The Miami Marlins finished last season with a record of 62 wins and 100 losses, marking their fifth 100-loss season in franchise history and their second such season in the past five years.
The season took a downward turn early on when talented right-handed pitcher Eury Perez suffered an elbow injury that required season-ending surgery in April.
Additionally, the rotation was already missing 2023 Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara, who was sidelined for the entire 2024 season due to Tommy John surgery he underwent in October 2023.
The magic of one-run wins and the excitement of closing tight games from the previous season were long gone in the 305 area code. The Marlins had already fallen behind with a dismal 7-24 record by the end of April.
Manager Skip Schumaker, who had been informed before the season began that the organisation would not be retaining him beyond this year, was left with a lifeless and uninspiring team to lead through the lengthy season.
Ultimately, the Marlins finished in fifth place in the National League East, trailing the fourth-place Washington Nationals by nine games.
Big offseason news
The Marlins were among the last teams to sign a major league free agent, finalising a deal with Cal Quantrill in February. The veteran right-handed pitcher signed a one-year contract worth $3.5 million, aiming to provide additional depth to the young Marlins rotation.
General Manager Peter Bendix is operating at full speed. A player who previously expressed his love for living and playing in Miami has been traded, which seems to align with the club’s rules. INF Jake Burger was traded to the Texas Rangers in exchange for INF Max Acosta, INF Echedry Vargas, and SP Brayan Mendoza.
The odd man out in the Marlins starting rotation was LHP Jesus Luzardo. The hometown boy was traded to a divisional rival, the Philadelphia Phillies, with C Paul McIntosh for prospects SS Starlyn Caba and OF Emaarion Boyd.
The Marlins hired a new manager after they had not extended Skip Schumaker’s contract. Clayton McCullough, a long-time coach for the Dodgers, is now the 17th manager in the club’s history. He is accustomed to winning and has experience with many successful teams. To illustrate his change of scenery, it’s like he moved from a luxury suite at the Ritz-Carlton to a bungalow in the Everglades.
One to watch
When looking at the Marlins’ projected Opening Day lineup, you might find yourself wondering, “Who are these players?” And honestly, I understand why you would.
However, there’s one player you should keep an eye on: INF Xavier Edwards. Acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays in 2022, he is often compared to Luis Arraez but with added speed. Edwards made his MLB debut in 2023 and played in 70 games last year. He had an impressive season, posting a .328 batting average and a 124 OPS+ while making 265 at-bats, and he also stole 31 bases.
He has set his target for stolen bases this season to 60. Expectations are high for the young man in a season that otherwise doesn’t promise many glimmers of joy.
Five reasons for optimism
- Sandy Alcantara is back in the rotation. I will cherish every start he makes, as it could be his last in a Marlins uniform before the summer trade deadline.
- Xavier Edwards is a breakout candidate this year, with an opportunity to cement his role as the leadoff hitter for the new era of the Marlins.
- After suffering injuries and setbacks, former first-round pick RHP Max Meyer now has a genuine opportunity in the young rotation and aims for a full, healthy season.
- First baseman Jonah Bride is projected to be the cleanup hitter in this young lineup. At the age of 29, he is the oldest player in the projected lineup. He could turn into prime Barry Bonds with protective eyewear and hit 20+ home runs.
- Top prospects make an impression. Expectations are particularly high for two prospects, C Agustin Ramirez and INF Deyvison De Los Santos, who both might start the season in the minors, but when called up, for Bendix’s sake, I pray they slap the ball.
2025 prediction
In early March, PECOTA projects the 2025 Marlins to have 60.6 wins and 101.4 losses. Based on the current roster and what the Marlins are likely to field, this prediction seems accurate. The lineup is not designed to score many runs; instead, it appears to prioritise securing a top pick in the 2026 draft.
Having a back-to-back 100-loss season looks inevitable. Would it be considered a success not to have a 100-loss season? Maybe, but when the owner and the general manager have assembled a team with that goal in mind, then it´s a failure.
To determine if a year is successful for the Marlins, it’s not just about the number of wins they achieve. Instead, it’s more about how the players and pieces of the team will develop. Questions arise about who will keep their job and who might get traded or released. I would consider it a successful year if we see at least some signs of hope that one of the players with potential will succeed.
GM Peter Bendix and owner Bruce Sherman are dreaming of remaking the 2003 Florida Marlins, who won the World Series with the 25th lowest payroll. However, this is not the year for such a revival.
TOMI KORKEAMÄKI is the Miami Marlins correspondent for Bat Flips and Nerds. You can read more of his articles here and follow him on Bluesky @tkorkeamaki.bsky.social
Featured image – by Rich Storry/Getty Images
