Have Miami Marlins done enough yet to shed Marlins Tax?

[Sean Millerick]

Do MLB players want to play for the Miami Marlins? 

As another offseason gets underway, the same old question returns for fans of the league's southernmost franchise. For much of their history—certainly much of this century—the answer has been a resounding no. To be fair, it's been hard to blame them. While the game is a business first and foremost, winning and stability still count for plenty. Those are things that have seldom been on the menu for Marlins players. Throw in an empty ballpark, and it's just a tough sell for free agents. 

Thus, the existence of what I've come to call the Marlins Tax. The unfortunate reality where the Marlins are forced to pay well above market value for likely below average talent. In other words, Miami is doubly penalized when they turn to free agency. 

Have the Marlins finally graduated from needing to pay it? The answer to that question will only define their entire offseason.

 

This year's edition of the Marlins offseason blueprint features 3 MLB free agent signings, 6 trades and 2 contract extensions https://t.co/pEk9XBC92d

— Fish On First (@FishOnFirst) November 11, 2026

Fortunately for Marlins fans, there's a compelling case to be made that the answer is yes. The team has gotten better for three straight seasons, and the expectation in baseball circles is for that trend to continue in 2027. The vibes are strong in Miami under the watch of team president Peter Bendix, even if Bruce Sherman remains the owner. And even Sherman has drawn some kudos for his investment in the team''s spring training facility, as well as the organization's Dominican Academy. The Marlins have a young core and a solid farm system. There's a lot to recommend. 

Could it be that players now regard South Florida the same way they do St. Petersburg? A smart, savvy organization committed to winning?  

Unfortunately, I'm still inclined to say the answer is no. The Tax still applies. As with everything else you're going to hear this offseason, it all comes down to payroll, and the Marlins did just spend another season in the cellar moneywise. Fairly or not, the Marlins continue to be tagged for spending in a way the Rays are not, and that will continue to be the case until the Marlins have their own pile of playoff appearances to point towards. The jury is also still very much out on how players view Miami's unorthodox changes the past two seasons, namely calling pitches from the dugout and using starters as relievers on pitch design days. One man's shrewd winning strategy is another's penny pinching necessity. 

However, two things could flip the script for the Marlins very quickly. 

Firstly, extensions. A single big name extension could be enough to convince players that Miami really is serious about consistently competing. Putting some money behind their core would send a clear message to free agents that the window is open. What pitcher wouldn't want to know they could count on having Joe Mack as a battery-mate? What player wouldn't want to play alongside a teammate like Sandy Alcantara, or a talent like Eury Perez? 

Secondly, and this is the wild card, do players believe that salary reform is coming to MLB? 

If the answer is yes? Then the Marlins suddenly become much more like the Dolphins, Heat, and Panthers, able to sell sunshine and lack of income tax to entice players to come here. In which case, the Marlins Tax is gone.

If the answer is no? Then Miami remains as merely possibly preferable to Pittsburgh, at least until they prove they can be counted on to compete. Until which time the Marlins Tax will remain.

Here's hoping some quality free agents believe the Marlins have done enough to make that competing case. 

 

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