Here are 3 predictions for Marlins in 2023

This story was excerpted from Christina De Nicola's Marlins Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

I hope everyone is having a safe and happy holiday season!

With 2023 nearly upon us, that can only mean one thing: Spring Training is right around the corner. Though the Marlins still have moves to make, I decided to make three predictions for the upcoming season.

Will I jinx things? Keep this handy, and we'll find out together.

1. Miami will have a Top 5 rotation in the Majors
This one isn't too bold, considering the starting staff finished with the seventh-lowest WHIP (1.18), eighth-lowest ERA (3.70) and 12th-highest fWAR (12.5) in the Majors despite using 14 starters in 2022. Sandy Alcantara won the National League Cy Young Award and Pablo López set a career high for innings (180), but Trevor Rogers struggled in his sophomore campaign (5.47 ERA). Edward Cabrera (3.01 ERA), Jesús Luzardo (3.32 ERA) and Braxton Garrett (3.58 ERA) took steps forward. Two things could hold back this group: injuries and innings limitations. When healthy, Miami's rotation can hold its own with MLB's more heralded and veteran arms.

2. Avisaíl García will bounce back
If everyone is saying it, surely it'll come true? After signing for four years and $53 million last winter as the club's marquee free-agent signing, García disappointed in his first season with Miami. Credit to García, who hasn't shied away from saying it. The 31-year-old has maintained a healthier lifestyle since rehabbing from his first left hamstring strain and is already working with first-base/outfield coach Jon Jay.

García expects to see a jump in production due to more familiarity with the division, similar to what happened from his first to second years in Milwaukee (78 to 119 OPS+). Will he be a 30-homer bat? Unlikely, considering he's never done that before and because of pitcher-friendly loanDepot park. But Miami will take a reliable run producer.

3. Eury Pérez will debut during the summer
Miami's top prospect (MLB Pipeline's No. 9 overall) will be only 20 next season. Facing competition five years older didn't faze the right-hander, who impressed at Double-A Pensacola in 2022 until an oblique injury wound up sidelining him for a month across August and September.

Will the Marlins continue to challenge Pérez and start him at Triple-A Jacksonville to begin 2023? If so, that would leave him just one step away from the big leagues. How the rotation looks heading into Opening Day -- and any injuries that might affect it in-season -- will determine when Pérez receives a callup. That's assuming he continues to take care of business on the mound.