Post-Winter Meetings 2025 Marlins Opening Day roster projection

The Miami Marlins leaned even more into their youth movement during the just-completed MLB Winter Meetings. They dealt their most established hitter, Jake Burger, and took a flier on Detroit Tigers prospect Liam Hicks in the Rule 5 Draft. Just like that, one of the Marlins' apparent Opening Day roster locks is out of the picture and they'll have to tweak their 2025 plans to accommodate a neophyte who is obligated to stick in the majors throughout the season (or else be offered back to the Tigers).

As a periodic reminder, the MLB active roster consists of 26 players, typically 13 position players and 13 pitchers. Especially for a team in the Marlins' situation, these are not necessarily the 26 best players—the team has to account for factors like Hicks' Rule 5 restrictions and the number of minor league options each individual has left (for example, Vidal Bruján and Derek Hill are out of options).

Kevin Barral shared his way-too-early projection in October. Here is Fish On First's first formal update since then, with more to come from myself and other staffers as we gradually approach the March 27 opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

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

Position Players

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

Bench: C Liam Hicks, UTIL Vidal Bruján, UTIL Ronny Simon and OF Derek Hill 

I was very tempted to make room for Agustín Ramírez. He's ready offensively and there is regular playing time available from the get-go. He could be Miami's primary designated hitter and second-string catcher, with Hicks relegated to third-string catcher and Bride's backup first baseman. However, Ramírez still has a lot to clean up behind the plate. Unless he shows up to camp as a vastly improved receiver and blocker, he could benefit from more Triple-A reps.

Also on the outside looking in, Deyvison De Los Santos needs to make better swing decisions. As shiny as his 2024 minor league numbers look, calling him up would be throwing him to the wolves with his current hyper-aggressive approach.

Javier Sanoja could provide value to the team with his versatility and excellent contact skills, but barring injuries or a Stowers demotion, he wouldn't be in the lineup consistently. Still only 22 years old, he ought to be playing every day in Jacksonville until there is a cleaner fit.

Simon is the lone non-40-man player in my projection. Potential corresponding moves for him include designating Jhonny Pereda for assignment (assuming Hicks makes the club) and transferring Eury Pérez to the 60-day injured list.

Pitchers

Starting rotation: Sandy Alcantara, Jesús Luzardo, Ryan Weathers, Braxton Garrett and Edward Cabrera 

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

If the Marlins stand pat on the starting pitching front (which is a big "if"), the rotation hierarchy is clear-cut for the early portion of the season while Eury Pérez rehabs from Tommy John surgery. The Triple-A rotation will include Adam Mazur, Robby Snelling, Valente Bellozo and minor league signing Robinson Piña. 

Max Meyer is a wild card. I urge folks not to overreact to his disappointing 2024 campaign. Most likely, he'll stay stretched out in Jacksonville as well, but he has the ability to earn a spot in the Miami's Opening Day bullpen if the Marlins want to utilize him that way.