ORLANDO -- Unlike a year ago when the Marlins used the Winter Meetings to execute the Jake Burger trade and select Liam Hicks in the Rule 5 Draft, this year, president of baseball operations Peter Bendix took the train back to Miami without making a move.
That’s not to say the Marlins stayed out of the week’s rumor mill.
Right-hander Edward Cabrera’s name popped up again, most recently as a potential target for the Orioles. Making the possible connection even more intriguing is the fact Baltimore has reportedly inked first baseman Pete Alonso to a blockbuster deal. It could then set in motion the O’s dealing from their first-base inventory … which happens to be a target area for the Marlins.
If there’s one main takeaway from the Winter Meetings, it’s this: The Marlins don’t have to trade anyone since the entire 40-man roster is under club control for multiple years. An offer has to wow them.
BIGGEST REMAINING NEEDS
1. Bat(s): Miami is being flexible about how to upgrade the offense, though the corner-infield spots could use more offensive production. Outfielder Griffin Conine and third baseman Connor Norby, for example, might also see time at first base and the outfield, respectively, to keep their bats in the lineup.
2. Reliever: The Marlins were in on some of the free agents that have already signed elsewhere. Money and length of contract aren’t the only factors. Miami must get the pitcher to buy into its bullpen philosophy of using arms in leverage situations regardless of the inning.
3. Starting pitcher: Even if the Marlins don’t trade a starter, they could still sign one for 2026. The depth might look enviable, but keep in mind that righty Max Meyer and lefty Braxton Garrett will be returning from season-ending surgeries.
HE SAID IT
“We feel like we're going to go into 2026 with a real shot to play postseason baseball, and that's going to be our goal.” -- Manager Clayton McCullough
DRAFT LOTTERY
The Marlins will select 14th overall in the 2026 MLB Draft, dropping five spots based on their 2025 record. Miami had a 1.85 percent chance at the top pick.
The franchise chose 14th just once before, in 2011 when it drafted José Fernández out of Braulio Alonso High School in Tampa, Fla.
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“I always look at it this way: [There are] always good players up and down the Draft,” vice president of amateur forecasting and player evaluation initiatives Frankie Piliere said. “It's a cliche, but plenty of good players. When I was in Seattle, Logan Gilbert was a 14th overall pick. Look way back, there's Cliff Floyd. There's a lot of good players. Bryson Stott went there a few years back. There's always good players. We're going to run our process the same way, and we will get someone we're excited about.”
RULE 5 DRAFT
Although the Marlins had an open spot on the 40-man roster, they didn’t select anyone in the Major League phase. Miami did lose two right-handed relievers from Triple-A Jacksonville: Matthew Pushard and Zach McCambley to the Cardinals and Phillies, respectively.
Pushard, whom the Marlins signed to a Minor League contract in July 2022, recorded four saves, a 3.61 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP in 49 appearances (one start) for the Jumbo Shrimp in 2025. McCambley, the Marlins’ third-round pick in the 2020 MLB Draft, combined for a 2.90 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP in 47 outings between Double-A Pensacola and Jacksonville.
Neither player was ranked among MLB Pipeline’s Top 30 list in Miami’s system.
“Super excited for both those guys,” director of Minor League operations Hector Crespo said. “Obviously, I have a long history with both Pushard and McCambley, so it's really a testament to our pitching group and the depth that we've been able to obtain over the course of years and even the last couple. So happy for those guys. Think they're going to be great, but really proud of our pitching group, just to have guys that were identified by other teams that get a chance now to hopefully at one point contribute to a Major League roster.”
In the Minor League phase of the Rule 5 Draft, Miami selected a pair of right-handed relievers from Double-A affiliates: Jake Smith, a former University of Miami product, from the Angels, and Livan Reinoso from the Dodgers.
GM’S BOTTOM LINE
“We're having lots of conversations with free agents, lots of conversations with other teams. It’s my job to listen. It's my job to understand where the market is, to understand what our opportunities are, and ultimately, to make the best decisions.” -- Bendix