Miami Marlins 2026 Season Preview

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Miami, Florida – Winter has given way to spring, meaning the MLB is back, and it’s time for the 2026 season preview of the Miami Marlins. It’s the time of year when fans across the league wipe the slate clean and look forward to their respective teams with optimism (mostly). Part of the excitement is not only about a team’s progress through the 162-game campaign but also individual achievements. No doubt the season will be full of surprises, disappointments, controversy, great wins, and more. The Miami Marlins will try to improve upon last year’s 79-83 finish.

We are ONE day out‼️ pic.twitter.com/1B2Q7yaZAH

— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) March 26, 2026

They experienced a roller coaster ride, done in by the long chain of injuries that inevitably dragged them down. Considered dead in the water by early June, they turned it around and started August with their first sweep ever of the New York Yankees. From there, it went downhill, losing seven straight series. The Marlins eliminated the New York Mets (again) in the finale as a consolation prize, playing well above expectations. Miami made a few moves in the offseason, although the injury bug has returned to kick off 2026.

Offseason moves

Both Troy Johnston and George Soriano were placed on waivers, while Eric Wagaman was traded. In late December, Dane Myers was traded to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for minor league outfielder Ethan O’Donnell, who was ranked as Cincinnati’s No. 18 prospect by MLB Pipeline. O’Donnell spent 2025 at Double-A Chattanooga, slashing .236/.327/.325 in 125 games. In late December, the team traded for former AL stolen-base champ Esteury Ruiz, giving up 18-year-old pitching prospect Adriano Marrero. Ruiz is an elite speedster who stole 67 bases in 2023 but was injured in 2024 and didn’t factor for 2025. He’s currently hurt due to a high-grade left oblique strain suffered during spring training.

Today, we acquired OF Owen Caissie, INF Cristian Hernández, and INF Edgardo De Leon in a trade with the Chicago Cubs for RHP Edward Cabrera. pic.twitter.com/ydUuq2kkgp

— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) January 7, 2026

There was more trade activity in January. Edward Cabrera got shipped to the Chicago Cubs, netting the organization’s number one prospect (47th MLB), right fielder Owen Caissie. The Fightin’ Fish also received two minor leaguers: shortstop Cristian Hernandez (Chicago’s No. 11 prospect) and infielder Edgardo De Leon. Ryan Weathers went over to the Bronx Bombers in return for a four-player prospect package. The Marlins acquired Brendan Jones, Dillon Lewis, Dylan Jasso, and Juan Matheus. Jones, Lewis, and Jasso were all ranked among the Yankees’ Top 30 prospects. Lastly, Miami made two notable additions. The Marlins signed former top prospect and power bat Christopher Morel in an effort to upgrade first base, and veteran reliever Pete Fairbanks was signed after finishing three seasons with Tampa Bay.

Starters

The rotation will be as follows: Sandy Alcantara, Eury Pérez, Max Meyer, Chris Paddack, and Janson Junk. Alcantara once again assumes his rightful place as the Marlins’ ace. He struggled in 2025, trying to return to his former 2022 Cy Yong self, finishing 11-12 with a 5.36 ERA in 31 starts. Sandy had command issues early on, although he turned it around, recording a 3.13 ERA in his last 12 starts. This will be The Sandman’s sixth franchise-leading Opening Day start. Next, we have Eury, who returns for a full season. Perez came back last June, pitching for the first time since September 20th, 2023. He went 7-6 with a 4.25 ERA. Let’s see his true potential while healthy.

Congratulations to Sandy Alcantara on becoming the second pitcher to reach 900 strikeouts as a Marlin 👏 pic.twitter.com/AEOeA79EsM

— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) September 6, 2025

Speaking of injuries, Meyer is another individual trying to avoid them. The righty underwent season-ending left hip labral repair surgery on June 27th, sidelining him after 12 starts, going 3-5, complemented by a 4.73 ERA. Moving to number four, Paddack is the new sheriff in town. The veteran arm was drafted by the Marlins in 2015 and then traded a year later for All-Star closer Fernando Rodney (bad memories), bringing everything full circle for 2026. Rounding out the starters is Junk. The 30-year-old hurler also caught the injury bug in late August, specifically a right ulnar nerve irritation, going 6-4 with a 4.17 ERA. Although Junk recovered and made it to camp, he’s behind due to a grade-one right ankle sprain he suffered early in spring training. We’ll see how deep he goes in those first two starts.

Bullpen

Pete Fairbanks will be the team’s newest closer in a reunion with former Rays GM Peter Bendix. Armed with the slider, four-seamer, changeup, and newly minted cutter, Fairbanks is coming off a productive ’25 where he lowered his ERA to 2.83 in 61 appearances, collecting 27 saves. He was on point during the spring training, giving up one hit in six innings of work, punching out eight. Tyler Phillips, Lake Bachar, and Michael Petersen appear to be the guys to call on for long relief. Phillips is seen as a versatile pitcher. The former starter can adapt and readily toss at least two frames if needed. Tyler is among the best in the pen, recording a 2.78 ERA and 1.15 WHIP last year.

A handful of #Marlins relievers, including Pete Fairbanks, pitched on consecutive days … last night’s Grapefruit League games and today on the back fields.

No one threw more than 15 pitches. pic.twitter.com/EasxwsLdjA

— Christina De Nicola (@CDeNicola13) March 21, 2026

Bachar made 53 appearances for 2025, fanning 75 and holding opposing hitters to a .213 batting average. Petersen, meanwhile, appeared late in the Marlins’ season, coming from the Atlanta Braves, producing a 3.97 ERA and 1.41 WHIP over 11 appearances. Next up is former closer Calvin Faucher, who led Miami in saves with 15 in the previous campaign (21 the past two seasons). A high-leverage reliever, if Fairbanks were to lose the closing role, Faucher would be next in line. Anthony Bender returns looking ready for the setup man position. Considered an anchor, Bender was rocking until a right shin injury forced him to miss the final six weeks of the season. He finished with a sharp 2.16 ERA, holding hitters to a .177 batting average, complemented by a 1.06 WHIP.

Southpaw John King reinforces the relievers as a groundball specialist, while former workhorse Andrew Nardi is back after missing 2025 due to lower back inflammation. Nardi was great in spring training, throwing 5.1 scoreless innings, striking out nine. Both King and Nardi are the only lefties in the entire pitching staff.

Hitting

Remember the injuries? Both Kyle Stowers and Ruiz will start the season on the IL. Stowers is out with a Grade 1 hamstring strain and is slated to return in 3-4 weeks. Ruiz is out due to a high-grade left oblique strain. The timetable is 6-8 weeks. In response, the Fighting Fish acquired Austin Slater, allowing the minor league prospects time to develop. Slater had a good spring with the Tigers before opting out of the minor league deal and moving on to Miami, though there are some consistency concerns. With Stowers out, Heriberto Hernandez will get more playing time at left field in addition to DH.  Hernandez has pop and some speed, slashing .266/.347/.438 in 87 games (256 at-bats) last season.

back 2 back go Griff and Norbs 💪 pic.twitter.com/kJRF5x6IY1

— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) March 21, 2026

Griffin Conine will be in left field now that he’s healthy. Conine missed most of last season due to a left shoulder injury, and many are excited to see what he can contribute in 2026. Caissie is the centerpiece of the Edward Cabrera trade and an MLB rookie people should keep an eye on. Caissie was great for Team Canada in the WBC, slashing .412/.476/.765, raising expectations of further success in the regular season at right field. Jakob Marsee will patrol center field, looking to put a quiet preseason behind him.  Marsee batted .174 at the WBC (Italy) and went hitless in spring training.

The infield will be pretty similar to last year. Connor Norby will be manning the hot corner, trying to bounce back from an injury-plagued season, while Otto Lopez and Xavier Edwards serve as the one-two punch at shortstop and second base, respectively. Lopez’s batting average might be pedestrian (.246), but he racked up 15 homers, 15 steals, and 77 RBIs. Edwards is primed to be the leadoff man. Graham Pauley and Javier Sanoja are your depth guys, with the latter getting some looks at DH. At home plate, Agustin Ramirez will get the lion’s share of playing time, but if there’s no real improvement on defense, I think the organization will move on from him. Liam Hicks will serve as the backup.

Otto “Lopez ‘Otto Home Run’ Lopez” Lopez pic.twitter.com/A1epza16mj

— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) September 7, 2025

Prediction

I actually feel pretty good about the pitching, especially the bullpen. The two things I’ll be keeping an eye on are the hitting and the team’s overall health. The Fish haven’t had respectable power in almost a decade. However, they can excel through small ball, and that’s more than enough to compete. Without significant, long-term injuries, the Marlins can actually have a winning season. Miami has the pieces. Get a solid year from Sandy and Eury, complemented by Fairbanks and the bullpen being lights out, with support at the plate from the likes of Stowers, Ruiz, Conine, Caissie, Norby, and Lopez, and I think they will be fighting throughout the season to the very end, finishing 82-80. Optimism aside, I will leave you with my other predictions for the upcoming season.

2026 Firsts

Hit: Xavier Edwards

Stolen base: Jakob Marsee

Home Run: Otto Lopez

Double: Owen Caissie

Triple: Xavier Edwards

Error: Otto Lopez

Ground into Double Play: Agustin Ramirez

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