As Marlins return to Philly, what happened to these members of 2023 playoff roster?

[Kevin Barral]

The Miami Marlins did the unthinkable last year and made the playoffs for the first time in a full season since 2003. While the club visits Philadelphia for an NL Wild Card Series rematch, key parts of that roster are now playing elsewhere.

PHILADELPHIA, PA—The last time that the Marlins made a trip to Philadelphia in October 2023, they were competing in the National League playoffs. Miami lost back-to-back games at Citizens Bank Park while being swept, but that team is still remembered fondly by Marlins fans. They exceeded expectations and led the majors in one-run wins. It was the first time in 20 years that the franchise had qualified for the playoffs following a full-length season.

The 2024 season has been a step back, not only due to injuries and regression, but also in part because some of last year's Marlins are now playing elsewhere. Let's take a look at what happened to each of the players from the NL Wild Card Series roster who are no longer with the Marlins organization.

 

 

Jorge Soler

Left via free agency, signed with the San Francisco Giants

One of the most clutch players in baseball last year, Jorge Soler took advantage of an all-star season where he clubbed 36 home runs and signed a three-year $42M deal with the Giants. There was never communication between the Marlins and Soler to work on a deal that would bring him back and he wasn't issued a qualifying offer either.

This season, Soler has struggled slashing .222/.304/.381/.685 with nine home runs, 29 RBIs and a 99 wRC+. His numbers are very similar to 2022, his first year in Miami. Soler landed on the IL this season due to a right shoulder strain, but has played in 70 games this season, all as the designated hitter.

 

Garrett Hampson

Non-tendered, signed as a free agent with the Kansas City Royals

Hampson signed a minor league deal with the Marlins expecting to compete for an Opening Day roster spot. Hampson wouldn't make the initial 26-man roster, but ended up playing 98 games, the third-highest mark of his career and posted a 101 wRC+, his best in a single season (min. 100 PA).

His strong season with the Marlins garnered him a major league contract with the Kansas City Royals for one-year, $2M. Through 60 games this season, Hampson has slashed .275/.319/.349/.688 with seven RBIs and an 87 wRC+ while playing six different positions (mainly center feidl).

 

Yuli Gurriel

Left via free agency, signed with the Atlanta Braves

Gurriel got off to a great start with the Marlins despite signing late into spring training. Through the first half of the season, he slashed .268/.332/.397/.729 with three home runs and 18 RBIs. It was following the All-Star break where Gurriel really began to struggle, slashing .202/.250/.288/.538 with one home run and nine RBIs. His role on the club was limited by the time that the playoffs came around.

At 40 years old, there was no interest in the former Gold Glove winner and American League batting champ. He settled for a minor league deal with the Atlanta Braves on April 16 and since then has slashed .244/.323/.375/.698 with four home runs, 24 RBIs and an 81 wRC+. Its unlikely that Gurriel reaches the major leagues again and he may end up retiring at the end of this season.

 

Jacob Stallings

Non-tendered, signed as a free agent with the Colorado Rockies

 

When Jacob Stallings was acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates, he was coming off of a Gold Glove season and was supposed to be Miami's starting catcher for several years. However, he declined on both sides of the ball, posting a 68 wRC+ in 2022 and 57 wRC+ in 2023 with below-average defense behind the plate.

Stallings went on to sign a major league deal with the Colorado Rockies as a backup and is having a bounce-back season at age 34. He's slashing .279/.360/.443/.802 with four home runs, 19 RBIs and a 114 wRC+. Many would say that it's the Coors Field effect, but he's slashing .297/.384/.453/.837 with two home runs and 11 RBIs in away games. He's been getting more playing time than expected due to an injury to All-Star Elias Díaz and he's taken advantage of it.

 

Joey Wendle

Left via free agency, signed with the New York Mets, then the Atlanta Braves

Also in the category of disappointing tenures with the Marlins, utility man Joey Wendle didn't play up to his career norms in Miami. Limited by injuries in 2022, Wendle entered last season projected to be the team's primary shortstop. The veteran was solid defensively, but he was benched during the playoff push due to his 47 wRC+.

Wendle signed a deal with the New York Mets in the offseason, but didn't last long in a bench role. He then signed a deal with the Atlanta Braves were he was once again released. He is currently a free agent.

 

Jon Berti

Traded to the New York Yankees

Berti was one of the longest-tenured Marlins of the Bruce Sherman era, debuting with Miami in 2019 and contributing at whatever position the team needed him to play. He got hot at the plate in late 2023 and took over shortstop from the struggling Wendle. In his Marlins career, Berti ended up slashing .258/.338/.367/.705 with 23 home runs, 118 RBIs and a 92 OPS+.

The day before 2024 Opening Day, Berti was sent to the New York Yankees in a three-team trade. He has only totaled 17 games this season while missing time with groin and calf injuries.

 

Luis Arraez

Traded to the San Diego Padres

 

In 2023, Arraez won his second consecutive batting title, but this time in the National League. He became the first player in MLB history to win back-to-back batting titles in different leagues while leading all Marlins hitters in WAR.

Arraez kicked off the 2024 season with the Marlins, but on May 4, he was dealt to the Padres. With San Diego, he is slashing .319/.346/.391/.737 with two home runs, 17 RBIs and a 115 wRC+. His new team has mostly used him at first base.

 

Steven Okert

Traded to the Minnesota Twins

During his time with the Marlins, Okert was a serviceable reliever. The lefty posted a 3.51 ERA, 4.25 FIP, 10.8 K/9 and 4.0 BB/9 through 146 innings pitched. He never closed games, but often pitched in high-leverage situations.

In the offseason, the Marlins felt they had enough left-handed bullpen options and Okert was traded to the Minnesota Twins in a straight swap for outfielder Nick Gordon. In 28 games, Okert has posted a 3.33 ERA, 4.10 FIP, 8.5 K/9 and 3.3 BB/9 through 24 ⅓ innings pitched. He also recorded his first career save with the Twins.

 

David Robertson

Left via free agency, signed with the Texas Rangers

It was a short and rough tenure for David Robertson. When the Marlins needed to fortify the back end of the bullpen last July, Robertson was considered one of the best arms on the trade market. However, in his time with the Marlins, he posted a 5.06 ERA, 3.49 FIP, 12.7 K/9, 5.1 BB/9 and recorded four saves.

Robertson signed a one-year deal with the Texas Rangers where he's been a lot better. The 39-year-old is posting a 3.38 ERA, 2.46 FIP, 14.0 K/9 (career high), 3.1 BB/9 and one save through 34 ⅔ innings pitched.

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[THOMAS JOSEPH]

Fun to see these types of articles, which reinforce why modern baseball fans should not be too enamored with any player on the roster. And, as a segue, how many fans grind their collective teeth over those foolish, deadweight long-term contracts that they would love to find a way to scrap?  One of the best reasons to be a Marlins fan, IMO.