The Marlins have spent much of the season trying to stabilize third base, and they still haven’t found a true answer there.
A few players have cycled through the spot, but none have locked it down at a top level. What Miami does have, though, is one current player who has leaned into the job and a prospect who could end up being the long-term fit.
That current piece is Sanoja, who has made the most of every opening. The Marlins’ front office didn’t enter the season expecting this kind of production from him, especially given that he’s best known as a utility man.
He understood his role, but a mix of injuries, trades and demotions opened the door, and he walked right through it. Since late June, Sanoja has been one of the best players on the roster.
His value hasn’t come from flash. It’s come from consistency, from getting on base, from stealing bases and from giving Miami the kind of grinder every contender needs.
The Marlins are still hanging around in the playoff chase, and Sanoja has been part of that push. He isn’t a big, overpowering presence, but he brings effort and heart, and he’s handled third base solidly for most of the season.
Still, Miami may be looking beyond the present. That brings Arquette into the conversation.
When he’s healthy, Arquette can do special things at the plate and in the field. He has the versatility to play shortstop, second base and third base, but the best fit for him in Miami appears to be third. With Xavier Edwards and Otto Lopez performing well as the middle infield pairing, third base looks like the spot the Marlins should have in mind for Arquette.
The 22-year-old is hitting .267/.320 with an .851 OPS in the minors, along with 11 home runs and 46 RBIs this season.
If the Marlins are chasing their next true standout at the position, the standard is still Mike Lowell. Miami hasn’t had a great third baseman in a uniform since Lowell, who played for the club from 1999 to 2005. He was a quiet leader with a fierce bat, made three All-Star teams, and won both a Silver Slugger and a Gold Glove while with the Marlins.
Maybe Sanoja keeps making the case. Maybe Arquette becomes the future. Either way, Miami is still searching for the next great third baseman.
In Other News...
Javier Sanoja Has Put The Marlins On The Clock
Javier Sanoja has gone from useful piece to everyday presence for the Marlins in 2026, and the timing of his offensive surge since late June has only sharpened the conversation around him. His value has never rested on one tool alone. The versatility is obvious, the glove already has award-level recognition from last year, and his ability to move around the diamond has made him the kind of player a team can build around when the bat starts to follow.
That leaves Miami with a decision that is becoming harder to postpone. Players with Sanojas blend of defensive flexibility and improving production can fit neatly into long-term plans, but they also tend to get more expensive once the market starts to notice. The Marlins have seen enough to know there is real upside here, and the question now is whether they try to lock that in early or risk letting the price climb as his role keeps expanding. [Read more 🡒]