Miami Marlins: Three players fighting for a 2020 roster spot

Will the Miami Marlins 25-man roster have a spot for these three players in 2020? Do they even make it to Spring Training?

The times, they are about to change in Miami. The Marlins should undergo yet another shift in their 25-man roster for the 2020 season. While veterans will leave, some may be added. And while prospects will audition for a chance to change the direction of this franchise, there are some players who have spent time in South Florida this season but may find it hard to retain their spot next season.

Here is a look at three players who could be on the outside looking in when the team comes to Spring Training in February of 2020.

Drew Steckenrider – it’s hard to say if Drew Steckenrider would have made a difference this season give the sample size of 15 games he played for the Marlins in 2018.

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With an 0-2 record and a 6.28 ERA in 14.1 innings pitched, Steckenrider’s elbow injury opened up opportunities for both Nick Anderson and Jose Quijada. Anderson has since been traded. Quijada figures to be a short reliever next season.

As Miami moved to Spring Training, it was believed Steckenrider would become the Marlins closer, beating out fellow reliever Adam Conley. Sergio Romo assumed that role and was traded to Minnesota. Now, Jose Urena has that job, but it is not a guarantee he will keep it next year.

Will Steckenrider compete again for the job, or will he become a casualty of changes that need to be made to the bullpen?

Lewis Brinson – is there been a baseball player in the Marlins organization in recent memory with as much potential and as much disappointment as outfielder Lewis Brinson?

After the Marlins made him the centerpiece of the trade that sent Christian Yelich to the Milwaukee Brewers, it was believed that Brinson, a South Florida native, would become the face of the franchise, and also become a five-tool all star in the process. We all know that has not happened.

Brinson has spent time in the minors working on his swing, where he has shown that he can be a power hitter. That didn’t translate once he makes it to the Major Leagues. Also, he has been a solid performer in spring training, but once the regular season starts, it seems as though the switch turns off.

Given that the Marlins do you have young prospects and players on the roster, which include Harold Ramirez, Magneuris Sierra, Garrett Cooper and Austin Dean fighting to stay with the parent club, I would be shocked if Brinson is on the 25-man roster at the beginning of the season. What wouldn’t shock me is if the team either traded him or released him before they even get to Spring Training.

Adam Conley – Just like Drew Steckenrider, Adam Conley has plenty of questions to answer. The former starter turned middle reliever has not been the effective pitcher the team thought he would be this season.

Going to Spring Training he and Steckenrider were competing for the closures roll, one that neither player was able to secure and was eventually handed over to Romo. As we talked about before Romo is no longer here, Steckenrider was hurt the majority of this past season and neither player could be on the 25-man roster once Opening Day starts.

The question is what to do with Conley, who proved to be an effective setup man two seasons ago, but has come off the rails a bit. Some of his worst performances have come this season.

Given that Jarlin Garcia has pitched well in the Marlins have high hopes for Quijada and there are other prospects who could be moved to the bullpen, Conley might be the odd man out once manager Don Mattingly and his coaching staff sit down to determine the makeup of the 2020 bullpen.