The Miami Marlins front office might need to do something to help the MLB roster

Before the season started, the smart money was on the Miami Marlins only being watchable the one day a week Sandy Alcantara was pitching.

Twelve games into the season though, it's starting to look an awful lot like the Miami Marlins might be pretty darn watchable those other six days of the week as well.

Last year, it took thirty games for the Marlins to record their sixth win. This time around? It only took twelve. Miami sits at 6-6 heading into a weekend series at home against the Washington Nationals, climbing right back to .500 on the strength of a thrilling 5-0 victory over the New York Mets Wednesday afternoon.

Maybe it's real. Maybe it's not. It is baseball, after all- there's no rule saying the Marlins can't go on to lose their next eighteen games and end up with the same sad 6-24 start as the 2024 club. However, it really doesn't feel like that's in the cards this time. Last year's team? No low was too low. This fun, scrappy 2025 bunch though? Plenty of losses could, and likely do, await. But the mass slumps that bury a season in the blink of an eye? That sort of thing doesn't seem too likely right now.

And if that is the case, if this flawed Marlins team somehow keeps hovering around the .500 mark, Miami's front office is going a face a very tough and unexpected question:

Do they actually do something to help the 2025 Marlins MLB roster?

Again, this was not the plan. Next to nothing was spent in the offseason. More proven MLB ready talent was subtracted than added. The focus was on restocking the Miami Marlins farm system, not on the Miami Marlins winning games this season. It's a plan that, infuriating as it might be, made a certain measure of sense given the even more infuriating financial realities of the Marlins franchise.

However, the plan also involves making money, and a Marlins team playing competitive baseball with inexpensive players might just warrant a change in approach. After all, the team is effectively treading water without two of their three best hitters in Connor Norby and Jesus Sanchez, and with a slew of missing starting pitchers. Which means a case could be made this team is even better than their record reflects.

Unfortunately, that right there will probably be the case made by the Marlins front office for not doing such a thing. The reinforcements are on the way, no need to do anything crazy argument that Marlins fans have heard countless times over the years. This answer is cheaper in terms of club resources, and sounds a lot better than pointing out the club's record could just as easily be way worse. There's no denying that there haven't been some crazy bounces and improbable finishes fueling this exciting start.

But what if the front office did decide to do something surprising? What would that look like?

In that event, there are two likely approaches: bring in a cheap veteran or quad-A type player, or make an earlier than expected top prospect call-up.

As for the veteran talent, there aren't a ton of options left in free agency, but a handful of names are out there that would seriously move the needle while not breaking the bank. A minor trade of some player stuck in AAA for another organization that Peter Bendix fancies could happen, or perhaps even for some other MLB club's 25th or 26th man. For many teams, that player could end up being the 20th best Miami Marlin. Basically, there is ample room that make a move that could be packaged to most fans as making an effort, without giving up much of anything in the process.

The other path, calling up someone sooner than later from the minors, is a fascinating early test case of what the Marlins front office will prioritize. Bendix is from the Rays tree, and the Rays famously seriously drag their feet on calling up top prospects without giving them significant exposure at all levels of the minors. On the other hand, they would make way less money right now than an established major leaguer, and in most cases possess way more upside. Then again, that would start that dreaded service time clock ticking. Max Acosta, Deyvision De Los Santos, or Agustin Ramirez could make an immediate impact...but would the team be willing to lose a year of club control to find out?

The answer to that last question is probably no, even if it would be immensely popular. That's not to say one or two of them won't get called up as soon as that extra control is secured, usually around the middle of May. But that might have happened even if the team had started 0-9 again.

As for calling up a lesser prospect, or finding some help outside the organization? That much does seem possible, and I would imagine that those Marlins doing the most struggling right now could find that their leash is very short. Like, figure it out on this homestand or pack a bag for AAA short. Especially if the "good-times" keep rolling, and the Marlins somehow go 3-3 or better over the next week.

Ultimately, fans shouldn't count on a massive trade happening. Indeed, fans probably need to still count on some serious negative regression happening. There's a reason this roster was projected to only win 60 games. Thing is, if this surprising win-loss pace continues, the front office is going to find their hands are tied, and need to be seen as doing something.

My prediction? If the Marlins do go 3-3 or better this homestand, I'd expect a relatively exciting roster move to be made the time they return home to face the Reds on the 21st.