Kevin Barral

This Miami Marlins offseason has two separate finish lines. There's the one right before the 2027 season opener, but it's too soon to say when exactly that will be. In the meantime, the current Major League Baseball collective bargaining agreement is set to expire on December 1 at 11:59 p.m. ET, with a work stoppage expected to follow. Assuming the MLB owners lock out the players (as was the case when the previous CBA expired), no major league transactions can be made and the traditional Winter Meetings will be cancelled. Spring training could also be delayed and shortened if negotiations move along too slowly. With so much uncertainty on the horizon, November figures to be a busy month across baseball. There is an urgency to make roster moves while teams are allowed to do so. The Marlins have flexibility on their side. Entering Monday, there are only 35 players on their 40-man roster (21 pitchers and 14 position players). A sixth spot is expected to open up when left-handed reliever Andrew Nardi gets non-tendered—he'll miss most, if not all, of the 2027 season while rehabbing from elbow surgery. It's unclear whether the major league phase of the Rule 5 Draft will take place this winter, but just in case, several of the Marlins' best prospects should be getting protected with 40-man spots by the November 17 deadline. The leading candidates for 40-man selections are Karson Milbrandt (FOF No. 11 prospect), Eliazar Dishmey (No. 8), Brayden Taylor (No. 19) and Kemp Alderman (No. 13). The tender deadline follows shortly after that on November 20. Including Nardi, the Marlins have 10 arbitration-eligible players. Fish On First can confirm the reporting from the Miami Herald that the Marlins will be searching for a starting pitcher and reliever. The team's top priorities are left-handed arms and right-handed bats. The team has cast a wide net for an experienced starter and remains engaged in ongoing discussions. Two names to keep an eye on are right-hander Dustin May and left-hander Patrick Sandoval. May, who is coming off his second World Series title, made 31 starts last season between stints with the St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers. He posted a 4.70 ERA, 3.63 FIP, 8.9 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9. May was in Los Angeles Dodgers organization from 2019 up until midway through the 2025 season, crossing paths with current Marlins manager Clayton McCullough and general manager Gabe Kapler. As for Sandoval, it's been a strange ride for him these last couple of years. In 2024, he made 16 starts before missing the rest of the season due to a left elbow strain. He underwent Tommy John surgery and missed all of 2025 as well. In 2026, his Boston Red Sox tenure lasted 15 games (13 starts) posting a 5.12 ERA, 3.77 FIP, 9.3 K/9 and 4.1 BB/9. He did poorly against lefty batters, but has historically limited them to a .219/.297/.353 slash line. This signing would be in hopes that Sandoval can regain the value that he had back in 2021 and 2022 where he was at his best. The top reliever on the free agent market is Adrián Morejón and the Marlins remain interested in him. In 2026, he posted a 2.83 ERA, 2.37 FIP, 11.20 K/9 and 2.93 BB/9 in 76 appearances, primarily as the eighth-inning man in San Diego, paving the way for lights-out closer Mason Miller to pitch the ninth. The Marlins would have to go against their past behavior to get a deal done because Morejón will have a qualifying offer attached to him. If he doesn't return to the Padres, his new team would be required to give up an early-round draft pick (in addition to making him one of MLB's most expensive relievers). Two names the Marlins appear to have interest in are Sean Newcomb and Alex Vesia. Those left-handers more comfortably fit within Miami's price range. Newcomb spent the 2026 season with the Chicago White Sox, making a career-high 60 appearances (90.1 IP) while recording a 3.09 ERA, 3.21 FIP, 8.37 K/9 and 3.39 BB/9. The combination of his four-seam fastball (7 RV) and slurve (5 RV) along with his track record of success in a multi-inning role make him an intriguing fit for the Marlins pitching staff. Vesia seems to be the higher priority, according to sources. Marlins fans should be familiar with him because he was their 17th-round selection in the 2018 MLB Draft and made his major league debut with Miami during the shortened 2020 season. In 2026, Vesia threw 58 innings in 2.64 ERA, 3.10 FIP, 11.48 K/9 and 4.97 BB/9. His unique arm angle has consistently made his four-seamer effective despite below-average velocity. Vesia can get out batters from both sides with ease, which makes him an option to enter games at any time. He is also a great high-leverage option. The Marlins could also be in the market for a catcher, though specifically a backup who wouldn't block Joe Mack's development. Ideally, that player would be capable of handling 30–40 starts behind the plate per season. If the right fit does not present itself, their internal option would be using Agustín Ramírez to back up Mack. The organization believes that Ramírez can hit at the level he did in 2025, when as a rookie, he slashed .287/.287/.413/.701 with 21 home runs, 67 RBI and a 91 wRC+. The pairing is a bit awkward because to this point in his career, Ramírez gains no advantage from facing left-handed pitching (90 wRC+ vs. LHP and 90 wRC+ vs. RHP). Ramírez was working at first base last summer in Triple-A Jacksonville, but still hasn't made any game appearances at non-catching positions since joining the Marlins organization. He is out of minor league options moving forward. The Marlins, who are always listening on their players, will continue to do that this offseason. They will also look to acquire high-level prospects who can contribute in 2027. Over the past two seasons, Franklin Arias of the Boston Red Sox has been a name that's come up, though the Marlins would have to give up a ton of talent in return. Turning 21 years old next week, Arias is ranked as the top prospect in the Red Sox system per Baseball America and he's second overall on BA's MLB Top 100 list. In 2026, he slashed .323/.400/.557/.957 with 25 home runs, 91 RBI and a 145 wRC+ across Double-A and Triple-A. View full article

The Miami Marlins made a flurry of roster moves on Monday. Infielder Graham Pauley, right-hander Josh White and left-hander Patrick Monteverde were all placed on outright waivers. Pauley (Chicago White Sox) and White (Baltimore Orioles) were both claimed by other MLB teams, while Monteverde cleared and was outrighted to Triple-A Jacksonville. Former New York Mets righty Cameron Weston was claimed off waivers. The Marlins also reinstated Ronny Henriquez, William Kempner, Adam Mazur, Andrew Nardi and Robby Snelling from the 60-day injured list. Now that the dust has settled, the club's 40-man roster is down to 36 players. Pauley, one of four players acquired by the San Diego Padres in the Tanner Scott trade, played in 124 Marlins games and slashed .218/.287/.370/.656 with eight home runs, 36 RBI and posted an 83 OPS+. Although the bat never materialized into much, Pauley's defense was his calling card, posting seven outs above average in 2025 and one in 2026, mainly as a third baseman. Pauley also played some first base and second base on a limited basis. With Pauley out of the picture, Javier Sanoja is currently lined up to be Miami's everyday starter at third in 2027. Of course, there is plenty of time to shop for outside help at the position. White, at one point viewed as a top 30 prospect in the organization, only appeared in one game during the 2026 season, which was his major league debut. Most of his time was spent in Triple-A Jacksonville where in 36 appearances, he posted a 2.41 ERA, 4.61 FIP, 9.96 K/9 and 4.98 BB/9. He was even more dominant in 2025, yet was never given a true opportunity. The Marlins are moving on even though he still has two minor league options remaining. Monteverde, who was selected by the Marlins in the eighth round of the 2021 MLB Draft, appeared once for them in the majors during each of the past two seasons. Assuming he'll choose to elect free agency, the lefty finishes his Marlins MiLB tenure with 127 games (103 starts) and an ERA of 4.62. As for Weston, who was the lone addition of the day, he debuted on May 28. Outside of that, he spent the season in Triple-A with the Mets and Baltimore Orioles. He threw to a 7.18 ERA, 4.98 FIP, 11.86 K/9 and 4.99 BB/9. His best pitch is the forkball, which generated a 39.9% whiff rate. The 26-year-old will be matched up mainly against right-handed hitters, as they had a .587 OPS against him. Weston has two minor league options remaining, so he can be sent back down to Triple-A come Opening Day if he doesn't earn a spot on the 26-man active roster. View full article

Later this week, Peter Bendix will be celebrating the third anniversary of his hiring as Miami Marlins president of baseball operations. For the longtime Tampa Bay Rays executive, this has been his first opportunity running a baseball ops department, and the results have been mixed. The Marlins got off to a historically bad start in 2024 on their way to posting a 62-100 record, trading away many key veterans in the process. However, they surged to 79 games in 2025 and got to 80 wins this past season with improved underlying stats. None of these teams made the playoffs. Overall, Miami's .455 winning percentage under Bendix is slightly better than their .453 winning percentage during the three prior seasons under general manager Kim Ng. The Marlins have made hundreds of transactions in what we'll refer to as "the Bendix era." Let's go through the three best and the three worst of them. Best Moves Claiming Otto Lopez off waivers There is no question this is the best move of Bendix's tenure so far. Lopez, originally a highly touted prospect in the Toronto Blue Jays system, was designated for assignment and the San Francisco Giants claimed him. He was then claimed by the Marlins soon after the start of the 2024 season. Lopez made a strong impression in 2024, posting a 92 wRC+, stole 20 bags and had 16 outs above average playing second base. In 2025, although his wRC+ went down, it was a larger sample size. Most importantly, he and Xavier Edwards swapped spots in the infield, allowing Lopez to prove himself as a good defensive shortstop. In 2026, Lopez had a first half to remember, slashing .334/.368/.505/.874 with nine home runs and 45 RBI. He was named to his first All-Star Game and led the National League batting title race. Even with Lopez regressing in the second half, he still posted 5.9 fWAR and 6.1 bWAR while leading MLB with 191 total hits. He was the most valuable all-around position player that the Marlins have had in nearly a decade. Lopez is under club control through 2029 and now going into his first year of arbitration, meaning he is due for a major pay raise. The Marlins are willing to listen on what teams have to offer for the 28-year old shortstop, although a trade is highly unlikely. There also exists an avenue to extend Lopez and keep him in Miami for years to come. This is a dream scenario for any team: getting an everyday player at a premium position who has an All-Star ceiling without giving anything up. Lopez needed Miami as much as Miami needed him. It's been a perfect fit so far. Selecting Liam Hicks in Rule 5 Draft In Bendix's second offseason, he selected catcher Liam Hicks in the major league phase of the Rule 5 Draft. Hicks won the backup catcher job in spring training and made the Opening Day roster. Hicks slashed .247/.346/.346/.693 with six home runs, 45 RBI and a 99 wRC+ in his rookie season. He was very consistent and his role expanded as the year went on, getting occasional playing time at first base in addition to catcher. In the offseason, Hicks focused on increasing his bat speed and did so without sacrificing his elite contact ability. He appeared in 101 games leading up to the trade deadline, slashing .282/.363/.432/.795 with 14 home runs, 62 RBI and a 120 wRC+. His strikeout rate dropped to 9.5%, ranking second among Marlins players behind only Javier Sanoja. In less than two years, Hicks went from an unprotected prospect to an impact bat on a World Series contender (to be covered in more detail later). Even with such a short stint as a Marlin, he was the franchise's best Rule 5 pick since Dan Uggla in 2006. Acquiring Tyler Phillips for cash On the eve of Opening Day in 2025, the Marlins acquired Phillips from the Philadelphia Phillies for cash considerations (a tiny step up from being a standard waiver claim). The right-hander had no minor league options remaining and his only MLB accomplishment was tossing a complete game shutout in 2024. Outside of that, he had struggled as a starter with the Phillies. After originally functioning as a low-leverage reliever for the Marlins, Phillips began to pitch well enough to see higher-leverage action. He continued to improve throughout the summer and finished the 2025 season posting a 2.78 ERA, 4.14 FIP, 6.03 K/9 and 2.78 BB/9 in 54 appearances. Phillips had more success early in the 2026 season out of the bullpen, but a plethora of starting pitching injuries pushed the Marlins to try him as a starter. That meant a huge increase to his workload and the results were solid, totaling 126 ⅔ innings with a 3.34 ERA, 4.65 FIP, 7.18 K/9 and 3.98 BB/9. As a starter, Phillips had a 3.90 ERA, compared to a 1.96 ERA as a reliever. Having Phillips return to the bullpen in 2027 would make the most sense, but now the Marlins know he can contribute in any role. Also, a pitcher going two full years without missing any time due to injury is a rare accomplishment. Honorable Mention: Claiming Ronny Henriquez off waivers Right before 2025 spring training, Henriquez was claimed off waivers from the Minnesota Twins. In 69 appearances, Henriquez posted a 2.22 ERA, 3.15 FIP, 12.08 K/9, 3.33 BB/9 and seven saves. His 98 strikeouts tied Edwin Díaz for second-most among National League relievers that year. He didn't spend any time on the IL. Henriquez also recorded strikeouts in 60 separate appearances, which set an all-time Marlins single-season record. Repeating that production for another season would have been enough for Henriquez to crack the top three, but he missed all of 2026 rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. He is on track to be fully ready to bounce back in 2027, potentially working the majority of the Marlins' save opportunities. Worst Moves Trading Jesús Luzardo to Phillies Acquiring Luzardo at the 2021 trade deadline in exchange for Starling Marte was one of Kim Ng's best moves. Marte was a pending free agent anyway and the Marlins swapped him for four years of a 4.15 ERA, 3.78 FIP, 9.9 K/9, 3.2 BB/9 and 6.7 bWAR. The Broward kid was critical to the club's 2023 postseason berth, pitching Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series. Following an injury-shortened 2024 season, Luzardo's value dropped. He was 27 years old at the time and two years away from reaching free agency. He had also spoken publicly about hoping to stay long term with his hometown team. Instead of giving Luzardo an opportunity to reestablish himself, Bendix traded him and minor league catcher Paul McIntosh to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for prospects Starlyn Caba and Emaarion Boyd. Caba was ranked as Baseball America's No. 54 MLB prospect on the strength of excellent shortstop defense. Boyd was a player who had plus speed and could play all three outfield spots, but a weak hit tool. He was a throw-in. Luzardo has dominated with the Phillies. They signed him to a five-year contract extension worth $135M going into 2026, and that already looks like a bargain after he posted a 2.86 ERA, 2.78 FIP, 11.07 K/9 and 2.60 BB/9 in 179 ⅔ innings pitched. He has helped them to back-to-back postseason appearances, though no series wins. Luzardo is an ace camouflaged as a mid-rotation starter in Philly where he's surrounded by Cristopher Sánchez and Zack Wheeler. In 2025, Caba missed most of the season due to a left thumb sprain. In a 51 games, he slashed .222/.335/.278/.613 with one home run, 21 RBI, 14 stolen bases and an 85 wRC+. After a strong showing in the Arizona Fall League, Caba started the 2026 season with High-A Beloit, where in 82 games, he slashed .236/.389/.378/.767 with seven home runs, 47 RBI, 21 stolen bases and a 112 wRC+. The glove has been as good as advertised, but the offensive ceiling isn't the highest given he doesn't hit for much power. He is also coming off a season where he struck out 24.1% of the time, a sharp increase from the previous season. In a best-case scenario, Caba could make it to the majors in 2028. After posting a 100 wRC+ in 2025 (league average on the dot), Boyd's production plummeted, finishing the 2026 season with a 72 wRC+ in 65 games with Double-A Pensacola. Without even focusing on the results, Bendix went away from his core principles with this trade, selling low on a talented player entering his prime and going for quality over quantity in return. He got burned for it. Trading Victor Mesa Jr. to Rays The logic behind trading Mesa was easier to follow. He had no evidence of MLB success yet and the Marlins felt good about their other left-handed-hitting outfielders. Mesa suffered an injury during spring training and did not make Tampa Bay's Opening Day roster, but in Triple-A, he had a 145 wRC+ and was called up. In 79 regular season games, Mesa slashed .260/.327/.498/.825 with 14 home runs, 34 RBI and posted a 128 wRC+. Defensively, his eight outs above average ranked in the 93rd percentile, according to Baseball Savant. He has the skill set and instincts to be a perennial contender for Gold Gloves in right field. In the postseason, Mesa was in the middle of several brilliant defensive plays. He struggled offensively, but hit the go-ahead home run in the American League Divisional Series clincher. In return, the Marlins acquired minor leaguer Angel Brachi, who in 2026 posted a 112 wRC+ between the complex league and Low-A. Brachi is homeless in 130 career MiLB games. Trading Liam Hicks to Rays The foundation for a big move is sometimes laid way in advance. There was some discussion of trading Hicks to the Rays on the day that the Marlins originally picked him in 2024. Eventually, the teams revived those talks. Miami made this trade because Joe Mack had emerged as their clear catcher of the future. Between that and a supply of other left-handed bats to use at first base and designated hitter, Hicks was less valuable to them than he was to other teams. They may have also had doubts about him sustaining his power hitting from the first half of 2026. Unfortunately, Kyle Stowers suffered a left hamstring strain almost immediately after the trade. Without Hicks around to fill the void, their offense slumped and the team quickly slipped out of the playoff picture. With the Rays, Hicks slashed .288/.379/.440/.819 with four home runs, 20 RBI and posted a 130 wRC+. That was a huge win for a franchise that hasn't had a lot of production from the catching position throughout its history. In the postseason, Hicks hit one home run and drove in eight runs, posting a 98 wRC+ and guiding their pitching staff to great effectiveness, catching almost every game. Looking ahead, losing Hicks could haunt the Marlins for years to come. He is still pre-arbitration eligible and under club control through 2030. The best of the three prospects acquired, Brayden Taylor, slashed .194/.372/.418/.790 with four home runs, 14 RBI and a 116 wRC+ with the Marlins organization. Right-handed pitcher Jacob Kisting posted a 1.88 ERA, 2.89 FIP, 11.63 K/9 and 2.63 BB/9 in five Double-A starts. The final piece, infielder Adrian Santana, slashed .246/.326/.310/.636 with 12 RBI and a 76 wRC+. Honorable Mention: 2025-26 free agent signings I'll combine all of these moves into one section since Bendix failed to get his money's worth from any of them. The Marlins signed Christopher Morel, Chris Paddack, John King, Austin Slater and Pete Fairbanks to one-year contracts last winter. By the final game of the 2026 season, none of them were left on the active roster. Morel joined the Marlins in hopes of looking like his 2023 self. An injury on Opening Day delayed his season debut, but in 22 games with the organization, he posted an 18 wRC+ and had one RBI and three extra-base hits during that tenure. He would be designated for assignment on June 21. He signed with the New York Mets, and after a torrid stretch in Triple-A, he was called up, but only played in 14 games. King, a left-handed reliever, looked like a great signing early on. The Marlins proposed some pitch-mix changes and he bought into them. Up until July 9, when he was placed on the IL, King threw to a 2.48 ERA and 3.90 FIP. His struggles started when he came off the IL, posting a 10.24 ERA in 10 appearances. He later signed a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers, but did not appear in a MLB game with them. Paddack joined the Marlins to help the back end of the rotation. Well, in his first start, he allowed eight runs, and it didn't get much better from there. He finished his Marlins tenure making seven appearances (six starts), posting a 7.63 ERA, 4.96 FIP, 7.9 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9. He signed with both the Cincinnati Reds and Texas Rangers, but those were short stints. He finished the year in the Korea Baseball Organization with the Samsung Lions. In 13 KBO appearances (12 starts), he posted a 2.95 ERA. Slater was signed the day before Opening Day to specialize in facing lefties. He only played in 12 games, sporting a .460 OPS. He was designated for assignment on April 23 and then signed with both the New York Mets and Tampa Bay Rays. Fairbanks received $13M guaranteed, more than the other four veterans combined and the biggest contract that Bendix has handed out since he's been in Miami. He converted 19 saves as the team's closer, but had a career-worst year with a 6.31 ERA, 4.60 FIP, 12.4 K/9 and 4.6 BB/9. He also blew four saves and was placed on the injured list three times, all due to nerve irritation. Fairbanks underwent surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome in October, potentially keeping him out deep into the 2027 season. View full article

As expected, the Miami Marlins announced on Friday that they have picked up Sandy Alcantara's $21M club option for the 2027 season. Alcantara signed a five-year, $56M extension with the Marlins in 2022. This option represents the end of that contract. Barring a trade, it will mark the highest single-season salary that the club has ever paid an active player. Alcantara, 31, is set to enter his 10th season with the Marlins and his ninth separate season making a regular season appearance (he missed all of 2024 while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery). Only Luis Castillo had a tenure of equal length with the organization. This past season, Alcantara pitched to a 3.87 ERA, 4.08 FIP, 6.43 K/9 and 2.48 BB/9 in 214 innings pitched, which led all of Major League Baseball. During the span of his extension, he has won the 2022 National League Cy Young Award and posted a 3.80 ERA, 3.80 FIP, 7.3 K/9 and 2.4 BB/9 in 802 innings pitched while throwing an MLB-high 10 complete games. Also, Alcantara owns the franchise records for career innings pitched, starts and strikeouts. Picking up the option was a no-brainer. Miami's alternative would have been to pay a $2M buyout to Alcantara, making him a free agent. Along with Alcantara, the current projected Marlins Opening Day starting rotation for 2027 includes Eury Pérez, Max Meyer, Janson Junk and Tyler Phillips. View full article

It was a tale of two seasons for Jakob Marsee in 2026. The Miami Marlins center fielder was awful at the plate through much of the first half, but finished up the year looking like a well-rounded rising star. Marsee joins AJ Ramos and Kevin Barral on the show to reflect on what lessons he learned about himself during the process, how he's feeling two-plus weeks removed from undergoing internal brace surgery on his elbow, what he's admires about the soon-to-be World Series champion Milwaukee Brewers and much more. This podcast is brought to you by Jet Ski Rentals of South Florida—offering Miami’s best jet ski and boat adventures. With six jet ski locations and over 120 boats, there’s something for every style and every budget. They’re reservation-based only. To inquire, call 305-990-2192, or check them out online at SFJetskiRentals.com. Make sure to use promo code FISHONFIRST to receive 10% off your next booking. You can find Fish Unfiltered and Fish On First LIVE on the Fish On First YouTube channel, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever else you get your pods. In 155 games played during his age-25 season, Marsee slashed .231/.348/.359 with 11 home runs, 23 stolen bases and an 100 wRC+. His 2.4 fWAR led all Marlins outfielders. During the last couple weeks of the regular season, Marsee describes being in pain every time he threw the ball. The Marlins announced shortly after the season finale that he would be visiting Dr. Keith Meister for a consultation. Meister performed Marsee's operation on October 12. Speaking to Fish Unfiltered on Wednesday (16 days post-op), Marsee is still wearing a bulky brace, but "it's going a lot smoother than expected so far," he says. "I didn't realize how quick I'd get my range of motion back." His goal is to be ready to play by Opening Day, whenever that may be. View full article

Marlins center fielder Jakob Marsee speaks exclusively to Fish On First about his recovery timeline after undergoing internal brace surgery earlier this month. View full video

On Wednesday, Rawlings Baseball announced the finalists for the National League and American League Gold Glove Awards. Miami Marlins Javier Sanoja was one of three NL finalists at third base along with Alex Bregman of the Chicago Cubs and Max Muncy of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Sanoja is the only Marlin to be a finalist this year. Last season, Sanoja won the NL utility Gold Glove. That snapped what had been an eight-year Gold Glove drought for the Marlins organization; prior to him, the most recent Marlins winner was Marcell Ozuna (LF in 2017). Sanoja received more playing time in his second full MLB season and a more defined role. He had opportunities at six different non-pitcher positions, but mainly found a home at third base. In 119 games there (778 ⅓ innings), he posted five defensive runs saved (ranked sixth in NL) and six outs above average (tied for fourth in NL). Bregman, a 2024 AL Gold Glover, is likely the main threat to Sanoja winning the award. The Cubs star has the stronger statistical case (15 DRS and 9 OAA) over a much bigger sample size (1,248 innings). Sanoja is hoping to join an exclusive club. The only Marlins to ever win multiple Gold Gloves are Charles Johnson and Luis Castillo. Even if this isn't his year, Sanoja just turned 24 last month and has a long career ahead of him. The Gold Glove winners will be announced on November 1. View full article

On Monday, the Miami Marlins hired Dillon Lawson as the team's new major league hitting coach. He will fill the role that Pedro Guerrero held in 2025 and 2026. Lawson will report to Marlins director of hitting Joe Migliaccio, who he previously spent time with as members of the New York Yankees organization. In recent years, the Marlins have had a pattern of elevating coaches into higher positions despite a lack of experience, but Lawson has actually been a lead hitting coach before. He held this role with the 2022-23 Yankees. In that first season, the Yankees led MLB with 620 walks, led the American League with 807 runs scored and Aaron Judge set an AL record with 62 home runs. However, their offense took a huge step back in 2023, dropping from third in wRC+ to 19th. Lawson lost his job that July. From there, Lawson became minor league hitting coordinator for the Boston Red Sox in 2024. They named him their big league assistant hitting coach in 2025, a job he held until April of this year when the Red Sox dismissed Alex Cora and most of his staff. The Marlins picked up Lawson as a roving hitting coach on July 1, so this is an internal hire. Overall, Lawson has more than a decade of professional coaching experience dating back to 2016 when he was the Low-A hitting coach for the Houston Astros. Next up for the Marlins will be finding a new head strength & conditioning coach. Daniel Vega's contract was not renewed for the 2027 season. View full article

The Miami Marlins will not renew the contract of Marlins.TV play-by-play announcer Kyle Sielaff, sources tell Fish On First. Sielaff served as the organization’s lead television voice for the past two seasons after spending the previous three seasons on radio. Radio voice Jack McMullen is expected to take over Sielaff’s role, working most of his games alongside analyst Gaby Sanchez. The Marlins believe McMullen has significant potential. The 29-year-old was hired in 2025, replacing Sielaff on the radio. Before joining Miami, he worked for the Indianapolis Indians, the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Illinois native is also calling college football games on The CW this season, adding to his television play-by-play experience. Outside of broadcasting, McMullen works for Just Baseball, podcasting as one of the hosts of the Just Baseball Show and The Call Up. The Marlins originally named Sielaff their lead television play-by-play announcer to replace Paul Severino. Sielaff held the job during a transitionary period for the club's broadcasting model, as 2025 was their final season on FanDuel Sports Network and 2026 was the debut of Marlins.TV, with games being produced and distributed in collaboration with Major League Baseball. Before transitioning to TV, Sielaff spent 12 years with the Marlins Radio Network, serving in various roles before becoming the lead play-by-play voice in 2023-24. Additionally, analysts Rod Allen and Jeff Nelson and pregame/postgame host Craig Minervini will not return to Miami’s broadcasts. Nelson had been with the organization since 2022, calling games alongside both Severino and Sielaff. He brought a more old-school approach to the broadcast, rarely citing analytics or newer baseball terminology, which the Marlins have increasingly embraced under baseball operations president Peter Bendix. Minervini completed his 25th season with the organization. He had worn many different hats along the way, most frequently being utilized for studio coverage. Similar to Allen, his role had been reduced, with fewer games and no longer any radio play-by-play assignments. As previously announced, Tommy Hutton has retired. Hutton had been Miami's TV analyst for the majority of home games. Expected to remain with the organization’s TV broadcast team alongside Sanchez and McMullen are Kelly Saco and Jeremy Taché (sideline reporters), as well as AJ Ramos and Craig Mish (pregame and postgame hosts). The organization has mended its relationship with play-by-play veteran Rich Waltz, as observed during Waltz's cameo in the booth during the 2026 season finale. However, reuniting with him on a full-time basis was not an option, sources tell FOF. View full article

Ronny Henriquez was sidelined for all of 2026 after undergoing right UCL reconstruction with an internal brace procedure, and the Miami Marlins sorely missed him. Their bullpen ranked 18th in Major League Baseball with a 4.10 ERA. With Anthony Bender missing the second half of the season due to injury and Tyler Phillips converting to a starting pitcher, the bridge to closer Pete Fairbanks was highly inconsistent. Assuming no setbacks, Henriquez is fortunately on track for a full 2027 season. Last month, he was seen continuing his throwing program at loanDepot park multiple times. The most recent update regarding the 26-year-old was that he will continue his rehab in the Dominican Republic. The Marlins acquired Henriquez via waivers, claiming him after the Minnesota Twins designated him for assignment. Prior to joining the Marlins organization, Henriquez had thrown only 31 innings with the Twins. In spring training, the righty pitched in seven innings, posting a 5.14 ERA and 7.88 FIP, yet the Marlins put him on their Opening Day roster (even if they wanted to send him down to the minors, Henriquez is out of options). In his first season with Miami, Henriquez posted a 2.22 ERA, 3.15 FIP, 12.08 K/9, 3.33 BB/9 and seven saves in 69 appearances (73.0 IP). His 98 strikeouts tied Edwin Díaz for second-most among National League relievers last year. He didn't spend any time on the injured list. Henriquez also recorded strikeouts in 60 separate appearances, which set an all-time Marlins single-season record. Henriquez possesses swing-and-miss stuff, which the Marlins lacked this season. He had a 16.7% swinging strike rate in 2025 and ranked in the 97th percentile of MLB pitchers whiff rate. His strikeout rate was even higher against left-handed batters than right-handed batters, an important consideration for a team that is thin when it comes to lefty relievers. Henriquez's sweeper was his best pitch (+7 Run Value), generating a 47.3% whiff rate and a .181 batting average against. His slider was even more unhittable (.145 BAA). Both of those play off a fastball that averaged 96.7 mph. This offseason, the Marlins are unlikely to sign another established veteran closer like Fairbanks. The door is open for Henriquez to be used in several different game situations, but he should be the first name that comes to mind in high leverage. Although bullpen help is on the Marlins' shopping list, don't forget about Henriquez's comeback. Recapturing his 2025 form would go a long way toward turning a shaky part of the roster into a strength. View full article

The Miami Marlins have their catcher of the future in Joe Mack. There is no question about that. Mack immediately produced as a rookie in 2026, especially defensively. He led Major League Baseball with 26 runners caught stealing, even though he was not called up until May 4. Per Baseball Savant, he ranked in the 84th percentile of framing and provided above-average blocking. Mack's .234/.282/.403/.685 slash line almost exactly matched the MLB average for catchers. Overall, he had 2.2 fWAR, the highest single-season mark for a Marlins catcher since the team traded J.T. Realmuto. However, every roster needs a backup catcher to protect against overuse. Who will catch for the Marlins when Mack rests? Liam Hicks made his last appearance as Marlins catcher on August 1. Over the final 50 games of the season, Mack started 32 times, Brian Navarreto started 12 times and Agustín Ramírez started six times. Expect a change to that group moving forward. Navarreto simply does not hit enough to hold onto an active roster spot (19 wRC+), while Ramírez struggles too much behind the plate to play the position unless it's an emergency situation. The only other candidate on Miami's 40-man roster is Logan Driscoll. Turning 29 next month, Driscoll has 15 games of MLB experience from the 2024 season. The Marlins acquired him from the Tampa Bay Rays in August for cash considerations, briefly calling him up late in the year, but not using him during that stint. For what it's worth, he was on a hot streak with Triple-A Jacksonville after joining the organization (1.000 OPS in 14 games). Even if Mack is healthy throughout his sophomore season, the Marlins must have a plan for somebody else to catch 1-2 times per week. A right-handed backup would be ideal considering Mack's poor performance versus lefties so far (.190/.238/.259/.497 in 67 PA). Chicago Cubs catcher Carson Kelly would be the best fit in free agency. In 2026, he slashed .258/.336/.376/.713 with 10 home runs, 58 RBI and a 103 wRC+. Kelly has a $7.5M mutual option for next season, which he is expected to decline in order to pursue a multi-year deal. Last season, Kelly posted an .871 OPS against left-handed pitching and he's been over an .800 OPS against them in four straight seasons. That's great news for the Marlins, who could use Kelly often in pinch-hitting situations when he isn't in the lineup. Behind the plate, his biggest strength is blocking (89th percentile of blocks above average). Kelly also played some first base last season, but that was only a 10-inning sample. If Kelly sees himself as being overqualified for a part-time job, the Marlins may have to focus on veterans who are more comfortable with limited playing time. In 2026, Elias Díaz was with the Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers. He slashed .234/.266/.404/.670 with eight home runs, 35 RBI and an 83 wRC+ in 87 games played. The 35-year-old posted his lowest on-base percentage since his rookie season. Behind the plate, runners rarely attempted to steal against Díaz and he threw out 36.4% of those who did. He ranked in the 68th percentile of blocks above average, 66th percentile in caught stealing above average, 49th percentile in framing and 80th percentile in pop time. After settling for a minor league deal last offseason, Díaz will probably get a small guarantee this time around in the $1M-3M range. Jonah Heim contributed to a World Series-winning team not too long ago, but should come even cheaper than Díaz. After originally signing with the Atlanta Braves, he mainly played for the Athletics in 2026. Between those two organizations, Heim slashed .204/.262/.366/.627 with 13 home runs, 43 RBI and a 66 wRC+. The switch-hitter had almost all of his success against left-handed pitching (.855 OPS). An All-Star and Gold Glove Award winner in 2023, Heim's framing and throwing accuracy have trended in the wrong direction lately. The challenge for Peter Bendix in recruiting any of these free agents will be getting them to buy into his team's system of relaying pitch calls from the dugout. Bendix's stance is taking that responsibility off the catcher's mind allows them to focus more on other aspects of the game. We shall see if veterans who have spent years mastering how to call a game are willing to give that up. View full article

This podcast is brought to you by Jet Ski Rentals of South Florida—offering Miami’s best jet ski and boat adventures. With six jet ski locations and over 120 boats, there’s something for every style and every budget. They’re reservation-based only. To inquire, call 305-990-2192, or check them out online at SFJetskiRentals.com. Make sure to use promo code FISHONFIRST to receive 10% off your next booking. This podcast is brought to you by Jet Ski Rentals of South Florida—offering Miami’s best jet ski and boat adventures. With six jet ski locations and over 120 boats, there’s something for every style and every budget. They’re reservation-based only. To inquire, call 305-990-2192, or check them out online at SFJetskiRentals.com. Make sure to use promo code FISHONFIRST to receive 10% off your next booking. A crucial offseason for the Miami Marlins is underway. Kevin Barral and Ely Sussman read between the lines of Peter Bendix's annual end-of-season press conference, take a big-picture look at the club's offense, ponder whether there is an opportunity to extend Sandy Alcantara through the rest of his prime years and begin analyzing a thin MLB free agent class. You can find Fish Unfiltered and Fish On First LIVE on the Fish On First YouTube channel, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever else you get your pods. The Marlins have until five days after the World Series to officially exercise Alcantara's $21 million club option for the 2027 season. Between that and a relatively large group of arbitration-eligible players, team payroll is almost certain to rise after Miami ranked dead last in the league this past year. View full article

Sandy Alcantara will go down as one of the best, if not the best pitcher in Miami Marlins franchise history. He became their first National League Cy Young winner in 2022 and has since set franchise records for career innings pitched, starts and strikeouts. Alcantara has also been receptive to change. The Marlins have operated much differently since Peter Bendix took over as president of baseball operations three years ago. Traditional bullpen sessions have been replaced by "pitch design" sessions and pitch calls are now being relayed from the dugout. Then, during the final month of the 2026 season, he was used as Miami's closer on three separate occasions, nearly nine years removed from the last time he came out of the bullpen as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals. Alcantara has put his trust in the organization and their process, regardless of the results. Overall, Alcantara had a successful season, leading Major League Baseball with 214 innings pitched. His 3.87 ERA and 4.08 FIP were close to his career averages, though he also had a career-low 6.43 K/9. "He is so meaningful to this organization and that's not lost on me," Bendix said about the right-hander during Tuesday's press conference. "Another incredible season. Really fun to watch him pitch, his leadership in the clubhouse, the way he handles himself and the way he sets an example for the rest of the team." Now, will Bendix put his words into action and commit to Alcantara long term? It's been nearly five years since the last time that the Marlins have handed out a contract extension to any of their players. There is some urgency in Alcantara's case because he has a $21 million club option for the 2027 season and will then be eligible for free agency. Bendix wouldn't even confirm that his option will be exercised, but that is considered a lock. "We will be here if that is what God wants," Alcantara said following Sunday's season finale. "That is also if the organization gives me an opportunity to continue playing here not just for the 2027 season, but for the remainder of the my career. I am always going to be grateful for this organization and I hope that in 2027 it will be a very different year for everyone in here and the organization." Bendix has already announced that Clayton McCullough will remain Miami's manager. There is little doubt that having Alcantara anchoring the starting rotation would make McCullough's job easier. "It's hard to fully state the value that Sandy has," Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said. "He's earned to be the face of this franchise. There were times when we were getting very creative with what we were doing with the pitching, especially in the summer months, and Sandy's ability to go deep into games and cover a lot of innings provided me a lot of flexibility and optionality in some of those other days...Going into 2027, we'll very much continue to count on Sandy to be able to provide us real high-quality length." Marlins chairman and principal owner Bruce Sherman has been with Alcantara throughout his entire tenure with the franchise. Sherman is not one to meddle in baseball operations moves, but he has voiced a strong preference for holding onto Alcantara even as other teams have inquired about trading for him through the years. "Sandy is special," Sherman told Fish On First earlier this season. "I made those comments with a lot of thought in them. We understand all the economics and Sandy is special. He believes in this organization a lot on the field and off the field. Just look at what Sandy has done. I flew with him to the Dominican Republic. He's a mentor to Eury (Pérez) and to young pitchers. He's a leader. We need that kind of presence in the clubhouse and we need that kind of person." It may be tempting for Alcantara to let his current contract play out and test free agency for the first time at age 32. On the other hand, when you have spent almost your entire career with the same organization and have mutual respect for each other, that lays the groundwork for a new deal. Since Alcantara's last extension kicked in, he has posted a 3.80 ERA in 802 innings pitched. During that span, his production is very comparable to Luis Castillo, Merrill Kelly and Seth Lugo, who each made between $20-25M in salary this past season. A deal of four to five years with an average annual value in that range feels appropriate. Regardless of what happens, Alcantara will most likely take the mound as the Marlins Opening Day starter in 2027, whenever that may be. Fans will be locked in for another season of "El Caballo," but extending the franchise icon beforehand would ramp up their excitement to a whole new level. View full article