Three Bold Predictions For Miami Marlins Entering 2026 MLB Season

Sandy Alcantara Will Be The Miami Marlins Leader In Innings Pitched

Not controversial enough of a Miami Marlins take you say?

I can definitely see why you might say that, although I should remind you that you are always welcome to write you're own article. Just kidding! Seriously though, suggesting that the Marlins iron man and only starting pitcher who has ever thrown more than 160 IP in a season might be the team leader in that category probably does seem like a hollow observation at first glance.

However, how many of you really believe in your heart of hearts that Sandy Alcantara will be on the Marlins roster by the end of the season?

That's where this prediction gets interesting. Certainly by making it, I'm baking in the possibility of everything that can go wrong going wrong for the back of the Marlins rotation. In which case, Eury Perez doesn't see his innings total pushed aggressively and Robby Snelling isn't rushed to the bigs. Sandy is both the surest bet for health and for not being handled differently if things go poorly. But those downside scenarios aren't why I'm throwing this prediction out there.

I just don't believe Sandy is getting traded until the Marlins get clarity on the next CBA.

In other words, clarity that isn't coming until next winter. Obviously, he's also not getting traded if the Marlins are in the hunt at the trade deadline. Even if this season does see more regression then progress though, Miami would be crazy to move him if there is even a chance they are about to be required to significantly raise their payroll. Because there isn't a single capital investment they can make that will curry more favor with the fanbase than an Alcantara extension, than finally keeping a beloved player in a Marlins uniform for their entire career. Essentially, it'd be a free space on the revenue board for them- running their team as they prefer elsewhere while allocating bigger money to their biggest star. Even if he never pitched again after 2026...the organization would still get credit for extending him in the first place.

All of which goes to say he'll be here chasing Marlins franchise records, and racking up innings, for the entirety of the 2026 season.