Miami Marlins: 3 MLB playoff stories to watch that will shape 2024

Will Josh Bell and Jorge Soler boost their market value? 

First up, two of the biggest reasons the Miami Marlins are in these playoffs to begin with: Josh Bell and Jorge Soler.

Unfortunately for the Marlins, the only thing more unlikely than a deep playoff run in 2023 might be finding themselves in a position to keep both of these players in 2024. Technically, both of them are under contract for next season. However, both of them have the ability to opt out. Should they do so, and not return on a new deal, they would be leaving two massive holes in a lineup that had already struggled at times to put runs on the board.

In Soler's case, opting out seems all but certain, and has been viewed in that way since May. This 2023 campaign was the second best season of his career when it comes to the traditional counting stats, though curiously his first time earning All-Star honors. However, if you're a fan of WPA, this was Soler's best year by far. He did miss significant time due to injury in the second half though, which could help to somewhat lower his cost. Additionally, after reports early in the year that suggested he had serious misgivings about the playing surface at loanDepot Park, and consequently returning to the Marlins in 2024, that position has seemingly softened as the season has gone on. Still, he would be a top five hitter in free agency if he decides to test the market. At the least.

As for Bell, it's been a rollercoaster ride projecting what he'll do. After a scorching start following his arrival at the trade deadline from Cleveland, one that saw him approach franchise record territory for home runs in the first few weeks of a Marlins career, his opting in for next year quickly went from being viewed as expected to extremely unlikely. But then the adrenaline wore off, and he spent four weeks being much closer to his career norm- a useful but average player. He's started coming around again of late though, and did just deliver the game sealing hit in Miami's postseason clinching victory Saturday. As for how he feels about Miami in general, he's been very candid about how much he loves it here. Sadly, he's a Scott Boras client...so there's that.

All that remains to see is what kind of postseason show they put on. Soler, as the savvy baseball fan knows, has been a monster in October. He boasts a .292/.418/.692 line across 79 plate appearances, along with six homers, including that fabled moonshot for the Braves in the 2021 World Series. If he taps into some of that postseason magic again in 2023, even over just two or three games, he'll very likely be in line for one of the biggest hitter contracts of the offseason. Bell seems much more likely to return to Miami, but the only question is whether it's on a one year deal or a costly by Marlins standards extension. His playoff production could well be the tiebreaker.

Just something to keep in mind while watching these games. Provided you can take your eyes off the Marlins player standing in the spotlight...

Will Jazz Chisholm be the star he's billed to be? 

For most baseball fans, it's all about Jazz when it comes to the Miami Marlins.

Cover athlete of MLB The Show, which has only been made clear probably about 1,000 times this offseason during commercial breaks. Charismatic leader. Spark plug on the field. Jazz carries the mantle of young superstar and ambassador for the game as effortlessly as he sprints from first to second base.

All that remains is for him to, well to borrow from the parlance of a certain video game, unlock legend mode and produce on the field like the superstar he aspires to be.

This will be the biggest stage yet Chisholm has played on, and all eyes will be upon him. That includes the Marlins front office, who will be hoping for a final answer to their Jazz question/problem. Is he a true, 1A star capable of carrying an offense? Or is he just a really exciting complementary player? He's already a top tier personality ... but he also hasn't been a Top 5 player in terms of WAR for the Marlins in 2023. That's curious territory to be sure for a face of the franchise to find themselves.

For my money, I would expect fireworks this week. Should he provide them over the course of these playoffs, the Marlins can move into the offseason confident that they can focus on filling holes, building up depth, and possibly taking their shot at offering Jazz an extension. If Jazz comes up short though, all the questions would remain. Chief among them, does Miami really have a superstar caliber hitter or not? It might sound like that's putting a lot on what could just be two additional games of playing time, but the clock is ticking on the organization being able to afford a long-term Jazz deal if is who he believes himself to be.

In short, just about anything could be on the table for the Marlins over the next year in regards to Jazz' future in South Florida. Much like one or two other players I could mention...

Will Edward Cabrera get a chance to shine ... and play his way off the roster?

Even after a pair of trades and multiple injuries, the strength of the Miami Marlins organization remains their starting pitching.

Staff ace Sandy Alcantara had a down year...and still led MLB in complete games. Dazzling rookie Eury Perez flashed plenty of potential in his debut campaign, enough to make evaluators wonder if Miami might have a new staff ace on their hands before too long. Jesus Luzardo set a career high in reaching 200 Ks, and firmly established himself as a top of the rotation caliber starter himself.

Of course, Alcantara and Perez aren't available this postseason. Luzardo will get the ball for Game 1, and then hand things off to Braxton Garrett- arguably the MVP of the 2023 Marlins. After that? If necessary, Miami will be forced to turn to Edward Cabrera- one of the most polarizing pitchers in the majors.

One minute, he's piling up strikeouts in bunches. The next, he's walking everyone in sight. It's been a topsy-turvy, ying-yang season for Cabrera in 2023, and it's a theme that has followed him throughout his career. The most pressing problem for Kim Ng and the Marlins front office is that while he's still capable of turning in an outing every third start or so that reminds you why he was an elite prospect as recently as late 2021, Cabrera is also out of options. It's elite stuff, but far too inconsistent control.

Which brings us to a potential Game 3 of Miami's Wild Card series with Philadelphia, and the chance to make 29 other GMs start salivating. With talents like Max Meyer, Dax Fulton, and Trevor Rogers waiting in the wings, the Marlins are going to have some hard choices when it comes to filling out the 2024 starting rotation. And even with the lessons learned from this year's rash of injuries, and even with the prospect of potentially losing Alcantara to Tommy John surgery, Miami is probably going to be forced to deal away one more pitcher to help bolster the offense.

What Cabrera, and perhaps even Garrett, show over these playoffs will play a huge role in determining how those decisions play out.

So first and foremost, enjoy every minute of these playoffs Marlins fans. Yet that doesn't mean you shouldn't keep one eye on the future as well.