The Miami Marlins are under the spotlight. With two World Series titles, the has been searching for the right formula to get back on track to success. Under the leadership of President Peter Bandix, the franchise is undergoing a shift, one that’s raising eyebrows among critics. The reason? The Marlins are trying to adopt strategies similar to the Tampa Bay Rays.

However, the Rays themselves are yet to capture a World Series title. As AJ Pierzynski from the Foul Territory voiced his frustration, “Why do they wanna be the Rays, why can’t they just be the Marlins? The Marlins have won twice!! The Rays have never won any time.” He directly cut to the reason for the controversy on why the Marlins, with their rich history, should try to mirror the Rays, a team that has been consistent but is yet to taste success.

As Pierzynski suggests, “Every smallish market wanna be the Rays,” Craig Mash offered a deeper perspective. Craig acknowledged that the Marlins’ path has been a difficult one. “All of those seasons between their post-seasons between 2003 and 2020 were horrible,” Mash said, underscoring the fact that the Marlins have spent years in mediocrity. While it’s true the team won World Series titles in 1997 and 2003, the road to consistency has been riddled with failure. Mash believes that Peter Bandix, the president of baseball operations for the Miami Marlins, is finally trying something new and unique. They are hoping to build a new model that is somewhat similar to that of the Rays—a competitive roster on a limited budget.

However, the obvious question is: will it work? “It’s going to be extremely tough for the Marlins to continue to go about the way they have been doing even with those World Series seasons,” Mash warns, recognizing the tough division the Marlins play in. But at the same time, Mash sees Bandix’s shift toward a Rays-like model as an attempt to make them more sustainable in the long run. The Marlins’ attempt might seem like a gamble, but it could be a bold strategy that could reshape the franchise’s path for years to come.

Miami Marlins’ 2025 revival?

The Miami Marlins are entering the 2025 season facing a challenging offseason, with expectations tempered by a lack of significant signings and a roster that’s seen more departures than additions.

After finishing last in the NL and losing their star player Jake Burger, the Marlins are left with Jesus Sanchez as their offensive key. While the offensive numbers may not inspire excitement, there are reasons for optimism heading into the new season. One of the biggest bright spots for the Marlins is the return of staff ace Sandy Alcantara, who missed much of last season. His presence will provide them with a much-needed boost. Along with Sandy, Eury Perez is expected to return around the All-Star Break, adding more All-Star-caliber pitching to a rotation that struggled last year.

Though the Marlins’ offensive struggles may continue, the strengthened pitching staff could make them a more competitive and entertaining team in 2025. With star players back in the mix, the Marlins will be poised to leave behind their last season’s 62-100 record and start over. While the road to postseason glory may be long, the return of these ace pitchers provides a glimmer of hope that the Marlins can turn the page on last year’s struggles.