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Miami Marlins: 3 Players on the team’s 26-man roster bubble

By David Levin |
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - SEPTEMBER 14: Robert Dugger #64 of the Miami Marlins pitches against the San Francisco Giants during the first inning at Oracle Park on September 14, 2019 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - SEPTEMBER 14: Robert Dugger #64 of the Miami Marlins pitches against the San Francisco Giants during the first inning at Oracle Park on September 14, 2019 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images)
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PHOENIX, ARIZONA – SEPTEMBER 16: Manager Don Mattingly #8 of the Miami Marlins walks from the mound after a pitching change in the seventh inning of the MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on September 16, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – SEPTEMBER 16: Manager Don Mattingly #8 of the Miami Marlins walks from the mound after a pitching change in the seventh inning of the MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on September 16, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images) /

The longer the Miami Marlins must wait for baseball to resume, the more likely these three players will be fighting for a roster spot.

It’s a situation every MLB team is facing right now. With the wait to get back on the field, the Miami Marlins and the other 29 organizations are waiting to see who will come back from this layoff and perform as they did a few weeks ago.

Manager Don Mattingly has already talked with MLB officials, but no timetable has been given when he and his team can get back on the field.

“Mattingly noted that he has no indication when the Marlins will be back on the field, but he did say he has been in touch with MLB executive Chris Young, the former big-league pitcher, regarding possible logistics to get the players back in game shape for whenever the season starts,” writes Joe Frisaro of MLB.com.

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As I write this piece, I am still wondering whether baseball in May is an option given the logistics that go into making this happen. I am optimistic that the MLB season will be played in a shortened period, however, it will take longer to make this happen than some think.

The 26-man roster becomes more important to Mattingly and the Marlins if the league deals with realignment which should lead to the use of the designated hitter. In that case, Miami’s skipper has some interesting decisions to make.

Here is a look at three players who may be fighting for their roster spot once they get back on the field. We all hope that is sooner rather than later.

JUPITER, FL – MARCH 10: Lewis Brinson #25 of the Miami Marlins in action against the Washington Nationals during a spring training baseball game at Roger Dean Stadium on March 10, 2020 in Jupiter, Florida. The Marlins defeated the Nationals 3-2. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
JUPITER, FL – MARCH 10: Lewis Brinson #25 of the Miami Marlins in action against the Washington Nationals during a spring training baseball game at Roger Dean Stadium on March 10, 2020 in Jupiter, Florida. The Marlins defeated the Nationals 3-2. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

Lewis Brinson

It’s a question that has been asked before the stop of Miami Marlins baseball due to the COVID-19 epidemic and continues to be on asked during the organization’s time away from the game. What will happen to Lewis Brinson? Will he make the Marlins 26-man roster?

Before the start of camp and Spring Training, I thought there was a good chance Brinson would make the team but would not win a starting role. Then the front office made moves to bring in veterans to increase competition in the outfield.

The first three weeks in camp had been anything but boring and the battle for the starting right field spot and to provide bench depth was one of the better storylines we all have followed.

In the middle of all this “positivity” has been Brinson and his chance to finally prove he can be the hitter the team acquired two offseasons ago. Can Brinson become the player the team needs in a time when a short season means everything?

PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA – MARCH 03: Robert Dugger #64 of the Miami Marlins delivers a pitch during the spring training game against the New York Mets at Clover Park on March 03, 2020 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA – MARCH 03: Robert Dugger #64 of the Miami Marlins delivers a pitch during the spring training game against the New York Mets at Clover Park on March 03, 2020 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

Robert Dugger

We haven’t discussed pitcher Robert Dugger much since the stoppage, but he should still be counted as a part of the potential rotation here with the Miami Marlins.

There has been plenty of talk about Jordan Yamamoto and Jose Urena taking the final two spots in the rotation, but Dugger, who joined the Marlins staff towards the end of the season, has looked good in the small sample-size the coaching staff saw of him on the mound.

Does this mean he grabs the fifth spot in the rotation? A lot of factors still play into how the team will look based on changes in division alignment and how Mattingly wants to assemble his 26-man roster.

I think Dugger has a shot to grab the last slot, but it would mean Urena moves to the bullpen, which may not be likely given the need for a veteran in the rotation. It may come down to him and Yamamoto, who started last season in Jacksonville and moved through the minors quickly in 2019.

Mattingly could decide to use a six-man rotation, but for now, I am leaving him out of the rotation until further notice.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – SEPTEMBER 14: Harold Ramirez #47 of the Miami Marlins at bat against the San Francisco Giants during the second inning at Oracle Park on September 14, 2019 in San Francisco, California. The Miami Marlins defeated the San Francisco Giants 4-2. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – SEPTEMBER 14: Harold Ramirez #47 of the Miami Marlins at bat against the San Francisco Giants during the second inning at Oracle Park on September 14, 2019 in San Francisco, California. The Miami Marlins defeated the San Francisco Giants 4-2. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images) /

Harold Ramirez

I have this image in my head of Harold Ramirez, Matt Kemp and Garrett Cooper all fighting for one roster spot. The Marlins need Cooper to play a role at first base. Mattingly brought Kemp in to provide veteran leadership in the clubhouse. Ramirez had a solid rookie season but is on the bubble here in camp.

Anything can happen now.

Ramirez’s ability to play multiple outfield spots makes him valuable to the roster, but it may not save him from starting the season at Triple-A Wichita. Jonathan Villar, Corey Dickerson, and Matt Joyce all appear to have secured a roster spot for the outfield. After that, it’s a real toss-up.

It could play out that both Ramirez and Brinson start the season in the minors. One of them could be traded, but that is purely speculation. If it comes down to either of them winning the 26th spot on the roster, the Miami Marlins front office may choose Brinson because of the investment they made in him the past two seasons.

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