It is not a secret that the Marlins have improvement opportunities for relievers, particularly left-handed, both corner infielders, and could use a glove-first OF, even though Sanoja can do the job. It is also not a secret that the ownership is, to put it mildly, reluctant to spend in free agency, for whatever reason. Having said that, allow me to propose a group of low-risk and high-upside lefty FA relievers who might settle for a minor league deal entering next season.

My favourite: LHP Cionel Pérez

The Cuban Pérez debuted in 208 as a member of the Astros, pitching only 16.1 innings in three different seasons. Traded to the Reds before the 2021 season, Pérez made 25 appearances with a 6.38 ERA. Cincinnati did not tender him and was claimed by the O's in November that year. Out of nowhere, Pérez pitched incredibly in 2022, throwing 57.2 innings of 1.40 ERA and 2.80 FIP. He regressed in both 2023 and 2024, but always maintained a respectable FIP. This past season, his production plummeted, and the O's granted him free agency a couple of weeks ago. Next year, Pérez will enter his 30-year-old season, and a minor league deal seems the best offer he will get.

Then why sign him? Looking under the hood, his sinker is still in the 71 percentile (95.6 mph), with xERA (3.93), FIP (5.77), and xBA (.214) all far from his actual 8.31 ERA in 2025; there is quite a lot of upside. Although his K% is under 20%, his GB rate was over 60% and has never been under 51% since becoming a regular in 2021. The Fish will present a great defensive infield with Pauley, López, Edwards, and Wagaman (maybe not him?), and a ground ball specialist can only be beneficial.

Injury risky: LHP Génesis Cabrera

If the Marlins don't like to have two Pérez-es, let's try two Cabreras. Early this decade, Cabrera looked like a wild but effective reliever for Saint Louis. Between increased control problems and devastating injuries, his career never took off, even though he looked much better when traded to Toronto in 2023. This season, he pitched for four teams: opened the season with NYM, then CHC, PIT, and closed the season in MIN. He was decent with the Mets, palatable with the Pirates, and horrendous with the other two.

Why sign him? Again, his Statcast chart doesn't look terrible, except for the huge amount of walks. His only good pitch is his 4-seamer, but not long ago, his cutter and curveball were above-average. Maybe some fine-tuning can unlock his potential, and he's still under 30-yo. Given his injury record and inconsistency, Cabrera probably won't get a major league deal.

Who?: LHP Sam Long

Reliever inconsistency personified. Non-tendered by the Royals in November, Long has sandwiched bad and good seasons ever since debuting back in 2021. Have a look at his ERA every year: 5.53 ('21), 3.61, 5.60, 3.16, and 5.36 this year. The same Statcast engine shows quite decent profiles in 2023, and especially 2024. He has changed his repertoire every year, so maybe a more streamlined analysis and focus can help the guy. Why sign him? If the pitching coaches can make this guy replicate his 2024, this signing would be a steal.

Old flame: LHP Colin Poche

Poche had a disastrous season this year, but before that, he was a dependable lefty out of the bullpen for Tampa the three years prior, which means Pedro Benditex should know him pretty well. Poche's 2023 Savant page is full of red, and even though his FB was only 92.5 mph, his extension has always been above the 95th percentile. If he can perform somewhere between his 2023 and 2024, you can call him a bargain.

Not exactly a Free Agent, but: LHP Tim Herrin

... wouldn't require a ton of prospects to trade for him with the Guardians. In 2024, Herrin was an extremely underrated, lights-out arm in an otherwise tremendous bullpen corps. He took a big step back this year and ended up being sent down to AAA. There are many interesting things on his Statcast page, even for this "down" year. Why? Again, anything in between his 2025 and 2024 would do just fine, but if he can approach his output to the latter, that would be the steal of the decade along with Henríquez.