MIAMI — The Marlins enter the final days before Monday’s 6 p.m. ET trade deadline facing a question no Major League club has ever answered: Can a team reach the postseason after losing 12 in a row?
Miami’s franchise-record 12-game skid took the club from 10 games over .500 to two games below in less than three weeks, dropping the Marlins from a tie for the second National League Wild Card to two games back of the third and final spot with 53 contests remaining. FanGraphs pegs Miami’s postseason odds at 16.2 percent.
The losing streak has complicated but not upended the front office’s approach. Pitcher Sandy Alcantara, who entered his most recent start with the most innings thrown in the Majors and tied for the most quality starts, has drawn trade interest — but the Marlins are unlikely to move him after he regained form following elbow surgery. Alcantara’s $21 million club option for 2027 remains affordable for a franchise that views itself as a near-term contender.
Catcher Joe Mack’s emergence as an NL Rookie of the Year candidate and Kyle Stowers’ near-full-time transition to first base have blocked designated hitter Liam Hicks at both positions. Hicks ranked second on the team with 14 homers and led Miami with 60 RBIs, while posting 0 defensive runs saved at catcher and 3 DRS at first base — making him an everyday backstop on most rosters. Catcher Agustín Ramírez, who slugged 21 homers during his 2025 rookie season, is working on his defense at Triple-A Jacksonville.
The outfield picture could also shift. When Owen Caissie — the centerpiece of the Edward Cabrera trade — returns from the injured list, 29-year-old corner outfielder Conine’s playing time will likely decrease to accommodate the 24-year-old left-handed-hitting Caissie, who posted a 110 OPS+ this season. Right-handed-hitting Heriberto Hernández leads the Marlins with 15 homers in left field.
The bullpen may offer the clearest trade chips. Right-hander Michael Petersen has posted a 143 ERA+ with 17 holds and one save in his age-32 season. Southpaw John King, an arbitration-eligible reliever, has proven to be the club’s best offseason signing. The Deadline, as the organization sees it, “is the perfect time to get value back when someone’s stock is at its highest.” Closer Peter Fairbanks has struggled but carries a 12.1 K/9 — his highest since 2023 — and postseason experience the Marlins value.
The Marlins’ big-picture goal remains building a 90-plus-win team on a yearly basis, and the front office believes that timeline is close. Any moves before Monday’s deadline will weigh both short-term Wild Card viability and the franchise’s 2027 plans.