The Miami Marlins finished last season at 79-83, a distant third in the NL East behind the Phillies. On the surface, that’s the kind of record that usually signals a team in the middle of a rebuild or treading water. But if the early offseason rumblings are any indication, the Marlins aren’t planning to sit quietly this winter-they’re gearing up to make some noise.
Multiple reports from league insiders have pointed to Miami as a team that’s not just browsing the free agent aisle-they’re ready to buy. That sentiment reached a new level last week when Ken Rosenthal reported the Marlins were actively pursuing both closing and starting pitching, as well as upgrades at the corner infield spots. And just this week, Rosenthal and Katie Woo added another layer to the story: Miami is reportedly eyeing free-agent reliever Pete Fairbanks, who hit the market after the Rays declined his $11 million option for 2026.
Now, let’s be clear-this is not the kind of offseason behavior we’ve come to expect from the Marlins. Historically, they’ve ranked near the bottom of MLB in payroll and have even drawn the ire of the MLBPA over their lack of spending.
But the tone is shifting. There’s real buzz around the idea that Miami could be a legitimate player in free agency this year.
That’s good news for baseball fans who want to see more teams trying to win. But for a team like the Cleveland Guardians, who operate in a similar low-to-mid payroll lane, this could complicate things. The Marlins entering the mix for mid-tier free agents-players who aren’t commanding nine-figure deals but can still make a real impact-means added competition for the Guardians in a market where every dollar counts.
Last winter, Miami’s only notable signing was Cal Quantrill, who came in on a one-year, $3.5 million deal before being waived in August. That move didn’t exactly move the needle.
But their reported interest in someone like Fairbanks-who would slot in perfectly at the back end of Cleveland’s bullpen-signals a shift in approach. The Marlins aren’t just window shopping this time around.
In the past, teams like the Marlins were largely absent from the conversations around free agents in the Guardians’ price range. Now?
They’re swimming in the same waters. And they’re not chasing stars like Kyle Tucker, who would be out of Cleveland’s budget anyway.
They’re targeting the same B- and C-tier free agents that Cleveland typically zeroes in on to round out its roster.
Miami has a compelling young core that includes Kyle Stowers, Agustín Ramírez, Heriberto Hernández, and Jakob Marsee. Pair that with a rotation anchored by former Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara and Edward Cabrera, and you’ve got a team that’s not far from being competitive. Adding a few seasoned veterans could be the difference between another 79-win season and a legitimate playoff push.
That blueprint isn’t all that different from what Cleveland is working with. The Guardians also have a mix of young talent and a need for veteran reinforcements.
The key difference? Cleveland has a stronger recent track record and a deeper pool of MLB-ready prospects, which gives them more leverage in the trade market.
If they want to upgrade, they’ve got the pieces to make it happen-whether that’s through trades or targeted signings.
Still, the Marlins’ newfound willingness to spend is worth watching. It’s another wrinkle in an already tight market, and it adds a layer of urgency for teams like the Guardians, who now have to battle not just the big spenders but also the teams that used to sit quietly on the sidelines.
For Cleveland’s front office, it’s one more obstacle on the road to 2026. But it also underscores a larger trend: more teams are trying to win, and that’s a good thing for the game. The challenge now is staying one step ahead.