Miami Marlins 2026 payroll is what is wrong with MLB

I hate to say this, but the Miami Marlins are what’s wrong with Major League Baseball. It’s actually amazing they managed to win 79 games last year with a payroll of only $67.2M, dead last in the league. In fact, they are at or near the bottom of the league’s payroll every season. They’ve been in the bottom five in seven of the past eight seasons. The team begins this season again last in the league in team payroll, sitting at $72.8M. And, as crazy as it sounds, $30.3M is swallowed up by only two players (SP Sandy Alcantara and CL Pete Fairbanks). The entire team only has six players earning over $1,000,000 this year…this isn’t 1976 or 1986, it’s 2026.

THE LINEUP

Sep 21, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Miami Marlins designated hitter Agustin Ramirez (50) motions to the dugout after he hits a double against the Texas Rangers during the fifth inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

If I were to ask what player played the most games last season, would you know it was SS Otto Lopez? He played in 139 games, which led the team. They didn’t have one player play in 140 games last year. If I asked which player had the most ABs, would you know it was 2B Xavier Edwards? This is a lineup of no names and cast-offs. The star of this offense is OF Kyle Stowers. The Orioles traded him to Miami in 2024, and in his first full season with the Marlins, he led the team with 25 HRs and an OPS of .912.

Other than Stowers, only C Agustin Ramirez had over 20 HRs, and no player reached 80 runs or RBIs. To call this offense anemic would be an insult to anemia. The team’s big offensive signing in the offseason was Christopher Morel. They signed him to a one-year deal for $2M. The 27-year-old is now with his third team. He began his career with the Cubs, and it started out strong. As a rookie, he hit 16 HRs, then in 2023, he had a breakout season, hitting 26 HRs and driving in 70 runs. In 2024, the Cubs moved him to Tampa Bay, and he hit a total of 21 HRs. He’s now with the Marlins and will be able to contribute to this offense.

THE ROTATION

Sep 26, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara (22) exits the game against the New York Mets during the eighth inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

The team is bringing back four starters into their rotation. They are led by their ace, who should be fully recovered from Tommy John surgery he had in 2024. Last year, he did make 31 starts, but he was just not himself. He finished the year 11-12 with a 5.36 ERA. Eury Perez made 20 starts last season, Janson Junk added 16, and Max Meyer had 12. The team lost 58 starts between the losses of Ryan Weathers, Cal Quantrill, and Edward Cabrera. It’s more than likely that Alcantara will be traded before the trade deadline this season.

BULLPEN

Sep 21, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Pete Fairbanks (29) throws a pitch against the Boston Red Sox during the ninth inning at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dave Nelson-Imagn Images

The Marlins acquired closer Pete Fairbanks for $13M. That represents 17.8% of this team’s payroll, which is both amazing and ridiculous. Like Alcantara, he will most likely be traded by the trade deadline. The former Rays closer should have a lock on the role to begin the season.

Last season, nine pitchers got at least one save with the team. In hockey, they say if you have two goalies, you don’t have one. If a team has nine pitchers who get saves, they need a closer. The team did address that issue by acquiring Fairbanks. His addition will slot everyone down, with Calvin Faucher and Ronny Henriquez used in late-inning situations.