Any Miami Marlins selling needs to be about next season, not next decade

In the blink of an eye, the Miami Marlins have seemingly gone from buyer to seller. 

Such is the life of a Marlins fan. Most of you reading this probably just need one hand to count the number of times you can recall this team doing any kind of buying at the deadline. The perception of this team as a perennial farm system for MLB's postseason bound clubs has been well-earned. 

This time around, though? Things have to be different for the Marlins and their beleaguered fans. 

Fortunately, in at least one key way, that is already virtually certain to be the case. In a refreshing departure for Marlins fans, barring an eleventh hour trade of franchise face Sandy Alcantara that no outlets are reporting as likely, the money is not going to be a factor. No big salaries are being unloaded...because there aren't really any to unload. If Alcantara is staying, that leaves only Pete Fairbanks making the big bucks, and many Marlins fans would probably still be willing to drive him to the airport to get a trade done even after two big saves versus Philadelphia. 

However, not being able to be tagged with penny-pinching is only part of the equation here.

Because what is of even greater importance for Marlins fans is knowing that the future is now, not later. That this team really is committed to being consistently good, and isn't just kicking the can down the road a few years. Not after this past June. Not after feeling that close to a postseason race. Not after seeing so many players level up into dependable players, even if there was some regression from others. And especially not while hope exists that the team's financial situation could look very different come next Opening Day. 

No, whoever the "big piece" is that Peter Bendix acquires in selling off any key pieces of this season's Miami Marlins roster pretty much needs to be viewed as having a shot to be a key piece of next season's Miami Marlins roster. Yes, I have pessimistically held off on typing the phrase "2027 Miami Marlins" to this point, as the odds are just a touch to high for my liking that "next season" could mean 2028, not 2027. 

What keeps coming to my mind is trade that didn't involve the Marlins at all, when the 2014 Chicago Cubs packed off two-fifths of their starting rotation for prized shortstop prospect Addison Russell. Russell made the team next season, immediately becoming a locked in starter for a team that made four consecutive playoff runs, including that long-awaited championship in 2016. The players sent away, Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel, were popular players—Hammel so much so that the Cubs just brought him back next season. But the front office saw a chance to cash in and add that missing piece. 

That kind of move? Totally acceptable. A decision that would be easy sell, pun intended, particularly if the team loses this final series before the deadline against the Mets. 

But selling off multiple key pieces, all for players years away from making an impact? Especially if the team holds their ground or gains in the playoff race this weekend? That would be an extremely tough pill for fans to swallow, even if the league announced Monday that 2027 salary cap and floor was a done deal.  

Hopefully, the Marlins front office surprises and still decides to modestly buy. If not though, fingers crossed that the team makes the right kind of deal.

Selling can be the right call, just so long as the Marlins are selling for right now. Not the distant future.