Hans Herrera

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.

As long as the Fish take the series, no need to embarrassing them. Would be a nice touch, though.

Out of 24 appearances, he has had only three "ugly" outings, all of them as a starter: May 12th vs KC: 2.1 IP - 7 ER June 22nd vs LAA: 6 IP - 5 ER July 25th vs ATH: 3.1 IP - 8 ER If you take those away, he'd be a 3.27 ERA guy... Not bad at all! Has all the Quantrill looks with many years of control!

Yay! I think this was a good thing anyway. Provided, either Sandy or Eddy will be gone before the 2026 season starts. Do you think the Marlins are "losers" during this trade deadline? Check the current NL WC standings: East: NYM - Buyers Central: MIL - Bit of both West: LAD - Buyers ___________ WC1: CHC - Buyers WC2: PHI - Buyers WC3: SD - Buyers ___________ CIN: 3,5 GB - Buyers STL: 5,5 - Sellers SF: 6,0 GB - Sellers MIA: 7,0 GB - Kind of Sellers? ARI: 9,0 GB - Sellers I mean, two out of four teams in front of the WC standings were sellers, in a way, clearing the path for a potential contention. Historically, there is always one WC team that falls apart down the stretch (PHI or SD, maybe?) and one surging... And people have been noticing Marlins' baseball for some weeks now. The schedule is challenging in August (series vs NYY, HOU, BOS, TOR, NYM), but if this team manages to be at least .500 by the end of the month, things will be extremely fun. I hope the Hernández-Johnston-Marsee (I guess) tandem can pick up where Sánchez left.

What if, just a wild thought, the Fish decides to be a buyer? For example, O’Hearn shouldn’t cost a whole lot… or Cedric Mullins… Or maybe go after a bullpen arm like Dennis Santana or David Bednar or Finnegan? Perhaps a 3B like Nolan Gorman or maybe even Brendan Donovan? I get that we should sell but if an opportunity arises to get a better player at a “low cost”, why not?

In a somewhat similar trade to last year's Bender+Hoeing, sending now Bender & Faucher can give you a less-but-still-similar prospect package. I'll take Sanabria (Nr. 20 prospect), Francis Pena (#22), plus a throw-in, and call it a trade season. About Marsee... can he play CF so we can keep Sánchez? I see he has played more innings there than the OF corners, so why not give him a shot in that position?

Locklear went to Arizona in the Eugenio Suárez trade. Still four players the Marlins can use,

Here is my stance on the coming trade deadline: Do not trade Sandy, Eddy, and maybe not even Jesús. We gonna need them next year. Trade Bender, Faucher, and maybe Myers or Henriquez if overpaid. But more importantly, the Fish should try and get one of these 5 players: 1. Chad Stevens (LAA) 2. Wil Wilson (CLE) 3. Tyler Locklear (SEA) 4. Jace Jung (DET) 5. Cody Freeman OR Blaine Crim (TEX) Why? Those are 5 players who can play either 3B or 1B, do not have a clear path to their MLB team, and have nothing else to prove in AAA. Think about the Wagaman experiment 2.0. Jung and Locklear may demand good prospects in return. Two exciting days ahead! Hans.

Finally!!!!!🙂