In the world of baseball, trust is something the Miami Marlins have been striving to earn from their fans. The journey to rebuild that trust has been long, with the current front office making notable strides in recent seasons. However, skepticism lingers, especially when financial decisions come into play.
This offseason, the Marlins faced scrutiny from fans and media alike for not investing heavily in upgrading first base-a glaring need for a team that was in the playoff hunt until the final weekend of 2025. The expectation was clear: spend money to fill this gap.
Yet, as the offseason unfolded, the Marlins opted for a different approach. The majority of players competing for the first base position have little experience there, a decision that has been a source of frustration despite an otherwise successful offseason.
But what if the Marlins' strategy pays off? Perhaps they believe they can hold the line until their young prospects are ready to step up.
Deyvision De Los Santos, for instance, just went 2-for-2 in his spring debut and had an impressive run in the Dominican Winter League. Could he be the answer, bringing a powerful bat reminiscent of a young Mike Jacobs, despite defensive shortcomings?
It's an intriguing possibility, especially considering the Marlins' willingness to rely on their strong middle infield defense to compensate for any defensive lapses at the corners. And while it's early days in spring training, Christopher Morel has already contributed with 2 RBIs, and Griffin Conine boasts a .500 OBP. These performances suggest that the Marlins' unconventional approach might just be working.
If this gamble pays off, it could be a significant win for the Marlins' front office and set the stage for a successful 2026 season. For now, the Miami faithful watch closely, hoping that this season will be the one where everything finally clicks.