Miami Marlins should work out a major extension

The Miami Marlins need to put the fanbase first. It's clear that the staff is being improved, but it's important to spend on free agents too. There's no excuse for a team from Miami to barely spend and to not even do what other teams do, and sign important extensions. Keeping the core of the team intact and extending fan favorites is key to keeping the fanbase happy.

It's time for the Miami Marlins to give out an important extension.

Keeping the fanbase happy should be a priority for the Miami Marlins. That's how you have higher attendance and how you keep growing said fanbase. I'm of course talking about the ace himself: Sandy Alcantara. I can imagine little more off-putting and insulting for the fanbase, than seeing Sandy get traded to a different team.

Sandy should be a Marlin for life and that should not even be a debate. Sandy will be paid $17.3 million for the 2026 season and there's a $21 million team option for the 2027 season. Sandy will then be hitting free agency at 31 years old. Why not give him an extension through his mid-30's?

There's been quite a few extensions in recent weeks. The San Diego Padres recently extended CF Jackson Merrill for 9 years/$135 million. This is of course a bit different than Sandy's situation. Merrill just debuted last season with an impressive .292/.326/.500 batting line, with 24 home runs and 90 RBI in 156 games and 554 AB. He was worth 4.4 WAR. They decided to lock up the former top prospect in order to secure him long-term.

San Diego is not as big or as important a market as Miami. So once again the question remains, why can't The Fish extend a core player the same way that a team from San Diego can? Why can't the Miami Marlins keep Sandy Alcantara long-term? I don't see an extension being particularly expensive and it would certainly help with a potential future MLBPA grievance. The Fish need to lock up core players and keep the fanbase happy.