Miami Marlins on to a Plan B at first base that was always Plan A

Well, Miami Marlins fans, to quote the great Ron Burgundy...that escalated quickly.

Three obliques later and the offense is in a rough spot. Not only are they down their best power bat in Kyle Stowers, but they are now down both of the "major" outside additions they made to the offense this offseason. The Stowers and Esteury Ruiz injuries were known prior to Opening Day. What came out of nowhere though was the announcement that Christopher Morel, the presumptive starting first baseman, was going to miss time as well. He was a late scratch last night and word broke today that he would be missing 4-6 weeks with an oblique injury of his own.

Word also broke last night, per Kevin Barral of Fish on First, that Deyvison De Los Santos would be called up to replace him.

This is where things get very interesting indeed for the Miami Marlins front office and their fanbase.

Much has been said about the Marlins failure to go after a major offensive upgrade at what was their weakest position in 2025- first base. In fact, a good deal on that subject has been shared on this very website. From the front office's perspective, a lot went into that decision beyond just money. Partly, it was about not being impressed enough with the options after the unaffordable (it's just how they feel) Pete Alonso and Josh Naylor tier. Primarily though, their argument was about not wanting to block their prospects. Partly to keep first base open to park Agustin Ramirez if Joe Mack overtakes him as the starting catcher, but mostly to keep the space open for De Los Santos.

Naturally, fans suspect that saving money might have played a slightly larger role than the Marlins have let on. Putting that aside though, the De Los Santos era is here- right now. Much earlier than Peter Bendix and the front office anticipated.

Unfortunately for De Los Santos, and perhaps deservedly for Marlins owner Bruce Sherman, that means Marlins fans and media pundits will now be reaching a verdict on the biggest offseason decision much more quickly than planned on.

Was this another case of the Marlins being smarter than their fans, as they have been quite often since Bendix took over? Or is this just another case of Sherman not spending enough on payroll to the detriment of the team? As has also happened quite often.

Fans will find out soon enough, or more appropriately, decide on the answer to that question soon enough.

One thing the Marlins do have going for them here is that, in a bit of a Pyrrhic victory for the club, no one but the Marlins front office seemed to expect Morel to be able to keep the first base job. De Los Santos might have some big offensive questions, and might not be a great defender, but he ahs spent a great deal more time as professional playing the position. He has more than enough power to do the trick the team was hoping Morel would pull- falling into 25 homers albeit with a terrifying batting average and on-base percentage.

So it's not hard at all to argue this is a slight upgrade. Of course, there is also the chance the teamw as right, and that De Los Santos just takes the job and never looks back.

However, if he doesnt...the Marlins are going to have pivot very quickly in order to not burn what goodwill they've accrued with their fans over the past two seasons. If Joe Mack gets hot at AAA, it could be that simple. If not, it will have to mean an early trade.

Naturally, that assumes that everything else is clicking. If the Marlins fall on their face and clearly aren't going anywhere, let De Los Santos and Morel hack away all year long. If the team is as in it as they were last year though, fans won't forgive another lost year at first.

In any case, the experiment starts now.