Everything Marlins President of Baseball Operations Peter Bendix said during Tuesday’s end-of-season media conference.
MIAMI — Miami Marlins President of Baseball Operations Peter Bendix met with the media Tuesday at loanDepot park for his end-of-season availability, discussing the 2026 season and what lies ahead for the organization.
Bendix spoke 48 hours after the Marlins completed their season with a 5-3 win over the Atlanta Braves at loanDepot park, finishing the year with an 80-82 record.
Many of the questions on the minds of the media and fan base were addressed early, including the status of manager Clayton McCullough.
Bendix confirmed that McCullough will return as manager in 2027, despite the Marlins missing the playoffs in each of his first two seasons at the helm.
McCullough’s 159 wins over his first two seasons are the most by any manager in Marlins franchise history.
One member of McCullough's coaching staff will not return next season: hitting coach Pedro Guerrero.
The Marlins hired Guerrero as their hitting coach on Nov. 10, 2024, after he spent three seasons with the San Francisco Giants, where he worked with Marlins general manager Gabe Kapler.
"Time for a new voice in the hitting space," Bendix said.
Miami finished the season with a .249 batting average, which ranked in the top 10 in baseball.
Bendix also touched on the possibility of using starters, including Eury Pérez and Sandy Alcantara, out of the bullpen more often in certain situations, something we saw a bit of during the final month of the season.
He said it shows the innovation of the organization while adding that players have been on board with the idea.
One player Bendix spoke very highly of was Javier Sanoja, who played a lot of third base this season but also moved around when needed.
Sanoja's 2026 season was a career year, as he hit .295 with a career-best 11 home runs while also flashing some impressive defensive skills.
Regarding Sanoja, Bendix said he showed he can be an everyday player in the lineup with an opportunity to become a superstar.
Bendix also discussed the organization’s broader plans for the offseason, emphasizing continued development and flexibility across the roster.
The Marlins will evaluate their needs in both free agency and the trade market while continuing to give opportunities to young players.
Miami will also look to build on the progress made during the 2026 season, with several players establishing themselves as important pieces moving forward.
Bendix said the goal remains to create a deeper, more competitive roster capable of taking the next step in 2027.
