Miami Marlins showing flashes of being smarter than fans so far at first base

Giving the Miami Marlins the benefit of the doubt remains a big ask from most of their fans.

The story of how that doubt came to be is a rich, decades long text. The current front office has had plenty of wins the past couple seasons and has laid substantial groundwork to make those misgivings a thing of the past. Yet trust comes slow, especially when money seems to be part of the equation.

So it came as no surprise when the vast majority of the fan base, as well as the media, openly questioned the Marlins decision not to make a substantial investment in upgrading first base this offseason. In other words, I was in very good company. First base wasn't a hole for the 2025 Marlins- it was a chasm. A chasm on a roster that was in the playoff race until the final weekend. Even if the team had overachieved, it felt like the most obvious thing in the universe to spend some money there.

Fast forward an offseason, and the bulk of the people with MLB experience competing to play first base for the Marlins have never actually played first base. It's been a big source of frustration to say the least, and stands out in what was otherwise, by Marlins standards anyway, a very successful offseason.

But what if the Marlins were right?

Not about not spending money on a better one year stop gap than Christopher Morel, because they weren't. But what if they were right about the part where they can get by until some of their younger players are ready to take over? It's an argument that hasn't seemed to receive a ton of consideration.

Meanwhile, Deyvision De Los Santos just went 2 for 2 in his spring debut. He also just had a pretty dominant showing in the Dominican Winter League. What if he actually is a prospect the team shouldn't block, and is MLB ready this season? What if he can come up and do a 20076-2008 Mike Jacobs impression? Nauseating defensively, but a 20-30 HR capable bat?

Stranger things have happened, and this particular Marlins front office tolerating that level of defense would be particularly strange. Then again, they haven't signed a real first baseman either, so they are clearly comfortable letting their above average middle infield defense cover some sins for their supporting cast at the corners.

Also, it is (somewhat) worth noting that three games into spring, Christopher Morel does have 2 RBI. Griffin Conine does have a .500 OBP. Indeed, you could argue that Miami's best offensive players- non-Jacob Marsee division, have largely been the players in this first base scrum.

So far it's a win for Miami's front office...and if that continues, it's going to be a huge win for the 2026 Miami Marlins.