MIAMI -- The Marlins are heading into the offseason with a few clear areas to watch, and president of baseball operations Peter Bendix gave enough at the General Managers Meetings earlier this week to sketch out the club’s thinking.
The rotation, for one, does not sound like the priority some outside the organization might expect. Miami says it feels “very good” about its starting staff, while still leaving the door open for outside help. Right now, the projected Spring Training group is all right-handers: Sandy Alcantara, Eury Pérez, 2026 All-Star Max Meyer, Janson Junk, Ryan Gusto and Tyler Phillips.
Meyer should be ready by then after missing time following a neck strain that kept him out after July 18. The Marlins also have two rehabbing arms with return windows on the horizon: Adam Mazur, who is coming back from elbow surgery and has a projected timeline of April/May, and Robby Snelling, also recovering from elbow surgery, with a May/June estimate.
There’s more pitching depth in the system as well. Left-hander Thomas White, the Marlins’ No. 1 prospect and No. 47 overall, and Karson Milbrandt, the club’s No. 6 prospect, are both at Triple-A Jacksonville. Eliazar Dishmey, the organization’s Minor League Pitcher of the Year and No. 30 prospect, finished his season at Double-A Pensacola.
Still, Miami has shown a recent habit of dipping into the veteran starter market before spring. The last two offseasons brought in right-handers Cal Quantrill, who made $3.5 million in 2025, and Chris Paddack, who made $4 million in 2026.
Neither finished the year with the club, and both were viewed as potential innings-eaters. If the Marlins go that route again, it would likely steer them away from the top two tiers of free-agent starters.
One name to keep in mind is left-hander Patrick Sandoval, who has drawn interest around the league, according to colleague Mark Feinsand. Sandoval turned 30 last month and posted a 3.77 FIP and 1.68 WHIP in 15 games, 13 of them starts, in his return from elbow surgery. He fits the bounceback profile.
The bullpen could be another place Miami adds, especially on the left side. Bendix said a left-handed reliever is “probably among the higher things we could need.”
That need is easy to see from the current 40-man picture. Andrew Nardi, who is likely out for all of 2027, Cade Gibson and Dax Fulton are the only southpaw relievers on the roster.
Nardi is arbitration-eligible and a non-tender candidate before the Nov. 20 deadline. Gibson took a step back in 2026 after a strong rookie season in 2025, when he posted a 2.63 ERA, while Fulton, a former second-round pick who began as a starter and has undergone two elbow surgeries, showed promise in relief as a rookie with a 3.77 ERA in 16 outings.
Bendix also made clear that a qualifying offer won’t scare Miami off. That matters because Adrian Morejon is the headliner in this year’s class and would cost plenty if he rejects the Padres’ QO.
Former Marlin Alex Vesia is another lefty who figures to attract plenty of attention. Sean Newcomb and José Alvarado are also available.
Newcomb brings some versatility that could appeal to the Marlins. He was used in several roles with the White Sox last season, working as an opener, a multi-inning arm and a closer, which lines up with how Miami likes to deploy pitchers.
Alvarado’s year was uneven, finishing with a 5.86 ERA, but his velocity, hard-hit percentage, barrel rate and extension all still sat in the 92nd percentile or better. He also has familiarity with Bendix from their time together with the Rays before Alvarado’s stint in Philadelphia.
Catcher is another spot Miami is expected to explore. Bendix said Agustín Ramírez can be “being the backup catcher” but that the club will “also look for additions.”
With Brian Navarreto and Logan Driscoll gone, Joe Mack and Ramírez are the only catchers on the 40-man roster. Ramírez had a rough 2026, including a months-long trip back to Triple-A, though he did show some progress both behind the plate and at the plate after returning to the majors. He is getting extra work in the Dominican Winter League.
The backup role would not require heavy usage, since Mack handled a significant workload this season and the reserve catcher would likely start only once or twice a week. That raises the question of where Ramírez fits. He took some reps at first base, though he never appeared in a game there, and the Marlins would prefer to keep the designated hitter spot available to maximize the lineup.
A veteran backup could give Mack support while also helping the pitching staff. James McCann and Kyle Higashioka are among the free-agent options, and both would be 37 years old in 2027. Higashioka also has ties to former Yankees on Miami’s coaching staff and in the front office.
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