Do the Marlins have a busy Winter Meetings ahead?

This story was excerpted from Christina De Nicola’s Marlins Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

MIAMI -- After overachieving in 2025, the Marlins want to build off that momentum and begin their window of contention sooner than expected.

In order to do so, Miami will need to complement its young but talented roster with outside help. The organization is also looking to extend some of its core pieces for the foreseeable future.

“We want a bite at the apple in ’26,” manager Clayton McCullough said at the club’s Thanksgiving food distribution. “We’d love to put ourselves in position where we are again playing incredibly meaningful games deep into September, and that we have a shot to be one of those 12 teams that you have an opportunity to win a world championship.

“And so much has to happen between now and that point. And really, keeping it simple -- we have to get better. We do. I have to get better. Our players, our staff, our process have to continue to strengthen, so the focus will still be on where we're at today and just trying to dominate where your feet are.”

It’s up to president of baseball operations Peter Bendix and the front office to figure out how the pieces go together. Things should pick up beginning this Monday at the Winter Meetings in Orlando, Fla.

Club Needs
I must sound like a broken record at this point, but first base remains a priority after the Marlins’ 2025 group produced the fourth-lowest OPS (.663) in the Majors.

The main internal candidate is Eric Wagaman (86 OPS+), followed by teammates who primarily played elsewhere. Liam Hicks (94 OPS+) often moved from catcher to first to keep his bat in the lineup. Toward the end of the season, Miami used pregame to work with outfielder Heriberto Hernández (116 OPS+) at first for the same reason. As of now, the Marlins don’t plan to give catcher Agustín Ramírez reps there, but that could change if he doesn’t show progress behind the dish. And here's more food for thought: Maybe the other corner-infield spot, third base, factors in. Graham Pauley (88 OPS+) and Connor Norby (90 OPS+) could slide over to first, and Miami could try to fill the hot corner instead.

First-base external options include those on the free-agent market (anyone from Ryan O’Hearn to Rhys Hoskins) to possible trade matches (the Rays’ Yandy Díaz). But the Marlins also don’t want to block prospects -- say Deyvison De Los Santos (Miami’s No. 22 prospect, per MLB Pipeline) -- if they believe in their potential in the near future.

Potential Trade Candidates
In my recent Reddit AMA, I wrote that the Marlins aren’t actively trying to trade Sandy Alcantara and Edward Cabrera. If that were to change, Cabrera -- in my opinion -- is more likely to be dealt. Though the arbitration-eligible Cabrera finally broke out in 2025, he has an extensive injury history and a smaller track record for success. Plus, Alcantara is the face of the franchise, a quiet leader in the clubhouse and proof of a successful extension under the current ownership group.

Ryan Weathers could be a trade candidate, with a high-90s fastball from the left side, though Miami would be selling low after Weathers' back-to-back injury-impacted campaigns. However, the organization does have southpaw prospects Thomas White (ranked as Miami's top prospect) Robby Snelling (No. 3) and Dax Fulton (No. 13) in Triple-A.

Prospect to Know
Joe Mack, who won the 2024 Gold Glove Award for Minor League catchers, played nearly an entire season at the Triple-A level in 2025. Added to the 40-man roster last month, Miami’s No. 4 prospect (MLB Pipeline’s No. 70 overall) will see more Spring Training reps this time around. Depending on how he performs and how Ramírez and Hicks fare, Mack has a shot as the Opening Day catcher. Regardless of what happens with the catching competition, Mack’s MLB debut is a matter of when -- not if -- in 2026.

Rule 5 Draft
After designating for assignment Zach Brzykcy on Friday, Miami has an open spot on the 40-man roster should the organization wish to make a selection at the Rule 5 Draft on Wednesday. Miami left a few notable unranked prospects unprotected: former first-round pick Jacob Berry, center fielder Andrew Pintar, first baseman Nathan Martorella, as well as relievers Matt Pushard and Zach McCambley.

Burning Question
How much will the Marlins add this offseason?

Since the entire roster is under club control for multiple years, the team is relatively young and affordable. Miami is coming off a 17-win improvement, with both Alcantara and Eury Pérez further removed from Tommy John recovery. Braxton Garrett will be returning from his own procedure to aid the starting-pitching depth.

But the Marlins, as McCullough has repeatedly said, cannot assume everyone will get better. Regression happens. Other teams improve. Outside help could be the lift Miami needs.