As Major League Baseball gets set for its annual winner-take-all showdown, the Miami Marlins will now watch as their former catcher Liam Hicks and outfielder Victor Mesa, Jr., both traded away this season, are now appearing in the World Series.

It's the first career trip to the Fall Classic for both players, who will join their Tampa Bay Rays teammates in baseball's best-of-seven showdown against the Milwaukee Brewers. It will also mean that a first-ever champion will be crowned, as neither franchise has hoisted the Commissioner's Trophy before. They will begin play on Friday night in Milwaukee.

The two players, who were involved in separate deals, were part of the exodus of veterans in Miami, as the Fish began to build their farm system. And in many ways, what Peter Bendix and the front office in South Florida are doing right now seems to be the same prototype as their neighbors 

In what some consider an in-state rivalry, they've almost forged a bit more of an empathetic brotherhood, with both teams in the same boat in terms of holding their own against bigger revenue rivals - one in the National League and one in the American League. They have exchanged in several trades over the years as well. However, there's been a stark contrast in the overall success of the Rays and how they develop new talent, as the Marlins have displayed historically. While the Fish have won two World Series championships, but Tampa has been more consistent winners over the years - due to their supremacy within the system.

Hicks was originally considered a potential future cornerstone, but the team's current direction was altered a bit on their way to becoming contenders again. 

Selected by the Marlins in the 2024 Rule 5 Draft after being left unprotected by the Detroit Tigers, the Canadian-born Hicks made it to The Show despite having never played above Double-A ball in the Minors.

Hicks justified Miami's faith immediately, posting six home runs and 45 RBIs in 2025. He upped his power and productivity in 2026, hitting .282 with 14 home runs and 62 RBIs over 101 games before Marlins president of baseball operations Peter Bendix made the tough decision to trade him to Tampa Bay on Aug 3.

In exchange, Miami acquired three prospects who were all listed among Tampa Bay's top 30 at the time: infielder Brayden Taylor, right-handed pitcher Jacob Kisting, and shortstop Adrián Santana—adding key future Fish to the Minor League mix.

The move worked out pretty good for both sides. As rookie Joe Mack emerged as the primary catcher and Kyle Stowers established himself at first base, Hicks faced diminishing playing time in Miami. Conversely, Tampa Bay provided a clearer path to regular action with a playoff contender.

Meanwhile, Mesa's exit went down a little differently.

After signing with Miami as an international free agent in 2018 alongside his brother, Victor Víctor Mesa, the outfielder spent seven years in the farm system before making his major-league debut in 2025. However, across 16 games and 38 plate appearances, he just didn;t seem to have a place on the roster moving forward.

It would be easy for Friends of the Fish to see this turn of events and watch the World Series begrudgingly. But in the end? Neither player asked to be dealt, nor did Tampa Bay twist anyone's arm. The moves were right for all parties involved... and the end result was seeing two Major Leaguers live the ultimate dream of playing for it all in October.