Skip to main content
Marlin Maniac
FanSided

Three Bold Predictions For Miami Marlins Entering 2026 MLB Season

As another season of Marlins baseball approaches, here are three outside the box ideas for what fans can expect.
BySean Millerick|
Share on FacebookShare on XShare on Reddit
Google Discover
Feb 21, 2026; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; Miami Marlins first baseman Christopher Morel (5) tosses the ball to relief pitcher Tyler Phillips (not pictured) to retire New York Mets first baseman Jose Rojas (not pictured) during the third inning at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Feb 21, 2026; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; Miami Marlins first baseman Christopher Morel (5) tosses the ball to relief pitcher Tyler Phillips (not pictured) to retire New York Mets first baseman Jose Rojas (not pictured) during the third inning at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
2 of 4
Miami Marlins Christopher Morel
Feb 18, 2026; Jupiter, FL, USA; Miami Marlins left fielder Christopher Morel (5) poses during photo day at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images | Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

The Marlins Games Played Leader At First Base Won't Be On Opening Day Roster

Take a moment to ponder that photo credit below the picture of the Miami Marlins Christopher Morel.

As you might have noticed, he's called a left fielder. It's an easy mistake to make considering most of his MLB career has been spent in the outfield. The only problem is he's actually projected to be the Marlins Opening Day first baseman.

And the only problem with that is Morel has never done it before as a professional athlete. Oh, and he's been terrible this spring in just about every way beyond attendance. Following Tuesday's game, his entire slash line is below .200 (.135/.195/.189). By spring training standards, it's no small sample size either- only one Marlins player has more at bats as of this writing. Granted, spring training stats should always be taken a grain of salt, but the numbers also aren't a far cry from his last two years of regular season production.

Bottom-line? Christopher Morel is getting a month in the role tops before Miami's front office pulls the plug. In which case, the next man up would be...one of a handful of other Marlins players with next to no first base experience. So no help there either.

Which makes this a bet on one of two things. Either Deyvision De Los Santos forces the issue at AAA and comes up by June, or the Marlins are good enough that they fix their biggest offseason mistake and trade for a bonafide MLB caliber first baseman.

The smart money is on the De Los Santos scenario- keep in mind that De Los Santos coming up and taking over probably happens if the team bottoms out too, not just over performs. But this prediction was very nearly that Miami's first base games played leader wouldn't even be 40-man roster, let alone the Opening Day 2026. If Miami trades for outside help this season, this is far and away the weakest point on the roster, and the most likely to be addressed.

Everywhere else, upside abounds. So much so that...

Loading recommendations... Please wait while we load personalized content recommendations

Home/Marlins Rumors