Offishial News: The overcrowded Marlins outfield

[Ely Sussman]

If you were confused at the time of the trade about why the Miami Marlins were parting with Jesús Sánchez, it should be much easier to comprehend at this point. Three different Marlins outfielders drove in runs during Thursday's win, none of whom are even ensured a spot on the 2026 Opening Day roster. That just speaks how much depth they have.

Jakob Marsee will be the club's starting center fielder moving forward and Kyle Stowers will man one of the corner spots. Figuring out how to allocate the rest of the outfield playing time is a wonderful problem to have. The run producers alluded to above were Heriberto Hernández, Troy Johnston and Dane Myers. Johnston was replaced by Joey Wiemer late in the game for defensive purposes, and Wiemer—albeit in a tiny sample—has Miami's top hard-hit rate this season.

Meanwhile, down on the farm, Triple-A Jacksonville won. Kemp Alderman crushed a 471-foot home run (the second time he's done so this season). Victor Mesa Jr. also homered—he's slashing .312/.372/.539 for the Jumbo Shrimp. Griffin Conine continued his rehab assignment and Derek Hill began one of his own. Even recent trade acquisition Matthew Etzel has quietly held his own since arriving in Jacksonville, all but securing a non-roster invite to spring training.

The Marlins had the ideal outfield scenario a decade ago, with three high-end starters simultaneously entering their primes. Having two of those ain't too shabby when there are this many talented players in the mix who are also under cheap club control. There are, in my opinion, too many outfielders at similar stages of their careers, likely culminating in a substantial trade over the offseason that bolsters another area of the organization.

More Marlins news and content below:

🔷 Sandy Alcantara seized sole possession of fourth place on the all-time Marlins wins list, passing Brad Penny. If everybody in the current Marlins rotation continues making their regularly scheduled starts, Alcantara will take the mound only one more time in 2025. However, the team does have the flexibility to pitch him next Tuesday and next Sunday (Game 162) if interested in doing so.

🔷 Baseball America includes the Marlins among nine MLB teams that had particularly strong 2025 international signing classes, highlighting Andrew Salas, Kevin Defrank, Pedro Montero, Adriano Marrero, Adrian Peña and Luis Arana. BA also published a longer feature on Miami's player development ethos, which involves being fully transparent with prospects about where they need improve to progress through the farm system.

🔷 Marlins bullpen coach Brandon Mann spoke with David Laurila of FanGraphs about the unique characteristics of changeups thrown by the different pitchers on his staff.

🔷 On this day in 1995, Greg Colbrunn put the Marlins ahead for good with a clutch home run against the rival Phillies.

🔷 The Prediction Time leaderboard has been updated. Only three series left! Become a SuperSub and we'll keep track of your predictions all season long.

🔷 Elsewhere around baseball, Clayton Kershaw announced that he will retire following the 2025 postseason. The future Hall of Famer makes his final regular season appearance at Dodger Stadium tonight. In the fight for the third National League Wild Card spot, the New York Mets and Cincinnati Reds won, while the San Francisco Giants lost. The Mets hold a two-game lead over the Reds and Arizona Diamondbacks—and a six-game lead over the Marlins.

🔷 Today's MLB game: the Marlins visit the Texas Rangers (probable starters RHP Janson Junk and RHP Tyler Mahle). This is only the second time that the Fish have ever visited Globe Life Field—they were swept by the Rangers during a three-game series in 2023. The Marlins have a 42.2% chance to win, per FanGraphs. First pitch at 8:05 p.m. ET.

 

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[Slacker Mills]

Mesa Jr seems like he's a clear third man in the OF.

[Hippyboi]

1. Hill and Myers have to be dumped

2. Stowers Marsee - 2 starters

3. Alderman - We hope is #3

Griff - HH - Mesa - Johnston - Wiemer 

We keep 5 outfielders.

None of those 5 bring back much, but all have potential. I hate to say this, but maybe we trade Stowers if he can bring back 2 (1 major league ready ) top 100 players. Once you go there:

Trade Sandy for 2 - leaves Perez Cabrera Weathers Garret Snelling with Myers (who I have personally given up on ) or Mazur with White at mid-season

I'd move Edwards if I could get something and move Norby to his preferred 2nd base with Acosta / Sanoja as possible replacements and Pauley on 3rd

Ramirez DH Mack C

 

 

 

[Ely Sussman]

6 hours ago, Hippyboi said:

I hate to say this, but maybe we trade Stowers if he can bring back 2 (1 major league ready ) top 100 players.

Even if this front office believes deep down that Stowers had a fluky year and he's at the absolute peak of his value, don't think it would be worth the risk. To trade such a good hitter fresh off an All-Star season while he's still earning league minimum money, you cannot roll the dice on prospects. That is the kind of decision that gets GMs fired a couple years later if those particular prospects don't pan out.

[One Regend]

I think Heriberto and Victor Mesa Jr can both thrive as a 4th OF and 5th OF respectively. They can fill platoon roles for the 3rd OF spot if Alderman isn't ready yet.