Hans Herrera

Barring trades plus injuries, the Fish have enough staters to begin the season so no need to keep trying on this. And that’s just one reason: Innings limit, pitch mix, inefficiency, etc. All pointing toward a move to the bullpen, were he will most certainly thrive with that FB-SL combo.

#BringBackLewinDíaz

With both Edwards and Marsee on the starting lineup, there is no need to bring him. The lineup needs firepower.

Hey Alex, I agree with you in your main idea: Trading prospects for Veterans makes little to no sense. Perhaps more importantly, why would the Cardinals make that trade? Their second best hitter with 3 years of control swapped for two prospects and two AAAA-players? No one would do that, even packaging him with Arenado won’t make the cut. I think if the Marlins really want Burleson, it’s going to cost them a Starter: maybe a Weathers-straight up trade? We, same as you, most of the time find the management of this franchise infuriating. But throwing out ranting comments towards other fans or them writers is unnecessary. I mean, you can certainly say whatever the heck you want, but chill out for once. Yes, they have to find something to write about, but they do it with the same passion you write your comments. And it should be extremely difficult to keep us (FoF followers) entertained given this s***** franchise and its everlasting frugality.

I mean, he had over 400 PAs in AA and performed under .600 OPS, then got promoted to Jacksonville (I guess because his defense and player promotions from JAX to MIA during the season), and even with that small sample of barely over 40 PAs, the only interesting stat was his OBP (.366). No way he is deserving a 40-man spot in Miami. I don't think any team is willing to take him a la Nasim Núñez, which means, they probably get to keep him in with the Jumbo Shrimp, and that should be fine.

I think another "most likely cut" is Serna. With both Sanoja and Acosta on the roster, it is quite redundant to have him. While he's still young, I think it will come down to choosing between him and DLS, and the latter should be in a safer spot as of today. The upcoming Rule 5 draft looks quite interesting for the Marlins. Apart from Mack, there are at least two arms with enough merit to be considered (White, Pushard), and another two borderline candidates (Kempner, McSweeney)... fun times!

I don't see the Twins as an obvious trade partner for a 3B. Lewis had a lot of trouble with the glove, and Lee is more a SS. They have a bunch of 2B/Utility players to shuffle around, but not a solid 3B. Besides, MIN looks more and more like a rebuilding team. Teams that might have a "surplus" of 3Bmen are: Texas (Jung, Smith), Toronto (Barger, Clement), and maybe the amazing Mets (Baty, Vientos, and Mauricio)... but are any of those players actually desirable? I would say Barger is the most solid one, followed by Baty. Then, is there a clear way for a trade between Miami and Toronto or NY? I think Barger is more expensive than the Marlins would like to send back, and there is no way we are trading with the Mets, If they bring Lewin Díaz on an extremely incentive-loaded contract (Minor league contract with an invitation to ST, making say, $5-8M if cracks the OD roster and $2M each 15, 20, 25 HRs, for example) they I could live with Pauley-Norby platoon during next season. Whether it is Helsley or not, a closer is a position they definitely need to address from outside the organisation.

LOL, that was a lot of fun! I would need to up my game on those questions... Isaac picked it up pretty quickly. The Petersen question: He is currently the Marlins' reliever with the highest average Fast Ball velocity in the bullpen (97.5 mph - 92% percentile). He has a good chance to crack the bullpen next year, but he definitely needs to work on his secondary pitch.

As much as I love Murakami (I'm also a Tsubame fan), his K% is something to be concerned about. I think Okamoto has a higher floor - also a lower ceiling -, better defense, and maybe can be brought on a shorter deal, since he'll be 30 midway next season. Last, but certainly not least, #BringBackLewinDiaz

#BringBackLewinDiaz

One of the most expected articles this month! Thanks, Isaac. I agree with most of your roster, but there are some things I don't see happening. For example, why bring Goldschimdt when he's been roughly league average over the last two seasons? First base is definitely a target for improvement, but before bringing Goldy, I think Johnston bought himself some ABs next season. Either Troy or Wags (or both, at Wiemer's expense) should share the position with Gus until calling Mack up to the show. One can hope for a trade with the Orioles, getting Coby Mayo for ... Weathers or Meyer?. Also, the bullpen, particularly Simpson vs Meyer. Josh has a great pitch mix, but his results were so poor that he might need more time in JAX. As my understanding, Meyer should be ready by OD, not sure about Nardi or Braxton, but if they are, no way I am choosing Simpson over any of them. Offseason targets: 1B/3B; a bona-fide Closer; a right-handed, glove-first OF (or maybe stick with Dane Myers) Starting lineup: C Agustín Ramírez, 1B Troy Johnston, 2B Xavier Edwards, 3B Connor Norby, SS Otto Lopez, LF Kyle Stowers, CF Jakob Marsee, RF Griffin Conine, DH Heriberto Hernández Bench: C/1B Liam Hicks, UTIL Javier Sanoja, 3B Graham Pauley, 1B/OF Eric Wagaman Starting rotation: RHP Sandy Alcantara, RHP Edward Cabrera, RHP Eury Pérez, LHP Ryan Weathers, RHP Janson Junk Bullpen: RHP Ronny Henriquez, RHP Calvin Faucher, RHP Lake Bachar, RHP Tyler Phillips, RHP Michael Petersen, RHP Max Meyer, RHP Anthony Bender, LHP Cade Gibson Injury uncertainty: LHP Braxton Garrett, LHP Andrew Nardi

Last offseason, I was one of those who believed Otto was a bench player on a good team. I'm so glad I was wrong. But also, he looked so much better once the managing team realized HE was the SS!

As of today, those are also my eight relievers to start next season. The biggest flaw is the actual closer: Henríquez and Nardi are more suited for the Set Up role, and while Faucher has experience, he is not a lights-out closer. The guy who throws the hardest in this bullpen is Petersen, and I see the potential he has, but I'd rather bring someone from outside the organization with a more solid track record. There are some names out there that might be the answer: Helsley, Finnegan, Alvarado (his option will be declined), Kenley Jansen; or even guys like Gregory Soto or Seranthony Dominguez won't break the bank and can do the job.

Everything you are about to read represents my gut feeling and nothing more. 1. Yes, the Marlines overachieved, but many losses were plain stubbornness (and some wins were pure luck, honestly) Why did they bother with the Edwards to SS for SO LONG, when it was obvious Otto López was the man to handle the position? How many times, we the fans, witnessed excruciating bullpen decisions? Is there any way to convince these people that Agustín Ramírez is not an MLB catcher? I just don't love McCullough. I do acknowledge he has an AMAZING team around him, but sometimes they were forcing things when there was absolutely no need to. 2. We all loved the Gus Bus, but... And I'm not even talking about the catching part. Yes, he hit 21 HRs. Yes, he is definitely a threat when in the batter's box. He for sure will get some ROY votes. My concern is about the quality of many, many ABs. Often, he looked overmatched. High chase rate, low BB%. He did not show those flaws in AAA... a lot to work with him this offseason. 3. All eyes are on getting a 1B, but can we do something about 3B? Pete Alonso, Josh Naylor, Ryan O'Hearn... they are not happening (#BringBackLewinDiaz). The solution is so simple that I won't even mention it. Late in the season, it looked like Wags finally found it. Johnston should give decent numbers if an extended opportunity opens for him. So, can we talk about yet ANOTHER experiment? Norby can play the position once or twice a week, but no more than that, and his bat is not helping his cause anyway. Pauley is an outstanding glove, but his best-case scenario is a 105 OPS+ bat. 4. Bullpen, bullpen, and more bullpen arms Henriquez, amazing. Bachar, Gibson, Faucher, and Phillips, solid but unspectacular. Bender got injured when most needed (not his fault, obviously). This bullpen needs a 99+ mph-Ryan Helsley-type of guy. The aforementioned six people, plus Nardi, plus Meyer (I think he will take the long-reliever role next year, barring injuries and/or multiple trades), plus a bona fide closer, and you got a pretty solid bullpen. José Alvarado? David Robertson at least? Anyone? Are you going to be THAT cheap, Bruce? 5. Offseason besties for trades There is a 90% probability that the Front Office is going to trade away a Starter. However, given the roster crunch the team is facing when the Rule 5 deadline approaches, there are some teams the Marlins should contact in order to strike a deal. For example, I liked what I saw from Halvorsen, Vodnik, and Mejía in Colorado. Or maybe the White Sox, having Taylor and Leasure as strikeout guys in the bullpen. Those are two out of three teams that were WORSE than the Marlins in OPS from their first basemen, and Troy Johnston is a potential trade candidate, as much as I hate to admit it. At least ONE of those names should be available via trade, right?

Or, maybe, #BringBackLewinDiaz

Then, we agree on the 40-man roster after the Rule 5 deadline: Starters: Sandy, Eddy, Weathers, Pérez, Junk, Garrett, Meyer, Mazur, Gusto, Fulton (10) Relievers: Bachar, Bender, Faucher, Gibson, Henriquez, Nardi, Petersen, Phillips, Roa, Simpson, Tarnok, Tinoco, Zuber, Josh White (14) Catchers: Gus (LOL), Hicks, and Mack (3) Infielders: Acosta, DLS, X, Johnston, López, Norby, Pauley, Sanoja, Wags (9) OFs: Conine, Hernández, Marsee, Mesa Jr., Stowers, and Wiemer (6) That's 42 players, another two need to go. They for sure will try hard to strike a trade before the Rule 5 deadline, but IF they don't find anything they like, the two players out should be between Simpson, Zuber, Johnston, and Tinoco, since he will not pitch next year anyway. Notes: Luarbert Arias is not in the 40-man roster (I didn't know either), and Pintar played exclusively the OF this season, mostly CF and RF. His numbers do not impress (.722 OPS). Also, Matt Pushard (RP - 3.61 ERA with 73 Ks in 49.1 inn) had a solid AAA season and is eligible for the Rule 5.

As of today, there are 46 players in the 40-man roster, so 6 players will be out after the World Series. As you mention, there are 4 easy ones, but I think Winkler is pretty much gone as well; and there is a bunch of maybes. From those maybes, I’d cut Myers and Bellozo because Sanoja can play the OF and Mazur should take Bellozo’s spot if you have to pick one of them two. If you cut those 7, then your roster will have 39 players. But in December, there is the Rule 5 draft and the Fish will protect Joe Mack and Josh White. Here is where things start getting interesting. Mack is a sure thing, and White was the most effective reliever in Jacksonville, so he will probably take either Simpson’s or Zuber’s place. Borderline names are Martorella, Pintar, and Jacob Berry. Martorella vs DLS? Pintar vs Johnston? Berry vs …???? To me, Johnston is a keeper. He started pretty bad but finished quite strong. I have more faith in him than… Norby. But that’s just me.

Solano was released by the Mariners late in the season. The Rangers picked him up after that. Does Nic Enright (CLE) count as a former Marlin?

The only thing I have to say is: BRING BACK LEWIN.

So, here is what the offseason is looking like: Cheap, cheap, and maybe cheaper 1. No money spending on Free Agents, obviously 2. Have we learned something about trying players in a non-natural position? If they could finally realize that X was not a SS, maybe they could think about moving Gus to 1B and call up Mack once and for all. One can only hope 3. Trading either Sandy or Eddy, but not both... Whoever gets you the better prospect package (I would NOT trade either if we want to reach the playoffs next season, but that's just me). Snelling making the rotation next year 4. The hunt for DFA'd, rule 5, released, minor-league-contract bullpen arms starts. They won't spend ANY money on bullpen free agents 5. Roster crunch: Say goodbye to Soriano, Winkler, Zuber, Arias, and Serna. The "maybes" are Myers, Bellozo, Simpson, DLS, Fulton, Mazur, Navarreto, and Johnston. Not sure about who must be protected under rule 5

The fact that they still have chances makes it so much fun. Even if they enter Friday outside the playoffs, would be amazing to crush the Mets’ playoffs hopes. Fun until the very last game! High hopes for 2026!

Cannot help comparing him to Troy Johnston. Their stats are extremely similar, and while Conine is a better defender in the OF with a much better arm, Johnston can play solid 1B. They are even almost the same age (19 days apart)! Next year's roster battles are going to be very interesting.

From September (rosters expanded), I would go like this (If Conine & Stowers are back): vs RHP 1. Edwards 2B 2. Marsee CF 3. Stowers LF 4. Ramírez DH 5. Conine RF 6. Hicks C 7. López SS 8. Johnston 1B 9. Pauley 3B vs LHP 1. Edwards 2B 2. López SS 3. Ramírez C 4. Hernández RF 5. Stowers LF 6. Wagaman 1B 7. Norby 3B 8. Sanoja DH 9. Hill CF

Are we back down on earth or shall we also “embarrass” the Guardians?

This is the Fish: Sweep the Yankees and got swept by the Rockies. That happens when you have to embarrass someone else. Better do one step at the time.