Little Fish Big Pond

The Miami Marlins’ 2024 season was quite a ride, with a mix of optimism, mid-season struggles, and some bold trades. After a playoff push in 2023, we seemed primed to build on that momentum, but injuries and inconsistency quickly became a recurring theme.

Sandy Alcántara, our ace, was solid when healthy, but the rotation couldn’t escape setbacks. Young guys like Eury Pérez flashed brilliance, showing serious potential, but keeping a stable and healthy rotation was tough. The bullpen had its moments but lacked the depth to shut down games against stronger opponents, which was a problem all season.

Offensively, as always with Miami, it was a bit hit or miss. Luis Arraez continued to be a hitting machine, picking up where he left off, but the lineup lacked serious power beyond him and Jazz Chisholm Jr., who struggled with injuries yet again. There just wasn’t enough firepower to consistently support the pitching staff.

By midseason, it became clear we weren’t keeping pace in the NL East, and management made the tough call to sell at the trade deadline. The moves were significant shipping out familiar faces like Jazz and Trevor Rogers. In return, we grabbed a bunch of young talent, including Connor Norby, a power-hitting second baseman from Baltimore, and Agustin Ramirez, a catcher with exciting offensive upside from the Yankees. These additions might not have made an immediate impact, but they could very well be foundational pieces for the Marlins down the road.

As for the future, there’s a lot to be excited about. Eury Pérez looks like he can be a legit ace, and pairing him with a healthy Alcántara gives Miami a great starting point. The influx of young talent from the trades, particularly hitters like Norby, provides hope that the offense will be much more dynamic in a couple of years. If we can develop some of these pitching prospects and add a couple of reliable bats in the offseason, a real leap in 2025 is within reach.

When it comes to competing for the pennant as early as next year, though? It’s possible, but a lot would have to go right. Alcántara and Pérez need to stay healthy to anchor the rotation, and the young hitters will need to step up quickly. The bullpen will also need some serious reinforcements. With the Braves and Phillies both looking strong, challenging for the division title won’t be easy. But with the right moves and a little bit of luck, we could make a Wild Card run in 2025 and be a team capable of making some postseason noise.