The Miami Marlins enter the 2025 MLB season hoping to turn the page after a disastrous 58-104 campaign in 2024 that not only exposed serious deficiencies on the mound and in the batter’s box but also led to sweeping changes in the front office, signaling a renewed focus on long-term development, organizational depth, and finally escaping the basement of the National League East. The Marlins’ offseason was highlighted by a flurry of trades and youth-centric acquisitions, none more notable than landing top infield prospect Connor Norby from the Baltimore Orioles in the Trevor Rogers deal—a move emblematic of the club’s emphasis on building a sustainable core. Norby impressed in limited MLB action last year, logging a .760 OPS over 36 games and showing defensive versatility by playing both second and third base, and he is expected to take on a full-time role in 2025. Meanwhile, Jonah Bride transitions into a starting job at first base despite growing pains in 2024, and while his glove remains a work in progress, his solid on-base skills and plate discipline could make him a steady contributor in the lower half of the lineup. Offensively, the Marlins will continue to rely on contact-first hitters like Jazz Chisholm Jr., who despite injuries continues to be one of the most electric players in baseball when healthy, and Bryan De La Cruz, who has shown flashes of middle-of-the-order pop but must improve on his consistency.

The big question for Miami remains pitching, especially after last season’s collective ERA ranked among the worst in the majors and the starting rotation was decimated by injuries and poor performance. With Sandy Alcántara still working his way back from Tommy John surgery and Trevor Rogers no longer in the picture, the team will lean heavily on young arms such as Eury Pérez and Edward Cabrera, both of whom possess elite stuff but have struggled with command and health. New pitching coach changes and player development protocols are expected to help, but it may be a slow climb to league-average production. Defensively, Miami is reshaping its infield around youth and flexibility, which could lead to growing pains early in the season, especially in double play scenarios and infield communication, but the athleticism and raw tools are undeniable. In the bullpen, the Marlins will turn to a closer-by-committee approach after losing several veterans, with prospects like Anthony Maldonado and Jeff Lindgren potentially earning high-leverage roles depending on early performance. Hosting the Pirates on Opening Day offers Miami a valuable chance to measure progress, particularly after being swept in all seven games against Pittsburgh in 2024, a stat that’s been openly acknowledged by the clubhouse as motivation. The team is embracing its underdog identity, eager to show that the roster reconfiguration and offseason changes weren’t just cosmetic but part of a genuine commitment to turning the franchise around. If their young talent can take the next step and the pitching holds up, the Marlins might not be postseason-ready yet, but they’re no longer planning to be the doormat of the National League, and a strong Opening Day would be the first step in proving that to the league.