Updated Marlins Opening Day roster projection entering 2025

Three weeks removed from Fish On First's previous Marlins roster projection, a series of recent transactions calls for a fresh update. The trade of another fan favorite has muddied the starting rotation picture while two new inexpensive bats seemingly have good shots of landing Opening Day jobs.

To recap, Miami dealt left-handed starter Jesús Luzardo to the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for two prospects, highlighted by 19-year-old Starlyn Caba, who now ranks second on FOF's Top 30 prospects list. While neither Caba nor Emaarion Boyd (the other prospect in the deal) will be with Miami on March 27, Luzardo's active roster spot is now up for grabs. 

It wasn’t as significant as the Luzardo deal, but Miami did complete a trade of a couple of former Top 100 prospects in late December. The Marlins sent utility man Vidal Bruján to the Chicago Cubs for first baseman Matt Mervis and cash considerations. Mervis, 27, should see considerable playing time at first base and designated hitter against right-handed pitching. 

Additionally, the club signed free agent Eric Wagaman to a one-year split contract. The 27-year-old is a right-handed bat with solid power potential and will attempt to help fill the void left by Jake Burger's departure. 

As a periodic reminder, the MLB active roster consists of 26 players, typically 13 position players and 13 pitchers. Below are the 26 players I believe will break camp with the big league team and make the 83-mile drive to loanDepot park from Jupiter. 

Disagree with any aspect of this projection? Feel free to comment with your own.

Position players

Default starting lineup: C Nick Fortes, 1B Matt Mervis, 2B Otto Lopez, 3B Connor Norby, SS Xavier Edwards, LF Kyle Stowers, CF Dane Myers, RF Jesús Sánchez and DH Jonah Bride. 

Bench: C Liam Hicks, INF Eric Wagaman, UTIL Javier Sanoja and OF Derek Hill. 

While top prospects Deyvison De Los Santos and Agustín Ramírez are both on the 40-man roster and practically big league ready, I find it hard to believe the Marlins will start the clock on them in late March. Also, each could benefit from more Triple-A reps as Ramirez needs to fine-tune his defense and DLS his offensive approach. 

Assuming he doesn't have an atrocious spring training, Rule 5 Draft selection Liam Hicks figures to be the backup catcher to Nick Fortes. If he is returned to Detroit, the other two catchers on the 40-man roster are Jhonny Pereda and the aforementioned Ramírez. 

The lone free agent addition for Miami this off-season was Wagaman, who should see a decent amount of playing time at first base, mostly platooning with left-handed hitting Matt Mervis. Wagaman spent most of 2024 in the Angels system, slashing .274/.339/.469 across AA/AAA. 

Lastly, with lefty hitters like Kyle Stowers and Jesús Sánchez expected to do most of their damage against right-handed pitching, it could open the door for Javier Sanoja to get enough reps to justify putting him on the major league roster. Sanoja, the 14th-ranked prospect in Miami’s system, got his first taste of the Majors last season and performed exactly as advertised: great defensive versatility, excellent bat-to-ball skills and limited power. He will likely begin the year at AAA so he can play every day, but I do see a world where he breaks camp with the team. 

The one notable omission would be Griffin Conine, who played surprisingly well in his 30 games in the majors last season. With Sánchez and Stowers, it would be a bit redundant for all three players to be on the roster simultaneously. 

Pitchers

Starting rotation: Sandy Alcantara, Ryan Weathers, Braxton Garrett, Edward Cabrera and Max Meyer.

Bullpen: Calvin Faucher, Jesús Tinoco, Anthony Bender, Anthony Veneziano, Declan Cronin, Lake Bachar, Andrew Nardi and Xzavion Curry. 

With the trade of Jesús Luzardo, there is an opening in the club's starting rotation. Miami will give every opportunity to former third overall pick Max Meyer to earn that spot. In 2024, Meyer threw 115 innings between Triple-A and the majors. 

A wild card in the competition this spring could be Adam Mazur. A trade deadline acquisition last year, Mazur already made his MLB debut with the Padres and with a strong Grapefruit League showing, he could find himself at loanDepot for Opening Day. 

Phenom Eury Pérez, still rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, is expected to be back around the All-Star break. The Triple-A rotation will likely include Meyer or Mazur, Robby Snelling, Valente Bellozo, Patrick Monteverde and minor league signing Robinson Piña.