Reddit AMA: Edwards an extension candidate? Phillips to remain a starter?

On Wednesday, 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:

How have your expectations changed, if at all, for the season with this month’s hot streak? Was there any moment you feel really changed the clubhouse vibe that led to this month’s success or do you feel we’re finally seeing the team firing on all cylinders?
What is it about June?! In two consecutive seasons, things have turned around with a three-game sweep of the Nationals in Washington. The Marlins felt they had a postseason club back in Spring Training, then the sky appeared to be falling in late May and made it seem unlikely. Throughout all that, the club's demeanor didn't change. Coaches and players alike continued to put in their work.

The Marlins are playing the way they did over the final 3 1/2 months of the 2025 season, and they got to 40 wins 10 games sooner this time around. Everything seems to be clicking right now, which is crazy to think because of the starting-pitching injuries. Some hops are going their way, but they're also playing a good brand of baseball and creating their own luck.

This upcoming three-city road trip will be crucial. Miami needs to return home around .500. How many games back in the National League Wild Card race is important to monitor but so is the number of teams in the race and where the Marlins find themselves in that group.

I’ve really enjoyed watching this team and the continuous fight they’ve seemed to have all year long. Do the Marlins view Xavier Edwards as an extension candidate?
Edwards makes sense considering he will be arbitration-eligible for the first time in 2027 and he doesn't turn 27 until August. Unlike some of the other names that have come up before, his track record is a bit longer and you pretty much know what you're going to get out of him: solid baserunning, Gold Glove-worthy defense at second base and a bunch of hits. The pop this season has been an added bonus, especially the improvement from the right side. Being able to provide value outside of just one aspect of the game is something the Marlins appreciate.

Is Tyler Phillips a starter going forward at all costs? Or if Braxton [Garrett] returns to form, and we see Thomas White make the case for his debut, is Phillips back into the bullpen? I'm guessing this is one of those roster moves always seem to figure themselves out situation.
Roster moves do tend to figure themselves out!

I wouldn't say "at all costs," but the Marlins had entertained the idea of building up Phillips before the starting-pitching injuries necessitated that. Having more pitches in his arsenal makes him a good starting candidate. One interesting challenge is learning to pace himself as a starter. Phillips admitted the type of intensity he brings to the mound can be tiring in longer spurts. Like many members of the bullpen, Phillips has been used in a number of roles since joining the organization: high leverage, middle relief and now starting. He'll continue to do whatever the club asks of him.

Garrett has tossed six scoreless innings in back-to-back starts at Triple-A Jacksonville. More importantly, he didn't walk a batter last time out (he issued four walks two starts ago). Since Garrett is a finesse pitcher, his command is crucial to his success, especially at the MLB level. We saw how that cost him in his two starts before being optioned back to the Minors. When that happened, the Marlins noted that Garrett would likely be needed at some point. I wonder, though, if he will be a trade candidate. It's not unheard of to see an organization trade a player who was part of the older guard. I'd be hesitant to do so, however, considering how thin the upper-level starting-pitching depth has gotten.

Top prospect White, who could miss the remainder of the season with a left shoulder capsular sprain, is part of that equation. Even with a super quick recovery, White won't be rushed back. That means he's more than likely not making his MLB debut this season.