How the Miami Marlins could build a contending roster for under $50 million

Priority #2: Add Veteran Bats ($16.6 million invested)

With their starting pitching set, Miami now turns their attention to their lineup. While Xavier Edwards, Connor Norby, and Jesus Sanchez bring upside, the Fish have heaps of work to do to field a winning offense.

First, the club invests in 2024 All-Star Jurickson Profar at his $12.9 million projected value. While it is unconventional for a player to break out after age 30, Profar was stellar last season. He hit a dazzling .280 with 24 home runs and 85 RBI (all career-highs).

His odd career arc, combined with uncertainty surrounding his former Padres team creates the perfect opening for a now-aggressive Marlins team to secure his services. Profar becomes Miami's new cleanup hitter.

Additionally, the franchise targets former New York stars Anthony Rizzo ($2.0 projected market value) and Jose Iglesias ($1.7 projected value). Rizzo's veteran bat and glove are a stable addition to the depth chart. Meanwhile, Iglesias brings his excellent contact skills (he hit .337 last season) and stellar glove work to South Beach.

The lineup card could be arranged in several different ways. But I'll project this as the primary option:

• C: Nick Fortes
• 1B: Anthony Rizzo
• 2B: Xavier Edwards
• 3B: Connor Norby
• SS: Jose Iglesias
• LF: Jurickson Profar
• CF: Kyle Stowers
• RF: Jesus Sanchez
• DH: Jonah Bride

With this added depth, the bench would include options like Otto Lopez, Griffin Conine, and Deyvison De Los Santos. This would give Miami a deep roster with reasonable firepower.

Priority #3: Fill out the Bullpen ($3.6million invested)

Miami's new lineup isn't stellar. However, an average offense would do well with the aforementioned starting rotation to lead the way.

If the Marlins truly wanted to build a 2025 contender around their pitching, it would be imperative to also address their bullpen. Adding a few veteran arms would take pressure off the rotation and complete a well-rounded depth chart.

First, the Fish dive back into the NL East pool to add former Met Brooks Raley at his $2.4 million projected cost. This is a bargain for a veteran who has posted a sub-3.00 ERA over in each of the past three seasons.

Miami makes one final investment in former Oriole Danny Coulombe for $1.2 million. This is perhaps the biggest deal on the list, as the 35-year-old recorded a dazzling 2.12 ERA and .067 WHIP across 29.7 innings last season. He has also been well under a 3.00 ERA since 2022.

The Verdict

At the end of the day, this hypothetical projection is meant to be a fun exercise. Fans can debate which signings they prefer. They can argue over the true market value of each player. And they can discuss whether they consider the new-look team to be a true contender.

However, this perspective also drives home a sobering point. All of the additions listed above total $49.6 million, according to Spotrac's projections. For context, new NL East superstar Juan Soto will be making more than this with his $51.8 million salary next season.

The Miami Marlins are preaching hope, future, prospects, and patience. And some of this is centered around a reasonable way to rebuild an MLB ball club.

Yet, the general stinginess that the franchise has made normal is not an essential ingredient in what they hope to accomplish. There is a real world where our beloved Marlins can rebuild around the future while also investing in their current capacity of winning. $49.1 million, for example, could be transformative in 2025 and beyond.