The Miami Marlins are heading into the 2026 MLB trade deadline with a little more clarity than chaos, but not much. They’re still in the mix, still trying to thread the needle between adding and dealing, and they’ve got until Monday at 6:00 pm ET to make their moves.
That’s the backdrop for a team that stumbled badly out of the All-Star break, getting swept by the Milwaukee Brewers, Houston Astros and San Diego Padres. Miami has steadied itself since then with a sweep of the Philadelphia Phillies, but the standings still leave them on the outside looking in. If the season ended today, the Chicago Cubs, Phillies and Arizona Diamondbacks would claim the National League Wild Card spots ahead of them, and the Marlins sit 8.5 games behind the Atlanta Braves in the NL East.
Even so, Bruce Sherman has made the direction clear. The Marlins Chairman, Principal Owner & Control Person recently told Fish On First that president of baseball operations Peter Bendix has the green light to add to the roster.
"Look what we did in 2023-we took on a lot of money,” Sherman said. “I think Josh Bell and Jake Burger made a difference in us getting to the playoffs."
The biggest need is obvious: third base. More specifically, a right-handed hitter at third base would fit best. Marlins third basemen have produced a 56 wRC+, worst in baseball, and have hit just four home runs, second-fewest in MLB.
One possible fit, if the Texas Rangers are willing to move him, is Ezequiel Duran. In 87 games, he’s hitting .270/.324/.436/.760 with 10 home runs, 50 RBI and a 112 wRC+.
He also brings strong defense, with plus-nine outs above average, and he can move around the diamond. Against lefties, he’d give Miami a useful bat whether he’s starting or coming off the bench late.
The Marlins also need help in the rotation, especially at the back end. Janson Junk’s inconsistency has become a problem, and it’s not the kind of stability Miami can afford to ignore.
The bullpen is another area under strain because of injuries. Josh Ekness is close to returning from the 60-day IL, but Anthony Bender, William Kempner and Andrew Nardi are still further away. Pete Fairbanks has also had a rough season as the Marlins’ closer, with a 6.75 ERA and 5.06 FIP.
If Miami wants a left-handed bullpen arm, Adrian Morejon of the San Diego Padres is a logical name. He has a 3.42 ERA, 2.40 FIP, 10.44 K/9 and 2.16 BB/9 in 44 appearances, and he’s a pending free agent. The Padres have mostly used him as a setup man in front of Mason Miller, but in Miami he’d have a path to closing games himself.
There are also a few things the Marlins are not expected to do. Fish On First can report that they will hold onto Sandy Alcantara.
Miami believes it can compete, and Alcantara remains central to that plan. Over his last eight starts, he has gone 7-1 with a 3.09 ERA and 3.07 FIP.
Sherman also said on Fish Unfiltered, "I'm looking forward to seeing him pitch for the rest of the year."
Sources also say the Marlins are looking for a "Tyler Phillips replacement" - a pitcher who can start and also work out of the bullpen. Phillips is expected to stay in the rotation, though that could change if Miami adds a veteran starter and pushes him back to relief.
Braxton Garrett is another name to watch on the trade side. The Marlins plan to move him at the deadline, and his minor-league numbers should help the return.
In 14 appearances, including 13 starts, he has a 1.52 ERA, 3.86 FIP, 9.76 K/9 and 3.30 BB/9. He was called up earlier this season and struggled badly in two starts, allowing seven earned runs and eight walks combined.
Miami believes that if he keeps succeeding in Triple-A, it can get a decent return for him.
One more bullpen name has surfaced, even if talks have been light: Aroldis Chapman. The Marlins have shown some interest in the Boston Red Sox closer, who has posted a 2.28 ERA, 2.46 FIP, 11.39 K/9, 3.90 BB/9 and 19 saves.
Those 19 saves rank third in the American League. With Fairbanks struggling, Chapman would give Miami another late-inning power arm and a left-handed option for the ninth.
There is also a contract wrinkle to keep in mind: if Chapman reaches 40 innings, he would have a 2027 contract worth $13M.
In Other News...
Marlins Could Make A Deadline Move Fans Really Won't Like
The Marlins front office is at least open to a kind of deadline conversation that usually makes fans uneasy: listening on controllable position players from a lineup that has helped stabilize the offense. Miami has reportedly been willing to hear offers for Liam Hicks, Otto Lopez, Xavier Edwards and Heriberto Hernandez, a sign that the club is weighing present production against longer-term roster value.
For a team that has needed more life at the plate, the timing makes the decision especially tricky. Moving from that group would mean trading away some of the bats that have been part of the lineups recent improvement, and it leaves Miami trying to decide whether to cash in on depth now or keep the pieces that have helped the offense look more credible. [Read more 🡒]
Marlins Suddenly Face A Deadline Twist Fans Wont Want To Hear
The trade deadline always has a way of forcing teams to show their hand, and this one could leave Miami fans uneasy. According to Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic, the Marlins are at least willing to hear offers on several of their younger, controllable contributors, a sign that the front office is keeping every option on the table as the market starts to heat up.
That kind of stance does not come lightly when the players involved have already become meaningful parts of the roster. Miami would not move them cheaply, either, which means any deal would have to clear a high bar before the club even considers it. For a team trying to balance the present with the future, the next few days could reveal whether this is just due diligence or the start of something much bigger. [Read more 🡒]
Marlins Set Thank You Tommy Day For Franchise Icon Tommy Hutton
The Marlins are planning a special August 23 tribute for Tommy Hutton, setting aside Thank You Tommy Day to honor one of the most familiar voices in franchise history. Hutton has spent 28 seasons around Marlins broadcasts, becoming a steady presence for generations of fans while building a baseball rsum that stretches well beyond the booth.
The pregame celebration will include a video tribute and a ceremonial first pitch from Huttons granddaughters, a family touch for a broadcaster whose connection to the organization has lasted longer than many players careers. Hutton has already announced that he will retire after the 2026 season, giving the franchise and its fans a clear runway to appreciate the final chapter of a long run that has helped define the teams identity. [Read more 🡒]