3 Important things on the Miami Marlins Winter Meetings checklist

The baseball world will descend on Dallas, Texas, from December 9th-12th for the annual Winter Meetings. While superstars like Juan Soto, Corbin Burnes, Pete Alonso, Alex Bregman, and many more will control the spotlight, this time is important for each MLB club, including the Miami Marlins.

Each franchise's top decision-makers will be in attendance. Agents will also be present as they attempt to make sales pitches. Some players and free agents will also be on-site. All of these components being under the same roof creates the perfect atmosphere for movement and information.

What should the Miami Marlins hope to accomplish at the Winter Meetings?

1) Capitalizing on their Surplus of Pitching.

The market for starting pitching has been insane. Frankie Montas received a two-year, $34 million deal with the New York Mets, despite his 4.84 ERA in 2024. Matthew Boyd pitched only 39 innings last season and landed a two-year, $29 million. Perhaps most shocking of all was veteran Luis Severino getting a three-year, $67 million contract, the richest in the history of the Athletics franchise.

MLB teams are desperate for pitching. Thankfully, the Marlins happen to have a surplus of cost-controlled, high-upside arms. This gives them a major Moneyball-like advantage. To be clear, Miami would be wise to avoid trading more than one starter. Doing so would run the risk of being in the same position as the rest of the league.

However, one of Jesus Luzardo, Braxton Garrett, or Edward Cabrera would likely fetch a high price!

If Peter Bendix and company could land a top 100 prospect for return for any of these starters, it would be difficult to pass up the opportunity. In this inflated market, it's highly possible they would land even more.

2) Gathering Important Intel

Former Marlins'. President David Samson provided some insightful perspective on the ins and outs of the Winter Meetings on a recent episode of his podcast Nothing Personal.

He detailed how teams often send a group of front office members into strategic areas of the meeting location with the purpose of gathering information. According to Samson, teams would have a pre-determined list of their needs, as well as established budgets for each position/area. They would then send staff to areas like the hotel bar, restaurants, or common meeting areas to build connections and gather intel.

The goal is to add names to their list of available players. What if another club has a player on the trade block without making it common knowledge? Or a free agent has made an adjustment that has gone underreported?

Compiling this type of information could be extremely valuable during the Winter Meetings and beyond. Benix and his staff know the value and importance of finding ways to win in the margins. The Marlins would be wise to take full advantage of the opportunity.

3) Pay Special Attention to Areas of Need

I've recently written about how the Marlins have major roster holes at shortstop, at centerfield, and at catcher. All of these remain pressing.

There will be plenty of free agents, trade candidates, and under-the-radar options at each of these spots. Multiple free-agent catchers have already signed with other clubs, making this a particularly urgent need.

It can be assumed that the Marlins already have multiple options that they have identified at each position of need. The Winter Meetings are the perfect offseason opportunity to gain valuable ground.