Call to the pen
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Contenders or pretenders? Evaluating 5 MLB teams off to hot starts

By Justin Girshon

Jun 19, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Texas Rangers catcher Jonah Heim (28) hits a two-run single against the Chicago White Sox during the seventh inning at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 19, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Texas Rangers catcher Jonah Heim (28) hits a two-run single against the Chicago White Sox during the seventh inning at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Luis Arraez of the Miami Marlins
MIAMI, FLORIDA – JUNE 19: Luis Arraez #3 of the Miami Marlins at bat against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning at loanDepot park on June 19, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) /

Miami Marlins

Besides trading for Luis Arraez and A.J. Puk, the Miami Marlins didn’t make any significant moves after going 69-93 in 2022. However, despite having a nearly quiet offseason, the Marlins have improved drastically. Sitting 3.5 games ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies for second place in the NL East and in possession of the first NL Wild Card spot, the Marlins have arguably been the most surprising team in MLB.

Led by Arraez hitting over .400 and Jorge Soler raking to a 149 wRC+, the Marlins lineup has been fine, but by wRC+ is 22nd best in MLB. Jazz Chisholm has missed significant time on the injured list, and his return will surely boost Miami’s lineup. However, beyond those three players and breakout outfielder Jesus Sanchez, the Marlins lineup is mostly bleak.

If Kim Ng and company are serious about making a return to October, they must address adding infield help at any position besides second base, where beyond Jon Berti, no player is playing all that well.

On the pitching side, the Marlins have been fairly strong, even with Sandy Alcantara taking a major step back from his 2022 Cy Young campaign. While Alcantara has struggled, pitching to a 4.97 ERA, 20-year-old rookie Eury Perez has pitched brilliantly (although regression is heavily likely) while Jesus Luzardo and Braxton Garrett have been solid. If Alcantara can bounce back to the ace he is, Miami’s rotation is in a spot where they’d lineup well with any opposing team in a postseason series.

Additionally, led by Puk and Tanner Scott having breakout seasons, the Marlins bullpen has pitched to a respectable 3.91 ERA. Overall, the Marlins’ 8.7 pitching staff fWAR is the fifth-best in MLB.

Even though their pitching staff is in a position to compete in October, the Marlins’ lineup is multiple pieces away from being where it needs to be. Unless they pull off a blockbuster trade netting them a significant position player or two, I don’t see the Marlins as a contender.

My verdict: Pretender
Consensus vote: 24% contender, 76% pretender

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