see what he can do against MLB hitters over a longer stretch.

WHO NEEDS TO GO

George Soriano: A few good outings don’t erase the season’s damage. If he can regain 2023 form, let him prove it in the minors.

Valente Bellozo: Loved his vibe early on, but the bullpen experiment has been a disaster. The velocity just isn’t there to survive MLB hitters.

Josh Simpson: Simpson is not an MLB pitcher which may sound harsh, but it sure isn't unfounded- he just hasn’t shown he can stick in the majors. He needs a reset in the minors or with the Rakuten Monkeys, not more leash in Miami.

This season has been about glimpses of what could be. The bullpen has been equal parts frustration and promise, but looking toward 2026, there’s a clear framework to build around. Henriquez and Phillips provide stability. Gibson and Nardi give balance from the left side. Bender’s return could be a difference-maker. Meyer’s reinvention might just salvage his role in the organization.

Behind them, Petersen, White, Roa, and quite a few other promising minor league arms form a lineup of “next men up” who can fill inevitable gaps. That depth is something Miami hasn’t had in years, and it gives the front office options instead of desperation. 

So yes, the bullpen has been a sore spot, but it’s also a canvas for optimism. If the Marlins can manage roles better, trust the right arms, and let the talent dictate usage instead of babying, 2026 won’t just be about contention- it’ll be about finishing games the right way and for a franchise that’s been haunted by late-inning collapses, that could be the difference between “almost there” and “finally arrived.”