MIAMI -- "I always have to separate my fandom from my ownership. We have … all of July pretty much left for the push for the Trade Deadline. I'm looking forward to this club operating so efficiently and winning so many games that we're right there."
Marlins chairman, principal owner and control person Bruce Sherman said that on Marlins Radio during the club's three-city road trip earlier this month. He also spoke of looking forward to “many years in the future” with franchise face Sandy Alcantara.
So what does this mean for the Marlins’ second-half push and Trade Deadline plans?
• Record at the break: 52-45 (Third in NL East, four games back; hold third NL Wild Card spot)
• Record at the break last year: 44-51 (Third in NL East, 10.5 games back)
• Playoff odds: 33.7%
• Remaining Strength of Schedule: .507 (Eighth-highest win percentage)
In president of baseball operations Peter Bendix's previous two Deadlines, he combined buying and selling. Though Bendix dealt away Major League talent, eight of the players he acquired have since contributed to Miami, led by 2025 All-Star Kyle Stowers. Simply put: Many players joining the Marlins were nearly or already MLB-ready when they arrived.
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The same could happen this year. The likes of Griffin Conine, Agustín Ramírez, Liam Hicks and Braxton Garrett could be dangled. Maybe even some of the overachieving, but lesser-known prospects producing in the Minors.
What makes this upcoming Deadline different from the past two years, of course, is the Marlins being in postseason position rather than out of the race (the 2025 late surge notwithstanding). Still, it’s unlikely the organization mortgages the farm system for a rental. The Marlins would prefer a return package that upgrades an area of need for now and the future.
Since Bendix took over, we have heard so much about sustainability, with a belief in competing for a postseason spot on a yearly basis. Shipping out top prospects for a return that won’t be here beyond 2026 doesn’t necessarily fit the Marlins’ philosophy. Think of the injured arms that should be back to help another run in 2027: Robby Snelling, Ronny Henriquez and Thomas White to name a few.
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“All we can do, staff and players, is go out for that game that's on the schedule, and go out there and continue to try to play well, and put yourself in position to win,” manager Clayton McCullough said at the beginning of the month about the rumors.
Biggest need: Right-handed bat
The Marlins roll with platoons, which can work against them with a left-handed-heavy roster. In the first half, Miami went 10-15 in games started by southpaws (tied for seventh worst in MLB) and averaged just 3.8 runs (tied for third fewest). With Connor Norby and Graham Pauley demoted, Javier Sanoja and Leo Jiménez have been splitting the third-base reps, making this the perfect spot to upgrade with a righty bat.
Biggest chip: Garrett
I'd be hesitant to trade away starting pitching considering injuries have already impacted the Marlins' depth, plus All-Star Max Meyer and Eury Pérez testing their previous workloads. Garrett comes from previous front offices and hasn't been promoted again despite pitching to a 1.54 ERA at Triple-A. Although Garrett struggled in his two MLB starts back from elbow surgery, he has pitched in the postseason and has a track record of success (4.16 career ERA).
Key players for second half: Anthony Bender and John King
The Marlins will ride the Big 3 of Alcantara, Meyer and Pérez in the rotation and middle-infield duo Otto Lopez and second baseman Xavier Edwards. Arguably most important to the club's success, however, will be the return of injured relievers Bender and King to help a strong but taxed bullpen. Bender was the club's primary setup man, while King proved to be one of the NL's most reliable lefties.
Determining Factor
Following the All-Star break, the Marlins open with a six-game road trip through NL Central-leading Milwaukee and postseason-hopeful Houston before returning to Miami to host NL Wild Card contenders San Diego and Philadelphia. How the Marlins fare against their direct competition in the postseason race -- and how many teams are still realistically in the playoff picture -- could determine how willing the front office is to buy pieces for the stretch run.