Digging into Miami's offseason strategy: Add or let up-and-comers ride?

On Thursday, Marlins club reporter Christina De Nicola conducted an AMA (ask me anything) on Reddit. You can read the full transcript here. Here are some highlights, edited lightly for clarity and brevity:

Beyond the "cheap" narrative, do you think they might be reluctant to spend because this young core really showed us something last year and they don’t want to disrupt their progression by bringing in mercenary-type players (for lack of a better word)? Other than first base, every position has an up-and-coming player. The bullpen might need a piece or two, but they should embrace the youth in my honest opinion.

Bingo. Whether a person agrees with the strategy or not, the Marlins don’t want to stray from their long-term vision just because they overachieved in 2025. Miami wants to see what it has in its young talent. Can guys replicate last season’s success? Can others bounce back? Can prospects impact the club once they debut and be part of the core moving forward? How many times in the 2010s did we see stopgaps block (or delay) prospects from getting a shot to play at the big league level and prove themselves? Also: Don’t forget that Deyvison De Los Santos (Marlins’ No. 22 prospect) could be an up-and-coming player at first base. He will need to improve his swing decisions, but he’s still only 22.

It was reported at the end of the season that the Marlins were serious about spending more. Based on how the market has shaken out, specifically relief pitchers, has that changed? This team "feels" like it's a few pieces away from being competitive, but the lack of interest in offering multiyear contracts to free agents is disheartening.

I can’t speak to what others have written on this topic, but the Marlins believe they can fight for a postseason spot with a roster similar to that of the 2025 club.

At the same time, there are so many factors that will come into play. How much will players regress in 2026? How will the underperforming clubs of 2025 like the Braves and Mets fare? They've made significant upgrades so far this offseason.

I always found the Marlins’ pursuit of relief pitchers interesting because their philosophy is very much similar to that of the Rays. Bullpens can be volatile. Results can fluctuate year to year. The arms that have signed this offseason are some of the best the Majors have to offer but also haven’t been immune to very bad stretches. Plus, Miami has been good at finding diamonds in the rough. From June 13 through the end of the season, the Marlins' relief corps was pretty much middle of the pack.

The reliever market has gone quicker than the others. It would have come as a shock to me to see some of those big names take a one-year deal. But it’s not just about the money and years. Does the free agent perceive the Marlins to be more of a contender than, say, the Phillies, Braves or Mets? Miami also is one of those clubs that strategizes pockets and matchups, though it might change that strategy with a proven closer.

There are some impact relievers still available, so there is time. A name everyone loves bringing up is former Ray Pete Fairbanks. With his notable injury history, clubs may keep that in mind when it comes to offers.

Who are some prospects you expect could break out next year besides Joe Mack/Robby Snelling/Thomas White? Any notable offseason excitement/worries about last year's Draft picks?

I’m interested in seeing how infielder Maximo Acosta (Marlins’ No. 23 prospect) performs after getting a cup of coffee during his first year with the organization. Following a strong showing at the Arizona Fall League (.828 OPS), perhaps shortstop Starlyn Caba (No. 5 prospect) rides that momentum into 2026. And then there’s right-hander Kevin Defrank (No. 8 prospect). Can he replicate his Dominican Summer League success (3.19 ERA) stateside?

It’s too small of a sample size to be concerned about last year’s Draft picks, but there are a few players that have been around a bit longer that need to step it up. First off, put outfielder PJ Morlando (No. 14 prospect) in bubble wrap to stay on the field. His Arizona Fall League showing (.396 OPS) was a true test for him against older pitching. Infielder Carter Johnson (No. 24 prospect) probably wasn’t ready to start at Single-A Jupiter and has struggled (.543 OPS) in his two seasons there since being drafted. And let’s not forget about right-hander Noble Meyer (No. 9 prospect). While White has shot up the prospect rankings, the soon-to-be-21-year-old Meyer is taking a bit longer in his development. While his ERA (4.41) and WHIP (1.393) were higher at High-A Beloit in 2025, he had 9.9 K/9 and 7.3 H/9 rates. His main issue has been throwing strikes (6.0 career BB/9).