The Marlins plan to seek a bit of bullpen help in free agency, with an eye on adding one high-leverage reliever who can pitch in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings.
Otherwise, they’re planning to keep most or all of their incumbent relievers, according to a source.
FanDuel Sports Florida’s Marlins reporter (and former Miami Herald colleague) Craig Mish mentioned four potential right-handed free agent targets: Devin Williams (4.79 ERA, 18 saves for the Yankees), Ryan Helsley (21 saves, 4.50 ERA for St. Louis before struggling after a July 31 trade to the Mets), Kyle Finnegan (24 saves, 3.47 ERA for Washington and Detroit) and Raisel Iglesias (3.21 ERA, 29 saves for Atlanta).
The Marlins are expected to retain Calvin Faucher (3.28 ERA, 15 saves, seven holds), Ronny Henriquez (2.22 ERA, seven saves, 26 holds), Anthony Bender (2.16, four saves, 19 holds), Tyler Phillips (2.78 ERA, four saves, eight holds), Lake Bachar (3.93 ERA, three saves, six RBI) and Cade Gibson (2.63, five holds).
Gibson is the only left-hander in that group. Lefty Josh Simpson struggled in 31 Marlins appearances, posting a 7.34 ERA, and would be a long shot for the opening day roster.
Left-hander Andrew Nardi — who had a 4.51 ERA and 167 strikeouts in 121 innings in 135 games for the Marlins (2022 through 2024) — missed this past season with back inflammation; it’s uncertain if he will be offered a new contract.
The Marlins have preferred to try Ryan Gusto as a starter, but he could figure into the bullpen plans if he doesn’t win a spot in the rotation.
Salary updates
The Marlins have no free agents this offseason and only seven players (all pitchers) who are arbitration-eligible. Here are those seven, and mlbtraderumors.com’s projections for what they could make if they go to arbitration:
Bender: $2.3 million
Edward Cabrera: $3.7 million
Faucher: $1.9 million
Braxton Garrett: $1.53 million
Max Meyer: $1.3 million
Nardi: $800,000
Ryan Weathers (3.066): $1.5 million
Nardi is a non-tender candidate.
â–ª Among position players, nearly every Marlins starter and key backup remains under team control and is not arbitration-eligible yet, including outfielder Jakob Marsee, catcher Agustin Ramirez, outfielder Kyle Stowers (made $768,000 this past season), shortstop Otto Lopez ($778,500), second baseman Xavier Edwards ($772,000), corner infielder Eric Wagaman ($770,000), outfielder Dane Myers ($769,000), third baseman Connor Norby ($765,000), outfielder Griffin Conine ($762,000), third baseman Graham Pauley ($761,000), backup Javier Sanoja ($761,000) and first baseman/catcher Liam Hicks ($760,000).
All are expected to have similar salaries next season.
So from a position standpoint, the Marlins are going to get a lot of bang for their buck, if these young players can repeat or build on their performances this season. But the Marlins are willing to spend to add a bat and bullpen help.
â–ª Beyond players under team control and/or arbitration-eligible, the Marlins have 2026 financial commitments to only four other players:
1). Sandy Alcantara at $19 million.
2). Yankees outfielder Giancarlo Stanton, who’s owed $10 million by the Marlins every year through 2028.
3). Former Marlins outfielder Avisail Garcia, who is owed $5 million on a 2026 buyout.
4). Since-released reliever Woo-Suk Go, who is owed $500,000 on a buyout.
Interst rising
By several tangible measurements, interest in the team increased, at least somewhat, during the 79-83 season. The progress made this past season also was good for business.
Consider:
1) FanDuel Sports Florida’s Marlins viewership increased by 110% over 2024. That total audience metric for 2024 and 2025 combines streaming and linear viewership in South Florida and elsewhere.
2). On linear television, Marlins viewership increased 99% in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale market. That’s the second-largest jump in baseball, behind only the Detroit Tigers.
3). Marlins attendance rose from 13,425 to 14,276 per game (28th, ahead of the Tampa Bay Rays and the Athletics, who played in Sacramento while their stadium in Las Vegas is constructed.)
The attendance percentage growth ranked in the top five in baseball.
The Marlins’ five sellouts were the team’s most in a season since loanDepot Park opened in 2012.
4). PNC, ADT and UHealth extended sponsorships with the team, and the Marlins struck deals for partnership spaces with Norwegian Cruise Line (Home Run Harbor) and Molson Coors (Blue Moon Blue Hall).
Here’s a look at what the Marlins are planning with their lineup this offseason.
Here’s a look at what the Marlins are planning with their pitching rotation this offseason.