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Miami Marlins’ owner Bruce Sherman expects the team to win in 2026.
Bruce Sherman isn’t just feeding fans the same old patience speech anymore. The Miami Marlins‘ principal owner sent a blunt message at Spring Training on Monday with a three-letter declaration that this Miami Marlins team is built to compete. Vegas oddsmakers have them pegged with one of the lowest win totals in the National League, and the fan base is still trying to figure out if this rebuild has a pulse.
Miami Marlins Owner Bruce Sherman Sends Message at Spring Training About Winning Now
At Spring Training on Monday, February 16th, Sherman told Marlins.TV’s Craig Mish and media that the ownership group wants to “win — W-I-N” and that he’s “not in this for profit at all.” He added that “we haven’t taken a nickel out of this in eight years” and that the group is “happy” to keep investing in the organization. Those are strong words from an owner whose team went 79-83 in 2025 — a 15-win improvement over the year before — and wasn’t eliminated from wild-card contention until the final days of the regular season.
Pete Fairbanks Solves Miami’s Closer Problem
The Marlins backed up Sherman’s talk with action this offseason. The biggest splash was signing closer Pete Fairbanks to a one-year, $13 million deal on December 24, bringing in a guy who racked up 75 saves over the last three seasons in Tampa Bay. Fairbanks, 32, posted a 2.83 ERA in 60⅓ innings in 2025 and figures to slot in as Miami’s ninth-inning weapon immediately. The club also signed starter Chris Paddack to a one-year deal on February 9 to add rotation depth.
Marlins Shipped Out Arms and Stockpiled Prospects
Miami wasn’t just adding this winter — they were flipping assets for future pieces. The Marlins traded Edward Cabrera to the Cubs for highly-touted prospect Owen Caissie, first baseman/third baseman Edgardo De Leon, and infielder Cristian Hernandez.
They shipped Ryan Weathers to the Yankees on January 13 for a four-prospect haul headlined by outfielder Dillon Lewis. Dane Myers went to the Reds in December, and Eric Wagaman landed with the Twins in January. That’s a lot of outgoing talent, but the return packages are loaded with young bats Miami is betting on long-term.
Thomas White, Robby Snelling Could Debut in 2026
The real excitement in Jupiter this spring is on the mound. Pitchers Thomas White and Robby Snelling — Miami’s No. 1 and No. 3 prospects per MLB Pipeline — reported as non-roster invitees and are both expected to make their big-league debuts this season.
White posted a 2.31 ERA with a 14.6 K/9 across three levels in 2025, while Snelling led all minor-league southpaws with 166 strikeouts and was named the organization’s Minor League Pitcher of the Year. FanGraphs’ Steamer projections have both making 2026 starts, with Snelling getting the more aggressive workload.
Sandy Alcantara Anchors the Rotation
Behind the prospect hype, the Marlins’ rotation still runs through the guys already on the 40-man. Max Meyer — who looked sharp in 2025 spring training before hip surgery ended his season — has been cleared for the start of camp with no restrictions. And then there’s Sandy Alcantara, who just got named the Opening Day starter for the sixth time in his career. Alcantara logged a sub-3.00 ERA over his final eight starts — a sign the former Cy Young winner might be rounding back into form.
Vegas has Miami at 72.5 projected wins, the fourth-lowest total in the NL. But with two elite pitching prospects knocking on the door, a healthy Meyer-Alcantara tandem at the top, and Fairbanks slamming doors in the ninth, Sherman might actually have a reason to spell it out this time.
Justin Carlucci brings 13+ years of journalism experience to Heavy. A veteran of multiple industry-leading companies, he has hosted SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio shows and contributed to the New York Post, combining traditional sports and news reporting with expertise in sports betting and fantasy sports. More about Justin Carlucci
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