Which player will snap Marlins' contract extension drought?

[Ely Sussman]

It's been a long time since the Marlins have made any long-term commitments.

It is only natural for Miami Marlins fans to be envious. Since Opening Day, they've seen the Arizona Diamondbacks (Ketel Marte and Brandon Pfaadt), Boston Red Sox (Garrett Crochet and Kristian Campbell) and San Diego Padres (Jackson Merrill) announce contract extensions that will retain key players into the 2030s, not to mention the handful of similar deals that were completed across the league during spring training.

Meanwhile in Miami, the only constant is change. In early 2024, Luis Arraez and Jesús Luzardo were both transparent about their desire to stay with the club for many years—the Marlins traded them later that year. Pablo López signed an extension shortly after being dealt to the Minnesota Twins in 2023, as did Miguel Rojas upon joining the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Peter Bendix has not extended any player since being hired as president of baseball operations. Neither did Kim Ng during the second half of her tenure as general manager.

The most recent Marlin to agree to an extension was reliever Richard Bleier—that forgettable two-year, $6 million pact was announced more than three years ago (March 22, 2022). In the meantime, 27 of the 30 MLB teams have extended at least one of their own guys, according to MLB Trade Rumors. The only exceptions to that have been the Marlins, Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees. (Although it was a free agent deal rather than an extension, the Yankees kept the face of their franchise, Aaron Judge, and subsequently named him team captain.)

Why are extensions important? Well, prior to Bleier, the Marlins locked up Sandy Alcantara in November 2021. That shrewd five-year, $56 million deal is the only reason he's still in Miami right now. Had they waited until after his subsequent Cy Young award-winning season to negotiate, Alcantara would have had the leverage to ask for more guaranteed money than the franchise was comfortable committing to an individual pitcher. Without an extension, he was on track to reach free agency following the 2024 season; instead, he's under club control through 2027.

Low-revenue teams like the Marlins should be utilizing extensions even more than average teams because they will inevitably be priced out of premium free agents. They need to roll the dice on young players before their potential is fully realized in order to eventually contend on a tight budget (their payroll is the lowest in the majors entering 2025).

The most logical extension candidates for any club are up-the-middle position players. Catcher Joe Mack had a breakout season at Double-A in 2024, excelling both offensively and defensively against much older competition. If this year mirrors that one, Mack deserves consideration for a pre-debut extension entering 2026.

In the meantime, shortstop Xavier Edwards and second baseman Otto Lopez are top of mind. Both have valuable skill sets, but ones that typically don't pay well in arbitration—Edwards has never and will never hit for power, while Lopez is a standout defender. They are two seasons away from even becoming arb-eligible, so the Marlins wouldn't have to break the bank.

Current Triple-A Jacksonville catcher Agustín Ramírez is a fascinating case. He will inevitably move off of the position, especially if Mack pans out, but his potential with the bat is immense. Poised to debut by the midpoint of 2025, perhaps a positive first impression compels the the front office to sign him next winter.

No player in the Marlins organization has a higher ceiling than Eury Pérez. I'm very skeptical about him being a realistic extension candidate because of his combination of youth and pure stuff. Due to hit free agency as a 26-year-old, he is practically assured of getting a massive contract even if he pitches sparingly between now and then. The Marlins should make an attempt, nonetheless.

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[Hans Herrera]

As of today, Sandy. He should be the first player to spend his entire career in Miami.

Apart from him, and again as of today, none.

Hear me out: Edwards has only half of a successful season. Norby hasn't even started. Eury needs to be evaluated after recovering from the surgery. Jesús has been pretty inconsistent. All of the other starters are often injured.

None of the position players are worth a long shot until they prove they are MLB players for at least a full season. If Edwards does good this season, then lock him up!

As for the prospects, let them play in the big leagues first, and then we'll see. Scott Kingery, Evan White, anyone? We don't have the Acuña, Merrill, or Chourio-type of prospects.

 

[1993 fan from start]

It is only natural for Miami Marlins fans to be envious. right now no.  more worry what  going to happen after 2026   with the CBA.  You bring up  Aaron Judge i call that more of a nature extension. agree upon  they talk after season. every team know he was staying  put .  

 catcher Agustín Ramírez is a fascinating case.  I have to disagree . till he gets  mlb playing time . and we know is he going to be full time catcher.

Peter Bendix has not extended any player ,  Kind of glad he not making mistake like  general manager in the past..  best case is Eury Pérez if your telling clubs he of the table.  it depend on injue on players also.  and i put Griffin conine  also . he pre arb next two years.  and best fit with marlins .  and low cost. 

[1993 fan from start]

1 hour ago, Hans Herrera said:

As of today, Sandy. He should be the first player to spend his entire career in Miami.

Apart from him, and again as of today, none.

Hear me out: Edwards has only half of a successful season. Norby hasn't even started. Eury needs to be evaluated after recovering from the surgery. Jesús has been pretty inconsistent. All of the other starters are often injured.

None of the position players are worth a long shot until they prove they are MLB players for at least a full season. If Edwards does good this season, then lock him up!

As for the prospects, let them play in the big leagues first, and then we'll see. Scott Kingery, Evan White, anyone? We don't have the Acuña, Merrill, or Chourio-type of prospects.

 

you had a case for Sandy  but you forget he has to be  evaluated just like Eury .  and is being evaluated  before you give Sandy life time contract.   being tire is also a problem on Sandy. plus i dont see marlins extand in  during off season or during the year over 3 years . depend on the cost.  

[Guest]

Good picture of Bendix laughing at us pathetic fans; a lot of people I know think he's purposely tanking the franchise to make a case for MLB allowing him to move the team. I don't know if that's even possible, but at this point I think ANYTHING is possible. As for the question, I don't see the Marlins making any long term financial moves. It should be clear by now that they are determined to run a bare bones operation, dumping anyone who is making big money or would be in line to make it. Maybe the MLBPA will finally do something about Sherman receiving luxury tax money and NOT using it the way it was intended.

[rurrusuno]

X and Otto would be my top picks as well. They're the players with the most potential at the moment.