Marlins Weigh Trades, Target First-Base Power

The Miami Marlins exceeded expectations in 2025, winning 79 games under first‑year manager Clayton McCullough and showing promise from a young core alongside Sandy Alcantara’s return from Tommy John surgery. The club faces pivotal offseason decisions: add power, particularly at first base (linked names include Paul Goldschmidt, Josh Naylor and Carlos Santana), and decide whether to trade or retain frontline starters Sandy Alcantara and Edward Cabrera amid likely strong market interest. Miami must balance a low payroll and thin margin for error, weighing the benefits of keeping Alcantara (whose late‑season stay paid dividends) against the returns trades could bring. Front‑office moves so far have drawn mixed reviews — a Sánchez‑for‑prospects deal provided major‑league help, while a costly lefty trade to Philadelphia and a disappointing Quantrill acquisition were criticized. Across the division, the Tampa Bay Rays are expected to revamp their outfield to add power and run production, a move that could prompt trade activity involving contact-and-speed players such as Jake Mangum.