Miami Marlins: Way-too-early 2023 Opening Day roster prediction

The 2022 MLB season has now officially come to an end, meaning that each of the league’s 30 teams are now fully turning the page to 2023. Speaking of 2023, why not make a way-too-early prediction on the Opening Day roster for the Miami Marlins in particular?

Now yes, this is before free agency begins, and there are also likely to be a few trades by the Marlins that could affect this roster over the next couple of months. However, it never hurts to take a guess right?

So, here is my way-too-early prediction on the 2023 Opening Day roster for the Miami Marlins.

(NOTE: For positions which I predict the Marlins will make a move to address the starter, I have listed ‘FA or Trade’ based on what I think they will do instead of predicting a name)

Way-too-early Miami Marlins 2023 Opening Day roster prediction

Starting Lineup

• C – Jacob Stallings
• 1B – FA or Trade
• 2B – Jazz Chisholm Jr
• SS – Miguel Rojas
• 3B – Brian Anderson
• LF – JJ Bleday
• CF – FA or Trade
• RF – Avisail Garcia
• DH – Jorge Soler

As of right now, there are likely only two-to-three 100% locks to be on the Marlins 2023 Opening Day roster in the starting lineup, with Chisholm, Soler, and Garcia as the most notable. Both first base and center field could also be addressed in free agency or via a trade this offseason, as could a few other positions as well.

Bench

• C – Nick Fortes
• INF – Jon Berti
• OF – Bryan De La Cruz
• UTL – Joey Wendle

Miami’s bench could look familiar to this past season as each of these four names were with the club during the 2022 campaign. Of these four, Fortes, Berti, and Wendle feel like locks should they remain with the organization, while De La Cruz could be a name to watch for when it comes to the final spot.

Starting Rotation

• SP – Sandy Alcantara
• SP – Trevor Rogers
• SP – Jesus Luzardo
• SP – Edward Cabrera
• SP – Braxton Garrett

The Miami Marlins starting rotation should once again by anchored by Alcantara, with names such as Rogers, Luzardo, Cabrera, and Garrett each likely to begin the season in the rotation as well. The big question that will dominate the Marlins offseason is if Miami will trade Pablo Lopez, and should that happen, it will likely be for an impact bat to add to the lineup.

Bullpen

• RP – FA or Trade
• RP – Tommy Nance
• RP – FA or Trade
• RP – Tanner Scott
• RP – Dylan Floro
• RP – Anthony Bender
• CP – FA or Trade

A majority of the Miami Marlins 2023 Opening Day bullpen could look similar to this past season, with the lone significant move likely being a move at the closer position, likely looking for a veteran closer via free agency or a trade. Don’t count of Miami potentially looking for one or two additional arms in the bullpen either.