Miami Marlins Rotation Plans 2026: Who Will Anchor the Staff?

The Miami Marlins are once again walking that thin line between rebuilding and competing. Their latest roster move just highlights how tricky that balance really is.

After they traded away a young arm for some much-needed offense, big questions are swirling. Is the rotation stable enough now? Do they have enough depth? Maybe a veteran safety net is on the table as Opening Day creeps closer.

Marlins Shake Up Roster with Edward Cabrera Trade

Miami made headlines by sending right-hander Edward Cabrera to the Chicago Cubs. In return, they got a three-prospect package, with outfielder Owen Caissie as the centerpiece.

This move signals a shift in priorities. The Marlins have leaned on pitching for years to make up for their spotty offense, but that seems to be changing now.

Caissie brings some real intrigue as a bat, with power and upside the outfield has sorely missed. Still, Cabrera’s exit leaves the rotation looking even thinner—honestly, there are more questions than answers there now.

Balancing Offense and Pitching Risk

Miami’s front office is betting on the lineup getting better to balance out the risk of losing pitching depth. Cabrera had electric stuff, but his inconsistency and durability issues made the decision easier for the team.

Projecting Miami’s Opening Day Rotation

After the trade, the tentative Opening Day rotation looks like Sandy Alcantara, Eury Pérez, Ryan Weathers, Max Meyer, and Braxton Garrett. There’s upside here, no doubt, but also a shared injury history that makes depth a real priority.

Swingman Janson Junk sits as the top internal backup, ready to jump in as a spot starter or long reliever if needed.

Depth Options Waiting in the Wings

There’s no shortage of arms in the organization. Veterans Adam Mazur and Ryan Gusto offer some experience, and lefty Dax Fulton looks about ready for his big league debut.

If you look further down the line, top prospects Thomas White and Robby Snelling might arrive in Miami before 2026 wraps up.

Why a Veteran Starter Still Makes Sense

Even with these internal options, a lot of folks around the league see the Marlins’ rotation as full of potential but short on proven reliability. That’s why there’s more talk lately about bringing in an innings-eating veteran to steady things.

Sources told Fish On First that Miami could look for a bargain arm, something like Cal Quantrill’s one-year, $3.5 million deal from last year. It wouldn’t grab headlines, but it might keep the young guys from getting thrown to the wolves too soon.

What the Front Office Is (and Isn’t) Saying

President of baseball operations Peter Bendix isn’t revealing much. He said spring training will be all about competition, and he’s not locking in any rotation just yet.

Bendix also didn’t promise any specific moves, just noting that if they do sign a veteran, it’ll be for stability—not to chase a star.

Alcantara Trade Rumors and the Bigger Picture

Miami’s not ruling out trading a rotation piece if the right deal comes along, but several reports say Sandy Alcantara is staying put. He’s still the staff’s anchor and a big presence in the clubhouse during all this change.

Right now, it feels like the Marlins are tweaking, not tearing down. Adding Owen Caissie should help the offense, and the pitching staff? That’ll get sorted out with some internal battles and maybe a modest veteran signing.

Final Takeaway

For Miami, it really boils down to one thing: flexibility matters most. The Marlins seem pretty open to taking some chances with their pitching if it means the lineup gets better.

They’re banking on depth, player development, and maybe just one reliable veteran to help them survive a long season. Honestly, it’s a bit of a gamble, but sometimes that’s just how baseball goes.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Latest On Marlins’ Rotation Plans