Offishial News: Marlins coaching staff carousel; La Gente del Barrio lineup

[Ely Sussman]

We're still awaiting the official reveal of the 2026 Miami Marlins coaching staff, but these are the anticipated changes:

• Assistant hitting coaches Chris Hess and Corbin Day replacing Derek Shomon (now with the Chicago White Sox)
• First base coach Craig Driver replacing Tyler Smarslok (Washington Nationals) and Joe Singley (Baltimore Orioles)
• Bullpen catcher Harry Wilonsky replacing Chi Chi González

On Thursday in winter ball, Jared Serna (Mexico) went 0-for-4 with a walk and Eric Rataczak (Australia) went 1-for-4.

Only 125 days away from Marlins Opening Day.

🔷 The Marlins have signed two pitchers to minor league deals in recent days: right-hander Chris McKendry and right-hander Samuel Vásquez. Neither have prior MLB experience. McKendry has been knocking on the door at Triple-A for the past three years, though a lack of fastball velocity limits his perceived ceiling. Vásquez, on the other hand, occasionally touches 100 mph—he just doesn't really know where it's going.

🔷 Fish On First LIVE made its return on Wednesday, reacting to the Marlins' Rule 5 draft protection decisions and early free agent activity around the league.

🔷 FOF's Kevin Barral joined Jeremiah Geiger of Locked On Marlins to discuss the possibility of trading Edward Cabrera and the Marlins' pursuit of a veteran closer.

🔷 The Marlins will hold their annual Thanksgiving Distribution at loanDepot park this afternoon, providing meal boxes for 1,000 families in the Little Havana community. President of baseball operations Peter Bendix, president of business operations Caroline O'Connor and manager Clayton McCullough are all expected to participate.

🔷 The MLB non-tender deadline is today at 5:00 p.m. ET. Although Andrew Nardi is projected for a 2026 salary that's barely above the league minimum, MLB.com's Christina De Nicola previously reported that he is a likely non-tender candidate due to his lingering back injury. The Marlins 40-man roster is full, so non-tendering Nardi or anybody else would create the necessary room to acquire outside reinforcements.

🔷 Joey Wiemer remains in DFA limbo. His fate will be determined by Tuesday at the latest.

🔷 La Gente del Barrio Foundation is bringing a celebrity softball game and home run derby to loanDepot park on December 6. The derby will feature Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and baseball's biggest Dominican stars, including Juan Soto, José Ramírez, Ketel Marte and Fernando Tatis Jr. With the derby being the main event, I'm perplexed that outfield seats aren't being sold (as shown below). Ticket prices start at $32.

 

🔷 Elsewhere around baseball, Japanese infielder Kazuma Okamoto, Japanese right-hander Kona Takahashi and Korean infielder Sung-mun Song were officially posted for MLB teams. The posting windows for Okamoto and Takahashi close on January 4, while Song's window closes on December 21. The Women's Pro Baseball League held its inaugural draft, which included 120 overall picks. Nick Nelson of Twins Daily wonders whether the Minnesota Twins will do a reverse of their original Pablo López trade and ship him out for an impact bat.

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[BMK3]

These extension numbers are so frustrating and aggravating to me. All extension candidates can guarantee their financial future, but no it’s never enough. The agents are where the problem lies. It’s like the fans and players are at war and the agents are throwing oil on the fires. There is a Bobby Bonilla middle ground but no one is looking for it.