Marlins midseason roundtable: 2025 first-half highlights, trade deadline untouchables and more

[Fish On First Staff]

For the first time since Opening Day, the Fish On First roundtable is back. Approximately halfway through the 2025 regular season, our staff has collaborated in article form to digest the performance of the Miami Marlins and how it may impact their long-term decisions.

Entering Monday, the Marlins own a 37-45 record. They are riding an MLB-best seven-game win streak and trail the Atlanta Braves by only half a game for third place in the National League East standings. However, they are 8.5 games back of a postseason spot and missing several key players for the rest of the year due to injury.

Thanks to Ely Sussman, Louis Addeo-Weiss, Isaac Azout, Kevin Barral, Alex Carver, Nate Karzmer, Alex Krutchik, Sean McCormack, Daniel Rodriguez and Hector Rodriguez for participating.

 

1. How does this Marlins team compare to what you expected entering the 2025 season? Better, worse or about the same?

Ely Sussman: They are very likely to beat my 66-96 preseason record prediction and it's mostly on the strength of solid swing decisions and situational hitting. The Marlins are on pace to draw more than 500 walks after barely reaching 400 last season. Their ground ball rate has taken a major dip, which is a good thing. The starting rotation has actually disappointed, yet overall, I'd have to consider it a successful half-season thanks to the position players who have made legitimate strides in their development.

Isaac Azout: Definitely better. Heading into the season, I had major concerns about nearly every facet of the Major League team, including the coaching staff. At this point in the year, I would have expected the Marlins’ record to resemble that of the Rockies. Instead, the offense is the best it’s been in the Bruce Sherman era, and Peter Bendix continues to uncover diamonds in the rough. You can also see the growth of first-year manager Clayton McCullough and his staff.

Kevin Barral: Much better, I would say. On paper, you could've made the case that this team was going to be worse than 2024, but the way they started the season and somehow managed to stay competitive in every game has allowed them to early on surpass expectations.

Hector Rodriguez: My expectations have been about the same, but to see some players take the next step or make an impact after getting called up is encouraging to see.

Daniel Rodriguez: This season to me feels a bit better than what I expected the team to be. I believed this would be the worst team in baseball based on offensive numbers and injuries to the pitching staff coming in. They have proven me wrong in some cases as they do compete, but they are still towards the bottom of the league.

Alex Krutchik: The same, but better in certain aspects. I thought this would be one of the worst offenses we’ve seen in the 21st century. Instead, they’re merely not very good. As of June 30, they’re at 4.30 runs per game.

Louis Addeo-Weiss: Better. If you would’ve told me the team would “only” be eight games under .500 at the end of June while flirting with a league average wRC+, I’d have posited you were crazy. That said, the front office and Clayton McCullough are redefining what it means to handle pitchers with kid gloves.

Sean McCormack: So far I have been decently pleased with the hitting performance of the Marlins. Players such as Kyle Stowers, Agustín Ramírez, Dane Myers, Liam Hicks, and Jesús Sánchez have been very impressive. I credit that to the new approach and data-centric methodology of Pedro Guerrero. Although on the pitching side I have been disappointed—not only have the starters not been allowed to go deep into games, players like Ryan Weathers and Max Meyer will be missing significant time, and Sandy Alcantara has been a disappointment. The bullpen as a whole hasn’t lived up to expectations, and Clayton McCullough has not impressed me. But overall, just based on the hitting and the overall grit of the team, they have performed better than I expected.

Alex Carver: About the same record-wise, but for different reasons. Coming in, with Sandy returning, with Meyer having made improvements in spring training, and with Weathers looking to build off of 2024 along with the eventual return of Eury Pérez and the pure stuff of Edward Cabrera, I thought pitching would carry the Marlins’ offense. So far, nearly the exact opposite has occurred. While no Marlins starter has gone more than six innings the entire season—an accomplishment in itself—Agustín Ramírez, Kyle Stowers, Dane Myers, and Otto Lopez have paced the Marlins to some big wins with timely hitting.

Nate Karzmer: Prior to the seven-game tear they're currently riding, I was leaning towards a C+ first-half grade relative to my extremely low expectations. Now, though, I've seen enough to warrant a B-. The amount of positive developments from a handful of bats and arms—both in the rotation and bullpen—is extremely encouraging. For a team that was twenty-four games under .500 on June 30 a season ago with the group of veterans that were eventually dealt, a 37-45 record with the youngest roster in the sport is a breath of fresh air and reason to be optimistic about the future.

 

2. What's been the most memorable game or moment of the season so far?

Ely: Opening Day still ranks way up there given the anticipation surrounding Sandy Alcantara's return from Tommy John surgery and the way it ended. I will give the top spot to June 7 against the Tampa Bay Rays—Nick Fortes accidentally pegging Ryan Weathers in the head, explosive offenses on both sides, and Xavier Edwards sealing the victory in extras with brilliant defense. As far as individual moments, it's gotta be the Kyle Stowers walk-off grand slam off of Mason Miller. Perhaps some recency bias here, but the Dane Myers steal of third base to set up the game-tying run on June 28 gets an honorable mention from me.

Isaac: Their walk-off win against the Cubs on May 19. The offense was able to overcome a bad Edward Cabrera start and an awful appearance by Jesús Tinoco to win the game in the ninth inning down by a run.

Kevin: Opening Day has to easily be the most memorable. Kyle Stowers, who many doubted going into the season, walked it off and that began what has been a great season for him thus far.

Hector: Jesús Sánchez walk-off hit versus the Dodgers. A close second is Kyle Stowers’ walk-off grand slam off of Mason Miller versus the Athletics.

Daniel: The Kyle Stowers walk-off grand slam against the Athletics was the most memorable moment for me. I was covering that game and can remember being ready to send a tweet about how the Marlins fell that game before Stowers ultimately won it.

Alex K: Kyle Stowers’ walk-off grand slam.

Louis: Max Meyer’s 14-strikeout game, in large part because it felt like a culmination of what many felt Meyer could be at his best, but also because it was where his season peaked before gradually falling apart.

Sean: The walk-off on Opening Day by Kyle Stowers.

Alex C: May 3 against the A’s. With the new Retrowave jerseys making their debut, Kyle Stowers hit two home runs including a walk-off grand slam, the sixth in Marlins’ history, to snap a six-game losing streak. Electric.

Nate: Just besting Opening Day and Saturday's improbable four-run comeback to push their win streak to six is Kyle Stowers' walk-off grand slam on a 102 mph fastball from Mason Miller on May 3. On the day the Marlins debuted their brand new "Retrowave" City Connect threads, Stowers' heroics sent loanDepot park into a frenzy, doing something not previously seen since Giancarlo Stanton's blast in April of 2014.

 

3. Who should be the 2025 Marlins All-Star representative?

Ely: Kyle Stowers. Perhaps he doesn't deserve to crack the National League roster in this particular year because of how many excellent NL outfield performances there have been, but his 2025 season has been closer to All-Star-caliber than any other Marlin. Leading the club in extra-base hits and ranked second in walks as of this writing, he has emerged as a great offensive player.

Isaac: Tough call, but the answer has always been Kyle Stowers. Despite some streakiness in his offensive game, he clearly has the best overall numbers on the team and should represent the Marlins in Atlanta at this year's Midsummer Classic.

Kevin: Edward Cabrera. Not only is it easier to get a pitcher into the All-Star team, but his recent success—posting a 3.28 ERA in his last ten starts and 1.46 ERA in his last five starts—make him the easiest option to be named an All-Star. Dane Myers continues to play very well as well, making him the second-best option.

Hector: There’s no clear-cut representative, so I’ll go with the most deserving player which I believe is Dane Myers.

Daniel: This is a tough question as the Marlins have a few guys who could make a case for the Midsummer Classic. Despite a late surge by Edward Cabrera to make his case for Atlanta, his first few starts would hold him back for me. My pick would be Kyle Stowers.

Alex K: I did not think Edward Cabrera would maintain his fantastic start to the season, but so far he has. If he continues, I’d say he earned his shot. On the position player side, Dane Myers has been consistently good all year despite struggling to get on the lineup card, especially early in the year.

 

Louis: Edward Cabrera or Kyle Stowers.

Sean: Kyle Stowers.

Alex C: Kyle Stowers. Not only does his 135 wRC+ pace the Marlins, it ranks fifth amongst all qualified NL outfielders. By staying consistent, he’s legitimized his pronounced improvement at the plate, particularly with exit velos and game power as well as great patience. He’s also played respectful defensive ball. A 1.8 fWAR player, this should be a pretty easy decision.

Nate: Stowers. Dane Myers, Edward Cabrera and Anthony Bender hold a torch, but the full body of work earns the 28-year-old a ticket to Atlanta. What a story.

 

4. The Marlins are going to be sellers again at the trade deadline. Is there anybody on their major league roster who you think should be "untouchable" in trade talks?

 

Ely: Only Eury Pérez is off limits. Agustín Ramírez has awesome potential, but no front office should be completely close-minded about parting with a long-term designated hitter. Beyond them, there are some cheap, controllable, high-upside guys who it wouldn't make sense to move right now—Stowers, Ryan Weathers, Otto Lopez and Dane Myers. Barring a reckless overpay by another club, re-evaluate how they fit with the organization at a later date.

Isaac: Agustín Ramírez, Eury Pérez and Otto Lopez. The first two speak for themselves, but Miami has no imminent answer at shortstop aside from Lopez. Miami would be lost without him. He should be untouchable.

Kevin: Agustín Ramírez and Eury Pérez should be untouchable and considered building blocks.

Hector: Eury Pérez and Agustín Ramírez should be part of the Marlins core for the present and future.

Daniel: For me the two players who should be untouchable for the Marlins are Eury and Agustín. Both young pieces who would be the building blocks for the organization. I would also say Kyle Stowers, but if a desperate team offers a haul for him, I can see the Marlins taking it.

Alex K: Agustín Ramírez, Connor Norby, and Eury Pérez.

Louis: Agustín Ramírez. He’s a legit middle-of-the-order bat that can headline a future playoff lineup.

Sean: Eury Pérez, Kyle Stowers, and Agustín Ramírez. Everyone else I believe is expendable at this moment.

Alex C: Untouchable? No. But should it take a severe overpay for the Marlins to move a couple of pieces? Yes. Stowers is on a team-friendly deal, not arbitration-eligible until 2027 and he’s been the team’s best player. Eury Pérez is coming back from Tommy John. The Marlins should field all phone calls, but that pair likely won’t be moved.

Nate: Similar to Bendix's notorious philosophy, I'm a firm believer in the "nobody is untouchable at the right price" mindset. With that being said, Eury Pérez and Agustín Ramírez are the only two players I can say with supreme confidence are not going anywhere.

 

5. Predict which team Sandy Alcantara will finish the season with.

Ely: The Miami Marlins. All year, I have been more skeptical than most about a Sandy deadline deal coming together. The Marlins are clearly willing to move him, but they need to get a huge return to justify it. A generous interpretation of Alcantara's 2025 season is, he has been fully healthy and has begun resembling a nice No. 3 starter in recent weeks. Even a contender taking that stance can tell he's relying heavily on the defense behind him and must be wondering about his availability throughout October in his first season back from surgery. I see a path to Alcantara's value being higher and easier for teams to agree upon in the offseason if he has a few vintage "taking this game over all by myself" performances down the stretch.

Isaac: The Los Angeles Dodgers.

Kevin: Chicago Cubs.

Hector: Boston Red Sox. I know they just traded (Rafael) Devers, but they are still competitive in a wide-open American League. They need pitching help and Sandy could make an immediate impact for the Sox.

Daniel: Sandy will be pitching his home games at Wrigley Field for the Cubs.

Alex K: The Miami Marlins.

Louis: Detroit Tigers.

Sean: Dodgers.

Alex C: The Dodgers continue to show interest and be a frontrunner, per early deadline reports. They have intriguing prospects to pick from, headlined by tooled-up outfielders Josue De Paula and Zyhir Hope, both of whom are ahead of schedule in development and could make an impact as early as next season. Partnering with a team that has never shied away from dealing prospects for proven talent makes too much sense for the Marlins to ignore. Sandy will be in Dodger blue this July and pitching in the playoffs for the current World Series champions in October.

Nate: The Marlins. If you told me in spring training that Edward Cabrera would be more enticing at the trade deadline than Sandy, I would have laughed in your face, but that is exactly what's unfolded. I don't believe the proposed packages heading to Miami in exchange for their ace will be enough for Peter Bendix to pull the trigger after what we've seen thus far. Bendix should hold off, hope there's a turnaround in the second half and set the stage for a potential offseason blockbuster.

View full article

[Hans Herrera]

ASG: Not a single vote for Ronny Henríquez? 🙃

[Chad Turner]

1.  The same, although Hicks and Henriquez have surprised me.  Shout outs to Gibson and Hernandez, albeit a small sample size.  

2.  Opening day/week

3.  Otto Lopez

4. I believe Ed, Fortes, Sanchez, and Bender are the most likely to be traded.  The shocker could be X (Norby moves to 2nd).  Unfortunately Cal and Sandy aren't tradable at this point.  Much less trading than last year though.  We need legit CIFs.  

5,  Miami

[Ely Sussman]

4 hours ago, Hans Herrera said:

ASG: Not a single vote for Ronny Henríquez? 🙃

As a reliever who rarely closes games, you have to be nearly perfect to get picked! That poor road trip he had last month probably killed whatever chance he had.

[One Regend]

1. My opinion on this team hasn't changed, and no, a random 7-game winning streak where our batted balls magically fell into gaps and our historically awful pitching was blessed by the Sandy Koufax gods for 27 meatball outs per game won't convince me. This is a 2024 Marlins team that just got lucky. Don't get your hopes up.

2. June 26th. I don't like when a team that's supposed to be tanking is winning meaningless games, but this is one game that feels good to watch them win. An opposing team making a retaliation attempt (on Otto Lopez, no less. Why they picked him and not Agustin Ramirez or Kyle Stowers is beyond me, but I am not complaining) that led into the opposing team giving up 12 unanswered runs is just sweet to watch regardless of the circumstance.

3. Kyle Stowers is the easy answer for the ASG. Edward Cabrera surprised me, but I'm still not convinced that he will carry a rotation, given his track record. He's a prime "sell high" candidate if I've ever seen one. If he can go the entire season doing what he has been, I'll change my tune, but until then, he will have to continue to prove me wrong. BTW, honorable mention goes to Agustin Ramirez.

4. Edward Cabrera. As I said above, given his track record, he is the premier "sell high" candidate. This is looking to be a career year, and I don't see him ever stringing together this type of consistency again. If there's a time to trade him, it's now. He is due a raise in arbitration and you're not going to have a better time to get this type of value out of him. Anthony Bender is also a great candidate to get considerable value from. We need a 3B and Starting Pitcher prospects (primarily RHP), and these two might be able to help us with those needs.

5. Miami Marlins. Selling Sandy Alcantara now while he's at his lowest point in his career is a franchise-altering blunder. Trading him at the Trade Deadline is the worst move the team can possibly make. He's coming off TJS and he's had historically the worst season a Marlin has ever had. You're not going to get much from him. I also doubt you're getting much from him in the offseason, either, as teams will be skeptical on what he'll bring to their team. He needs a good 2026 first half, pitching competantly (maybe not Cy Young form but at least good enough) to convince teams he's still got the juice, and maybe we might get value from him in the 2026 Deadline. But 2025? Forget about it.