Marlins Ace Sandy Alcantara Set for Opening Day Return

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Sandy Alcantara Gets the Nod for Opening Day

The Miami Marlins are turning to their ace as they kick off the 2025 season, with Sandy Alcantara officially named the Opening Day starter against the Pittsburgh Pirates on March 27. This marks Alcantara’s fifth career Opening Day start, extending his franchise record among pitchers.

Returning From Injury and Ready to Lead

After missing the entire 2024 season due to Tommy John surgery, the 2022 NL Cy Young Award winner is ready to reclaim his role as the leader of Miami’s rotation. New Marlins manager Clayton McCullough confirmed the decision Thursday, stating that the team is eager to see Alcantara back on the mound.

“We informed Sandy that he’s going to be our Opening Day starter,” McCullough said. “No secret there, but it was a long journey coming back from last year. Organizationally, we’re very excited, and the fanbase will be excited to see Sandy take the hill on Opening Day.”

Alcantara has been dominant in his previous Opening Day outings, posting a 2.31 ERA over 23 1/3 innings. His return provides much-needed stability for a Marlins team looking to bounce back in a competitive NL East. While Miami plans to manage his workload early in the season, Alcantara is more than 16 months removed from surgery and confident in his recovery.

“I learned a lot,” Alcantara said. “It was difficult because I wasn’t able to compete, but I enjoyed supporting my teammates. The most important thing is being healthy.”

Alcantara’s Importance to the Marlins

Alcantara’s return not only bolsters Miami’s rotation but also brings back a strong clubhouse presence. He is the longest-tenured player on the roster, having been with the Marlins since 2018, and has been the team’s most reliable starter over the years. His ability to work deep into games is a luxury for a Marlins bullpen that struggled with overuse last season.

Team president Peter Bendix also weighed in on Alcantara’s return, emphasizing both his physical readiness and leadership role within the clubhouse.

“Sandy is here right now. Sandy looks as good as I think he’s ever looked in his career. He was sitting 98 miles an hour in a side session out on the field looking like he was just playing catch. That’s uncommon. That’s unusual. But really the even more unusual thing is the degree to which Sandy is that leader. He is the leader that everyone else looks to, and he is helping set the tone. So, I’m thrilled that he’s here.”

Opening Day Matchup: A Potential Pitchers’ Duel

Pittsburgh has yet to officially name its Opening Day starter, though 2024 All-Star Paul Skenes is the likely candidate. The hard-throwing right-hander, one of baseball’s top young pitchers, would provide a thrilling duel against Alcantara in a matchup featuring two power arms.

Alcantara has had success against the Pirates in his career, posting a 1-0 record with a 2.91 ERA and 33 strikeouts over six appearances. His familiarity with Pittsburgh’s lineup could give Miami an early-season edge as they look to start the year on the right foot.

With Alcantara back on the mound and eager to reclaim his ace status, all eyes will be on LoanDepot park when the Marlins open the 2025 season.

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Mr. Sherman: It’s Time to Show Miami You Care About Baseball 

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The Miami Marlins have been the laughingstock of Major League Baseball over the better part of the last decade. Constantly boasting a low payroll, management changes, and low attendance despite the success of many other events at LoanDepot Park. The Marlins remain a team stuck in the cycle of mediocrity. Year after year, the Marlins continue to trade away their top talent (Yelich, Jazz, Realmuto, and Luzardo) and seem to be in what many would consider a constant rebuilding stage.  

Despite being one of MLB’s younger franchises, the team has captured two World Series titles (1997 and 2003), both in dramatic underdog fashion as a Wild Card team. Known for their colorful history, the Marlins remain a vital part of South Florida’s sports culture. Since moving to LoanDepot Park in 2012, the team has embraced its Miami identity with a bold rebranding and a commitment to engaging a diverse fanbase. Yet, despite all of this, they continue to put out a poor product, trading away fan favorites, and asking the question: “Why is attendance so low?” 

Fan Engagement: Proving Miami’s Passion for Baseball 

The success of the team in 2023 saw a late-season spike in attendance, and rightfully so—the field was filled with stars, and the team was winning ballgames. Yet once again, the Marlins chose a different route, trading away numerous big names from the successful 2023 season and letting many others walk. The attendance has nothing to do with the location of the park, like their in-state rival Tampa Bay Rays, nor the fandom of Miami fans. It’s all about the product on the field. This is easily exemplified by attendance figures at LoanDepot Park for events like the World Baseball Classic (WBC) and the Savannah Bananas’ games, which highlight that Miami residents are willing to attend baseball games when the events are engaging and competitive. 

World Baseball Classic 2023: 

LoanDepot Park set a record for the most-attended World Baseball Classic round ever in the United States, drawing 295,850 fans. Sports Business Journal 

  • The quarterfinal matchup on March 17 between Mexico and Puerto Rico attracted 35,817 fans. Bizjournals 

Savannah Bananas: 

In March 2024, the Savannah Bananas sold out LoanDepot Park, with 37,000 fans attending their game—the first of 18 MLB ballparks on their tour. 

They are scheduled to return to LoanDepot Park on March 1 and 2, 2025, with tickets already sold out, all 72,000 tickets gone. 

These attendance numbers suggest that the low turnout for Miami Marlins games are more closely related to the team’s on-field performance and fan engagement strategies rather than a lack of interest in baseball among Miami residents. 

More Stars on The Move? 

As we look ahead to the 2024 season, the Marlins face a pivotal moment. The team’s future relies heavily on the direction they take with their current roster, including the two remaining stars, Sandy Alcantara and Jesús Sánchez. Both players, who have become fan favorites and key contributors, have a strong chance of being moved soon as the team continues its seemingly never-ending rebuild. This presents a real challenge for the Marlins’ front office and new manager Clayton McCullough, who enters his first season with the unenviable task of guiding, yet another rebuild. McCullough must navigate the difficulties of managing a team in flux, with hopes of delivering a competitive product to a fan base that has grown increasingly disillusioned by repeated false promises of success. 

Make Miami a Desirable Home 

In many ways, the Marlins’ ownership must show more than just a willingness to spend—it must demonstrate a true commitment to building a competitive team. Free-agent signings are essential, but they will only work if the team is also crafting a vision that excites both players and fans. As it stands, the Marlins are seen as a franchise that players dread being on—one that lacks the infrastructure and consistency to compete at a high-level year in and year out. Miami should be a destination for top-tier talent, not a place where players are looking to leave as soon as their contract expires. 

As former Marlins player Mike Lowell once said, “Players want to play for a team that’s going to win.” The Marlins must create an environment where top free agents and established stars are excited to join, not just because of the paycheck but because of the team’s potential to compete. Miami is a city that loves sports, and baseball has a long history in this town. But until the Marlins’ ownership embraces the urgency of making this team a winner, the attendance issues will continue. 

A Changing Ownership Mindset: The Need for Long-Term Commitment 

With the team’s stadium lease running until 2047 (The Miami Marlins have a no-relocation agreement with the City of Miami that disallows any relocation and/or negotiations for relocation until the year 2047.), the Marlins have a limited window to prove their commitment to building a team that can truly contend. If the ownership fails to create a competitive product on the field and continues to trade away stars like Alcantara and Sánchez, the threat of relocation could become all too real. As former Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria once remarked, “If you don’t put a good product on the field, fans won’t come, and the team won’t survive.” 

The clock is ticking, and it is time for the Marlins and their ownership to step up. South Florida is ready to support a baseball team that is worth rooting for, but the Marlins need to prove that they are ready to provide one. The future of baseball in Miami is at a crossroads. It is up Mr. Sherman to make sure they choose the right path, and if not, sell the team.

Mateo’s Hoop Diary: The Heat couldn’t slow down the Pacers, losing sixth game at home this season

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The Heat got embarrassed by the Pacers in one of their worst defensive showings of the season. The visitors feasted in the half-court plus transition. Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro combined for 14 of 24 baskets, but it didn’t make a dent. And Jimmy Butler saved himself for the next team.

 

The Pacers went on a 12-2 run, supplied by Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam and Andrew Nembhard, forcing the Heat’s first timeout. This spurt also included Myles Turner denying Butler twice- once on a drive and another breaking up a lob.

 

The team responded with baskets from Adebayo, Terry Rozier and Kel’el Ware, but the Pacers kept rolling behind Haliburton, scoring and setting up others. It was the second-most points by a Heat opponent through the first quarter all season.

 

In the second quarter, Herro and Adebayo were the only Heatles to make multiple shots. On the other side, Pascal Siakam successfully posted up, drove into the lane and finished a lob on the break; and Turner added nine points.

 

At halftime, the Heat was down 66-50. The team had 22 paint points, seven on the break, four via second chances, seven off turnovers and 20 from the bench. 


Butler only logged one of two shots and mostly looked to pass even when he had opportunities to go to the body.

 

The Pacers had 32 paint points, 11 on the break, five via second chances, eight off turnovers and 22 from the bench. 


Subsequently, Duncan Robinson connected on two triples early in the third, but it was quickly negated by six quick points by Turner. Haliburton also hit two mid-range jumpers on the dribble and with under two minutes left, Indiana’s lead starched to 28.

 

The Heat’s effort was better in the fourth, but the Pacers only needed to produce 30.8% of shots to separate themselves to the finish line.

 

The Heat lost 128-115. The team had 56 paint points, 12 on the break, nine via second chances, nine off turnovers and 57 from the bench.

 

Butler played 26 minutes, recording nine points on three of six shots, with two rebounds, four assists, two steals and a turnover.

 

Adebayo had 20 points on 66.7% shooting, with eight rebounds, two assists, one steal and one turnover.

 

Herro had 17 points on 50% shooting, with three rebounds, three assists and three turnovers.

 

And Ware put up 25 points off the bench on nine of 11 attempts, with one assist, one steal, three blocks and one turnover.

 

The Pacers had 58 paint points, 19 on the break, 11 via second chances, 23 off turnovers and 38 from the bench.

 

After the game, Butler said, “I felt great. I felt like I was focused. I feel like I did my job, or at least what my job is now.

 

He also added, “I want to see me get my joy back from playing basketball, wherever that may be we’ll find out pretty soon.”

 

When asked if he could get his joy back with the Heat, he said “probably not.”.

 

Observations:

 

  • This was Ware’s best game as a pro. He continues to look good on rim rolls and splashed a few triples.

 

  • Coach Erik Spoelstra was so desperate he brought in Keshad Johnson, who has only logged 14 minutes this season.


    .

  • This was the fourth-worst field goal percentage (53.1) and second-most points given up all season.

 

  • The Heat’s lead lasted 62 seconds, and they trailed the rest of the way.

 

 

The Trade Target the Heat Should Pursue: De’Aaron Fox

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The Miami Heat are no strangers to the NBA rumor mill, often tied to big-name free agents or trade targets. Yet, recent years have seen them fail to land game-changing talent. With limited assets compared to other contenders, the Heat must find creative ways to reshape their roster. Enter De’Aaron Fox, the Sacramento Kings’ explosive point guard, who could transform Miami’s backcourt into one of the best in the league.

Why Fox Is a Perfect Fit for Miami

De’Aaron Fox is among the fastest players in the NBA and excels in both transition and half-court settings. Fox is averaging 26.2 points, 6.1 assists,1.6 steals and 5.0 rebounds while shooting 48.2% from the field. His ability to attack the rim, create for teammates, and defend opposing guards makes him a seamless fit for Miami’s culture of toughness and versatility.

Pairing Fox with Tyler Herro would create a dynamic backcourt capable of rivaling the league’s elite tandems, such as:

  • Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving (Dallas Mavericks)
  • Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland (Cleveland Cavaliers)
  • Devin Booker and Bradley Beal (Phoenix Suns)
  • Derrick White and Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics)

Fox’s speed and playmaking would complement Herro’s elite shooting and scoring ability, forcing defenses to pick their poison. Defensively, Fox’s quickness would add much-needed pressure on the perimeter, helping Bam Adebayo anchor the paint.

 

The Kings’ Turmoil: Why Fox Might Be Available

The Kings recently fired head coach Mike Brown following a disappointing start to the season. With Sacramento struggling to gain traction in the Western Conference, rumors suggest the franchise could pivot toward a rebuild, making Fox’s contract expendable. The Heat should pounce on this opportunity, using their young assets and draft picks to bring Fox to South Beach.

 

Fox and Bam: A Kentucky Connection

Fox and Bam Adebayo share a strong bond dating back to their days at the University of Kentucky. This pre-existing chemistry could accelerate Fox’s integration into Miami’s system, especially under the Heat’s renowned development program. Both players bring elite athleticism and a desire to win, aligning perfectly with Miami’s culture.

 

What Would a Fox Trade Look Like?

The Heat are adamant about keeping Tyler Herro and their core of Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo intact. A realistic package for Fox could include:

  • Miami Heat Receive: De’Aaron Fox
  • Sacramento Kings Receive: Jaime Jaquez Jr., Nikola Jović, Duncan Robinson, and three future first-round picks

This trade gives the Kings a mix of young talent and draft capital to kickstart a rebuild while Miami gets the dynamic playmaker they need.

 

Who is Untouchable? The Heat have been hesitant to make any moves, making it hard to judge who they consider untouchable. Herro and Bam are the clear members and despite Pat Riley making it clear about Jimmy, we could still see him moved.

This could be a way for Miami to move Jimmy, meaning a trade for Fox could include a third team.

 

Could Miami Keep Jimmy, Bam, Herro, and Fox?

It is possible, though it would require maneuvering around the salary cap and convincing Sacramento to prioritize future assets over immediate contributors. Keeping all four players would instantly shoot Miami to the top of the food chain, with a lineup that combines scoring, defense, and playmaking at every position.

 

How the Heat Stack Up

Adding Fox would instantly elevate Miami’s backcourt to elite status. Alongside Herro’s 23.8 points per game, Bam’s elite defense, and Butler’s clutch performances, the Heat would match up with any team in the league. Fox’s knack for breaking down defenses would also open opportunities for Miami’s shooters, making their offense far more potent.

 

A Move for Debate

While Fox seems like a dream acquisition, the Heat would need to deplete their limited assets to make it happen. Critics might argue that Miami should focus on building depth instead of consolidating star power. However, in a league dominated by superstar duos and trios, the landing of Fox could be the move that finally pushes the Heat over the top, with or without Jimmy Butler.

If the Heat are to move Jimmy, Fox, Herro, and Bam would still be a big three capable of competing for an NBA championship (with adequate depth).

Is this the right gamble for the Heat or is it just one of the many stars tied to South Beach?

 

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What will be the Marlins’ New Managerial Identity?

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This is, arguably, the Marlins’ most important offseason for the foreseeable future.

 

After an n extremely disappointing season, in which they lost 100 games for the 4th time in their 31 year existence, losing their Manager of the Year, and trading away a ton of major league assets, the Marlins are forced to find a new identity, alongside many other pieces, to try to build towards success. As it stands, the Marlins are a team with a ton of unproven talent, a middling minor league system, a starting rotation returning from injury, and manager-less. Even without making waves in free agency, this offseason could stand to be the most influential in the team’s potential future success.

 

The Marlins seem to have a knack for being in continual need for managers to lead the team. In their 31 years in the majors, they have had 17 different managers, with the longest tenured being Don Mattingly at 7 seasons. They need to be able to find that consistency if they want to continually find success. As of October 30th, the Marlins were down to two finalists, being Will Venable, Associate Manager of the Rangers, and Craig Albernaz, the bench coach of the Guardians. Both were highly sought after managerial candidates, but both ended up declining the job with Miami. Albernaz decided to remain in Cleveland as their bench coach under manager Steven Vogt, and Venable taking the job with the Chicago White Sox.

 

This unfortunate series of events puts the Marlins back at square one on their replacement to the beloved former manager, Skip Schumaker. The team has interviewed many different coaches to potentially replace the aforementioned Skip, but only pulled Albernaz and Venable to do in-person interviews in Miami. As it stands, the current front runner for the managerial spot is Dodgers first base coach Clayton McCullough, who is coming back fresh from a World Series victory. McCullough, a former catcher, was a manager for the minor league system of the Toronto Blue Jays from 2007-2014, before joining the Dodgers organization. There’s not much to his coaching repertoire, but if a multi-All-Star and MVP endorsement has any weight, Mookie Betts has claimed that McCullough is the “best coach I’ve ever had”. 

 

Other people who were being considered or have interviewed this offseason were Tigers Bench Coach George Lombard, Giants Assistant Coach Alyssa Nakken, and Marlins former bench coach Luis Urueta. The Marlins are looking to fill this position as quickly as possible, at least prior to the GM Meetings occurring next week. Oddly enough, reported on Halloween, Giants assistant hitting coach Pedro Guerrero has interviewed for an unnamed position with the Marlins. Normally, the coaches are hand-picked by the upcoming manager, so with Guerrero being interviewed, it’s seeming as though even with the setback, the Marlins are closer to another skipper than they may be letting on.

 

How The Marlins Got it Right at the 2024 Trade Deadline

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Stop me if you’ve heard this one before, but the Miami Marlins have just dealt (most of) the proven major league talent they have on the roster for prospects, once again sending out the billowing smoke of a fire sale from Loan Depot Park.

 

Names like Jazz Chisholm, Jr., Tanner Scott, Trevor Rogers, A.J. Puk, Bryan De La Cruz, and earlier in the season- Luis Arraez, four former all-stars and two regular big league contributors in recent years, were sent off to greener pastures in return for yet another influx of prospects, a tale as old as time in Marlins land.

 

Understandably, this has been met with groans from a fanbase for which this act has become something of a ritual throughout the Marlins history, in 1998, the Marlins famously-or infamously, rather, blew up the core of a world series winning team in 1997 that seemingly had a window for contention that stretched well into the 2000s, follow this up with fire sales from 04-05, 2012, 2017-2019, and now once again in 2024, and it’s easy to see why the base would be apprehensive of yet another rebuild. 

 

However, this is a new front office, and as unpopular a sentiment as it is to express: This rebuild MUST be separated from the others, for two key reasons: 1) This roster was not expensive enough to blow up for financial reasons in the first place, and 2) This roster was not good enough, nor did the Marlins have enough reinforcements on the way in terms of minor league talent to win in the short, or even intermediate terms. 

 

So, for their trouble, how did the Marlins do at this year’s deadline? 

 

Well, according to industry experts at least, very, very well. Publications all around from The Ringer, to CBS Sports, to The Athletic, USA Today, and more all lauded Peter Bendix and the front office for their work on Tuesday.

 

 Now, that is far from a guarantee of success, but it paints a starkly different picture than the doom and gloom being expressed throughout South Florida from Marlins fans and casual observers alike.

 

I can already hear the furious typing that the Marlins won’t see these players for years and that this means that the Marlins are doomed to a protracted 5 year rebuilding project, and to that I say: not necessarily, when looking at the prospect hauls in these deals, one common thread emerges, much of the top end talent acquired at this deadline is major league ready, or close to it. 

 

Of the 14 prospects acquired at the trade deadline, eight are at AA or better with one (Kyle Stowers) assigned to the MLB roster and in the lineup Tuesday in Tampa. 

 

This is a Marlins team that knows the pitching that it has waiting in the wings (Sandy Alcantara, Jesus Luzardo, Eury Perez, Braxton Garrett, Ryan Weathers) on the injured list, and they have carried themselves like it, adding at least four players who will be competing for spots on this team as early as next season, with potential MLB call-ups to come in the next couple of months for the likes of Connor Norby, Deyvison De Los Santos, and Agustin Ramirez, the Marlins newly minted 5th, 6th, and 7th ranked prospects respectively, according to MLB pipeline. 

 

So, while it remains to be seen how this deadline has actually worked out for the on-field product in 2024 and beyond, the Marlins are set to get to the work of fielding a competitive big league club sooner, rather than later.

Miami Marlins 2024 Season Predictions

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The Miami Marlins open their 2024 season on Thursday, after another major change: Peter Bendix has replaced Kim Ng as the team’s lead decision-maker.

How will they do?

We asked some of our Marlins contributors at the Five Reasons Sports Network.

(Make sure you check out the Flip the M podcast).

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Aidan Gallardo

Record Prediction: 82-80

The Marlins enter the 2024 season with a lot of question marks. Their starting rotation took a hit due to injuries to Sandy Alcantara and Eury Perez. Alcantara (UCL sprain) is most likely going to miss the season while there’s optimism that Perez (elbow inflammation) will be able to see some game action at some point this season. But, with arguably two of Miami’s best starting pitchers out to start the season, the rotation will feature four left-handed pitchers. Yes, you read that right. The lefties will be Jesus Luzardo, AJ Puk, Ryan Weathers and Trevor Rogers. Right-hander Max Meyer will round out the rotation for the Fish. A very, very interesting rotation for the Marlins that might have success. Luzardo had a great season a year ago and will look to build upon that, Puk has been coming out of the bullpen for most of his MLB career and finds himself in a starting role like he did when he was pitching in college at the University of Florida, Weathers had a great Spring Training and fans are excited to see what he can bring to the table, Rogers is coming back from injury that had him out for most of last season and Meyer is a young player who’s also coming back from an injury that had him out for a lengthy period of time. Even with some of the blows, this starting rotation is still considered to be top 10 in baseball.

Looking at the offense, there is not a ton that jumps out at you. Sure, the Marlins have the National League batting champ in Luis Arraez but they lost a big contributor to their offense in Jorge Soler during free agency. I guess the main question is whether or not Josh Bell and Jake Burger can sustain their success that they had towards the latter portion of last season. Also, can Jazz Chisholm Jr. stay on the field? Because he has had trouble in the past staying healthy during injuries and Miami needs him in the lineup every day if they’re looking for that boost in offense. Miami added shortstop Tim Anderson, catcher Christian Bethancourt and utility player Nick Gordon during the offseason. These are some names that we can expect to see playing consistently for Miami. If the Marlins can stay healthy and be consistent, I don’t see why they can’t make a run for the playoffs. But the major point of emphasis is health. And if Miami can’t find ways to stay on the field, then it might be a long season for the Fish.

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Jonathan Andersen

The 2024 Miami Marlins season will be an interesting one to follow. They are arriving to this season fresh off their first postseason run in 20 years, and how do they follow it up? Well, they lose their biggest power bat, they lose their workhorse SP1 for the season, and then 3 other SP begin the season on the IL. Surely they made moves to replenish the lineup and rotation to ensure competitiveness, right? Well…. Not exactly. Their additions, as we stand presently, are Vidal Brujan (IF), Nick Gordon (UTIL), Tim Anderson (SS), and Christian Bethancourt (C). Yet, with the pitching wizard of Mel Stottlemyer Jr., they have replenished the rotation from within the organization, with Max Meyer, Ryan Weathers, and AJ Puk. The additions to the lineup aren’t extremely noteworthy, but do seemingly plug a lot of holes that the prior season’s team had. With a new President of Baseball Operations at the helm, the Marlins have begun a reconstruction season. They aren’t fully rebuilding, as they believe they can still compete with their additions, yet they are utilizing some players in trades to help build the farm for the future, as seen with the recent Jon Berti trade. All in all, I feel like this season is the most confident I’ve felt going into a season as I have in awhile, but I still feel as though, due to injuries, this team is very middle of the road. As we presently sit, I have the Marlins sitting around an 80-82 season, just missing the playoffs. But, this season will be extremely entertaining, and with Bendix in command, there just may be some interesting trades and plays made yet.

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Kevin Miller: 

It was a relatively quiet off-season for new Marlins’ Player of Baseball Operations (POBO), Peter Bendix and co. After making a plethora of under-the-radar and minor moves, this year’s roster is similar, but not quite the same as the 2023 playoff roster. First off, the Marlins’ pitching staff is going to have their hands full to start the season as ace Sandy Alcantara is going to miss the entirety of the 2024 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Additionally, starting pitchers Braxton Garrett, Edward Cabrera, and rookie sensation, Eury Perez, are slated to miss the first month of the season with their own slew of injuries. Until then, the rotation will rely on AJ Puk, Ryan Weathers, Trevor Rogers, and Max Meyer to eat some innings and keep the rotation afloat. Aside from Jesus Luzardo, the rotation is filled with question marks as Puk makes the transition from reliever to starter, Weathers looks to prove himself to be more than just a depth piece, Rogers looks to bounce back after missing nearly the entire 2023 season due to numerous injuries, and Marlins’ #3 overall prospect Max Meyer returns after missing the entire 2023 season due to Tommy John surgery.
On the offensive side, the Marlins’ lineup will surely miss 2023 All-Star DH/OF Jorge Soler who signed a 3-year deal with the San Francisco Giants earlier this off-season. After not making any moves to replace Soler’s power production, Bendix and the Marlins are counting on having Jake Burger and Josh Bell for a full season to do the heavy lifting. The “Dominican Brothers” Bryan De La Cruz and Jesus Sanchez are expected to take another step forward after strong 2023 seasons. Luis Arraez is coming off an incredible 2023 season which saw him hit .354 and start at 2B for the NL All-Star team. But of course, the X factor for the Marlins offense is Jazz Chisholm Jr. After playing in just 97 games in 2023, the Marlins hope their young star can stay healthy over the course of a full MLB season and finally breakout into a perennial All-Star and MVP candidate. If he can stay healthy, expect Jazz to be a major run producer in the middle of the lineup. Polarizing Shortstop Tim Anderson is taking over as the full-time starting shortstop for the Marlins and looks to bounce back after a brutal last couple of seasons with the Chicago White Sox. New additions such as Christian Bethancourt, Nick Gordon, and Vidal Brujan may not be the most exciting players to add to the roster, but provide a slight improvement over the players they are replacing from last year’s roster.
So, what are my predictions for the upcoming 2024 season? I think it’s going to be a very similar season to the 2023 season. I think despite the plethora of injuries to the starting rotation, the depth in the organization will be enough to keep the rotation afloat until the reinforcements arrive. Despite losing Soler and still clinging onto Avisail Garcia for unknown reasons, I think the Marlins lineup might actually be more dynamic than it was last year. Having Burger and Bell for a full year will be huge, Arraez is Arraez, De La Cruz and Sanchez are going to continue to improve, the depth pieces are better than they were last year, and most importantly, I think Anderson returns to form in a better environment here with the Marlins, and I think Jazz plays in over 130 games for the first time in his career and puts up a 30/30 season. Lofty expectations, I know, but I’m feeling confident in this group, especially under the leadership of 2023 NL Manager of the Year, Skip Schumaker.
In the end, will this team return to the playoffs? I think they could… but I ultimately don’t think they will. I think the Marlins will be right in the thick of things until the end, but unfortunately, I don’t think they’ll be playing in October. I think the magic of winning so many 1-run games in 2023 won’t be as common in 2024, I think breakout closer Tanner Scott is set for a regression in 2024, and ultimately, I think missing Sandy for the entirety of 2024 will seriously hurt them. My final record prediction: 82-80. Could this team go on a run and finish with 85-88 wins and sneak into the playoffs again? I would not be surprised if they did, but I would not put money on it either. Regardless though, it should be yet another exciting year of Marlins baseball and I look forward to talking all things Marlins all throughout this 2024 season!

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Grant Kiefer
Like many others, I was surprised how the offseason started with former GM Kim Ng not agreeing to terms on a new contract. However, the team’s new President of Baseball Operations, Peter Bendix, was a phenomenal hire for the long-term future of this franchise. With current ownership and how the team has operated since Bruce Sherman purchased the franchise in 2017, it’s clear that the Marlins will never become big spenders. There won’t be any dynasties with perennial All-Stars in Little Havana. But, Bendix comes from the franchise that’s perfected the art of retooling and sustained success, and it’s time we see that happen in Miami.

Now, that being said, the expectations for 2024 change drastically given how the 2023 season ended. I don’t expect the Marlins to return to the Postseason. I think winning 80 games is an achievable goal, but it’s best to use this year to see what young talent exists already and go from there. The fanbase and media have been suggesting this with every new front-office leader the Marlins have, but going all-in at the deadline for a Wild Card spot is not the key to sustained success. That’s now how Bendix will operate this team, so I expect a middle-of-the-pack record and potentially some trade deadline selling to prepare this team for 2025 and beyond.
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Eric Wiedeke
77-85

The Marlins are a team starting 2024 with more questions than answers- How will a team that finished the 2023 season 29th in runs scored field a more potent offense sans slugger Jorge Soler who clubbed 36 home runs and posted an .853 OPS last season as a fixture in the middle of the order? Will the Marlins injury ravaged rotation be able to bear the load of a full 162-game season? Will the Marlins finally get a full season out of 2022 All-Star Jazz Chisholm? Ultimately, given the lack of improvements in the lineup made over the offseason, although 2023 deadline additions Jake Burger and Josh Bell will provide some much needed thump in the order, asking this team to duplicate their success in close games (35-17 in one run games in 2023) will prove to be a tall task for this team.

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Alejandro Villegas
I think this Marlins team will be competitive, but it’s hard to think they will be able to beat the Braves and the Phillies in this division. I think they will be fighting to be one of the wild cards in the National League, just like they did last season, but I honestly don’t see them advancing to the playoffs. There are just too many what ifs in this team. Tim Anderson, Jake Burger, Josh Bell, Jazz Chisholm and even AJ Puk as a starter now. If they step up, the team will compete. If the pitchers stay healthy, this team will stay in contention. If not, there is no way the Marlins fight for a playoff spot.

Miami Marlins: Grades for the 2023 season from our team

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Consistently, the Miami Marlins were underdogs throughout the season. Whether it be due to expectations, due to their opponent, or due to the many, many injuries their team succumbed to, they were consistently seen as the lower team. Yet, you look at the Fish at the end of the season, and there they are. 6 games over .500, and a playoff birth. Both of which, were completely unexpected and unprecedented for a young, scrappy team in Miami. Even with the quick boot in the postseason, the Marlins had exceed every possible expectation laid out for them, and more. Here is how the team at 5R graded the Marlins performance this past season.

 

@KMiller_305 – Grade: A-

The Marlins exceeded nearly every expectation set for them this past season by finishing with an 84-78 record (should have been 85-77 but I digress), resulting in their first full season playoff berth since their World Series run in 2003. Meanwhile I had the Marlins finishing with a 77-85 record coming into the season, which at the time, I mentioned as “being optimistic” and “aiming high.” So, what else got them to an A-? 

Well, for me, having a massive bounce back year from Jorge Soler was a HUGE reason without question. Likewise, the addition of Luis Arraez prior to the start of the season, coupled with the deadline acquisitions of Jake Burger and Josh Bell, all of whom had incredible seasons with the Marlins in their own regards. To round out what helped them get to their A- lies within the pitching staff. Factors such as the emergence of Braxton Garrett as a mainstay in the rotation, the flashes of ace potential and the breakout for Jesus Luzardo, and the debut of future Cy Young candidate in Eury Perez. Likewise, the outstanding year from their pen, specifically from Andrew Nardi and Tanner Scott. All of that is great, but what kept them from an A or an A+? 

For one, they did not win a playoff game. Unfortunately, the season came to an end at the hands of the Philadelphia Phillies in the Wild Card Series. Not being able to advance out of the first round or even win a game in the playoffs certainly hurts. Besides that, the injuries and subsequential struggles were scattered throughout the roster. All in all, despite the ugly bits to the season being, admittedly, pretty ugly, the Marlins did have a very successful season, which is something absolutely nobody can take away from them. There is reason to be excited and optimistic for the future if you’re a Marlins fan, which is truly something special. There may not have been a World Series championship or any franchise altering moment in the season, but 2023 will definitely be a season Marlins fans will remember for a while.

 

@JonAndersen_5R – Grade: A

For the first time since 2003, the Miami Marlins made a postseason birth in a full season. The Miami Marlins were competitive and fighters until the end of the season. Sadly, that didn’t transfer into the postseason series against the Phillies, where they looked rather dead in the water in Citizens Bank Park. However, if going into this season, you had told us that the Fish would not only have a winning record, but have a stretch where they’re 14 games over .500, make the Wild Card, and have someone win a major award across the National League, yet tell me that this is all done with Sandy Alcantara pitching poorly for half the season, Jazz Chisholm Jr. missing 65 games, and going through 4 different closers throughout the season, I would’ve thought you were crazy.

Every little thing that could’ve gone wrong for the Marlins, did. Yet somehow, every little thing that we couldn’t even have imagined to go right, did. Luis Arraez winning the batting title for the second year in a row, Eury Perez debuting and providing meaningful innings for the major league squad, Jorge Soler hitting 30+ home runs, and having meaningful and impactful acquisitions at the deadline. This team showed grit and showed determination, no matter how many times it felt like the season was at death’s door. 

Regardless of the result of the postseason, the Miami Marlins far surpassed any expectations that were set for them at the beginning of the season. They beat the teams they needed to beat, and also beat teams that they were expected to lose to. The Fish reversed the 1-run game curse they had last year, and ended up being the best team in baseball in 1-run games. Going from a team that dealt with so many setbacks and adversities, yet still succeeding in the way they did, I have no other option than to grade the season as an A. 

 

@AidanGallard0  – Grade: B+

The Miami Marlins did what no one expected them to do and that was making it to the postseason. Although they got swept in the Wild Card round against the Philadelphia Phillies, this team really played winning baseball all year which is something that fans aren’t used to seeing. From Luis Arraez winning the batting title to Jake Burger really showing a different side of him since being acquired by the Marlins at the trade deadline, there were a lot of positive takeaways from the season. But of course, with every team in baseball, it’s not all positive. Last year’s Cy Young winner, Sandy Alcantara, really didn’t pitch to what was expected of him this season. He struggled at times on the mound but every now and then, he’d have a great outing. To make matters worse, he won’t be able to pitch next season because of Tommy John surgery. So yeah, there’s that. The reason I don’t give the season grade an A is because I felt like they could’ve made some noise in the postseason. The talent they were showcasing throughout the season just couldn’t catch up and a lot of that has to do with injuries and how the season’s longevity really took a toll on the guys, especially on the pitching staff. But, there’s a lot to be happy about with the Fish and next season might just be even better.

 

@JSportsMiami – Grade: A

Although the unfortunate loss in the wild card round to the Phillies, this season was a tremendous success for Miami. For a team many projected to end near last place of the division, and one of the worst in the NL, they showed promise and grit. Skip Schumaker arrived and did a complete flip on the team’s culture. The postseason was  a dream at the start of the spring training, if everything went perfect, just maybe it could happen. Instead, things were far from perfect and they still were able to accomplish it. Most fans and people of the sport had them around 70-74 wins. Instead they got 84 (or 85 with that Mets game) and a wild card berth. Just an outstanding job by Kim, Skip and the entire team to make this year work. 2023 being a memorable season is an understatement. 

The Floundering Fish: How did the Marlins get here?

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As a team that came into the All-Star break being 14 games over .500, and added three necessary and major additions to their team in Josh Bell, Jake Burger, and David Robertson, the Marlins were poised for success and a playoff run for the first time, outside of a 2020 COVID season, since 2003. However, with 28 games left, the story is much different for a now .500 ballclub. What happened? What caused such an unprecedented downfall to be nearly out of the playoff race? Let’s talk about it.

 

Arraez and Shine

 

Prior to the All-Star break, Luis Arraez was well on his way to have one of the highest batting averages since Tony Gwynn hit .394 in 1994, as he entered the second half with an average of .383. Many expected Arraez to continue hitting non-stop, as it seemed as though there was nothing nor no man that could stop him. However, the second half has been an entirely different story for La Regadera. In the second half, Luis Arraez has been hitting for an average of .285, which caused his season average to dip below .350 for the first time all season. Yes, that’s a real stat. 

 

Now, a .285 average still isn’t anything to sneeze at. In fact, he’d still be 17th in the league in batting average with that. But, for a team who’s offense was dependent on Luis Arraez to be that constant bat in the lineup that would move guys over or start the inning off with getting on base, it’s less than ideal in a Wild Card race. Moreover, in August, Arraez only had 4 multi-hit games, which breaks his previous season low of 10 multi-hit games in May. If the Marlins are going to make that push for the playoffs and hope for sustained success, they need their All-Star to revert to his former self.

 

Bullpen Blows and Woes

 

The Marlins saw that, for some reason, AJ Puk had lost his ability to close out games. With Puk’s 20 ER on the season, 11 came from July. The Fish knew they had to act fast to get someone to close out the games in Miami as Puk’s blown save total began growing. So Kim Ng acted fast and grabbed the best reliever on the market in David Robertson. Robertson has a ton of sustained success throughout his career, and this season was no different, allowing 10 ER in his 42 IP in Queens. However, since arriving in Miami, he has been quite the opposite of any version of himself, allowing 10 ER in his 11 IP. Miami has since removed Robertson, whom they paid a hefty price for, out of the closer role and have inputted Tanner Scott there. It has yet to be seen if that choice will pay off. 

 

Are the Fish Fried?

 

Through all of these struggles, there’s still time for the Marlins to make that final push and run to the playoffs. They’re only 3 games back in the Wild Card hunt and are an incredibly streaky team who can get hot at a moment’s notice. The only issue is that moment hasn’t arrived post All-Star break. Miami has struggled with giving run support to their pitching, and when they give the run support, the bullpen throws away the game. It’s a seemingly consistent struggle lately that the team needs to overcome. With 28 games remaining in the season, the Marlins statistically aren’t out of the hunt and can come back for the playoffs. The only question is, can they do it?

Marlins series Braves

Five Things That Will Define the Marlins’ Future in 2023

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The Marlins are treading into unfamiliar waters. 

 

Entering the second half, they were 14 games over .500, good for the second-best record in the NL and the fourth-best record in all of baseball.

 

With a 53-39 record, the Fish topped perennial title contenders such as the Dodgers, Astros and Yankees at the unofficial midway point of the season.

 

The first 92 games of 2023 provided a plethora of memorable moments, ranging from the franchise’s first cycle (Luis Arráez) , to the most anticipated Marlins debut in over a decade (Eury Pérez).

 

This season has been a whirlwind so far, and it’s bound to get even more interesting.

 

Arráez Chasing History

 

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past three-plus months, you are undoubtedly aware of the hitting enigma that is Luis Arráez. 

 

The second baseman leads the league in batting average, on-base percentage and hits. Hitting .383, Arráez is 52 points ahead of Ronald Acuña Jr., who has the second highest average in baseball (.331). 

 

Simply put, this is the best hitter on the planet.

 

Flirting with .400 all season, Arráez remains in striking distance of the elusive feat. Ted Williams was the last player to eclipse the threshold, hitting .406 in 1941. 

 

The chase for .400 will be a compelling storyline to follow, as the baseball world is starting to take notice of just how special the Marlins’ leadoff hitter truly is.

 

Starting Pitchers Return

 

The starting rotation looks quite different from Opening Day, as only Sandy Alcántara and Jesús Luzardo remain. However, two pitchers who started the year in the rotation look to return from injury in the coming weeks. Edward Cabrera and Trevor Rogers have both missed extended time this season, and should make an impact down the stretch.

 

Cabrera hasn’t pitched since June 17, and is on the injured list with a right shoulder impingement. The righty is expected to be back in the rotation before the end of July.

 

The 25-year-old has shown flashes of dominance over his 14 starts this season, but needs to be more consistent. The talent is certainly there, and the Marlins hope he can tap into that talent more often than not.

 

Rogers has been on the shelf since April 19, originally due to a left biceps  strain. The lefty was only supposed to miss a few weeks, but a June 13 MRI revealed a partial tear in his right lat. Rogers was subsequently placed on the 60-day IL, and there is currently no definite return date.

 

Whenever Rogers does return, he will have a chance to significantly help a Marlins rotation that is thin on arms. Like Cabrera, the southpaw has been up and down this season, and will need to be more dependable for the final stretch of the season.

 

Can Jazz Stay Healthy?

 

Jazz Chisholm Jr. has made his presence felt every time he stepped foot on the diamond. However, there’s one problem — he can’t stay on the field. The Bahamian star has only played in 45 of 92 games this season, taking multiple trips to the IL.

 

After missing six weeks with an injury, Chisholm returned to the team on June 27 and instantly produced. The center fielder had five hits, two of which were homers, and four RBIs in his first series back. Chisholm was scorching, which made it even more unfortunate that his second IL stint would start after just six games.

 

On July 2, Chisholm left the game after an awkward swing and was diagnosed with a mild left oblique strain. He has not played since, and it is unknown when the 25-year-old will be back.

 

Chisholm’s return can’t come soon enough, as his mere presence takes this team’s confidence and swagger to another level. His combination of speed and power is also something sorely lacking for the Marlins with his absence. 

 

The former All-Star will be back on the field soon, but when he gets healthy, he needs to stay healthy.

 

Trade Deadline Looming

 

The Marlins are soon likely to find themselves a position that they have very rarely been in.

 

Buy mode.

 

The trade deadline is Aug. 1, still a few weeks away, but the Fish are almost certainly going to look to make a splash (pun slightly intended).

 

Right now, it is still too early to look at specific names, as teams around the league have yet to publicly portray themselves as buyers or sellers. But we should learn more in the coming weeks.

 

The Marlins have been playing as well as they could’ve hoped so far this season, but improvements  are necessary if they want to make some noise in October. 

 

General Manager Kim Ng could seemingly upgrade anywhere on the diamond, but a few obvious positional needs include: 3B, SP, RP (right-handed) and C.

 

August Gauntlet

 

The Fish have gotten off to a terrific start, and while a great deal of that has to do with their play on the field, the relatively soft schedule up to this point has certainly played a role. 

 

That’s about to change.

 

Starting July 31 through Aug. 20, the Marlins’ schedule is minefield of explosive offenses: 

 

4 vs Phillies

3 at Rangers

3 at Reds

3 vs Yankees

3 vs Astros

3 at Dodgers

 

Sheesh.

 

With 19 consecutive games against teams over .500, Skip Schumaker’s club will need to be sharp night in and night out in order to survive this stretch. The Marlins will be in sink-or-swim territory (that’s my final pun) over these three weeks, and will have a chance to show national-media skeptics they are for real.