After a career-best 2026 season, the Marlins are banking on Javier Sanoja to become an everyday contributor in 2027 and beyond.
MIAMI — Laugh at his 5-foot-7, 150-pound build all you want, but Miami Marlins infielder/outfielder Javier Sanoja will enter the 2027 season with an opportunity to establish himself as a key piece of the Marlins’ future.
Speaking to reporters Tuesday at loanDepot park during his end-of-season news conference, Marlins President of Baseball Operations Peter Bendix praised Sanoja’s career year in 2026, even going as far as to say he could be an everyday player in the lineup next season.
That tease from Bendix could be a sign of what Miami has in store for Sanoja heading into 2027.
After spending parts of the previous two seasons adjusting to the major leagues, Sanoja took another step forward in 2026, showing the type of offensive consistency and defensive versatility that can make him valuable over a 162-game season.
He finished with career highs in games played (144), at-bats (461), runs (50), hits (136), home runs (11), RBIs (69), walks (27), doubles (32), triples (5) and stolen bases (11).
The numbers definitively tell the story of a player who became a much bigger part of Miami’s lineup in 2026.
Sanoja also showed he could provide value without relying on one aspect of his game. His combination of contact, speed and defensive versatility gave the Marlins another option as they navigated injuries, matchups and lineup changes throughout the season.
Now, the question is whether that production can carry over into an expanded role, and Bendix, manager Clayton McCullough, who will return in 2027, and the rest of the coaching staff are confident he can.
Sanoja will work with a new hitting coach next season after Bendix made it official that Pedro Guerrero won’t return to the team in 2027.
That change will give Sanoja a new voice to work with as he looks to build on his career-best season. While the only coaching staff change is at hitting coach, Sanoja’s role will remain one of the more intriguing storylines heading into spring training.
If he can replicate his 2026 production and continue improving at the plate, the Marlins could have a legitimate everyday option on their hands.
For Sanoja, 2027 represents more than another season in the majors. It could be his opportunity to prove he belongs in Miami’s plans for years to come.
The challenge now will be turning a strong 2026 campaign into sustained production while proving he can handle the demands of everyday duty at third base or wherever the Marlins need him.
