2025-26 MLB Offseason Recap: Miami Marlins

The 2025 season was a good one for Miami, as the Marlins weren’t eliminated from postseason contention until the final week. That was a significant improvement from 2024. Now, the goal will be to build on that success. And, Miami brought in a premier hitting prospect, as well as notable veterans, to improve on the roster over the winter.

Additions

• RP Garrett Acton
• SP/RP Bradley Blalock
• RP Zach Brzykcy
• OF Owen Caissie
• RP Pete Fairbanks
• RP John King
• INF/OF Christopher Morel
• SP Chris Paddack
• OF Esteury Ruiz

Not surprisingly, the Marlins picked up several players from their in-state, interleague rival.

Pitcher Garrett Acton and power hitter Christopher Morel came over during the winter. Acton was claimed off waivers from the Rockies in early February, while Christopher Morel took a one-year deal with the Fish in December.

Morel will look to get his career back on track with the Marlins. Once a high-valued player with the Cubs, Morel has always had swing-and-miss troubles. Don’t expect those to go away, and that has nothing to do with his spring numbers (12 K, 30% Whiff% as of 3/17). His game is all about power and bat speed, which comes with obvious drawbacks.

However, the most notable addition of the winter was also a former ex-Ray: Pete Fairbanks.

Fairbanks, set to take over the Marlins’ closer role, did not have his club option picked up by Tampa over the winter. That opened the door for Fairbanks to join the Marlins. He’s a premium arm, one who can be very difficult to pick up and one who can throw hard.

However, he’ll also have to prove he can still be a dominant closer. Why? Well, his 2025 numbers weren’t bad. Fairbanks, though, saw his velocity dip last season.

From a long-term perspective, Owen Caissie may have been the best grab. Caissie, a power-hitting outfielder who took a step forward last season in Triple-A, was acquired in an offseason trade with the Cubs (more on that in a minute).

Additionally, Miami signed two pitchers late in the winter. One was Chris Paddack, who was hit hard after a midseason trade to Detroit. King, meanwhile, is a funky left-hander and one who complements a bullpen that already has two lefties (Cade Gibson & Andrew Nardi) well.

Losses

• SP Valente Bellozo
• SP Edward Cabrera
• OF Troy Johnston
• OF Victor Mesa Jr.
• OF Dane Myers
• RP George Soriano
• RP Josh Simpson
• 1B Eric Wagaman
• SP Ryan Weathers
• OF Joey Wiemer

The Marlins are flush with starting pitching depth in the Minors, which explains why the team was willing to trade away two controllable starters: Edward Cabrera and Ryan Weathers.

Cabrera was flipped to the Cubs for Owen Caissie and two prospects. That trade gave the Marlins Caissie, a rookie who could be a very good bat and a controllable one, at that. However, it did cost the Fish a high-octane arm who took a step forward but does have a downside, most notably a lengthy injury history.

Weathers, another powerful arm with an injury history, was traded to the Yankees. That trade netted the Marlins some upside grabs, including toolsy outfielder Brendan Jones and power-hitting outfielder Dillon Lewis.

Those were the two primary departures for a Marlins team that also moved on from Dane Myers and Eric Wagaman via trade.

Valente Bellozo and Troy Johnston are now with the Rockies. Bellozo, who ate up innings for the Marlins in 2024 and 2025, went to free agency after he was outrighted in November. Johnston was claimed off waivers by Colorado in November.

Overview

Success for the Marlins this season is not entirely predicated on how many wins the team earns this season.

That has become a recurring theme in Miami. However, what is important to note is that the Marlins are beginning to turn it around. Thomas White and Robby Snelling have the potential to be special pitchers, and there are hitting prospects (Aiva Arquette, Joe Mack) who could become everyday, impact players.

This season will be about where the Fish can take a step forward. Miami played competitive baseball in September last year — and that’s the goal again in 2026. But it’s also about building a sustainable winner. Owen Caissie, a centerpiece addition, will need to be part of that solution.