The Marlins’ 2026-27 offseason will send more players back onto the field, with prospects and depth pieces logging extra reps in the Arizona Fall League and winter circuits across the Caribbean and beyond.
Right now, six Marlins players are listed in the Arizona Fall League with the Glendale Desert Dogs. INF Carter Johnson, who finished the 2026 minor league season at High-A, made his AFL debut on October 3.
Another infielder, whose season ended at Double-A, also debuted in the AFL on October 3. LHP Brayan Mendoza, who wrapped up 2026 at High-A, joined them and made his AFL debut on October 3 as well.
LHP Emmett Olson finished the 2026 minor league season at Double-A, while RHP Tristan Stevens also ended the year at Double-A. RHP Alex Williams, who finished 2026 at Double-A, is scheduled to make his AFL debut on October 6. OF Max Williams, who also finished 2026 at Double-A, made his AFL debut on October 4.
Beyond Arizona, the Marlins have several players who took part in winter ball during the 2025-26 offseason and may do so again. INF Maximo Acosta played for the Tiburones De La Guaira in the Venezuelan Winter League.
1B/OF Chris Arroyo was with the Leones de Ponce in the Puerto Rican Winter League, and it was previously announced this summer that he’d be playing if fully recovered from meniscus surgery. 1B Deyvison De Los Santos appeared for the Gigantes del Cibao in the Dominican Winter League, INF Cristian Hernández played for the Tigres del Licey, C Brian Navarreto suited up for the Cangrejeros de Santurce in Puerto Rico, and OF Esteury Ruiz was with the Tigres del Licey in the Dominican Winter League.
Over the course of the offseason, Marlins players can also be expected to turn up in the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Mexico and Australia as the organization continues to track their development through extra game action.
In Other News...
Marlins Face One Crucial Catcher Decision Behind Joe Mack
Joe Mack has quickly become the Marlins primary catcher, giving Miami a clear answer behind the plate for the first time in a while. His defense stood out in 2026, and the way he controlled the running game made him one of the more dependable young backstops in the league. But once a team settles on its starter, the next question usually matters just as much: who catches when he needs a breather?
Miamis current backup mix is workable on paper, but none of the internal options is cleanly ideal, which is why the search has drifted toward the market. Brian Navarreto, Agustn Ramrez and Logan Driscoll each bring something different, but each also comes with a limitation the Marlins have to weigh. If the front office wants a more established safety net behind Mack, names like Carson Kelly, Elias Daz and Jonah Heim at least give them a clearer sense of what a veteran backup could look like. [Read more 🡒]
Marlins Offseason May Come Down To One Unsettled Bullpen Role
The Marlins late-inning picture is still taking shape as the offseason moves along, and the biggest question in the bullpen is whether they settle on a familiar face or look elsewhere for the ninth inning. Pete Fairbanks, a free agent after a one-year run in Miami, did not give the club the kind of closer production it had hoped for, which has pushed the front office to weigh a few different directions as it builds out the relief corps.
Among the names being discussed are Seranthony Dominguez, who turned in a solid 2026 season with the Seattle Mariners, and veteran Barlow, whose track record across multiple teams gives Miami another experienced option. The Marlins could still circle back to Fairbanks if both sides find common ground, but for now the role remains unsettled, and the answer may end up shaping the tone of the entire bullpen plan. [Read more 🡒]