Miami Marlins guide to the 2026 MLB trade deadline

We are fast approaching one of the most exciting milestones on the calendar: Major League Baseball’s trade deadline. This season, MLB teams have until Monday at 6:00 pm ET to make deals involving their big leaguers.

The Miami Marlins are in a complicated position, as we will explain below.

Where the team stands

The Marlins started the second half of the season on a bad note, being swept by the Milwaukee Brewers, Houston Astros and San Diego Padres coming out of the All-Star break. They have bounced back since then with a sweep of the Philadelphia Phillies. If the season were to end today, the Chicago Cubs, Phillies and Arizona Diamondbacks would make the postseason as National League Wild Card teams over them. They are 8.5 games back of the Atlanta Braves for the NL East lead.

Marlins Chairman, Principal Owner & Control Person Bruce Sherman recently told Fish On First that Marlins president of baseball operations Peter Bendix has the green light to go ahead and add to the current roster if they are clear contenders. That no longer applies to 2026. FanGraphs projects that the Marlins have only a 16.7% chance of reaching the playoffs as of Thursday morning.

Craig Mish of Marlins.TV said on Monday's pregame show that the Marlins will not be buyers at the trade deadline. They will not acquire players on expiring contracts for this season. That said, the Marlins also do not plan to be sellers and intend to keep core players such as Sandy Alcantara, Eury Pérez, Max Meyer, and Joe Mack.

What we are hearing

- Fish On First can report that the Marlins are expected to hold onto Sandy Alcantara. Regardless of where the team is in the standings, the organization wants to keep what it considers the face of the franchise. A clear favorite of Bruce Sherman, Alcantara is expected to remain in Miami and serve as the club's Opening Day starter in 2027—whenever that may be.

-Based on conversations Fish On First has had with team brass, it appears unlikely that outfielder Heriberto Hernández will be traded. After a dreadful start to the season, the Marlins optioned Hernández to Triple-A. Since being recalled, he has arguably been Miami's best hitter, posting an .894 OPS in 56 games. A fixture in the No. 3 spot of the lineup, Hernández is highly valued by the organization, and it would likely take a significant offer for the Marlins to part with the talented right-handed hitter.

- The Marlins are open to moving on from Liam Hicks. The driving factor behind this is the emergence of Joe Mack and the belief that Agustín Ramírez can still be a viable catcher at the big-league level. Hicks is slashing .279/.358/.435/.793 with14 home runs, 60 RBI and a 118 wRC+. Other teams may value Hicks more than the Marlins because he can provide help behind the plate. The catching market is led by Minnesota Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers, but beyond him, it is quite barren assuming that the Colorado Rockies retain Hunter Goodman. The Marlins have fielded many calls regarding Hicks, and if the price is right, Miami could be willing to sell high on the Canadian backstop.

- Pete Fairbanks, the Marlins' marquee free agent signing this past offseason, has struggled this year. In 34 appearances, the right-hander owns a 6.75 ERA, 5.06 FIP, 12.15 K/9, 3.78 BB/9, and 15 saves—all career-worst marks for the $13 million reliever. The expectation is that the Marlins will move Fairbanks at the trade deadline, even if the return is minimal. Left-hander John King has another year of arbitration eligibility left, but could also be on the move before the deadline as Bendix tends to see the deadline as the best time to maximize value on his relievers. 

- Sources tell Fish On First that the Marlins are searching for a "Tyler Phillips replacement"—meaning a pitcher capable of both starting games and pitching out of the bullpen. The expectation is that Phillips will remain in the rotation, but if Miami acquires a veteran starter, a move back to the bullpen could become a possibility for him.

- The Marlins will look to trade Braxton Garrett at this trade deadline. In 15 appearances (14 starts) in the minor leagues, Garrett has a 2.32 ERA, 3.86 FIP, 9.77 K/9 and 3.42 BB/9. Garrett was called up earlier in the season, but in his two starts, he allowed a combined seven earned runs and eight walks. The Marlins believe that if he remains in Triple-A continuing to succeed, then they can garner something in return.

- Although described as a long shot, the Marlins plan to listen on Xavier Edwards at the deadline, multiple sources have told Fish On First. Teams have shown interest in the switch-hitting second baseman in previous years, but the Marlins have been unwilling to part with him. Under Bendix, the Marlins have shown that they will move players for the right price. That could be the case with Edwards if an offer presents itself. In 109 games, Edwards is slashing .291/.373/.402/.775 with six home runs, 39 RBI, 18 stolen bases and a 114 wRC+.

- While third base has been an area of concern, the Marlins appear content with Javier Sanoja and Leo Jiménez sharing time at the position for now. The organization's hope is that 2025 first-round pick Aiva Arquette will be ready for the major leagues in 2027 and can solidify the hot corner sooner rather than later.

- Speaking of prospects, Miami is ultra-high on outfielder Cam Cannerella. The organization views him as a top 100 prospect in the sport and should Marsee’s struggles continue, the Marlins may have his replacement waiting in the wings.