The Winter Meetings: the biggest event of the MLB offseason. Annually, key figures from all across the baseball world gather in one place, this time in Orlando, Florida. The Winter Meetings give the sport a jolt of adrenaline, producing more than their fair share of rumors and transactions. Fish On First will have boots on ground with Kevin Barral and Isaac Azout there.

Our guide below covers everything you need to know from the perspective of the Miami Marlins. This page will be regularly updated leading up to the start of the event.

 

Table of contents

 

Marlins moves so far

Here’s a complete roundup of Marlins personnel changes since the end of the 2025 regular season.

Acquired players: RHP Zach Brzykcy (waiver claim), RHP Evan McKendry (minor league deal), RHP Samuel Vásquez (minor league deal) and RHP Tyler Zuber (re-signed to minor league deal)

Departed players who’ve found new teams: 1B/OF Troy Johnston (claimed by Colorado Rockies), RHP George Soriano (claimed by Baltimore Orioles), OF Joey Wiemer (traded to San Francisco Giants), LHP Adam Laskey (signed by Colorado Rockies) and RHP Freddy Tarnok (signed by NPB’s Hiroshima Carp)

Departed players who remain free agents: C Brian Navarreto, RHP Jesús Tinoco, RHP Valente Bellozo, RHP Christian Roa, INF Jack Winkler, RHP Lane Ramsey, RHP Morgan McSweeney, UTIL Dalvy Rosario, LHP Luis Palacios, OF Grant Richardson, OF Shane Sasaki and RHP Evan Fitterer

Selected to 40-man roster: C Joe Mack, RHP Josh White and RHP William Kempner

Coaching staff additions: Chris Hess (assistant hitting coach), Corbin Day (assistant hitting coach), Craig Driver (first base/catching coach) and Harry Wilonsky (bullpen catcher)

Coaching staff departures: Derek Shomon (hired by Chicago White Sox), Joe Singley (Baltimore Orioles), Tyler Smarslok (Washington Nationals) and Chi Chi González

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Winter Meetings schedule

The Hilton Bonnet Creek and Waldorf in Orlando, Florida, will host the 2025 Winter Meetings from December 8-11.

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Marlins president of baseball operations Peter Bendix is expected to hold multiple media availabilities during the course of the week.

 

2026 MLB Draft Lottery (December 9)

The lottery is very unpredictable, as the Marlins learned the hard way last year. They were tied with the Colorado Rockies for the best odds of winning the number one overall draft pick, but fell all the way to seventh.

This time, the Marlins have a 1.85% of winning the lottery. The most likely outcome is that they will land the 10th pick.

The drawing will be held at 4:00 p.m. ET and broadcasted to the public on MLB Network at 5:30 p.m. ET.

 

Rule 5 draft (December 10)

The Marlins are 12th in the Rule 5 draft order. However, they would need to open up at least one spot on their 40-man roster to participate in the major league phase of the draft.

The draft begins at 2:00 p.m. ET.

Unprotected Rule-5 eligible players in the Marlins organization include:

Catchers Spencer Bramwell, Bennett Hostetler and Sam Praytor

Infielders Nathan Martorella, Jacob Berry, Cody Morissette, Yiddi Cappe, Jesús Hernández, Echedry Vargas and Wilfredo Lara

Outfielders Andrew Pintar and Ian Lewis

Right-handed pitchers Zach McCambley, Matt Pushard, Jesse Bergin, Riskiel Tineo, Gabe Bierman, Alex Williams, Brandon White, Orlando Ortiz-Mayr, Tristan Stevens, Holt Jones, Juan Reynoso, Michael Pérez and Jhoniel Serrano

Left-handed pitchers Dale Stanavich, Justin King, Dameivi Tineo and Brayan Mendoza 

 

Four big questions

1. What are the team’s biggest needs?

The Marlins have a nice combination of depth and upside in their starting rotation and outfield. Beyond that, they have to consider outside acquisitions to put themselves in a position to contend in 2026.

First base is wide open for the Marlins. Eric Wagaman struggled in 2025 while starting the majority of the team’s games, as did most of the other players who split time at the position. Still only 22 years old and coming off a disappointing season at Triple-A, Deyvison De Los Santos could use more development time. A veteran, short-term addition makes sense here. Ryan O’Hearn is coming off of an All-Star season with the Baltimore Orioles and later the San Diego Padres. Aging Paul Goldschmidt can still get red-hot for extended stretches. There’s also the potential return of Josh Bell, who at the age of 33, still hit 22 home runs with a 107 wRC+. One trade target would be Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Yandy Díaz, who is coming off a season with a 135 wRC+.

Before the offseason even began, reports linked the Marlins to some of this offseason’s top high-leverage bullpen arms, and that continues to be a priority. Other than Ronny Henriquez, manager Clayton McCullough didn’t have relievers he could trust in strikeout situations last year. Among all MLB teams, the Marlins ‘pen ranked 22nd in ERA and 26th in fWAR.

 

2. Which returning players are candidates for position changes?

One source told Fish On First that in addition to Wagaman, we could potentially see players such as Connor Norby, Graham Pauley and Liam Hicks receive reps at first base moving forward. Norby is the only one of that group who has no previous MLB experience there.

Norby struggled as a full-time third baseman this past season—he posted minus-4 outs above average and minus-5 defensive runs saved. That may have bled into his offensive performance, slashing .251/.300/.389/.689 with eight home runs, 34 RBI and a 90 wRC+. Norby’s usage will depend on whether the Marlins are comfortable enough in Pauley’s all-around game to make him an everyday starter at the hot corner.

Meanwhile, Agustín Ramírez will not be moved off of catcher anytime soon. There isn’t a logical fallback plan for him, in the Marlins’ opinion. When he was with the New York Yankees, Ramírez’s minor league appearances at first base went very poorly. His lack of speed rules out a move to the outfield and they would rather live with flawed defense behind the plate than limit him to designated hitter.

 

3. Will any starters head to the bullpen?

In Fish On First’s most recent roster projection, the Marlins starting rotation consisted of Sandy Alcantara, Edward Cabrera, Eury Pérez, Ryan Weathers and Janson Junk. That leaves Max Meyer, Braxton Garrett, Adam Mazur, Ryan Gusto and Dax Fulton on the outside looking in, not to mention top prospects Robby Snelling and Thomas White, who are expected to be called up at some point this season. Could any of these traditional starters be converted into relievers and compete for opportunities in the bullpen?

The Marlins have been patient with Meyer, a former first-round draft pick, but he’s on the mend from yet another major surgery, this time to his left hip. His plus-plus slider has carried him for his entire career, and a move to the ‘pen would allow him to throw it more often than ever. Although the Marlins could option him to the minors if he gets squeezed out of the rotation, he seems ready to contribute now in a more specialized role.

Last season between Double-A and Triple-A, Fulton posted a 5.38 ERA, 3.55 FIP, 9.98 K/9 and 5.12 BB/9. Other than limiting home runs, there weren’t any positive takeaways. A move to the bullpen could be in everybody’s best interest as the 6’7″ lefty provides a much different look to batters than any of the club’s other arms.

This is all assuming Alcantara and Cabrera are not moved. The Marlins listened to offers for both of them at the July trade deadline, but talks have not advanced to that point so far this offseason.

 

4. How much is Bruce Sherman willing to spend?

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The 2025 Marlins finished with a payroll of approximately $68 million, which was the lowest in MLB. They are currently projected to spend even less next season. It’s difficult to earn a postseason spot, much less contend for a championship, with such limited investment from ownership.

As we detail below, the front office is evaluating impactful free agents and potential contract extensions for core players. However, actually getting deals done will require money from principal owner Bruce Sherman, who has been non-committal about increasing payroll.

 

What we are hearing

– On the subject of high-leverage relievers, a source tells Fish On First that the Marlins are showing interest in both Devin Williams and Pete Fairbanks. Williams, who was with the New York Yankees last season, posted a 4.79 ERA, 2.68 FIP, 13.06 K/9, 3.63 BB/9 and 18 saves through 62 innings pitched. Fairbanks, who had his $11M club option declined, posted a 2.83 ERA, 3.63 FIP, 8.80 K/9, 2.69 BB/9 for the Rays. He had career-highs of 27 saves and 60 â…“ innings pitched. Either of them would instantly become the club’s closer.

– Despite recent reports linking Miami to right-hander Michael King, FOF has learned that a reunion with the former Marlins farmhand is highly unlikely.

– Miami is in discussions with several pre-arbitration players about potential contract extensions. No player has received an extension from the Marlins since Richard Bleier in March 2022.

– Between Sandy Alcantara and Edward Cabrera, Cabrera appears the more likely trade candidate this offseason—but Miami will only consider a deal that nets an overwhelming return. The organization expects Alcantara to be on the mound for Opening Day 2026.