The Marlins made progress in 2026, at least enough to still be in the mix in September. But if they want to move from hanging around to truly competing in 2027, the bullpen is the first place they have to fix.
That unit was the biggest problem all season, and the trouble starts at the back end. Miami went into the 2026 offseason making the smart play by bringing in Pete Fairbanks from the cross-state Rays to handle the ninth inning.
It didn’t work out. Fairbanks finished with a 6.31 ERA and converted just 19 of 23 save chances before being shut down.
He’ll undergo thoracic outlet surgery during the offseason, and with that injury history piled on top, the Marlins should move on rather than bring him back.
The free-agent market doesn’t offer many clean answers. The top name is David Bednar from the Yankees, but he has never been comfortable at LoanDepot Park, where he has a 7.71 ERA in 9 1/3 innings. For Miami, handing out a big-money deal to someone with those numbers in that park would be a risky bet.
A more appealing path would be chasing upside. Astros reliever Bryan Abreu fits that mold, bringing closing experience and a ceiling that could make him a real solution.
His overall numbers this year dipped to a 3.88 ERA in 60 1/3 innings, but he was far sharper after the All-Star break, putting up a 1.84 ERA in 29 1/3 innings. Abreu has only 24 career saves, and most of those came in 2026, but that kind of profile could give the Marlins a potential elite closer at setup-man money.
Miami could also try to solve the problem from within, though the internal options are thin and would come at the cost of bullpen depth. Michael Petersen stands out as the best candidate. He’s spent parts of three seasons with the Marlins and posted a 3.16 ERA in 62 2/3 innings in 2026, along with one save, which came in April.
Still, the clearest answer is the simplest one: the Marlins need to add a closer this offseason, and they need someone who can steady the whole bullpen.
In Other News...
Eury Prez Just Opened A New Marlins Option At The Right Time
Eury Prez gave the Marlins something a little different to think about in their game against the Cubs, and at a moment when they could use it. Normally one of Miamis starters, Prez came out of the bullpen and struck out the side in a clean inning, a sharp, efficient look that stood out from the recent turbulence in his starting work. It was also part of a broader approach from manager Clayton McCullough, who has been willing to use starters in relief from time to time.
For a club still sorting through its pitching mix, the outing offered a useful reminder that Prez can be more than just a traditional rotation piece. The move did not answer every question about where he fits best long term, but it did open a fresh lane for Miami to explore at exactly the right time. If the Marlins are looking for stability and impact on the mound, nights like this at least give them another option to consider. [Read more 🡒]
Marlins Need Owen Caissie To Change Their Lineup In 2027
Owen Caissie gave the Marlins a glimpse of what they hoped they were getting when they brought him over from the Cubs in the Edward Cabrera deal. Even in a 2026 season interrupted by a lumbar stress reaction and a right calf strain, the 24-year-old right fielder still managed career highs in several offensive categories and stayed on the field for 108 games, enough to show why Miami views him as more than just another young piece in the outfield mix.
The bigger question now is whether that production can become something sturdier and more complete as the Marlins look ahead to 2027. Caissies season line reflected both the promise and the volatility of his game, with power, patience and plenty of strikeouts all living in the same profile, and Miami is counting on him to help reshape the middle of its lineup if he can keep the injuries from interrupting the development curve. [Read more 🡒]
Marlins Prospects Are Getting A Test That Could Shape The Next Wave
Eight Miami Marlins prospects are headed to the Arizona Fall League, where they will suit up for the Glendale Desert Dogs in a showcase that brings together top young talent from all 30 major league organizations. Among the Marlins group are outfielders Dillon Lewis and Max Williams, and the assignment gives the club another look at how its next wave handles a higher level of competition.
The league runs from Oct. 3 to Nov. 1, making it a short but useful proving ground for players who are nearing a more serious push through the system. Marlins director of player development Rachel Balkovec pointed to the prospects growth and their readiness for what the fall circuit can reveal, and for Miami the bigger question is which of these prospects can turn that opportunity into a true step forward. [Read more 🡒]