Will 2025 be better? Here's why the Marlins believe so

[Isaac Azout]

2024 was a season to forget in Miami, but there is internal optimism regarding 2025. 

TORONTO -- On Sunday afternoon, the Marlins concluded what was, by all accounts, an objectively rough season. Just one year removed from participating in the MLB postseason, Miami lost 100 games for just the fourth time in franchise history. 

However, the season ended positively as Miami swept the Blue Jays in Toronto to finish the regular season 62-100. It is the first time since 2013 that the Marlins swept the season's final series. Ironically, the team also finished 62-100 that year. 

For some veterans from the magical 2023 campaign, including Jake Burger and Jesús Luzardo, enduring a 100-loss season was mentally and emotionally challenging. That said, current players who figure to be on next year's roster remain optimistic about themselves and the culture in place. 

"There's not a day in this clubhouse that we think we're a 100-loss team," said clubhouse leader Jake Burger before Sunday's season finale. "The way the culture is in this clubhouse, the way everyone acts with each other given that we had 70 new guys play for us this year, shows it was never about bad culture."

Burger credited the coaching staff and the maturity of the younger guys inside that clubhouse for not allowing anything to break them apart. "It's a young, talented group of players that have a bright future and just have to keep working," acting manager Luis Urueta said postgame. "I think our coaching staff did a great job in knowing what they had and what we had to keep teaching."

Following the trade deadline on July 30 when Miami dealt nine of their established big leaguers, opportunity presented itself for a lot of the younger players in the organization, including some that returned to Miami in trades. Xavier Edwards, who has established himself as one of the team's core players, touched on why he believes the team will improve in 2025.

"We had a lot of missing pieces this year, pretty much our entire starting rotation to begin the year," Edwards mentioned. "We have a really good group of young guys that really started to click in the second half and I feel that as teammates and friends, this group learned how to win."

Miami finished the second half 22-31, a vast improvement from their first half record of 40-68. They also ranked 10th in runs since the All-Star break. 

While it remains unclear what direction President of Baseball Operations Peter Bendix wants to go, the players remain confident that 2024 will not repeat itself. "We feel like it was a one-off," Burger said. "We have our arms coming back and we got growth from the young guys offensively. More than anything, we just on't want this to happen again, and I think we all understand that, so we're gong to do everything we can to ensure it doesn't."

Luzardo, who pitched Game 1 of the 2023 Wild Card Series, is enthusiastic to help this team get back to where he wants to be. "I think we're going to get a lot of help in that rotation back. You're going to get Eury [Pérez] back, Sandy [Alcantara] back, I hope to be back and then add all the experience our young guys have gained in August in September, it's exciting."

Luzardo is expected to go through a normal off-season routine and be 100% for spring training. Perez, 21, is not expected to return from his elbow reconstruction surgery until half-way through 2025 while Alcantara is on pace to be Miami's Opening Day starter. 

The consensus inside the Marlins clubhouse is that with some fine-tuning on defense, a healthy pitching staff and a steady culture, the Marlins can get back to where they want to be. "Getting the arms back to help keep us in games and clean up little things on defense over the off-season, there's no reason why we couldn't be the best team in our division," said Edwards. 

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[Hans Herrera]

After a tough season, another nice takeaway is the even deeper Starting rotation this team will have next season. On paper, Sandy-Jesús-Braxton-Weathers-Eddy is the projected 5 in early 2025, while Eury should join around June. Arms like Meyer, Bellozo, and Oller can sustain several outings profiling 5IP-3ER, in case any of the aforementioned rotation pieces goes back to the shelf. That is 9 competent-or-better starters for next year, 10 if you want to add either Curry, Mazur, Munoz, or even Sixto.

But hey, the Marlins also learned this season that there is no such thing as enough rotation depth. Keeping them all in the 40-man has to be the way to go this offseason.

I think Miami isn't that far from being a .500 team. A full season of Sandy, Luzardo, and any other plus a half-season of Eury should be enough to include the Fish in a top-10 rotation. There are several solid bullpen pieces to keep: Faucher, Tinoco, Cronin, Nardi, Bender, McMillon... that's half a bullpen. Finding a closer will be the biggest task this winter.

Granted, so many things have to go the right way to compete next season. A healthy rotation for starters, further development of the youngsters, i.e., Xavier Edwards, Jesús Sánchez, Dane Myers, Griffin Conine, etc., better bullpen, among others. At least one impact bat, whether it comes from prospects, FA, or trade, is definitely needed to have a better-rounded team, 2 of those bats would be ideal.

My shopping list for this offseason would be something like:

1. One or two bats who can play 3B, 1B, or Corner OF with 25+ HR (don't say Bride)
2. A bona fide closer
3. A veteran glove-first C
4. Two established relievers
5. Someone who can actually play good SS (defensive specialist)

I will insist this offseason on prospect promotions: De Los Santos, Ramírez, Banfield, or arms like Arias or Alvarado deserve an ST invitation, with the potential of seizing the opportunity.

Now let's have a sit and see what Bendix and Sherman will do.

[Slacker Mills]

Rotation:

1) Alcantara

2) Luzardo

3) Garrett

4) Cabrera

5) Weathers

6) Snelling

7) Meyer

8) Oller

9) Bellozo

Expect Alcantara to be traded if he begins the season with high success rate, same for Luzardo

Catcher: Joe Mack, Fortes and Ramirez

1b De Los Santo, Connor Nordy

2b Lopez

ss Edwards

3b Bride

rf Sanchez platoon with RHB

cf Dane Meyers

lf Conine platoon with RHB

 

[THOMAS JOSEPH]

"The arms coming back" alone should translate to ten to fifteen wins. Oller, Bellozo, Faucher, and Cronin were all steals. Also important were the ABs for the young new core. No way I am pessimistic at this juncture. 

I do take a bit of an issue with Azout's that "it (Bendix's direction) remains unclear. Although its true that our insights as front office outsiders can't be complete, I wager Bendix is an inveterate planner with quite specific plans, target, and a timeline. 

I am wary because of baseball's utter unpredictability, of course. Still, the deliberateness of Bendix's strategy feels comforting to me compared to reliance on piecemeal free agent signings, incoherent drafting, and poor developmental accountability. 

[THOMAS JOSEPH]

4 hours ago, Hans Herrera said:

After a tough season, another nice takeaway is the even deeper Starting rotation this team will have next season. On paper, Sandy-Jesús-Braxton-Weathers-Eddy is the projected 5 in early 2025, while Eury should join around June. Arms like Meyer, Bellozo, and Oller can sustain several outings profiling 5IP-3ER, in case any of the aforementioned rotation pieces goes back to the shelf. That is 9 competent-or-better starters for next year, 10 if you want to add either Curry, Mazur, Munoz, or even Sixto.

But hey, the Marlins also learned this season that there is no such thing as enough rotation depth. Keeping them all in the 40-man has to be the way to go this offseason.

I think Miami isn't that far from being a .500 team. A full season of Sandy, Luzardo, and any other plus a half-season of Eury should be enough to include the Fish in a top-10 rotation. There are several solid bullpen pieces to keep: Faucher, Tinoco, Cronin, Nardi, Bender, McMillon... that's half a bullpen. Finding a closer will be the biggest task this winter.

Granted, so many things have to go the right way to compete next season. A healthy rotation for starters, further development of the youngsters, i.e., Xavier Edwards, Jesús Sánchez, Dane Myers, Griffin Conine, etc., better bullpen, among others. At least one impact bat, whether it comes from prospects, FA, or trade, is definitely needed to have a better-rounded team, 2 of those bats would be ideal.

My shopping list for this offseason would be something like:

1. One or two bats who can play 3B, 1B, or Corner OF with 25+ HR (don't say Bride)
2. A bona fide closer
3. A veteran glove-first C
4. Two established relievers
5. Someone who can actually play good SS (defensive specialist)

I will insist this offseason on prospect promotions: De Los Santos, Ramírez, Banfield, or arms like Arias or Alvarado deserve an ST invitation, with the potential of seizing the opportunity.

Now let's have a sit and see what Bendix and Sherman will do.

I like the direction of your thinking, especially regarding the pitching and ST opportunities. Doubt that FAs are in the picture, and frankly, I can understand that. Lastly, you named Tinoco, and rightly so. I neglected him as one of Bendix's "steals" last season. I'm excited to see this FO's plan implementation. 

[Hans Herrera]

1 hour ago, THOMAS JOSEPH said:

I like the direction of your thinking, especially regarding the pitching and ST opportunities. Doubt that FAs are in the picture, and frankly, I can understand that. Lastly, you named Tinoco, and rightly so. I neglected him as one of Bendix's "steals" last season. I'm excited to see this FO's plan implementation. 

I've said it before and I say it again: I do not expect any FA signings this offseason beyond a bunch of minor league deals with invitations to Spring Training...  Maybe, maybe a cheap-specific role, like another LH reliever or a glove-first backup catcher.

[Hans Herrera]

1 hour ago, THOMAS JOSEPH said:

"The arms coming back" alone should translate to ten to fifteen wins. Oller, Bellozo, Faucher, and Cronin were all steals. Also important were the ABs for the young new core. No way I am pessimistic at this juncture. 

I do take a bit of an issue with Azout's that "it (Bendix's direction) remains unclear. Although it's true that our insights as front office outsiders can't be complete, I wager Bendix is an inveterate planner with quite specific plans, target, and a timeline. 

I am wary because of baseball's utter unpredictability, of course. Still, the deliberateness of Bendix's strategy feels comforting to me compared to reliance on piecemeal free agent signings, incoherent drafting, and poor developmental accountability. 

It is a rebuild, but I think Bendix is trying for a shortcut to reach a competitive team while strengthening the farm system. And with what we saw during the second half of the season, he might be right!

To call it a full-blown rebuild, I think the only players the FO can potentially deal this winter are Sandy and Luzardo... maybe Jesús Sánchez as well. With both having substantial injuries this season, their trade value is at their lowest, so if that is the direction, makes sense to wait until at least Eury is back.

If I'm not mistaken, the arbitration class for next season is Sánchez (1st-year arb.), Luzardo (2nd), and Bender (1st). Even for a rebuilding team, that is not a substantial increase in your payroll, but salary bumps from Sandy and the money still owed to Avi García, will definitely impact the acquisitions in Free Agency,

All in all, Luzardo, Eddy Cabrera, and Weathers are the most likely to be dealt this winter, but I won't say chances are high for any of them to change uniforms.

[Hans Herrera]

3 hours ago, Slacker Mills said:

Rotation:

1) Alcantara

2) Luzardo

3) Garrett

4) Cabrera

5) Weathers

6) Snelling

7) Meyer

8) Oller

9) Bellozo

Expect Alcantara to be traded if he begins the season with high success rate, same for Luzardo

Catcher: Joe Mack, Fortes and Ramirez

1b De Los Santo, Connor Nordy

2b Lopez

ss Edwards

3b Bride

rf Sanchez platoon with RHB

cf Dane Meyers

lf Conine platoon with RHB

 

Largely agree with you, with some small twixes:
- That rotation should include Eury Pérez from June/July on, and I think Snelling will have a chance at some point next season, but won't count him as a part of the depth chart just yet. He only has one AAA outing in his career. Don't sleep on Mazur and Curry.
- As commented below, Luzardo should be dealt mid-season, right after Eury is back... barring injuries from him or other Starters, of course.
- For Catcher, and as of today, I think Will Banfield has a better chance to join the team than Mack. This is purely because Will is supposedly to be a good defensive backstop, which is needed, and Mack has only reached AA. Maybe Joe will surprise me during ST and leapfrog Banfield... who knows?
- I loved what I saw from Norby EXCEPT when he played 3B, he is not a 3B. I would play him 2B and use López as a defensive specialist.
- What did you do with Burger?
- I think the RHB-platoon OF is actually Dane Myers. The CF should be Hill, who is by far the best defender of the bunch. I am already looking forward to the coming OF competition between Myers, Conine, Stowers, Hill, and some ST invitees. Maybe Mesa Jr, as well?

[One Regend]

I expect a veteran signing on his last legs before retirement. These kids need a winning culture. And who better than a guy who has won it all, a guy who was a superstar, and a guy who still provides good defense in a COF spot, Jason Heyward.

[Hans Herrera]

11 hours ago, One Regend said:

I expect a veteran signing on his last legs before retirement. These kids need a winning culture. And who better than a guy who has won it all, a guy who was a superstar, and a guy who still provides good defense in a COF spot, Jason Heyward.

I don't think is all a bad idea: You can also think of Santana, Canha, Solano, Abreu, Grandal, Elias Diaz, Yan Gomes, Hedges, Peralta, Hicks, J.D. Martinez, even Justin Turner...

They all somehow fit -better or worse- in the projected next season's roster.

[One Regend]

I like some of the names there. Yan Gomes, J.D. Martinez, Justin Turner, and Carlos Santana in particular stand out. Maybe even Andrew McCutchen, though it depends if he wants to retire as a Pirate, though. I honestly wouldn't blame him if he does.

[Hans Herrera]

8 hours ago, One Regend said:

I like some of the names there. Yan Gomes, J.D. Martinez, Justin Turner, and Carlos Santana in particular stand out. Maybe even Andrew McCutchen, though it depends if he wants to retire as a Pirate, though. I honestly wouldn't blame him if he does.

IMO, the names standing out the most are Santana, Canha, and any of the Catchers: Gomes, Díaz, Grandal, or Hedges. The Marlins should use a better glove in 3B and/or 1B, as well as a mentor backup helping Fortes.

If one is to be picked, I'll probably go with Carlos Santana, who's still a great defender, gets on base regularly, and has pop.

I think Martínez, Turner, Heyward, and Peralta might be a bit out of the price tag this cheap FO is willing to spend for any of them.