The Marlins president reveals the team's strategic focus: developing young talent and affording them crucial playing time.
Wondering why the Miami Marlins weren't more aggressive in free agency? Because the Marlins are never going to be big spenders.
Aside from signing closer Pete Fairbanks, the Marlins didn’t make any significant free-agent signings.
And yet the front office claims they want a team that will make the postseason, after having been in the playoff race until late last September and accomplishing that despite having the league’s youngest roster.
The Marlins might have signed a third baseman like Eugenio Suarez, but that didn’t happen.
Although players like Nathanial Lowe are still available, the chances of Miami addressing that position grow slimmer by the day.
At Marlins FanFest on Saturday, fans had the opportunity to put questions to team president Peter Bendix. One fan asked Bendix why the Marlins didn’t spend more.
"I think the key for us is to continue to invest in all different aspects, and part of that is the number of young players that we have," Bendix said. "The opportunities we have for them are really important as well. We need to see them play, we need to give them a chance to play."
In other words, the team is loaded with young talent and not inclined to add many veterans.
The best examples are situated in the outfield.
In left field, the Marlins have an all-star in Kyle Stowers.
In center, there's speedster Jakob Marsee, one of Miami’s most valuable offensive players last year, despite not making his big-league debut until early August.
In right, the Marlins have Owen Caissie, who is arguably the best player the team added in the offseason.
Three of the Marlins' top four prospects -- lefty starters Thomas White and Robby Snelling, and catcher Joe Mack -- are expected to make their MLB debuts in 2026.
Despite not spending the way some fans would have wanted and having the lowest payroll in the game by almost $20 million, according to Spotrac, the Marlins did make a significant move by signing Fairbanks, who had been with the Tampa Bay Rays.
Miami didn’t have an established closer last season, as evidenced by the team’s leader in saves, Calvin Faucher, only having 15.
Fairbanks has averaged 25 saves over the past three seasons.
Bendix worked with Fairbanks when he was the Rays’ general manager, so for him, it was an easy decision to bring him to Miami.
“I know what he brings to the table on the mound, and I know what he brings to the table in the bullpen and in the clubhouse,” Bendix said. “I think he’s going to be really, really good for our clubhouse.”
At one year and $13 million, the Marlins gave Fairbanks the largest contract for a reliever in team history.
Time will tell if the Marlins should have spent more this winter.
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