According to just about everyone with a keyboard, the Miami Marlins are locked and loaded to sell.
Somebody. Anybody. As long as it isn’t Sandy Alcantara. Unless, of course, it is. It’s anyone’s guess, really. The ship has all but sailed on buying outright, barring Miami winning three straight games against the Mets and some massive luck in series involving the other contenders this weekend. No one is predicting a massive sell-off though, and it could end up being as modest as one hitter and one reliever off the MLB roster. If not even quieter.
However, if a move of that nature is made, what comes next for the Marlins?
That’s a question that has gotten very little attention, and that includes from yours truly. Buy, and they care about this playoff race they remain very much in despite a historic losing streak. Sell, and they are waiting until the next year MLB is played. It’s been that simple.
But is there a path towards the Marlins selling and still trying their best to win every game in 2026?
I think there could be, if MLB-ready starting pitching is the return for whichever hitter the Marlins choose to move. Remember, there are really only two starting pitchers right now in Miami’s rotation. It could be three for the final stretch if the team is still in the race when Max Meyer is ready to return. Adding any warm body to Miami’s rotation could pay immediate dividends for a bullpen that has been heavily used this season. Adding a legitimately good pitcher? That could be game-changing compared to what fans have seen in July . Especially if the Marlins don’t move any of their recovering bullpen arms, and are able to work those reinforcements back in over the final two months.
Provided, of course, that moves are made to make sure there isn’t an extreme drop-off on offense.
Which is the real question, because it means prospect call-ups. Promoting talents like Kemp Alderman, Cam Cannarella, and/or Deyvision De Los Santos are things the Marlins can choose to do. Even an Agustin Ramirez return could be something, in one of those scenarios where returning to the majors sparks a bigger improvement than being sent down in the first place did. Obviously, there isn’t room for all of them, but any one of them has flashed enough promise to warrant at least some confidence that they could make a positive impact on the MLB roster right now.
In the case of Alderman and Cannarella, as well as any other player not presently on the 40-man roster, they would need to be on it by the end of August to be postseason eligible. Yet a more important August date comes around the middle of the month, when it becomes impossible for a promoted prospect to accrue enough playing time to lose their rookie status for next season. Naturally, the most ideal situation from a competitive standpoint would be to just see a promotion made sometime next week, but mid-August is the more likely window. If Miami can stay in it until then, high upside hitting help could be plugged in to take the place of the names Miami moved on from.
Now, that’s assuming the Marlins hitter moved is not a middle infielder. Because that feels a lot like a world where Miami just rides Leo Jimenez into the ground, as the prospect options at short just aren’t ready. Move Liam Hicks or an outfielder though, and it’s easy to see a path where the team could choose to start finding a way to insert one of Alderman, Cannarella, or De Los Santos into the lineup.
Lastly, there is one other avenue that the Marlins could explore if they stay in the race: waivers.
With all the concern about a potential lockout, it wouldn’t shock me at all if this is a more active than usual waiver period. Teams that are out of it could look to recoup a little bit of money, and the Marlins would be in good position to pounce if they got the green light from ownership. While waiver claims aren’t something that can really be counted on, it is another resource the Marlins could tap into if they aren’t going to trade better assets for better talent over the next few days.
Bottom line? The Marlins could easily move a piece or two off the MLB roster in a sell for the future manner and still finish the month with a better 2026 MLB roster.
All that is needed is the right trade partner…and the conviction from the front office to not give up on this season until they are really and truly out of it.