Miami Marlins bullpen might be a major issue this season

can the 'pen get things going this season or will it blow too many games?

Neil Raymond

Andrew Nardi / Megan Briggs/GettyImages

Starting pitching is not as big of an issue for the Miami Marlins as it may have once looked. The bullpen seems to have a good foundation too, with an elite closer and a potential future closer. That said, the Opening Day loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates was very frustrating. That was followed by three more losses in a row, for a total of four. It seems that the bullpen just doesn't get the job done, could it be a factor going forward?

The bullpen could be an issue for the Miami Marlins this season.

So, here's the list of Miami Marlins relievers on the team's depth chart. Putting aside Tanner Scott, who I can never get tired of mentioning led all relievers in WAR last season. Sixto Sanchez was utterly dominant in Spring Training, but gave up a run already on Opening Day. I do expect him to have a strong season.

It's the rest of the bullpen that's the issue. Let's start with LHP Andrew Nardi. In his last full season back in 2023, he produced a 2.67 ERA/3.60 FIP, with 11.5 K/9 and 3.3 BB/9 in 63 games and 57.1 innings pitched. RHP Anthony Bender had a 2.90 ERA/3.57 FIP, with 9.8 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9 in 82 game and 80.2 innings pitched. Both Nardi and Bender have recently had promising results. That said, Bender had a 3.26 ERA/4.77 FIP, with 7.9 K/9 and 3.7 BB/9, in 22 games and 19.1 innings pitched.

RHP George Soriano had a 3.81 ERA/4.37 FIP, with 9.0 K/9 and 4.0 BB/9 in 26 games and 52.0 innings pitched. Neither the results or the BB/9 are good, which worries me. Righty Declan Cronin had a terrible 9.00 ERA/7.80 FIP, WITH 6.6 K/9 and 5.7 BB/9 in 9 games and 11.0 IP with the Chicago White Sox. It's....not very promising to say the least.

Righty Burch Smith last pitched in 2021, for the Oakland Athletics. He produced a 5.40 ERA/4.21 FIP, with 5.8 K/9 and 2.3 BB/9, in 31 games and 43.1 innings pitched. Righty Bryan Hoeing had a 5.48 ERA/5.29 FIP, with 6.8 K/9 and 3.2 BB/9, in 33 games and 70.2 innings pitched.

I like Tanner Scott and Sixto Sanchez, but I'm genuinely concerned about the rest, hoping that at least Andrew Nardi and Anthony Bender deliver.

Neil Raymond

Neil Raymond has been a lifelong Miami Marlins fan, with the 2003 playoff run being one of his favorite childhood memories. Neil has been called a "walking encyclopedia" for his knowledge of MLB statistics and the sport's history. He follows every game and actually invented his own statistic for player value on his side project BaseballAnalyzed.com. Writing for Fansided's Marlin Maniac since 2022, he also loves Fantasy Baseball and as such is an FSWA member. Neil also loves to travel, read and follow "Futbol" teams: Germany, Argentina, Greece, Inter Miami, Bayern Munich and NYC FC.