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The Miami Marlins aren’t pretending last season was a fluke—and that confidence starts at the top.
After clawing their way back from a brutal midseason hole in 2025, Miami enters the new year believing its late surge was the foundation of something sustainable, not a temporary spark. According to the Miami Herald, the organization feels increasingly comfortable with where things are headed under Clayton McCullough, now entering his second season as a big-league manager.
A Late-Season Push That Changed the Internal Standard
That belief was forged the hard way. Miami finished 79–83 last season, but the record barely tells the story. At one point, 15 games under .500 in June, the Marlins refused to fold, spending the final weeks of the season firmly in the playoff conversation. For a roster built largely around youth and depth pieces, simply staying relevant deep into September mattered.
More importantly, the way they competed mattered.
Miami developed a reputation for grinding out games, hanging around when talent gaps suggested they shouldn’t, and forcing opponents to finish them off. Pitchers and position players alike pointed to a consistent edge that didn’t fade with the standings. That relentlessness didn’t come from nowhere—it reflected a clubhouse that bought into its manager.
McCullough’s first year wasn’t smooth. Adjusting to the daily pressures of managing at the major-league level after years in player development and coaching roles came with growing pains. But by the second half, the message was landing. Players felt heard. Roles were clearer. Accountability became more direct without being punitive.
That trust showed late. Veterans and young players alike credited McCullough’s ability to meet the roster where it was—balancing instruction with patience, urgency with calm. Miami didn’t suddenly become more talented overnight. It became more connected.
Year 2 Brings Expectations, Not Excuses
Now the challenge shifts from proving credibility to raising expectations.
Being “in the mix” can’t remain the ceiling. McCullough has been open about that reality. The Marlins believe toughness travels, especially in October, but they also understand that resilience alone won’t close the gap in a stacked National League East. Translating last season’s grit into a full, consistent year is the next test.
The roster offers reasons for optimism. Miami watched several young players establish themselves as legitimate building blocks, particularly in the outfield and middle infield. There’s athleticism, speed, and defensive versatility across the diamond. The rotation, headlined by established frontline arms returning to health, suddenly looks deeper than it did a year ago. Even the bullpen, which was heavily relied on in 2025, has been reinforced with late-inning experience.
That depth creates competition—something McCullough welcomes. Entering Year 2, he’s leaned heavily into communication, acknowledging that availability and transparency weren’t just lessons learned but necessities going forward. The front office and coaching staff appear aligned on that point, emphasizing clarity and adaptability as core values.
For a franchise often defined by volatility, continuity itself feels like progress.
The Marlins know they’ll open the season overlooked again. That hasn’t changed. What has changed is the belief that last year’s push wasn’t accidental. Miami sees a team that has learned to respond, to fight through failure, and to grow together under pressure.
If Year 1 under McCullough was about survival and discovery, Year 2 is about validation.
And inside that clubhouse, the confidence is real.
Alvin Garcia Born in Puerto Rico, Alvin Garcia is a sports writer for Heavy.com who focuses on MLB. His work has appeared on FanSided, LWOS, NewsBreak, Athlon Sports, and Yardbarker, covering mostly baseball. More about Alvin Garcia
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