Marlins' Opening Day roster a work in progress

Nearly every job is up for grabs at Marlins Spring Training. Here is my first stab at what Miami¡¯s Opening Day roster might look like:

Catcher (2): Nick Fortes, Liam Hicks
Fortes is the incumbent who finished with five defensive runs saved and improved his OPS (.466 to .737 OPS) from the first to second half. Since Miami selected Hicks in the Rule 5 Draft, he must make the team out of camp or else be returned to Detroit. The 25-year-old hasn¡¯t played above the Double-A level (.736 OPS in 2024), but the Marlins saw enough in his bat to give him this MLB opportunity.

First baseman (1): Matt Mervis
The 26-year-old Mervis, who was acquired from the Cubs in a trade, is a change-of-scenery candidate. The former top prospect dominated Minor League competition but couldn¡¯t find his footing or consistent playing time at the MLB level (.481 OPS in 36 games). According to MLB Pipeline¡¯s 2023 scouting report, Mervis ¡°moves well enough to play an adequate first base.¡±

Second baseman (1): Otto Lopez
Claimed off waivers from the Giants on April 4, Lopez became one of the Majors¡¯ best defensive second basemen with 17 outs above average (most in National League, minimum 850 innings) and nine DRS (second most). But the Marlins also are in need of offense, so the 26-year-old Lopez will need to produce more (87 OPS+), otherwise prospects like Javier Sanoja, Graham Pauley and Jared Serna could see playing time.

Shortstop (1): Xavier Edwards
Miami designated for assignment veteran Tim Anderson last July to pave the way for Edwards¡¯ first chance at everyday reps. While Edwards thrived at the plate (.328 average), he struggled out on the field (second-fewest OAA in MLB, minimum 550 innings). This time around, Edwards, 25, had an offseason¡¯s worth of training to prepare.

Third baseman (1): Connor Norby
Norby, 24, is in the same boat as Edwards. After growing pains (-5 DRS in 267 innings) while learning a new position, Norby gets another shot following a winter of work. He showcased power to all fields (.760 OPS), which is crucial at a home venue like loanDepot park. If it doesn¡¯t work out at the hot corner and Lopez scuffles, Norby could move back to his natural position.

Outfielders (3): Kyle Stowers, Dane Myers, Jes¨²s S¨¢nchez
Miami will likely play matchups ¨C as it did following the Trade Deadline ¨C with this unit. Stowers struggled (.557 OPS) in 50 games with his new club, while Myers missed an opportunity after a self-inflicted injury. And though S¨¢nchez hit MLB¡¯s farthest homer of 2024, he has yet to reach 20 taters in a season and solve lefty pitching.

Designated hitter (1): Jonah Bride
This role may very well be a rotation. Or it could go to Bride if Mervis produces on offense and is a better defender. First base isn¡¯t the 29-year-old Bride¡¯s natural position, though his -1 DRS was adequate. From July 25, when he began starting on a daily basis, Bride recorded an .854 OPS and hit 11 homers in 59 games. He will start on a daily basis; it¡¯s just a matter of where.

Bench (3): Derek Hill, Eric Wagaman, Javier Sanoja
The bench will be determined in large part by what happens in the outfield and at DH. Hill and Myers are both right-handed center fielders. Newcomer Wagaman can play corner infield and outfield. Sanoja would be the utilityman up the middle.

Starting pitchers (5): RHP Sandy Alcantara, RHP Edward Cabrera, LHP Ryan Weathers, RHP Max Meyer, RHP Valente Bellozo
Who comes after the main trio? When injuries decimated the rotation, Bellozo -- acquired from the Astros last April having never pitched above the Double-A level -- became the club¡¯s most consistent starter (3.67 ERA). Though the 25-year-old lacks the velocity of his counterparts, he could be relied upon every fifth day. Meyer, who turns 26 on March 12, made the Opening Day rotation and dominated through three starts (2.12 ERA) but couldn¡¯t regain his form (7.20 ERA in eight starts) and finished the season injured.

Relief pitchers (8): RHP Calvin Faucher, RHP Jesus Tinoco, LHP Andrew Nardi, RHP Anthony Bender, RHP Declan Cronin, LHP Anthony Veneziano, RHP Lake Bachar, RHP Ronny Henriquez
This group could look fairly similar to the one from the end of last season. Faucher, Tinoco and Cronin became dependable arms. Bender finished strong in his return from Tommy John surgery. Miami needs the 2023 version of Nardi, who had things flare up over the offseason and isn¡¯t full-go entering camp. Veneziano and Bachar showed promise in late-season auditions.