Marlins: Dealing with the new 26-man roster in baseball

Will the addition of one more player to the Marlins roster help the team score more runs in 2020?

One of the best things to aid the Miami Marlins and the National League for the 2020 season is the addition of one more player on the now 26-man roster. The rule, which goes into effect this coming spring, allow the Marlins one extra hitter on the roster and a maximum of 13 pitchers on the staff.

Carrying 13 pitchers is nothing new to the Marlins, as the organization has done that over the past few seasons. Bringing in another hitter offers more opportunities for the lowest-scoring team in the National League to have more at-bats and greater opportunities to plate runs more often.

"“It’s something that we talked about a lot in the meetings that we just concluded,” Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill said via MLB.com. “You look at how our roster has been constructed over the last probably four years, we’ve carried 13 pitchers. You look across the game, most clubs have carried 13 pitchers, and it’s created a short bench.”"

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The deeper bench plays out well for a team like Miami that is void of a major power hitter in the middle of the lineup. It also gives Hill and team CEO Derek Jeter a chance to find more free agents who will be cost-effective to the franchise.

The belief in years past under manager Don Mattingly was a deeper bullpen would help with a starting rotation that was average at best. The organization made a conscious effort to get younger last season with its pitching staff, especially the starting five. It’s the reason Miami cut ties with Dan Straily prior to Opening Day and moves Wei-Yin Chen to the bullpen in long relief.
The reviewers were mixed as there was no clear ace of the staff and once again, injuries took their toll on the team.

Now, there are more options. Finding the right fit, however, could be a challenge. Miami must find someone who can help the roster both offensively and defensively.

Someone like Yasiel Puig can play in the outfield and at first base. Nicholas Castellanos can play one of the corner outfield spots or at third base – his natural position. If that were to happen, Brian Anderson may become the team’s permanent right fielder.

"“I think, as a National League club, we’re always going to look to add versatility and have versatile players to stretch our roster as best we can,” Hill said. “With players to be able to move in and out and play multiple positions.“There’s still no DH in this league,” Hill said. “Our guys still have to be able to play defense. From Donnie’s standpoint, he still has to have the flexibility to move pieces around. I think that’s where it will impact us the most, it will give him more options and hopefully more pieces he can deploy to help us win games.”"

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