FAQ: What to know about Marlins' offseason

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.

Any day -- perhaps any minute -- now, the Marlins will choose their new manager. In the meantime, here are some questions as we head into the Hot Stove season:

What are the key dates?

First day after the World Series: The trade freeze is lifted and Major Leaguers may be traded between clubs.

Fourth day after the World Series: Last date to request waivers on Draft-excluded players until spring.

Fifth day after the World Series: The deadline for teams and players to make decisions on contract options, to reinstate all players on the 60-day injured list and to tender qualifying offers. The “quiet period” ends and MLB free agents are free to sign with any club as of 5 p.m. ET. Minor League players become free agents then, if applicable.

Nov. 4-7: GM Meetings in San Antonio, Texas.

Nov. 19: The deadline to add players to the 40-man roster to protect them from the Rule 5 Draft is 6 p.m.

Nov. 22: By 8 p.m. on the Friday before Thanksgiving, teams must formally tender contracts to unsigned players for the following season, including their arbitration-eligible ones. If a player is non-tendered, he becomes a free agent.

Dec. 9-11: Winter Meetings in Dallas, Texas, including the MLB Draft Lottery on Dec. 10 and the Rule 5 Draft on Dec. 11.

Dec. 15: End of the 2024 international signing period.

Jan. 10, 2025: Eligible players and their teams exchange arbitration figures.

Jan. 15, 2025: Start of the new international signing period.

Which Marlins are free agents?

None.

Who might be a non-tender candidate?

The Marlins have six players on the 60-day IL, so they will have to find ways to clear space on the 40-man roster for those returns. One of those players, right-hander Sixto Sánchez, is likely to be non-tendered. Despite pitching in MLB for the first time in four years, Sánchez experienced a setback with his right shoulder in early June and made just one rehab appearance.

During the second half, Miami acquired various players and auditioned them for possible roles in 2025. The Marlins will need to decide if the following guys did enough to warrant a spot: right-handed depth starters Darren McCaughan, Adam Oller and Xzavion Curry; right-handed relievers Shaun Anderson, Mike Baumann, Michael Peterson, John McMillon and Lake Bachar; left-handed reliever Anthony Veneziano; utility players David Hensley and Vidal Bruján; catcher Jhonny Pereda.

Who needs to be added to the 40-man roster this winter to avoid the Rule 5 Draft?

This applies to three members of the Marlins’ Top 30 prospects list: first baseman/third baseman Deyvison De Los Santos (No. 4), middle infielder Jared Serna (No. 10) and left-hander Dax Fulton (No. 26). De Los Santos led all Minor Leaguers with 40 homers and Serna impressed the player-development staff, while Fulton is expected to be ready for Spring Training following his second Tommy John surgery. Other notable names include Triple-A Jacksonville catcher Bennett Hostetler and late-inning reliever Austin Roberts.

What kind of help do they need and will they be active in free agency?

The Marlins’ only MLB signing last winter was veteran shortstop Tim Anderson ($5 million), and he was designated for assignment in July. Since Miami is in transition, the organization might not be very active in free agency.

Catcher, shortstop and center field remain areas of interest, but the Marlins have internal options with room to grow. President of baseball operations Peter Bendix must determine whether it’s worth signing a free agent on a short-term deal to give rising prospects more time to develop.

Nick Fortes finished the 2024 regular season tied for the sixth-most Defensive Runs Saved (five) among MLB backstops with at least 850 innings, and his bat picked up in the second half (.737 OPS). MLB Pipeline’s No. 96 overall prospect Agustin Ramirez is on the 40-man roster, but he could use more work behind the plate and will need consistent at-bats.

When Miami DFA’d Anderson, it made Xavier Edwards the everyday shortstop to see whether he could handle a position he hadn’t played the majority of the time since 2018. Edwards thrived at the plate (124 OPS+) but struggled on defense (-8 DRS). The Marlins are optimistic that Edwards can improve with offseason work. Prospects Serna and Javier Sanoja (No. 13) are the only middle infielders close to the big leagues.

In center field, 40-man options include Dane Myers, Derek Hill and Victor Mesa Jr. (No. 16 prospect). Myers missed out on an extended opportunity when he fractured his left ankle, though he returned in the final week and finished strong. Hill is a journeyman. Mesa likely would’ve made his MLB debut in 2024 had it not been for a season-ending lumbar stress reaction.

Whom might they be willing to trade?

Last offseason, right-hander Edward Cabrera and left-hander Jesús Luzardo were the subjects of trade rumors. Miami was encouraged by Cabrera’s final 10 starts (3.57 ERA), but with a history of injury and inconsistency, plus no Minor League options remaining, is it wise to hold onto him?

Considering the significant amount of time Luzardo missed, it’s unlikely the Marlins would sell low. Luzardo made $5.5 million in 2024 while avoiding arbitration.

If we learned anything, it’s that the front office isn’t afraid to execute trades. Miami revamped the system in a seller’s market with pieces it hopes will help the club contend sooner rather than later.